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I used to freelance for years, took a 3 year break, and will be coming back to it next month.
I try to remind myself of the DARK SIDE OF FREELANCING, and the ways to avoid it.
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It may help some great people out here, so hereâs some stuff I wish I knew when I started:
1/12
I try to remind myself of the DARK SIDE OF FREELANCING, and the ways to avoid it.
â¨
It may help some great people out here, so hereâs some stuff I wish I knew when I started:
1/12
Business hours. It's like any other business. If a crazy SLA is required - let the pricing reflect. Get proper rest, don't forget life. Getting a call from a client close to midnight just to say "I have a cool idea I want to talk with you about tomorrow" is NOT COOL AT ALL.
2/12
2/12
Down payments & milestones. If you have proof of your skills, get paid in advance - it's a commitment fee.
Split your work into milestones. Clients disappear or abandon projects. Some are very creative with finding reasons for NOT PAYING. This shouldn't be your problem.
3/12
Split your work into milestones. Clients disappear or abandon projects. Some are very creative with finding reasons for NOT PAYING. This shouldn't be your problem.
3/12
Contracts. Make sure that you write down your responsibilities, SLAs, and commitments AS WELL AS THE CLIENTS'. This should be agreed on both sides, including all fees, payments & deadlines.
Do not work without a signed contract.
4/12
Do not work without a signed contract.
4/12
Async communication. Try to move as much communication as possible to emails & chats.
¡ Phone calls are distracting as hell.
¡ If you will not answer your client they'll panic, and that's a
BAD SERVICE.
¡ When everything is documented things get easier down
the road.
5/12
¡ Phone calls are distracting as hell.
¡ If you will not answer your client they'll panic, and that's a
BAD SERVICE.
¡ When everything is documented things get easier down
the road.
5/12
The right clients. Once your financials are OK - choose your clients.
Figure out what you do best and who gives you both emotional & intellectual pleasure to work with. It's OK to have fun & expose yourself to new ideas & people in the process. And SAY NO to the others.
6/12
Figure out what you do best and who gives you both emotional & intellectual pleasure to work with. It's OK to have fun & expose yourself to new ideas & people in the process. And SAY NO to the others.
6/12
100% & 80% skills. If you're a quick learner and there's a client that requires a skill that you're only 80% good at, but 100% good at others, take it.
Learn that missing 20% in the process and GET PAID WHILE DOING SO. Don't feel under-qualified, but know your weaknesses.
7/12
Learn that missing 20% in the process and GET PAID WHILE DOING SO. Don't feel under-qualified, but know your weaknesses.
7/12
Don't bite on more than you can chew. Working 12 hours a day and still short on cash? You're doing it wrong.
You're either selling yourself cheap or haven't figured out who's the right client for you.
Stop for a minute and RE-THINK.
8/12
You're either selling yourself cheap or haven't figured out who's the right client for you.
Stop for a minute and RE-THINK.
8/12
Don't work for promises, fantasies & percents. Pay yourself first - ALWAYS.
If someone asks you to work for a % of a non-existing company, and you REALLY believe in this client and their idea - charge a small fee. Again - a token of commitment.
9/12
If someone asks you to work for a % of a non-existing company, and you REALLY believe in this client and their idea - charge a small fee. Again - a token of commitment.
9/12
Add 30% to any time estimate. Your client can (and probably will) take their time, you don't have this benefit. You should be done as quickly as possible, but leave some room for play and prevent client disappointment and stress.
10/12
10/12
QUIT. If you can't handle the project for any reason, don't beat yourself up and lead on your client.
Understand your weakness (and improve), give your client their money back & any unfinished work. It's only the fair thing to do for both sides.
11/12
Understand your weakness (and improve), give your client their money back & any unfinished work. It's only the fair thing to do for both sides.
11/12
Hope it'll help someone in need 
If you have more tips & horror stories you want to share,
it's OK - this is a safe place, please do!
(Man... I miss being a freelancer)
12/12
If you have more tips & horror stories you want to share,
it's OK - this is a safe place, please do!
(Man... I miss being a freelancer)
12/12
