Thinking about becoming your own boss and embarking on the wonderful and rewarding journey of freelancing? The Principles of Successful Freelancing is for you. In this easy-to follow guide you'll learn what's important in transforming your skills into a booming freelance business.
This book leads you through the entire process, from getting started, through to winning and keeping loyal clients. Running a successful freelance business is easy, and with the information in this book, you'll confidently turn your freelancing dream into a profitable reality.
Learn how to make a smooth transition into freelancing
Understand how to effectively manage your money
Ensure you spend your time on the right activities
Discover why a work/life balance is important
Learn how your network can support you and your business
Overcome your fear of selling
And much more ...
The 12 Principles Of Successful Freelancing
Get Organized Keep your workspace tidy and plan ahead(short- and long-term).
Control Stress Remain calm and work through issues to avoid early burnout..
Research Spend quality time researching your proposed business-it's more than a five minute web surf.
Be Passionate Love your work! You should enjoy what you do for a living.
Budget Save for a rainy day rather than spend every centas it comes in.
Value your Health Bad health stops you from working. Take time to exercise and maintain a nutritious diet.
Embrace Selling Enjoy the sales challenge-it's easier than you think!
Satisfy Customers Don't do average work-exceed their expectations and make them need you.
Grow Your Network Value family and friends' support, and meet new people all the time.
Maintain Cashflow It's what is in the bank that counts, not what you are billing-understand the difference.
Continually Learn Keep acquiring new skills and knowledge, every week. Let it slip and you could be left behind.
Achieve a Work/Life Balance Your life should be more than work-maintain a good balance for health and success.
Comments about oreilly The Principles of Successful Freelancing:
While specifically written for web developers by Miles Burke, "The Principles of Successful Freelancing" is full of useful information for anyone considering or currently freelancing in the marketing and communications industry.
Burke's book is organized like a freelancing-business-building timeline, beginning with questions to ask yourself before you leave your current job with its steady paycheck and financial stability. This type of work situation isn't for everyone, but answering Burke's questions honestly and considering the provided pros and cons should help determine if a freelancing career is right for you.
Should you decide to take the plunge into freelancing, Burke then details steps to take before you leave your current job that will help ease the transition, such as preparing a business plan and establishing goals. It also includes chapters on managing your money and setting up a proper work environment; both essential to success.
Many creatives in our industry are intently focused on the work, but to get the work, you need clients. As a freelancer, you need to sell yourself and your work, from face-to-face meetings to your on-line presence. And because, as Burke explains, it's always easier to keep clients rather than securing new ones, The Principles also discusses giving great service and project management.
Since many freelancers work from home, an entire chapter is dedicated to achieving a work-life balance. As freelancers' work hours aren't always 9-5, this is extremely important; not just for yourself and your clients, but also for maintaining positive relationships with your family.
Once your business is established, Burke explains, there may come a time when you decide to expand or make the move back to being an employee. While never an easy choice, this book offers several ways of doing both.
I would recommend "The Principles of Successful Freelancing" to anyone considering freelancing. Even if you've been freelancing for some time, there's sure to be a business practice or two included which you may have overlooked when starting out and should implement going forth.
Lorelei Greifenstein (CDPUG member with a listing in the CDPUG Services Directory) loreleicreates@me.com
