Reza Tehranian

Designer/3D Visulization
Laval, Quebec Canada

Articles » Industry Specific »

Very helpful

7.3

out of 10

3 votes

Freelancing, it’s simple but it’s not easy.

For many Freelancers, it comes naturally, others give it up after few months of trying. Now a days, anybody could become a Freelancer. How hard can it be?

Written Aug 18, 2009, read 1213 times since then.

For many Freelancers, it comes naturally, others give it up after few months of trying. Now a days, anybody could become a Freelancer. How hard can it be? All you need is a skill, a computer with Internet connection! Right? Wrong! One of my former employers actually believed that because his assistant had a computer, she could and should start helping us with designs in AutoCAD. She actually did, but she slowed us down so much that the boss admitted that it was perhaps a bad idea. Just having the right tools is not enough. Sometimes, even knowing how to use a tool or a software, doesn't guarantee you'd succeed. It takes more than knowing a few software in order to become a Freelancer.

Endless working days

When you are working at a regular 9 to 5 job, you don't need to be concerned with where the money is coming from. At the end of your working day, you just shut down everything and go home. The Freelancing work day, doesn't end at 5 pm. There is always a blog you haven't read, and the Tutorial you promised yourself to do, or a proposal that is due the next day, the invoice you haven't sent for a week now. Don't get me wrong, not everyday ends at eleven p.m., but there are days where you don't have the time for coffee. There are also days and sometimes weeks when there is no work coming in. And so you'd like to go outside and relax....! Yes. tempting...:) And there are days that you should do that...just disconnect and enjoy the nice weather.

Work on your skills and procedures, day in & day out.

No matter what do you do as a Freelancer, you must be aware of the trends, the latest news in your domain. For instance, if you are a web designer, perhaps designing table based web pages is not a common practice these days. So you should always work on yourself and improve your skills. Improving your skills or even your own procedures is very important. When you keep doing the same job over and over, you should consider improving your operations. This may sound silly, but you'll realize how much time you'd save by improving your procedures. For instance, if you use the same script or code for a web site, you should create a snippet or a library of your codes. That way you don't need to look for it all the time. Even better, build a special bookmark folder for all your favorites web sites. This will increase your productivity and reduce your stress. Over time you'd notice that the library is getting bigger and so you can get more done in less time, and you will be ready to get more clients.

Love what you do, it'll show in your work.

When you put your heart into your work, it will show. Your clients will notice it and the satisfaction of the job well done is priceless. If you don't love what you do, you will fail, and that is a promise. You have to also remember that many Freelancers are somewhat artists. If you want to become a Freelancer in order to make a lot of money and fast, maybe this is not for you. You will make money, but it will take time and hard work. It won't come easy, but perhaps when you enjoy doing what you do will ease the ride.

Clients, not everybody would want to deal with them.

As a employee, you may not have had a direct contact with clients. Life was simple: do your job, get paid for it. When you are working for yourself, you HAVE to deal with your clients. No matter how you feel, or what kind of the day you are having, your smile should be turned on when you pick up the phone. Your attitude toward your clients will make the difference of the return business or not. Most Freelancers are friendly people, because of the affinity we have for our work, we sometimes glow...:) and people around us notice that.

It may not be easy, but it's so much fun!

Yes, despite all the difficulties and challenges you may face on a daily basis, you'll have so much fun that you'll forget about all of them. You may want to give up at times, you may even be forced to get a part time job, because you're not established enough, but you'll notice that while on your part time job, all you think about is getting back to your Freelance office, Yes, it won't be easy, but the rewards outweighs the difficulties.

Learn more about the author, Reza Tehranian.

Posted by Kelley St. Germain, West Jefferson, North Carolina | Aug 19, 2009

I enjoyed this article. The freelance lifestyle is not for everyone, but I like it!
Posted by Reza Tehranian, Laval, Quebec Canada | Aug 19, 2009

Hi Kelley, I'm glad you liked it. It sure has its challenges, but it's very rewarding.
Posted by Cindy Dunston Quirk, Anderson, Indiana | Aug 20, 2009

I also enjoyed the article. I am a freelance writer and this has allowed me to be me. It just never felt right working for someone else.

Now that I am on my own, not only do I feel free to be unique person I am, I am flourishing because I love what I do and enjoy doing it. And you are so on the money, when you love what you do, it shows.

After three years of sparse gigs and pay, it is finally beginning to be consistent.

Finding your passion should feel like swimming downstream. And I am so enjoying the swim!
Posted by Reza Tehranian, Laval, Quebec Canada | Aug 20, 2009

Thanks very much for kind words Cindy. I just needed to share my thoughts with everyone.

Despite all the bumps, I'm enjoying the freedom.

People sometimes think it's easy, but it takes many years of sacrifices to archive our goals, and people don't realize it.

And yes, definitely be passionate about what you do, and the rest is history!
Posted by Kimberly Dow, Frederick, Maryland | Aug 20, 2009

Thanks for the article Reza! You're right, freelancing IS a lot of work, but it's so much more rewarding at the end of the day! I love what I do (graphic design), but I also love that I have a direct relationship in helping my clients.
Posted by John Pendleton, Oak Harbor, Washington | Aug 20, 2009

Enjoyed your article. As a freelance photographer and instructor, I see people often wanting to quit the day job ( or they were fired) seek freelance creative work. They invest thousands of dollars into computer stuff and cameras and then expect business to march in. Only to learn that business doesn't happen like that.

99% have no business sense, plan or business stamina.

They pollute the water by confusing Joe Public. They drive the price down by dumping 2nd rate products on the market.

I greet these types everyday: saddened, at least 7 thousand on a credit card, dated and underutilized equipment wondering why they failed. Being a creative business type is a 24/7 thought especially in the formative years.
Posted by Reza Tehranian, Laval, Quebec Canada | Aug 20, 2009

Kimberly, glad you liked it. The hard work always pays off.

I never thought this would be published and have many positive reactions..Thanks @biznik
Posted by Reza Tehranian, Laval, Quebec Canada | Aug 20, 2009

So true John.

The best hammer in the world wouldn't guarantee you would make a great carpenter.

People tend to forget that by having the best tools, it doesn't make them an specialist. This is specially true in the creative domain. Everybody thinks that buying a digital camera would make them a photograph. I remember we were about 12 people who bought the same camera at work, and noticed only about 3 or 4 who were taking fantastic pictures....:)

I also totally agree with the "Polluting the water" section. I think perhaps the market will realize this can not go on for a long time.
Posted by Mackenzie Cansler-Kipp, Seattle, Washington | Aug 21, 2009

Thanks for posting this! As a freelancer just starting to get my feet wet in the world, I'm always looking for realistic, no "fluff" advice!
Posted by Reza Tehranian, Laval, Quebec Canada | Aug 21, 2009

Thanks for the comments Mackenzie.

This is as real as it gets :) Personally , I've been at it for over ten years now, part time and full time.

Whenever I had a regular full time job, I've continued to keep couple of clients as part time. One thing kept me going after all these years was my passion for my work. The second income was nice, but I wasn't doing it for the money.

There is a saying: if you don't jump in the water, you won't get wet and you certainly won't learn how to swim....! My advice, plan your move, jump in and enjoy the ride!

Good luck!
Posted by Francesca Frate, Woodstock, Ontario Canada | Aug 23, 2009

I agree a lot of people think that because they have a computer and some basic administrative skills that they can set up shop as a Virtual Assistant. That's not how it works.

You also have to understand how a business works and what it takes to market yourself and your services. Research what services your clients need. Learn how to deal with different people and their nature. Understand your market and above all you have to be willing to learn proper procedures and all about marketing.

There is so much to learn when you decide to work for yourself and how to be a professional. I think the biggest thing that free lancers or new entrepreneurs need to to know and learn is to believe in themselves and trust their instincts.
Posted by Iprit Agarwal, Pune, Maharashtra India | Jun 14, 2010

Great article, enjoyed reading it immensely. as said in the last part of the article, when you see the reward of your freelance work you absolutely forget about all those days that went without work or the time to stressed it out simultaneously on multiple projects to meet the deadlines or the time when you feel not agreeing with your client but still agree just to get repeat work :)
Posted by Reza Tehranian, Laval, Quebec Canada | Jun 15, 2010

Thanks everyone for positive feedback on this post.

I think many people start Freelancing not knowing what to expect. Some come out winner, and some just give up.

The bottom line: it takes time to build a relationship and trust with your clients. Trust is earned and it sure doesn't happen over night. But once that trust is established, and your client knows he/she can count on you, you got yourself a client for life.

And the best part is that once they had a good experience with you, the next time someone asks about the same kind of services you've provided, they will refer them to you with many positive recommendations, and that to me is priceless. In 2007, most of my business came from referral and the word of mouth, I didn't do any advertising. But that is for another post..:)