Deciding to take the leap into the freelance world is the biggest step. But knowing where to go from there can be just as hard. Good job you have us then. We’ve been there done that, as they say, and so we thought we’d pass over a few words of wisdom. Well wisdom may be a stretch but we certainly hope our tips will go a little towards helping you get a head start.

It’s all about specialisation

Especially when you start out, it’s easy to try and be everything to everybody. It’s the lure of the money more often than not. But unless you’re super dooper amazing and everything you touch turns to gold, you can’t be the best across the board. Hence why you need to specialise.

Have a good think about your skill sets and where your talents really lie. And of course factor in what you enjoy doing the most, after all you will be doing this every day here on in (not that we want to scare you or anything).  

There’s always the chance to go more and more niche inside your sector, especially as your experience grows, but find the right line between offering out a range of services and not spreading your talents too thin. After all, your customers will want to know they are hiring someone who knows what they are doing, not someone who dabbles a little bit here and there.

Don’t be afraid to talk money

Talking money can be a little bit taboo, and it can all be a tad hush hush. But you will simply need to get over it. Now that may sound harsh but this money is your livelihood, more so than ever before. You can’t sign one contract and be done with it for years like every other job, now you’ll be negotiating terms and your rate regularly.

So our big tip is don’t be shy. Be upfront with your customers and make sure you’re all on the same page from the start. That way everyone knows where they stand going forward, and the awkward chats later about payment will be long gone.  

Oh and always remember, you are worth it – so don’t sell yourself short.

Make it happen for yourself

Freelancing is amazing, but success isn’t guaranteed and it doesn’t always happen overnight. So put simply, go out and make it happen for yourself. Don’t expect it to all fall in your lap. Customers won’t flock to you and you won’t be able to make it rain money if you don’t build your reputation from the ground up.

Shine through your portfolio

Your portfolio should be your pride and joy, it is of course a customer’s first look at what a stunning job you can do. So make it pretty but make it representative. Highlight the key, specialist skills we talked about before, and not just all the jobs that look shiny and cool. Anyone that flicks through your previous work should know exactly what you could offer them.

That’s all for now. Need more advice? Hit us up team@yudoozy.co.nz