How not to suck at freelancing
Lessons on staying sane and self-employed

Leaving behind my permanent job, with the security of a regular wage and an office full of friendly people and free fizzy drinks, wasn’t an easy decision. I had freelanced full-time before (out of redundancy rather than choice) and that period had been fraught with irregular income worries, loneliness and endless hours of laziness.
I vowed that this time would be different, and (yay me!) it has been. And while loneliness and laziness occasionally creep in, I’ve found ways to tackle them. If you’re thinking of nibbling on the nuclear warhead and taking a leap of faith from your own state of permanence into the freelance void, here’s the advice I wish I’d had the first-time round.
1) Variety is your best friend
Most full-time roles are filled with variety — not just in what you do throughout the year but also throughout the day. When you work for yourself, it’s up to you to build that mix into your own schedule. Whether it’s dedicating certain days to marketing and administration or making sure you’re taking on a good balance of jobs, having ‘hard’ and ‘easy’ tasks and days can help keep you motivated and engaged each week.
2) Go in-house to get out the house
Just because you’re working for yourself doesn’t mean you have to be by yourself. I really enjoy going into publishers and agencies for the odd day here or there. Not only is it great to get out of my home office and engage with colleagues face to face it also means I can stay on top of any new technology, processes or trends in the industry and make new work connections.
3) Buy a light laptop
I largely work on a desktop at home — I’m a sucker for a giant monitor — but I have recently added a lightweight MacBook to my toolbox. I’ve had larger, heavier laptops in the past, which have been great for working at home but a bit of a nightmare to lug on the train, to a meeting or to a coffee shop, essentially tying me to my desk. Now I can break up my day by working anywhere (annoying noise of other humans aside).
4) Make plans with real people
I like my own space, but I’m a talker too. When you work alone and communicate with the majority of your clients via email, sometimes whole days can pass without so much as a whisper (and don’t expect anyone to offer to make you a tea). To avoid talking to myself more than is healthy, I make regular plans to meet friends or clients for coffee or lunch. This helps to break up the day too and builds in some much-needed leg-stretching.
5) Get up and get out
Speaking of which, I’ve made a habit of leaving the house first thing before I start my working day and taking a short walk before returning home. If you’re a runner or gym-goer, it’s an ideal time to tick that off your list, but popping out to get a coffee or groceries, or simply taking ten minutes to go round the block, helps me to rise like a regular member of the workforce and see my house as an office space I’m arriving at, rather than an extension of my bed that I’m slothfully making my way to.
6) Networking doesn’t have to be work
The very thought of ‘networking’ fills me with dread — a bunch of strangers trying to ascertain how useful you are to them while you drink too much wine and wait to leave after a polite amount of time has passed. I’ve since learnt that there’s a wonderful, supportive, sociable side to networking that includes delightful dinners, helpful tips, and regular online communication. Knowing other freelancers, whether online or in your area, is a really great way of feeling part of a wider community of professionals; it brings recommendations, referrals and really lovely people into your life.
7) Set goals
When I left my job, I set myself financial goals. These have really helped me to stay motivated and be persistent in reaching out to new clients and following up leads. I recommend setting a ‘survival’ target (what you need to live), a ‘success’ target (a financial goal that will allow you to feel comfortable that the business is doing well) and a ‘killing it’ target (a stretch goal that you’re unlikely to hit but that gives you something to aim for). If you have lots of work lined up already, or you’re not financially motivated, try setting professional goals, for example, targeting clients you want to work for or achieving a qualification or accreditation.
8) Make the most of the lifestyle
There are a few downsides to being self-employed: no paid holiday, no sick days and did I mention no free fizzy drinks? But if you make the most of the flexibility the freelance lifestyle offers, the missing perks soon fade into insignificance. Depending on your other commitments, freelancing might mean you’re able to spend parts of the year working from other cities or countries; you can take on more work when you want more money, and less work when you need a break; you can take a day off when the weather is nice; you can work on a train or in a coffee shop; and you can build your work in around the rest of your life rather than the other way round.
Fancy a freelancer like me on your books? Find out more about me and my writing and editing services at sarahherman.co.uk
