Vicky Ayala

Freelancing – What Not To Do

A lot of people talk about going freelance, but few people ever actually make the transition to self-employed. But for those who do, it’s a minefield of missed opportunities and a lack of self-discipline being a quick route to failure. So I’ve rounded up some tips ratting around in my brain to offer you when you decide to step away from the traditional employer-employee in-office situation.

1) Get up.

Some freelancers work odd hours, and that’s fair enough – you are your own boss. But that comes at a price, and a dear one at that. You’re going to miss important emails, calls and other forms of contact sent by those who work normal hours, and whether you’re a writer or a designer of engagement rings, that means you’re going to struggle when it comes to being prompt and professional.

2) Have an office

Don’t work in your living room. You can do if you have the self-control and the right mindset, but a good start is to actually give yourself a room in your house to work out of. It also means your tax information and various other important items are in one place, and you can insure that the cat won’t suddenly assume that because you’re not currently using it, your laptop keyboard makes the perfect belly-warmer.

3) Go outside.

People who freelance in a computer-led capacity usually have one less reason to leave the house, and the problem with that is that it’s the one reason most people leave the house at all on a regular basis. Ensure you have an active social life, go for walks, and get some fresh air and exercise. Not everyone wants to interact with you at a business meeting if you turn up pale-skinned and more than a little twitchy and agoraphobic.

These are just a few tips, but they’re the most important ones. Just be regular, be organised, give yourself a proper work environment, don’t become too indoorsy, and ensure you’re getting up in time to respond to people in a reasonable timeframe, and you should be fine. Good luck!