Normally, I'm a pretty chill individual but the one thing that I hate is when clients get something for nothing. Someone to write code for an entire website for less than $1000. Writing a 700-word article for less than $10. I also get steamed at companies that demand a quick turnaround for articles (or other tasks) that require extensive research to be delivered in a matter of hours.
The good news is that breaking the pattern is not impossible, even if you have been freelancing for a short period of time. Business 2 Community has some realistic yet simple tips for making the transition over to the big bucks. While not every method is suitable for every business or individual work style, it shouldn't take long to find a pattern that doesn't involve working round the clock all of the darn time.
Here are also a few tips that have made the freelance life more sane for me.
Learn how to say no. Sometimes opportunities may sound too good to pass up but there's a reason why good freelancers turn down unpaid tryout periods or give away too much information without guarantee of a reasonable return.
Create the right loss leaders for your business. If you have a newsletter, what purpose does it serve? Is it possible to create a dual purpose, like creating paid ad space for a specialized niche? There are possibilities to re-vamp marketing products so they will do more than one job at a time.
Establish boundaries early. If a client wants for you to put in extra time on a project, you have the right to determine the terms. Although it is best for the client to create milestones early, sometimes the unexpected can mean more money for the freelancer. However, if they want corrections that were not your fault, don't be afraid to add on fees for your time. It's been my experience that some clients will do a bait and switch on those who are new to freelancing.
The good news is that breaking the pattern is not impossible, even if you have been freelancing for a short period of time. Business 2 Community has some realistic yet simple tips for making the transition over to the big bucks. While not every method is suitable for every business or individual work style, it shouldn't take long to find a pattern that doesn't involve working round the clock all of the darn time.
Here are also a few tips that have made the freelance life more sane for me.
Learn how to say no. Sometimes opportunities may sound too good to pass up but there's a reason why good freelancers turn down unpaid tryout periods or give away too much information without guarantee of a reasonable return.
Create the right loss leaders for your business. If you have a newsletter, what purpose does it serve? Is it possible to create a dual purpose, like creating paid ad space for a specialized niche? There are possibilities to re-vamp marketing products so they will do more than one job at a time.
Establish boundaries early. If a client wants for you to put in extra time on a project, you have the right to determine the terms. Although it is best for the client to create milestones early, sometimes the unexpected can mean more money for the freelancer. However, if they want corrections that were not your fault, don't be afraid to add on fees for your time. It's been my experience that some clients will do a bait and switch on those who are new to freelancing.
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