Unlike many traditional nine-to-five jobs, freelancers have control over their work and clients. They also set their own schedules and earn more money as independent contractors than employees.
Freelancing can be a rewarding and lucrative career for those with the right skills. But it requires self-discipline to stay on track.
1. Flexibility
Flexibility is a key aspect of freelance work. People who freelance want to have the flexibility to change their work schedules and make a living doing what they love.
Many people are able to find a flexible schedule that works best for them. This can mean being able to choose your own work hours or having a full-time job while freelancing on the side. It also means being able to manage your time so that you can do what is most important to you, like spending time with your family or taking care of your pets.
While flexibility is important for both freelancers and employers, it can also be harmful to both parties if it isn’t managed properly. Here are some ways you can improve your flexibility as a freelancer:
1. Be sure to ask for flexibility when you’re applying for a job.
Freelancers are increasingly looking for flexible positions, and it’s a good idea to ask your boss about their willingness to offer you this opportunity. If your boss doesn’t seem willing to consider this request, look for a new job that will allow you to have the flexibility you need.
2. Know your own boundaries
You’ll probably have to set some clear boundaries when you start freelancing. This will help you keep your work schedule from becoming unmanageable. If you’re a freelancer who works during the day, for example, be sure to specify your work hours clearly on your out of office emails so that you don’t get stuck working past your normal schedule.
3. Be mindful of your productivity
If you’re a freelancer who bills by the hour, you need to ensure that you’re working as efficiently as possible. If you don’t, your time will be wasted and you may end up not making as much money as you could have.
4. Avoid late or missing payments
If your freelancers aren’t paid on time, they will likely not be able to continue doing the work they need to do. This can lead to financial stress and legal problems for both you and your freelancers.
2. Flexibility with your time
Flexibility is important for freelancers because it allows them to work their schedule around their personal needs. It also helps them deal with unexpected circumstances, such as a sick child or the need to take care of an elderly parent.
Many businesses have changed their traditional structure to accommodate freelancers, and it’s an easy way for businesses to save money without sacrificing productivity or quality. However, flexibility requires some work on your part to make it a reality.
First, you’ll want to identify your peak productivity hours and build your schedule around them. This can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by your work or having a hard time focusing on projects during non-peak hours.
Another important thing to remember is that it’s not a good idea to work on a single project for longer than you need to. This is called the cramming fallacy and is especially common for novices.
The best way to stay focused on the project at hand is to set specific working or “office hours.” When you know when you’re going to be at your best, it’s easier to communicate that with clients.
Lastly, it’s essential to take breaks during your workday. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as taking a walk, having lunch with your spouse or children, or getting some exercise.
Aside from being a great way to relax, a workout can also help you get rid of your stress and focus on your work. Try to do a workout at least once a day.
This can help you avoid over-stressing and make sure that your muscles don’t suffer from long periods of rest. It can even help your neck and back feel better and prevent any aches or pains from lingering.
Freelancers who aren’t good at managing their time can be a drag on their clients. They may end up being stressed about a deadline and not deliver the best possible work. This can leave their clients frustrated and dissatisfied with their service.
3. Flexibility with your income
When you work as a freelancer, you get to decide how much you want to earn. This freedom to set your rates and take on projects you love can be a game-changer.
Freelancers who have a solid base of clients are more likely to make an income that can last. They can also count on repeat business, which is an excellent way to boost your income.
One of the biggest challenges many freelancers face is having to replace their income when a client leaves. While they may be able to find another freelancer who can fill that position, it can take time to do so.
However, by increasing your rates a few percent a year, you can ensure that your income will continue to increase. You can also consider boosting your knowledge by taking courses or learning new skills.
By gaining more experience, you can become more confident in your ability to deliver quality results. As a result, you’ll have more confidence in your work and be able to charge more for it.
Once you have established a niche, it’s a good idea to diversify your skillset by offering different services. This is a great way to increase your income without sacrificing your time.
For example, if you’re a writer, it’s a good idea to offer social media management or email marketing. You could also consider offering consulting services to companies that are looking to improve their websites or marketing campaigns.
You should also always be on the lookout for new opportunities to increase your income. This includes finding new clients and expanding your scope with existing ones.
In addition, make sure that you invoice your clients on a regular basis. This will help you keep track of unpaid or late invoices and resolve them quickly.
When you’re a freelancer, it can be easy to forget about submitting bills and invoices to your clients. This is especially true if you’re working for multiple clients at the same time, but it’s important to remember to pay all your invoices on time.
Managing your cash flow is an important part of being a freelancer, so it’s vital to keep a spreadsheet of all of your invoices and payments. This will help you ensure that all of your money is moving through your business and into your personal account on a timely basis.
4. Flexibility with your clients
Having flexibility with your clients is important for the success of your business. Whether your clients are new to the freelance world or you’ve been working together for years, being flexible with your schedule and workload is essential to ensuring that the work gets done.
This means that you’ll need to set realistic expectations with your clients, and ensure they understand the limitations of being a freelancer. For example, if they have a family or are looking after children, it can be difficult for them to keep up with your deadlines.
However, if they are willing to adjust their schedule and allow you to flex around their responsibilities, this can be a very rewarding experience. You’ll also be able to make sure that you are giving them the quality of work they deserve.
One of the best ways to achieve this is to ask them how they want you to work with them, and to explain your approach. It’s also a good idea to set clear deadlines for each task, and to report back to them regularly with an update on the progress of your work.
Another way to ensure that your clients are getting the flexibility they need is to take a look at each of their training goals. This will help you determine which stretching exercises are most suitable for them to do, and to give them a benchmark of what they need to be able to do.
It’s important to be clear about what you’re aiming for with each client, as it will show that you are taking the time to get to know them and understand their goals. Having this information will help you provide the right advice, and will also make it more likely that they’ll continue to improve their flexibility in the future.
Using trainer-assisted stretching during each training session is a great way to increase your client’s flexibility, but you should also encourage them to stretch out at home. This is because it will give them a greater sense of control over their mobility and will help them stay consistent with the exercises you’ve shown them.