Being your own boss has many benefits, but it also means you need to put your foot down and run your business like a business. Here’s how. By Dorothy Black
So you can work from the comfort of Club Duvet and drink your Flat White in any little hip coffee shop you like, any time you like. Because you’re a freelancer and that’s how you roll.
But you and I know that working your own business takes guts, perseverance and crazy commitment to flying solo. Here are my new year’s resolutions for freelancers.
1. I will only start work with correct, written commissions and contracts.
Out: People or companies that can’t be bothered to write down what they want and what they’re paying. If they can’t make the effort to follow good practice, why do you think they’ll bother going to the effort to pay you – or pay you what you agreed?
In: Kill fees and exit clauses. Not signing anything that remotely sounds like it’s signing away your brand identity. If you’re still a small business (and yes, your personal image and name is a business), you don’t know where you’ll be in a few years’ time.
Why: No matter what work you’re doing, commission forms and contracts help clarify and manage expectations. More importantly, they safeguard you.
2. On big projects I will ask for a deposit upfront and stage-driven deliverables with payment.
Out: Working months on a project with no real conviction that you’ll get paid at the end of it.
In: Deposits and stage-driven deliverable/payment plans where possible. A deposit secures your commitment and your client’s commitment. Where not possible (government orgs, NGOs, universities, major companies), weigh up the risks.
Why: A contract covers you in an honourable system, but if it’s a new client or the system is less than honourable, you can still get screwed. And if you get screwed, your only option is to slink away, pay legal fees or get messy on social media. All of these will hurt you more than the offending entity.
3. I will cut off the dead weight.
Out: Spending your days working on tiny projects that demand more energy than they’re worth and pay less than your bottom line. Also out: Spending valuable, billable time stressing about and chasing payments. This is bad business.
In: Valuable relationships that benefit both parties equally.
Why: When you free up your time playing in the sandpit you have time to build castles.
4. I will not work with people who undervalue and disrespect me.
Out: Trying to work with divas, liars, rude people, bullies and misogynists. Business doesn’t have to be this way.
In: Following a solutions-driven, win-win approach and aligning with people who have the same attitude. If you’re stuck in a company you might have no choice. But when you’re a freelancer, you are your own PR, HR and cheerleading squad. Look after yourself first.
Why: You need to consider the effect of negativity and stress on your health. One of the plus points of being your own boss is that you get to choose who you work with. Support good service and networking attitudes.
5. I will no longer undervalue my own work.
Out: Underquoting. Accepting bad/no/laughable rates.
In: Understanding and making an honest evaluation of your contribution in the marketplace. Do not be bullied by the bad client practice of ‘yes, but so and so charges less’ or, my favourite, ‘yes but exposure’. They say ‘exposure’, you say ‘Are you Oprah?’ Negotiation is a thing.
Why: If you’ve assessed your unique value properly, you will not sell yourself short on it. You do yourself, your peers and the local industry a disservice.
6. I will invoice on time and follow up with those who do not pay on time.
Out: Waiting until the last minute to invoice because doing numbers is intimidating.
In: Setting admin days, creating a system and making sure you are being paid before you carry on working. Get a tax consultant and if you own a small business, invest in an accountant.
Why: Good money management is the foundation of a successful business – and you are a business.
7. I will pick my battles.
Out: Trying to fix a business or working relationship that is broken.
In: Knowing when it’s time to say goodbye and move on.
Why: Everything does not have to be perfect, but when things are getting progressively worse, take the hint and move on. Not all battles need to be fought and if you choose to take on someone or a company, the cost to you in time and energy may be more than it’s worth.
8. I will not badmouth peers or give in to win/lose mentalities.
Out: Silo mentalities. Being snipey, bitchy and breaking people down.
In: The space is big enough for everyone. Collaboration, support and peer promotion of people you respect. A competitive spirit is healthy when there is no resentment fuelling it.
Why: Because we’re not living in the 80s. Because this isn’t Wolf of Wall Street. Because it’s not cool.
9. I will be smarter about my productivity
Out: Wasting time online – getting stuck in the vortex of social media, clickable links, and online games.
In: Setting time aside to build a meaningful online presence for your brand, product or offering.
Why: Go back to the sandpit/real castles scenario.
10. I will not work all the time.
Out: Having no boundaries with screen/work/service time.
In: Working during office hours, playing outside of office hours. Your clients will take the boundaries you give them.
Why: You’ve kicked yourself out of the 9–5 matrix and you have a passion to be your own adventure maker … but even people who jump out of planes need to touch solid ground sometimes.
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