Some people get into freelancing with a somewhat negative attitude. Their state of mind follows a line of thinking similar to these:
- The financial crisis made my life really tough and being a freelancer is not ideal but I am desperate and ready to work for pennies (that’s what freelancing is, right?)
- I am a hard-working highly qualified professional but nobody wants to hire me, I don’t know why, I don’t know what else they want…
- I am super smart but employers never give me a chance, they are stupid like that – not understanding that I am good and they miss on the opportunity to hire me
Some of these sound ridiculous but when looking for freelancers, I have heard every single one of them. Don’t be like that, please. If you truly want to succeed as a freelancer, you must shift your perspective. Choose to be positive for freelance success!
Yes, I can!
This is your motto, starting today. It doesn’t matter who tells you what, how desperate your family is, what your friends think about your freelance venture. You will succeed as a freelancer only if you believe you will. Repeat after me: “Yes, I can!” – because yes, you can.
I seek!
A golden goose won’t come to you if you sit quietly in the corner feeling sorry for yourself. Be proactive – research, be brave, create opportunities for yourself. Put yourself in situations when you can shine and stand apart from the crowd.
I want!
Nobody will come to you and offer you your dream project – not when you are starting as a freelancer anyway. For that reason the attitude and state of mind “I can but nobody gives me a chance” won’t cut it for you. To the contrary!
You have to truly want to change yourself and your life for the better (Yes, being a freelancer will change you and your life) and you need to be ready and embrace that change.
When you truly want something, you will find a way to make it happen. Even when talking about landing your first contract on websites like oDesk, Elance or other freelance job boards.
Be honest and genuine!
One of the most common mistakes newbie freelancers make is not being honest about their skills and knowledge – don’t be that guy! Be genuine and honest with yourself and with your potential clients. Know your skills and capabilities. Don’t misrepresent yourself, for no reason.
Don’t enter negotiations for a new contract with the thought how much the client is willing to pay you, think about what your skills are worth and how much you want and deserve to be paid.
Be enthusiastic!
I know how discouraging it is when you send 297 customized cover letters and you get only a few replies, all of which rejection letters. Don’t despair! Sun always comes up, right? So does work.
It’s important though that you don’t go looking for projects feeling all desperate. You never know which client will give you a try, with whom you will work really well and with whom you’ll develop a long-term relationship. For that reason, always apply with enthusiasm – if you want the job, that is 😉
I am sure going from a 40 hour a week job, to freelancing, takes a huge mental adjustment. I know in the beginning it is scary not having the stability of a 9-5 job. But you make very valid points. It’s all about believing in yourself and your skills and your value. And you never know, the freelancing may lead to the stability you desire.
Thanks for introducing the stability angel in the mix, Susan – truth be told, i think being a freelancer brings real stability.
When on a regular 9-to-5 job, you can basically be fired and/or downsized on any given day; with or without notice… and there’s very little you can do about it. But as a freelancer, you can diversify your income sources…
Even if you don’t have passive income, you an still work on multiple projects and with multiple clients so if one project is complete or ends suddenly, you are not left with nothing, with little to no notice. You still have your other projects to bring you money until you find another client to replace that one who suddenly disappeared 🙂
That, i call stability 😀
Diana,
Nice Article. Freelancing profession needs respect. If freelance professionals won’t demand respect by giving their best to their jobs, nobody will look forward to hire them.
So I think freelancers should do the following things:
Work hard. Love Knowledge. Deliver the Best.
What you say is true, Hassaan, but this post tackles a deeper issue which many starting freelancers don’t realize they have.
In order to work hard, love knowledge and deliver the best, starting freelancers must first shift their focus to being proactive and start believing they can succeed…
I think this speaks for life in general, not just freelancing! Authenticity, hard work, honing your skills, the yes I can attitude! I love it! But like you I have asked freelance writers about their backgrounds, only to tell me that they had been unappreciated by their employers, or got down-sized and didn’t know what else to do…it sure was turn off. Great advice on all levels:)
I agree with you, Jacquie – most of my advice speaks to life in general hahahaha, i hope examples and making it freelance-specific helps starting freelancers find their path – both in professional and personal aspect of life 😀
Being a freelancer is a great opportunity hut if you go freelance for the wrong reasons (or for lack of choice, so to speak), you are doomed to fail.
Hi Hi Diana; This reminds me of some of the things my dad taught me when I was young and first working games on the family midway. He said you have to ask everyone that walks by and you have to do it with a smile and enthusiasm. And he said you can never tell who will want to spend money by appearances. He liked to say some of the hardest people to sell had full wallets. 🙂 Keep the great posts coming, max
Your father sounds like a smart guy, Max – attitude and the right approach is so important in sales, in any type of business! Thanks for reading and commenting 😀
Diana — I personally dislike the term freelancer because of its negative connotation. In the minds of many clients, freelancer equates to “cheap.” Do consultants call themselves freelancers? Do the independent contractors on the PGA golf tour call themselves freelancers? Do actors who are entrepreneurs call themselves freelancers? No. If you are a writer, call yourself a writer. If you are a project manager, that’s what you call yourself. I never refer to myself as a freelancer. Why don’t you just refer to yourself as Marketing Consultant? I’m curious.
Hi, Jeannette – i do refer to myself as a marketing consultant, i prefer freelance marketing consultant though – to indicate i am freelancing.
To build on your examples – writer is NOT the same as freelance writer. Entrepreneur is NOT the same as a freelancer. I have no idea what “PGA golf tour” is so… i won’t comment on it but generally speaking, independent contractor may mean freelancer in some cases…
“Freelancer” indicates that you are self-employed and for hire; not working for a single company but can be hired on “per project” basis as need be. Whether you are a writer, a marketing consultant, a designer, a lawyer, whatever-else-you-are – it is irrelevant. You are still a freelance something (where something is your profession and freelance indicates you are self-employed and not someone’s employee)
You are the only one i know who finds the word “freelancer” being with a negative connotation. Why is that?
Hi Diana,
This is really a nice article for newbie freelancers. All state of minds you stated here in article are really absolutely valid. I can say this from my own experience when I have started freelancing and now I am a full time freelancer.
I want to add a point here that sometimes market is also down so that freelancers do not get the opportunity very soon. So nobody has to worry about that. Sometimes you have to be realistic not emotional.
Panchdev
Thanks for your addition, Panchdev – i agree and i must say, “waiting it out” so to speak is the toughest part.
It can be super discouraging to constantly apply and never get anything in return. That’s why it’s so important that you (a.k.a. the starting freelancer, not you personally :D) have top believe in your own skills and abilities and your success – only then you’ll really succeed.
Thanks again for stopping by and adding to the conversation 😀
I owned a small business. It failed. Thankfully it gave me the opportunity to finally pursue my avocation and I started freelancing. I could not be happier or more fulfilled working. In my sixties and never retiring – still haven’t filed for Social Security.
I attribute my success to my attitude.
Good for you, Alan – it is always a great feeling when we can do whatever we love doing 😀 Attitude does matter and you are a living proof of it!
Thanks for stopping by – i hope i’ll see more of you on the blog and in the comments 😉
You are a great example, Alan for new bees!
Hi Diana, the article is wonderful as all your articles. I work inthe field of finance and even though still not online I feel myself as freelance. In my professiob is the same. The attitude and positive thinking is everything. It took an year and half to proove to my husband I don’t need job 9 to 5 to bring home good money. I have shared with him the idea for online freelancing and he still cannot accept the idea working. I hope soon I will proove it too. Thanks for the great job done!
Awesome, thanks for your positive feedback, Mariya, and good luck with you freelance endeavors. Let me know if I can ever assist you so that you can convince your husband freelancing is pretty liberating, and soon 😀
~Diana