3 Mistakes to Avoid, As a Freelancer

Are you new to Freelancing? Here is your chance to know more and avoid a few mistakes. We know it is difficult in the beginning, and do quite a few things wrong or maybe even a lot of things.

You must be clueless about what to charge or when to say ‘No’ and how.  This may waste some time; you may lose some money or even upset a few clients and learn new things the hard way. Here are a few mistakes you can avoid.

1.    Utilizing Income Wisely

As a freelancer, your income is not regular. Your charges must include, taxes, processing fees, other related operational expenses. This would be about 30% of the revenue.

Pay yourself twice a month when you use an online payment platform, to deposit funds.

2.    Name The Price and Service

Mostly, freelancers succumb to clients and let them name a price. You must not let clients outwit you with phrases like ‘limited budget’ or a repeat business or even the fact that other freelancers are charging lower or a notice to replace you.

Know the average hourly rates in the industry, see what other freelancers are charging and then create your unique price along with what your service includes.

3.    Delegate Time Consuming Tasks

There will be several tasks like invoicing and accounting, tax computing, editing and proofreading and handling social media profiles that can be automated or delegated.

Implement the right systems, stick to them and be on schedule. This way you will build better relations with your clients and trust. Once you establish yourself, evaluate and define yourself. 

Do not fake perfection, when you can learn from mistakes.

Evaluate & Define Yourself as a Freelancer

If you have given up your 9 – 5 job and have begun freelancing, you will come across several challenges as you may be a jack of all trades, master of none. Here is what you must do once you have taken up a few assignments, evaluate and define yourself.

Avoid these mistakes as a freelancer and build a better career.

1.    Find Your Niche

You may be able to a lot of things and applying for several kinds of online jobs creates a confusing portfolio. If you are good at logo designing, content writing, accounting, just choose one particular niche where you are simply ‘outstanding’.

If you are a specialist, you will attract premium rates and high-end clients.

Make sure you deliver good quality work within deadlines to gain a competitive edge. Find your tribe by engaging in a community as it allows you to discover new things and gain knowledge. You will learn strategies and ideas of other successful writers.

This is not to say that those who do not create a niche do not do well as freelancers. It just means that if you create a niche, clients expect you to understand their business model – inside and outside.

A word of caution, do not create a niche in the beginning of a career. Boost your career by exposing yourself to different industries and clients. This will accelerate and broaden your knowledge, expertise and insight of the services you can provide. This will result in a more refined, skilled and competent you.

It is a good strategy to keep testing other domains to be able to write on any topic of a domain. Explore and discover challenges; the experience will help you stand out from the crowd.

Consistently work on it to thrive in the industry, build better connections, gain experience and reap benefits.

2.    Be Critical

Not every job is worth accepting. Simply saying ‘yes’ to, everything will be harmful. Differentiate yourself from a generalist, you will be busy with low-paid work.

Carefully assess all the work that comes to you in terms of  

·       Commitment (Long-term or Short term projects)

·       Time it will take to complete the task

·       Niche project (Does it interest you)

·       Client (How you feel about the client? Can you work with them?)

If you think either one will do you more harm than good and if you think you are not a good match refuse without repenting.

It will save you a lot of time and frustration. Invest your creative energy into projects that motivate you and offer better compensation.

3.    Marketing Yourself Well

Most freelancers have a blog and a website. This is not marketing. How do you market yourself? Marketing is the way you communicate with your customer to sell your services or product, where communicating USP is the key aspect of marketing.

You must learn the art of marketing yourself well. Some of these skills will help:

·       The Web site helps showcase your work and draw clients.

·       The Portfolio must showcase the industries you have worked with by grouping your work by the industry and link the samples to the portfolio.

·       Social media will help you be present where you will meet potential clients. Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are the most popular. Freelancers must join groups relevant to their niche, ask questions and give answers to the needy. This will help you be popular and post updates anytime you publish a blog on your website.

·       Listen and clearly, understand client requirements, ask questions where required.

·       You must take feedback and criticism positively. It is a good practice to work on improving where required, and deal with criticism positively and boost your effectiveness.

You may be making some mistakes, avoid them as they often become big.
Do not fake perfection, when you can learn from mistakes.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY10

Celebrating Freedom

#10DBC #freedomplan

Celebrating Freedom

Today is the last day of Natalie's 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge.

Here I am on the last day of the challenge. Today, I will talk of the journey to freedom.

When I started the challenge I just took it up to see what it felt like on this journey. It was perfect timing as I had not written anything on my blog since February'16. Seven long months with no blog. I wanted to test the waters, writing a few words every day once again.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 10

My Journey

It has been a fantastic journey, discovering new things with each challenge.

Challenge Day 1 – Finding Focus led me to find ‘fear of acceptance’ and ‘lack of discipline’ holding me back from living the life I want to.

Challenge Day 2 – Discovering your Why led me to identify I belong to freedom and freedom to me. I identified the path of sustainability with the fear of failure cannot be lived and that it is possible anytime, anywhere and anyhow.

Challenge Day 3 – Creating a vision for future that I can conceive, believe and achieve.

Challenge Day 4 – Unlocking your super powers led me to find the fact that I cherished freedom, enthusiasm for things new and individuality.

Challenge Day 5 – Setting yourself up for Success led me to find the reason why I burned out, lacked focus and motivation to work. Burning the midnight oil, not enough sleep was not setting me up for success. I have begun to make a conscious effort in using the Pomodoro technique introduced by Natalie.

Challenge Day 6 – Finding your Tribe made me realize that a tribe will help me hold. I need to find one to collaborate with.

Challenge Day 7 – Beating Procrastination and overwhelm made me realize the importance of taking action even if it is imperfect. No one is born perfect. Life is a journey from imperfection to perfection.

Challenge Day 8 – Choosing your adventure helped find ‘me’ and that I should be part of the freedom lifestyle.

Challenge Day 9 – Location independence showed me how I could work at any location besides home and enjoy at the same time, with a little bit of faith, action, perseverance, patience and time.

The Experience

The challenge helped me reflect on various aspects – some hidden and others known. I enjoyed facing every challenge where the day 7 challenge threw me off balance where it took me time to identify the fact that even an imperfect step is a step towards perfection that I was not willing to take. Pointing at the fear of failure.

Finally, I did take the step. The challenge was like removing leaves on the cabbage and what it takes to live a freedom lifestyle and enjoy it.

My Favourite challenge and Why

Challenge Day 8 – Choosing your adventure was my favorite. It helped ‘find me’ so that I could live a sustainable life I discovered on day 2 of the challenge.

My Takeaway from the Challenge

A little bit of faith, action, perseverance, patience and time will make my dream of a sustainable living come true. I want the people in my tribe to know that it is possible anytime, anywhere and anyhow.

Next Step

Where do I go from here? Letting go of the challenge is important, for this is where I step into the real world without fear and with discipline. Find and collaborate with a tribe and write my blog every day. If I slip, I have the challenge blogs to remind me what I once committed.

A word of Thanks to Natalie Sisson, who was my inspiration all throughout. I must mention a special thanks to all bloggers in the challenge as they were a source of inspiration. I look forward to a new me, with a zeal.

Thank you once again for the challenge, Natalie.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY9

 Work Location Freedom

Today’s challenge is to imagine a month-long working holiday in Portugal (or any other dream destination) and the way to balance adventure and work while on this holiday.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 9

I have not visited Lisbon, Portugal. This challenge gives me a chance to daydream and visit this vibrant, cosmopolitan city, with beautiful sunny climate, and sites, magnificent landmarks, museums, hotels, viewpoints where the ‘old’ merges into the ‘new’.

Balancing work and adventure will seem difficult in such a beautiful city. The nightlife is rich, enjoy joyful music and lively atmosphere at the clubs. However, it is possible.

I could plan some weekdays, to enjoy the lively, bustling city and the shopping centers in the day time. Working in the evening and night time in the cafes will let me enjoy some Belém custard tarts, Cinnamon and sugar sprinkled pastries.

Work hours can be interrupted with short trips in the city to absorb the smell of fresh seafood or the fiery sunsets from some of the famous viewpoints like São Pedro de Alcântara and São Jorge Castle.

Work will be wrapped up in the morning and afternoon to enjoy the nightlife on weekends. Castles and beaches can be enjoyed in the daytime by planning work in the evening. I could enjoy wine tasting at the vineyards.

To ensure productivity and efficiency, I would keep all my laptop, apps, tools, emails, Wi-Fi connectivity. I can ensure one blog post each day, composing emails, a few quick calls on Skype if required.

As a freelancer, location freedom calls for a right mix of work and leisure. What is your dream destination? How would you balance your life?

#10DBC #freedomplan

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY8

Choosing an Adventure/ Fun

Today’s challenge is about having fun. I read the blog post challenge in the evening, by then the day has passed.

However, I will talk about my fun adventure on Wednesday when I let down my hair, played with my kid, spent time with my husband (rarely get to do that) and relaxed. I call this adventure as it is not in my nature to ‘let go of things’ easily.

My kid has just started to go to school and he is anxious about everything. So, I wanted him to relax since it was a holiday. Me and my husband took turns to make sure he felt loved, and enjoyed doing his homework – coloring and scribbling.

We enjoyed watching a movie with him – ‘Cars’, as he loves cars. It has been just family time for all of us. We went for a one hour long walk in the neighborhood. My husband, then put him to sleep late in the evening, after supper, while I took a short nap.

We relaxed with a personal facial session followed by a short chit chat session. We rarely get to do this. Our faces were covered with the face mask. It was relaxing and our faces felt soft.

I got everything ready for the next day at school – uniform and bag, while my husband watched his favorite shows on TV. We relaxed with a cup of tea. My husband dozed off to sleep.

I began writing my challenge Day 7 post to beat procrastination and overwhelm by taking action, even if it is imperfect. After completing the post, I was inspired to write another one ‘Time management technique for Freelancers’ inspired by Natalie Sisson’s Pomodoro session in the same challenge.

#10DBC #freedomplan

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 8

The adventure helped ‘find me’ and hope to make it part of my lifestyle. You too can find yourself by choosing an adventure or having fun – go out and play, enjoy, and relax. If you do not have fun every day, try to make it part of your lifestyle and write about it.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY7

Take Action, Even If It Is Imperfect

Today’s challenge is to pick one imperfect action and what would it be like if it is done every day.

Natalie talks of Procrastination and Overwhelm being two sides of a coin. I procrastinate and am overwhelmed at the same time, sometimes. Because of the overload of work, I fear getting down to business and procrastinate the task that looks humongous to me, just like that big giant coming down on me.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 7

#10DBC #freedomplan

Procrastination and overwhelm have cost me a lot in life and yet I am afraid to face them. Today, I wish to do something about them. 'Take Action, Even If It Is Imperfect', because some action is better than no action.

I have been procrastinating my blog writing on a daily basis. Because I feel overwhelmed about what I write, stopped writing for about 11 years. I was a regular blogger on ‘Rediffiland’ till 2005 and have begun writing again in 2016.

This is going to be my imperfect task – Blogging, imperfect to perfection. Like they say, ‘success lies ahead of fear’.

‘Imperfect or I-m-perfect Action’, read it the way you like, but the point is to take action and stop procrastinating. Perfection paralyses action, imperfection makes you exercise to reach that ultimate goal of perfection. Each time you raise the bar, it still seems unreachable.

I intend to discipline myself to use the Pomodoro Technique so that I can work on my imperfect action every day to achieve the freedom lifestyle I often dream of.

I will devote time, clear doubts, set the right intention, a positive attitude, and connect within to write that imperfect piece every day.

Think about your imperfect action and set the stage for action, you will soon be there, where you belong.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY6

#10DBC #freedomplan

Finding My Tribe Challenge

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 6

This is a difficult challenge – ‘to find a tribe of my own’. What do I mean by that?

I mean everyone who helps and supports you in your endeavor to achieve the freedom lifestyle. It could be someone you admire. I have been my own strength. My family is my strength.

I do not have any mentors yet. However, I have enrolled for a few emails from NeilPatel (Quicksprout), Darren Rowse (Problogger), Jitendra Vaswani (BloggersIdeas) and Natalie Sisson (suitcaseentrepreneur).

Natalie’s challenge encouraged me to write my blog. I created the blog page long ago, however, did not write anything. The challenge has pushed me to create time to write at least one blog a day. I will try to get two blogs a day (a challenge for me!).

Recently, I came across Mariah Coz (Femtrepreneur) who is an inspiration as she has helped women become entrepreneurs in a true sense of the word. I wish to help many people be entrepreneurs.

I have many ideas, discuss them with my better half but do not implement them for the lack of knowledge. However, I will work on it, gain knowledge and begin implementing, no more procrastination.

If I met them in person, I would probably ask for their success mantra (I am catching on slowly). I hope I find my answers someday, somehow, someway. Until then, find your tribe of people who inspire and encourage you each day of your life and achieve all that you wish for.

Time Management Technique for Freelancers

If you are working from home or are a freelancer, you must have felt Short on Time, Burned Out, Lack of focus and Demotivated. Does it sound familiar?

Here is an awesome technique that will get you to be efficient and productive. Before I tell you more on this time management technique let us get a few things straight. Answer these questions:

1. Do you know the tasks you have on hand?
2. Are they prioritized?
3. Do you follow a work schedule?
4. Is the place you work minus all distractions? 

If you have answered any one or all as ‘No’, then get down to fixing them first. Here is what you can do:

1. Create To-do lists of all the tasks/ assignments for the day
2. Prioritize them
3. Write down the time you will work on every assignment
4. The work space must be spacious, clean, clear and minus all distractions. If you are working from kitchen, living room, this is a big distraction. Choose a different work space.

Now the real secret, that you have been waiting for.

Have you heard of Pomodoro Technique?

It is a time management technique was invented by Frances Cirillo in the 1980’s. The technique helps capitalize on time and efficiency. All you need to do is block 25 minutes and focus on work uninterrupted.

A motivational speaker Chris Winfield was able to reduce his work week to 50%, transform his career and balance his life by using the Pomodoro technique.

How you need to do?

1. Choose one task/ assignment
2.  Make a commitment of spending ONLY 25 minutes focused on the task
3. Set a timer for 25 minutes
4. Begin by resolving to accomplish one Pomodoro
5. Take a short break of 10 to 15 minutes. If you are working on a household chore, then just 25 minutes, remember - one Pomodoro session only
6. Add another session when you are ready to complete the task in hand
7. Gradually, up your Pomodoro sessions

You will be able to optimize your productivity and achieve a balance in life. According to Chris - “When your energy is focused on just one thing, then you become more powerful.”

All of this requires you to be disciplined enough. You will find the time to flex your muscles, floss your teeth, exercise five times a week and spend valuable time with your family.

Hope all freelancers will find this technique useful and accomplish more. I have just begun using it and find the need to discipline myself. I say this to all working from home, as there are many distractions. Read my blog on setting up for success.

The technique will keep you more disciplined and achieve everything you want for the day. It will optimize productivity and help you achieve a balance in life.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY6

#10DBC #freedomplan

Finding My Tribe Challenge

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 6

This is a difficult challenge – ‘to find a tribe of my own’. What do I mean by that?

I mean everyone who helps and supports you in your endeavor to achieve the freedom lifestyle. It could be someone you admire. I have been my own strength. My family is my strength.

I do not have any mentors yet. However, I have enrolled for a few emails from NeilPatel (Quicksprout), Darren Rowse (Problogger), Jitendra Vaswani (BloggersIdeas) and Natalie Sisson (suitcaseentrepreneur).

Natalie’s challenge encouraged me to write my blog. I created the blog page long ago, however, did not write anything. The challenge has pushed me to create time to write at least one blog a day. I will try to get two blogs a day (a challenge for me!).

Recently, I came across Mariah Coz (Femtrepreneur) who is an inspiration as she has helped women become entrepreneurs in a true sense of the word. I wish to help many people be entrepreneurs.

I have many ideas, discuss them with my better half but do not implement them for the lack of knowledge. However, I will work on it, gain knowledge and begin implementing, no more procrastination.

If I met them in person, I would probably ask for their success mantra (I am catching on slowly). I hope I find my answers someday, somehow, someway. Until then, find your tribe of people who inspire and encourage you each day of your life and achieve all that you wish for.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY5

#10DBC #freedomplan

My Daily Success Plan – Setting Up For Success

Today is day 5 of the challenge & I totally agree with Natalie about working in the kitchen or living room. Setting up a separate space, that is clean, clear is very important to get your focus. Creating short productive sessions will benefit and set me up for success.

I have often burned out, lost focus, motivation to work due to the workload and working late in the night, not getting enough sleep or no sleep at all.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 5

Coming back to the challenge of creating a daily success plan for a perfect day to improve productivity and efficiency. This is something I need to do more often along with the Pomodoro technique.

Here is my perfect day to improve efficiency and productivity.

According to the perfect day in my life - it begins by waking up early to get some morning exercise and my children ready for school. I create my to-do list after checking my emails. Plan my Pomodoro sessions for the day until lunch time and complete the urgent assignments.

In the evening, after dinner, I can do another Pomodoro session before bed time. This way I can plan my day for tomorrow, squeeze in time for the daily blog posts. Get the sleep I need most to be more focused. I can dive into the day as planned, ready to face the challenges.

I am sure just like me, you have never heard of Pomodoro sessions, working shorter sessions will definitely keep me motivated and not burn me out. This will help me achieve the success I am looking for.

This is my well-planned day to be efficient and productive. Do you have a success plan? Tell me if you use any other technique that makes you more efficient.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY4

#10DBC #freedomplan

Unlocking My Super Powers

Today is Day4 of the challenge, and here I am thinking about what Natalie said – ‘I have super powers’. I do not believe in anything but the supernatural, so may be its natural to possess some super powers. Takes me back to the days when I read and watched – Superman. It reminded me of a dialogue that rings a bell – ‘With power, come responsibilities’.

Today’s challenge is difficult. Yes, I have powers and with that I have the responsibility to put them to use. Natalie goes on to explain, it set me to think - what is it that I like doing, what am I good at.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 4

I have never thought that I was good at anything in particular. I do things as they come, that makes me very flexible, though I do not like change, but I adapt. I bounce back, if I am sad, or doubtful about anything. I asked my husband and family members, what they think I am really good at.

Here is a table I drew:

I Am Good At	Enjoy Doing	Others Think I Am Good At
Experimenting things	Reading / Writing	Cooking
Cooking	Dancing	Give good explanations
Research	Cooking	Research
Listening & Helping others	Helping others	Finding solutions
	Motivational talk	Motivational talk

I traced down three things of ‘what I am good at’, ‘I enjoy doing’ and ‘what others think I am good at’.

When I analyzed – ‘What I am good at’ and ‘Enjoy doing’ I observed the fact that I cherished freedom, enthusiasm for things new and individuality. I guess those are my superpowers, that have led me, where I am today.

Have you identified yours? Think about them and share them with me.