Becoming Your Own Boss: The Reality of Freelancing

Many people don't like having a boss. They dream about freedom, autonomy, and the joy of working in pyjamas. And in their quest for liberation, they stumble upon the idea of freelancing. Ah, the sweet, sweet word! So, they decide to become a freelancer. But this can often feel like jumping from one problem into another.

Picture this: Each client you deal with turns into a mini boss. You need to make them pleased. And not only pleased. Why, you ask? So they shout your praises from the rooftops, drawing in an army of potential clients.

As a freelancer, the universal law is 'No work, No pay'. There are no more paid holidays. And yes you are free to don't work.

In the initial stages, you might feel like a circus performer juggling various hats: sales, marketing, production, testing, you name it! And no, you're not allowed to drop any. Trust me, it's less about doing the laundry and more about laundering a whole range of skills.

If you're thinking about becoming a freelancer, here are some tips:

• Make sure you are very good at what you do. Not just good, but extraordinary. If you are a pro, then you produce fast, you charge a lot and everybody is happy. Otherwise, projects will take forever, product will be of low quality, clients will be unhappy, you will be unhappy.
• Respond quickly to your clients. Don't make them wait a long time for your reply. Ideally develop telepathetic skills. Well, not literally, but be so prompt in replying to your clients that they think you are!

Here's an unsolicited bit of wisdom: your clients often don't know what they want. It's like entering an ice-cream shop, eyes wide with excitement, overwhelmed by the plethora of flavors. Trust me, change is the only constant when you're dealing with clients.

This is the reason Agile Project Management was born. I've worked on many projects, big and small. There's always something the client wants to change. Maybe they don't like a color or they want to add something new.

When a client asks for a price, give them a rate. This means you'll get paid for the amount of work you do, not just the job itself. The only exception is if you're asked to do something you've done many times before, like building e-commerce apps.

Always make sure you'll get your money. In a perfect world, this would mean upfront payments. But we know the world is far from perfect. If a client shies away from paying in advance, don't hesitate to show them the exit. It feels better when you know no one owes you money.

That's my story about becoming a freelancer. It's a job with many challenges, but it can also be very rewarding. It's not easy, but if you work hard and do well, it's a great way to make a living. Trust me, the feeling of success is amazing!

Before starting any project, make sure you have a solid contract in place. A well-drafted contract is crucial to safeguard your interests. It should include specifics about the project scope, deadlines, revisions, and most importantly, payment terms. You may want to consult with a legal advisor to ensure you're covering all bases. In addition, use project proposals and statements of work to establish expectations from the get-go. These documents can help prevent misunderstandings, keep both parties accountable, and save you potential legal headaches.

I'm not saying that you should become or you shouldn't become a freelancer. You know better what fits you.

This is the right way.