Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.
Eleanor Roosevelt
As a freelance copywriter, I never stop learning. And unfortunately, more often than not, this ‘learning’ will come with some almighty faceplant moments. From cringeworthy client negotiations (has anyone got a memory eraser?) to accidentally pressing ‘reply all’ with some unintended passive aggressive comments, these missteps are all part of mastering the freelance lifestyle…right?
For those of you starting out (*waves enthusiastically while holding a coffee cup full of optimism and questionable choices*), here are some basics to help you survive those first rocky days, months and years. It’s one hell of a ride, but if you hold on tight, you’ll learn to love it while creating a lifestyle you love.
Here’s how to avoid some classic rookie mistakes the rest of us have perfected (so you don’t have to!).
NEVER…compromise on a comfort
Us freelancers often love bragging about ‘working anytime, anywhere’ until the “anywhere” turns out to be a café filled with screaming kids, uncomfortable chairs and the distinct smell of something that isn’t coffee.
While it’s not always possible to find the perfect space to work, if you’re distracted by a knotted back thanks to hours hunched over a laptop in an uninspiring workspace, think carefully about the best places to work. If your home office doubles as a kitchen table, a corner of the living room, or (hello, overachievers!) a converted shed, make the space work for you. Invest in a decent chair and your spine will thank you later. Trust me, it’s a hard task writing a persuasive email while trying to shift yourself around on a bean bag.
Even if you don’t have lots of space or your own study, look at the space you do have. Prioritise comfort, even if it’s a supportive cushion behind your back.
DON’T FORGET TO…set clear expectations
Communication becomes more challenging when freelancing thanks to remote emails, multiple projects in play and clients with ever-changing requirements. Essentially, freelancing is often a game of email ping-pong with people you never meet, and nobody’s keeping the score.
Setting expectations upfront is the antidote to chaos. I could have avoided many a mistake by doing so. Use contracts, spell out timelines, back up verbal discussions by email, and clarify that “ASAP” does not mean “yesterday.” It’s important that everyone knows what’s expected of you and the process clients should expect too.
Remember, unclear expectations are the gateway to 3am. panicked edits because your client suddenly “envisioned” the piece as a 10-part epic instead of the 300-word blog post you were expecting. Be firm, be clear, and for the love of spellcheck, get it in writing.
ALLOW…breaks
You may be raring to go when you first start freelancing, but it can soon feel like a marathon where the prize is more work (yay?). But trust me, burnout isn’t a badge of honour. Late nights, early mornings and weekends crammed full of extra projects you’ve taken on are often a recipe for burning-the-candle-at-both-ends meltdowns.
After months of doing this and working ‘one last weekend’, crunch point for me came when I woke up as my forehead hit the keyboard at 1pm on a Saturday. Time management is a huge part of enjoying the freelance lifestyle, so be strict with yourself about time away from work mode.
Take breaks, schedule protected downtime, and step away from the screen.
REMEMBER…you’re the boss
If you’re used to working for someone else, it can be quite a shift in mentality when you first become a freelancer. We try so hard to remain disciplined and have a sense of normality in our routines, so it’s hard not to create metaphorical chains that really, we should be breaking free of.
Reached your daily target by 3pm and want to down tools for the day? – do it! Feel like heading outdoors for the morning and working late instead? – sounds amazing! Being your own boss has so many perks if only freelancers would use them.
As long as you meet deadlines and keep clients happy, make your workdays as weird and wonderful as you want.
KNOW…your worth
When you start out, it’s tempting to say yes to everything offered, even gigs that pay in exposure or rock-bottom rates. PRO TIP – If a client asks for a four-day project for £20, run for your life. While you may have good reasons for doing this, always be aware of your worth in terms of the service you provide and the standards of your work.
If you wouldn’t apply for a job that pays below minimum wage, then doing work as a freelancer that might as well be free of charge is a no-no. It’s okay to price competitively in the beginning, but don’t sell yourself short. You’re not a vending machine giving out free samples.
LEARN…to say no
Repeat after me…”I can have boundaries!” (a little louder for the people at the back please!). Know your limits – it’s okay to say no! If you don’t ‘feel’ a project is right for you, a client screams ‘red flag!’ or scope creep starts affecting your bottom line, you don’t have to take on the work.
Knowing your limits will save your sanity. Just be upfront and clear (while remaining polite). When clients don’t know you well yet, they’re not going to know much about what you will and won’t do, so don’t make a rod for your own back on day 1. You can soften the blow by adding a ‘But here’s what I CAN do’ phrase to your replies to set healthy boundaries from the beginning.
KEEP…things professional
Freelance copywriting can be a maddening comedy of errors at times. I’ve had my fair share of nightmares, from indecisive clients who mess you about to those ‘15-minute’ jobs that have taken 2 hours to finish due to endless disasters (Dear Technology, Screw You, Love CopyKat).
BUT…however frustrated you get, however rude others may be (hopefully these people are few and far between) and whatever clients throw your way, always try to remain calm, professional and friendly, even if you have to be assertive in some situations. Your reputation is everything.
Even when you’re internally screaming, save the rants for your group chat, where your friends can cheer you on with gifs and popcorn.
LOOK AFTER…your mental well-being
Freelancing can be isolating. It’s just you, your thoughts, and a dangerously high caffeine intake. Protect your mental well-being by setting boundaries between work and life.
Be kind to yourself, tackle issues (including feelings of isolation) head on and know where to find support, resources and tools to help you in every aspect of freelance copywriting. This includes visiting The Copy Shed (sorry, shameless plug!) when you need a non-judgmental, peaceful spot in the online world to find solutions to problems every freelancer encounters.
Most importantly, remember to laugh. After all, it’s not just a job—it’s a lifestyle. And if all else fails, there’s always wine.