http://www.silverstripe.org/home/ http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_10497 @Charity Kountz thank you for the kind words! You've touched on a topic that I see come up a lot, and happen to have some strong opinions about. That topic being the role of a consultant. I feel that as a consultant, it _is_ our job to educate, and we need to embrace that, but a client must also be receptive to it. The most common situation I see,that leads to a mismatch of these conditions is when a client is just looking for an extra pair of hands, and not our expertise. In that case, you will run into walls trying to get what you're worth and input and/or collaboration on the clients end will be anemic, at best. However, clients are not to blame for the situation. There are plenty of freelancers out there who are happy to be brought on as extra hands and will work for lower rates, but as a professional it is our job to both screen and educate our clients.

One of the easiest ways to pre-screen potential clients is to write about your thoughts, process, and case studies on your own website. In the end this should save you from the boilerplate value talks you are forced into with every new client. Instead, clients will be able to pre-screen themselves by learning about what expertise you bring to the table and decide if they find value in that.

Also, make sure to differentiate yourself from others. We each have a unique history of experience, education, and goals. Setting yourself apart from the competition will limit clients evaluating you on price alone, as it be comes clearer that only you can offer what you do.

And finally, be careful not to dilute your services too much. Specializing in too many services leads to a specialization in nothing. Pick a couple of the core services that you both excel at and have proven to bring in the rates you want. Market yourself as a professional in that field, get comfortable turning down opportunities that don't feel right, and you should see that your business (and hopefully personal life) gets a lot easier to manage.

Just a few of my thoughts, but I hope it provides a little more insight. Sat, 15 Sep 2012 08:47:57 +1200 Ryan Wachtl http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_10497 http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_10483 Ryan - great post. I hadn't realized the time management aspect and realize now why I'm suffering from burnout after five years - because I'm trying to do 40 hours worth of work every week and in order to do that I need to work about 80 hours a week. Talk about obvious! Geez!

I actually was working on writing something similar but trying to find a positive way to express it and thought I'd do some research on what others are saying which is how I found your article.

For the last two months I've been trying two things - 1) using online marketplaces to find and retain new projects and 2) Develop a range of products that offer solutions to common problems my ideal clients face which I can assist with. All while trying to maintain my sanity, be there for my family and continue moving my writing career forward.

I've been a freelancer since 2007 - first with financial services, then with virtual assisting and have since moved into Marketing Consulting and publishing. While I love Marketing, there seems to be a rising demand for my writing and content services yet at the same time, an abysmal lack of understanding and value from clients and prospects regarding services. Do you ever feel like the education curve is simply too much to overcome? I find myself lately getting tired of educating different clients about the same topics. After five years, I'm not quite sure how to get around that frustration. Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:46:48 +1200 Charity Kountz http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_10483 http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_9354 Great article.
My experience was very similar. After studying painting and sculpting I some how ended up pursuing web development. The first few years I think I worked out I was getting below minimum wage by NZ standards. Mainly because I was trying to fulfil the clients every desire.
Still it was a good experience which I'm giving up and now seeking a permanent role in an agency.

My only tip would be put your portfolio together, that goes for anyone. It's incredibly useful to have a body of work together to direct people. Even if you're not completely satisfied with your work on the project. There is something in having a body of work to show, which seems to put a new found respect in clients. Even if you're wonderful at verbally communicating your work experience, when people see the collection they tend to have a little more faith and appreciation for your opinion and suggestions. Well thats what I've found. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:58:49 +1300 Alexis http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_9354 http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_9302 Very well put, Ryan. You've really nailed some good points. I am solely a freelancer, as well, and am having a very good month when I can bill for 60% of my time. I find it's often less than that...maybe hovering around 50%. Since leaving my corporate job 5 years ago, my greatest challenges are getting out and socializing with other developers, and really taking the time with each project to deconstruct the tools I'm using into their basic formats. Thanks for writing such a thoughtful and comprehensive article! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:45:52 +1300 Rebecca Connors http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_9302 http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_9295 Great post Ryan, I work as a freelancer and web consultant here in New Zealand. I think all the concepts you bring up are equally valid wherever you are located... the people side of freelancing is equally if not more important that writing the code and taking the time to really get to know your clients business is well worth the effort. As far as rates go, good to see you are working through the calculation and thinking a bit about the accounting involved... after all... freelancers are in business.
Bang on with the project management tip :) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:19:41 +1300 Cam Findlay http://www.silverstripe.org/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-freelancer/#PageComment_9295