Sharing time: Comment below with what’s something about freelancing that makes you feel uncomfortable?
For me, following up with clients on unpaid invoices was a huge discomfort. I always felt like I was bothering them, even though they owed me the money. Or I worried that there was a reason they didn't pay yet (like the hated the work) but hadn't told me and by following up on the unpaid invoice I was opening the door to criticism. I let invoices go unpaid for too long without following up.
I definitely struggle to represent myself well. As a new freelancer starting out, it's difficult to feel like I'm worth the amount I'm charging, or that I have the expertise to even offer the services I do. But I also know I do have a lot of experience; it's just a matter of finding the right clients.
Yes, it's about finding the right clients. It's also about remembering that there are people with far less experience/education than you who are out there doing it--and charging well for it.
Because I began my freelance career so long ago, I was armed with Writer’s Market wisdom. I’d buy the newest copy, like my dad, and study every word, lurking around bookstores where i would read and buy magazines I wanted to target. These were high-paying markers that I was able to crack probably because I offered both writing and photography. Editors love killing 2 birds, 1 stone. But I was consistent, sending out SASE envelopes through USPS with color copies of my published clips, hoping for a call back. Today there are different methods like Submittable, a submission process that troubles me due to its utterly impersonal manner. Thanks for this piece as I redefine what it means to be a full-time freelancer.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! And oh my goodness. I completely forgot about The Writer's Market. I used to buy it every year. I loved flipping through it. The book was so thick but it felt like it contained infinite possibilities. It's so great that you could add photography to writing.
Saying no to work for sure! And I did that last week! It was horrible! But I knew time-wise it wouldn’t be doable and I didn’t want to put my family through the stress. As a side note, I often find that if you don’t step out your comfort zone, it makes your comfort zone smaller and smaller... that’s a thought that helps me do the hard things on that list (which did indeed make me shudder!)
That is an outstanding point, Alice. You're absolutely right. Your comfort zone can get smaller and smaller unless you push youself out of it. And saying no because of the timing is a great move. If you get into freelancing so you have control over your time but are always working, you don't really have control over your time. Thanks for sharing!
Sharing time: Comment below with what’s something about freelancing that makes you feel uncomfortable?
For me, following up with clients on unpaid invoices was a huge discomfort. I always felt like I was bothering them, even though they owed me the money. Or I worried that there was a reason they didn't pay yet (like the hated the work) but hadn't told me and by following up on the unpaid invoice I was opening the door to criticism. I let invoices go unpaid for too long without following up.
I definitely struggle to represent myself well. As a new freelancer starting out, it's difficult to feel like I'm worth the amount I'm charging, or that I have the expertise to even offer the services I do. But I also know I do have a lot of experience; it's just a matter of finding the right clients.
Yes, it's about finding the right clients. It's also about remembering that there are people with far less experience/education than you who are out there doing it--and charging well for it.
Because I began my freelance career so long ago, I was armed with Writer’s Market wisdom. I’d buy the newest copy, like my dad, and study every word, lurking around bookstores where i would read and buy magazines I wanted to target. These were high-paying markers that I was able to crack probably because I offered both writing and photography. Editors love killing 2 birds, 1 stone. But I was consistent, sending out SASE envelopes through USPS with color copies of my published clips, hoping for a call back. Today there are different methods like Submittable, a submission process that troubles me due to its utterly impersonal manner. Thanks for this piece as I redefine what it means to be a full-time freelancer.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! And oh my goodness. I completely forgot about The Writer's Market. I used to buy it every year. I loved flipping through it. The book was so thick but it felt like it contained infinite possibilities. It's so great that you could add photography to writing.
Saying no to work for sure! And I did that last week! It was horrible! But I knew time-wise it wouldn’t be doable and I didn’t want to put my family through the stress. As a side note, I often find that if you don’t step out your comfort zone, it makes your comfort zone smaller and smaller... that’s a thought that helps me do the hard things on that list (which did indeed make me shudder!)
That is an outstanding point, Alice. You're absolutely right. Your comfort zone can get smaller and smaller unless you push youself out of it. And saying no because of the timing is a great move. If you get into freelancing so you have control over your time but are always working, you don't really have control over your time. Thanks for sharing!