Freelance Tips

Slides from my Freelancing 101 talk where I discuss how I became a freelancer and how I have built my business and survive.

Transcript

1. Freelancing 101 DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez Surviving, Processizing and Immortality #freelancetips
2. It Depends… DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez The Golden Rule of Freelancing and Life #freelancetips
3. Have a Plan… DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Plan to save money. 3 to 6 months of salary Plan to figure out how businesses will find you Plan to figure out how YOU will find business
4. Knowing Your Target Market DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Who would benefit from your services? Is the answer too broad? Can we narrow it down? What makes a client ideal? Think about: How they work, what they talk about, what drives them etc… Specializing is a good thing!
5. How Will 
 You Get Found? DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips
6. How Will 
 You Get Found? DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips • Get a Website Up • WordPress.org • SquareSpace • Wix • Network • Related Business or Interest Meetups • Chambers of Commerce • Share Your Knowledge • Volunteer to speak at a related event • Create something worth talking about • Always be willing to help others
7. Processes and Boundaries DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Time, not know-how, is your most valuable resource. Stop screwing-off and do your work!
8. Qualify Your Leads DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Clients will have hoops for you to jump through to ensure you know your stuff. As Freelancers, we ought to have controls in place for vetting potential new business.
9. Define How You Talk to Prospective Clients DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Do you meet clients in person? If you do meet or talk on the phone, how long is that conversation? Will you charge for your consultation?
10. Does Your Client Respect Your Process? DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips If a prospective client isn’t willing to respect your process i.e. fill out your project brief, do a cursory phone call etc. then consider walking away. Imagine what they’ll be like when working together.
11. Track Your Time DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Even if the work you’re doing isn’t billable, track your time. You need to know how your time is getting spent!
12. Tools of the Trade DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Getting paid, staying on target and good ol’ CYA
13. DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Don’t Cross the Streams!! Get a separate checking and savings account for your biz stuff
14. Invoicing DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips • Freshbooks • Harvest • Xero • Less Acctg. • Solo • Freckle • Quickbooks Online • Cashboard • Pancake App • Invoice Plane • FusionInvoice Billing & Accounting Systems • Stripe • Paypal • WePay • Square Cash • Your Bank Payment Gateways
15. Proposals DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips • Bidsketch • QuoteRoller • Proposable
16. Staying on Target DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips • Asana • Basecamp • PlanScope • Podio • Teamwork • Trello • Assembla • ActiveCollab • Solo App • Wrike Project Management
17. CYA DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Whatever you do… Get it IN WRITING!!! Yes, even if it’s for free!
18. Digital Signature Services DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips • contractual.ly • approveme.me (WordPress Plugin) • Docusign • HelloSign • Right Signature
19. Document Templates DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips • github.com (true story!) • Docracy.com • docstoc.com Always have an attorney review your documents!
20. Learn to Love Saying “No” DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Not every opportunity is worth it!
21. Keep Balance DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Set boundaries for how you work and when. Consider “regular office hours.” Make sure you clients know your boundaries
22. Take Vacations… DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips You’ll thank yourself
23. Got Questions? DigiSavvy Alex Vasquez @alexjvasquez #freelancetips Alex J. Vasquez alexhasnicehair.com