Just two months back, I was staring at a blank screen (as any other day goes for me) wondering where the El Dorado of clients was.
Where will I find these mystical creatures that paid me handsomely for my services?
I’ll cut down the boring parts and come straight to the point.
A couple weeks down the line I was packed with work.
And the funny thing was or I should say the ‘surprising thing’ was, all my leads were inbound.
I never did a cold approach or ‘active’ search for clients.
However, I did have the ‘intent’ to add some clients. But my client prospecting efforts ended right there.
Cut to present: I’m working seven days a week. All day long and sometimes into the night as well.
I’m definitely lucky to be in a place where I’m thinking of not onboarding clients anymore (touch wood).
But today I’m not going to be talking about all those good things.
During the last two months I made some severe mistakes that took a toll on me.
I’m penning them down here with the hope that you won’t repeat them as well.
I don’t care if you’re a writer, designer, babysitter – it still applies.
Firstly, don’t bite more than you can chew.
Freelancing is interesting. Especially when all your leads convert into paying clients.
Lost in the adrenaline of acquiring new clients, I did not prepare well for the time demands each would ask of me.
Lesson: Defining your scope of work with your client before you sign on the dotted line is very important.
Secondly, don’t disregard your health.
I value physical activity to keep my mind and body nimble.
But recently I had to miss my martial arts classes and running sessions sending me into a whirlpool of mind-mess.
Lesson: No matter how much work you get, never miss out on working out or any form of physical activity.
Thirdly, become a master-organizer.
I never valued a notebook or a task-list before as much as I do now.
Writing down things gives clarity and makes it easy to tackle one project after the other.
Lesson: Get into the habit of compartmentalizing your life. Get a notebook. Write a list. (Physical notebooks have worked for me better than online versions).
Fourthly, don’t take low paying gigs.
“Oh, he’s my friend. That’s why I agreed to work for X fees.”
“It’s a one-time thing, I’m sure. The next time the client has promised to pay me more.”
Certified bullshit.
Value your time and effort.
It’s okay to miss out on a project if the pay is less.
All said, yes, this means I won’t be taking new clients anymore, at least until the New Year.
And beyond that, most probably my fees will get higher than it is now.
So in the coming months, I will be concentrating on working with fewer but high-quality clients who will not be a pain in my ass and vice-versa.
In the past few weeks, I had to avoid a few projects because I knew working with them would be one hell of a horror ride. Sorry, but not sorry.
That’s it for today.
Feel free to share your client horror stories. After all, Halloween is only a couple of days away:P
Happy weekend :)
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