Friday Freelance #21: Learn my 20 lessons to grow your freelance business.

Hey! Huw here.

Happy Friday to the new freelancers who have joined us since last week.

Today's issue may take you a couple of minutes to read.

Enjoy

__

I started freelancing as a graphic designer in Melbourne, Australia back in 2013.

Here are some of the lessons I've learned along the way of those 9 years.

If you implement some or all of these, I believe you'll be a better freelancer.

But don't take my word for it, read on and let me know what you think.

1. Start calling yourself a 'business owner' not just a freelancer. Why? It elevates your mindset. Makes you sound professional and less likely to be brushed aside as 'just the freelancer' (yes it happened to me)
2. Don't start work without a client contract or agreement. No-brainer really but so many don't protect themselves until things go wrong.
3. Get really clear on WHO you want to work with. If you don't you'll end up taking on any work from anyone but not really helping anyone. (ps. it will supercharge your marketing if you niche down)
4. If you want to freelance with agencies then know your hourly rate beforehand. Get clear on your level and the industry norms for your industry.
5. Optimise your LinkedIn profile for B2B clients. 830 million registered users. I'm sure you can find 2 or 3 clients per month to make a living.
6. Optimise your Instagram profile using keywords your prospects are searching for. Engage with others and follow dream client accounts. Don't just post design content. Show your personality.
7. Get super clear on the problem you solve for your dream clients. Don't just say you're a graphic designer for print. Get specific. There are too many. graphic designers. That's why you say it's saturated. Be different. Make the solution make sense to your dream client.
8. Ditch your hourly rate. You can not grow your business by trading time for money. You started a business to have TIME not to create another job.
9. Start selling design packages as soon as possible. Make them make sense to your dream client. Don't sell stationery services to clients that don't want them. Leverage price and time. Thank me later.
10. Provide a great client experience. Clients talk and give referrals. Make it memorable. You are a service provider after all. Provide service!
11. Be punctual. Don't be late to meetings either IRL or Zoom.
12. Be organised. Digitise everything over time. Start with project management and invoicing. Easy to track and give you back the time you lost creating invoices in InDesign.
13. Set BIG goals for the future. See no. 1. Business owners set goals and achieve them. Remember a goal without a plan is only a dream. Make it happen, no one else will.
14. Create content online. I started way too late and paid the price. If you want to stop working for agencies or recruiters then the fastest way to get private clients is content.
15. Always get client testimonials. Always. Post the positive ones EVERYWHERE online as social proof. Learn from the others.
16. Be patient with your client's requests. They are not designers and don't see the world like you. Make sure you explain your designs clearly and with empathy. (see also no. 10)
17. Make sure all your copy on your website is about YOUR client, not you. Clients don't care about your mission or values. They care about if you can help them. Always make it about them.
18. Design and business don't need to be stressful. Enjoy yourself and have fun along the way. Learn and uplevel and give back to others (if you can).
19. Set healthy boundaries with your clients and importantly yourself. Stop working late and on weekends and blaming your clients.
20. Get yourself a business coach to grow faster. Here's the thing you don't know everything. Get mentored by someone who has walked the path before. It may cost some money but will save and make you more money in the long run!

__

See you again next week.

Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you.

1. Grab the Freelance Starter Kit  here

2. Join the Six Figure Designer community and connect with designers who are growing their businesses.

It's our new Facebook community where smart designers learn to get more income and independence. Click here

3. Join our CLIENTS program and get clients.

If you're under 5k a month right now. I'm working with a few designers for the next 10 weeks to help them sign clients and hit $5k/mth – without ads, funnels or tech. If you'd like to get some clients month, send me a message with the word CLIENTS and I'll get you all the details.

Have a fun weekend!

Huw