Even if this wasn’t the banner year you were hoping for, even if you never quite reached that goal you set, you did some things right this year that kept your career alive. Why else would you still be in freelancing? Here are a few things you’ve done that you can be proud of:
1. You kept at it. That may sound like a “duh” statement, but think about it in terms of just how much effort that little step has taken you this year. You had to find work. You had to take no for an answer sometimes, and you had to deal with unruly clients on occasion. But you didn’t quit. Oh, you wanted to. But you didn’t. That’s a pretty big success in itself.
2. You remembered to market. The toughest part of the job, the one we most overlook, is marketing. But you did that. When you realized you were staring at the next four weeks without work, you got out there and put your name in front of people. Bravo. Now there are that many more clients who know you exist and that you do a good job.
3. You marketed when you were busiest. You scoffed when I first suggested it, but you did it, didn’t you? And the result was you had work lined up for yourself once all that other work was completed. And now you’re going to continue doing it because it makes perfect sense, right?
4. You planned ahead. Experience taught you that July and December are fairly slow. You realized that in order to glide through the lean times you had to work your tail off in April/May and September/October so the checks would be there when you needed them. And you knew that magazines need copy always, that there are no slow seasons for monthly pubs, and you scored some gigs to keep you working in those slow periods. Good for you.
5. You chased those invoices. Even the clients you’ve been dying to work for have troubles getting invoices paid. You developed a collection process and you made sure you applied it to every single client because you know that consistency is one of your weapons should you have to escalate to litigation. You’ve established a consistent pattern of collection and this client received the exact same treatment. Any judge would see you’re the professional in the equation.
6. You backed away from work or clients that didn’t fit. You realized that working for someone who’s crazy or nasty isn’t worth any amount of money, just as you realized that working for much less than the standard we freelancers charge isn’t serving your career at all. You learned to discern. Amen.
What else have you learned this year?
Oh I LOVE this post – it gives me a victorious feeling because there really were some bumpy moments, but I’m still here. I learned that I CAN do make a living doing this, and that freelancing is what I love.
Well, I fell short in some areas, but that’s what the NEW YEAR is for! Have enjoyed your blog. Hope your 09 is a true banner year in every way.
I wish I’d read this before I posted my latest entry! Oh well . . .
I learned how much better life is when you are doing work you love. Happy New Year, Lori!
Lori,
One of the things you do so well is tell it like it is. That’s why I’ve awarded you the Honest Scrap Award. You can read the details on my blog. You are under no obligation to respond unless you choose to do so. I just wanted to recognize you for honesty in your posts.
I was lame on three, but I did okay on the others.
I also learned not to pursue jobs just for the money in areas that don’t interest me, because I don’t enjoy them, and, frankly, the money’s not worth it.
By marketing myself to those areas that DO interest me, I remain excited by the work, the quality is higher, and I get a better pay rate.
See Kimberly? It was a better year than you thought, wasn’t it? :))
Angie, I’m glad I found your blog, too. It’s uplifting and much fun.
Good for you, Amie!
Lillie, I’ll certainly respond. Sounds like fun! And I’m very impressed with your honest scraps.
Devon, great point. Gravitate toward what we love doing and the job is that much more rewarding.
Congrats on the plan working so well this year! I’m sure I owe some of my own financial success to your advice, which I read every day … even when I’m too busy to comment.
Oh Kathy, I suspect you don’t need my help at all! :)) Thanks for saying so. 🙂