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Freelancers unite

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

So I’ve just gone freelance in my day job (marketing and comms)

Those of you who’ve been at it a while, what advice would you share?

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By *ex HolesMan
over a year ago

Up North

Offer to be paid in kind and you’ll do well

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By *adyJayneWoman
over a year ago

Burnleyish (She/They)

Do not undervalue yourself. No matter how scary it is - if people can't afford you that's on them.

50% upfront and 50% on completion.

Contracts. Always have actual contracts.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Offer to be paid in kind and you’ll do well "

No need, I have a great professional reputation in my sector

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"So I’ve just gone freelance in my day job (marketing and comms)

Those of you who’ve been at it a while, what advice would you share? "

Decline offers to provide “sample work”.

Charge for everything. No free work. Watermark every bit of collateral you produce.

Stick to prices which mean you earn, don’t be tempted to discount.

Walk away from bad customers quickly.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Do not undervalue yourself. No matter how scary it is - if people can't afford you that's on them.

50% upfront and 50% on completion.

Contracts. Always have actual contracts. "

That’s great advice, sometimes imposter syndrome kicks in so I’ll have to remember this

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"So I’ve just gone freelance in my day job (marketing and comms)

Those of you who’ve been at it a while, what advice would you share?

Decline offers to provide “sample work”.

Charge for everything. No free work. Watermark every bit of collateral you produce.

Stick to prices which mean you earn, don’t be tempted to discount.

Walk away from bad customers quickly.

"

Thank you lovely

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Do not undervalue yourself. No matter how scary it is - if people can't afford you that's on them.

50% upfront and 50% on completion.

Contracts. Always have actual contracts. "

Better is 1/3 instalments. If a client is going to dick about or pull budgets they do it better to have 66% in your bank than 50

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By *ull English with teaMan
over a year ago

London

Don’t be afraid to take holiday, you obviously won’t be getting paid but need breaks / days off for mental health.

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By *elvet RopeMan
over a year ago

by the big field

Get to know your competitors, as they’re often your best asset to filter out the late payers, non payers and people that are too much of a pain in the arse to make it worth the hassle- plus, you never know when you might need a reliable second or third for a large contract

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By *elvet RopeMan
over a year ago

by the big field

Almost forgot, use a credit checking service for new clients, I lost thousands in unpaid invoices over a decade as the cost of going legal was just that bit too much of a risk- wish I’d paid upfront for credit checks (and use compound interest charges for late payments in your contract- you don’t need to enforce them, but the charges soon rack up if people think they can string you along)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Don't leave everything until the last week of the month.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Agree T&C’s in advance incl. payment terms (signed contract) and be selective of Clientele.

Like one lady already said, don’t underestimate yourself - you are worth it and the right Client will appreciate you for it and hopefully secure you repeat business. Don’t give up, can be a rollercoaster at times...!

Best wishes.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Don’t be afraid to take holiday, you obviously won’t be getting paid but need breaks / days off for mental health.

"

Oh don’t worry I will do especially as I’ll be travelling from country to country (it’s why I’ve gone freelance)

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Get to know your competitors, as they’re often your best asset to filter out the late payers, non payers and people that are too much of a pain in the arse to make it worth the hassle- plus, you never know when you might need a reliable second or third for a large contract "

Great advice! Luckily my sector is very friendly

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Be careful signing up a contract that takes all your time and talent and makes you neglect others, I made that mistake and is now costing me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have no advice, just wish you all the success in the world.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Be careful signing up a contract that takes all your time and talent and makes you neglect others, I made that mistake and is now costing me."

Luckily i charge by the hour for set hours

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"I have no advice, just wish you all the success in the world."

Awww thanks that’s very sweet

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By *elvet RopeMan
over a year ago

by the big field

Just remembered, many larger companies have an accounting deadline mid month, so they can make up the books by the end of the month, so try and get any invoices in for signing off by the end of the first week, Miss the deadline and suddenly you have an extra few weeks to wait, which is a bitch for a freelancer as that suddenly makes it 6-7 weeks to be paid! (And try to avoid the 2-3 months bollocks some companies use, if they try that shite- insist on bi-weekly installs as this will hopefully suddenly make them able to pay each month to avoid extra banking fees)

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Just remembered, many larger companies have an accounting deadline mid month, so they can make up the books by the end of the month, so try and get any invoices in for signing off by the end of the first week, Miss the deadline and suddenly you have an extra few weeks to wait, which is a bitch for a freelancer as that suddenly makes it 6-7 weeks to be paid! (And try to avoid the 2-3 months bollocks some companies use, if they try that shite- insist on bi-weekly installs as this will hopefully suddenly make them able to pay each month to avoid extra banking fees)"

I’m billing at the end of each month with 30 day terms, I’ll mostly be doing ongoing long term contracts

I work exclusively for charities

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By *KloganMan
over a year ago

Ramsbottom


"So I’ve just gone freelance in my day job (marketing and comms)

Those of you who’ve been at it a while, what advice would you share? "

Always believe in yourself, give yourself affirmations as to why you went freelance, remind yourself every day that you are great and that you can smash the work..

If it goes wrong for any reason, remind yourself…

You’re ace and you “can” do it…

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By *elvet RopeMan
over a year ago

by the big field


"Just remembered, many larger companies have an accounting deadline mid month, so they can make up the books by the end of the month, so try and get any invoices in for signing off by the end of the first week, Miss the deadline and suddenly you have an extra few weeks to wait, which is a bitch for a freelancer as that suddenly makes it 6-7 weeks to be paid! (And try to avoid the 2-3 months bollocks some companies use, if they try that shite- insist on bi-weekly installs as this will hopefully suddenly make them able to pay each month to avoid extra banking fees)

I’m billing at the end of each month with 30 day terms, I’ll mostly be doing ongoing long term contracts

I work exclusively for charities "

Charities tend to be a lot quicker to process, so thats a bonus. Always worth asking at the start when their accounting deadline is each month though, as it may help you get paid quicker. Your 30 days might not be compatible with their 30 days, so being a bit flexible and discussing things like pre-invoicing the month to fit their schedule so you hit your 30 days and they're still just paying for work done each month is worth considering.

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