Switching Jobs, Switching Mindsets: What I Learned in My First Year as a Freelancer
“A servant is not holy if she is not busy” (St. Zita).
It has been almost one year since I took a leap of faith and left my full-time job for the freelance world. Like so many other women, I saw it as an opportunity to create my own schedule and contribute financially to our household income. It has been, without a doubt, the best decision I could have ever made for myself and for my family. My quality of life has improved exponentially, and I truly feel like I have found my passion for work.
I have multiple clients and was blessed with the chance to “up” my hours for my dad’s business. I had been a freelance social media manager for his company for a few years, and it decided it needed someone to fill a marketing role on a contract/freelance basis. If it weren’t for my dad, the leap I took would have not been possible. But I practically jumped!
Over this last year, I have come to many realizations about how I need to continue putting my best self forward and how I can make the most of my freelance career. I realized I have to be a “yes” woman for my clients, ask others for help, and constantly think of how I can make my clients look good.
Making My Clients’ Clients Happy
For most of my clients, I manage their social media, websites, copy jobs, Google accounts, and other content. I was put in a position where people don’t see me or know I exist when it comes to Facebook reviews or Google reviews — they think they’re talking directly to my client. The happy reviews are easy; you thank them and share on other platforms.
Unfortunately, because of privacy and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) concerns, for some clients, there isn’t much I can do about negative reviews. The only thing I can offer is an apology and an attempt to navigate through some damage control. It doesn’t matter how much of the review is true or false information or if it’s misleading; I have to die to myself, put on a happy face for my client, and try to represent their brand in a classy and well-intended manner.
Relying on Others’ Expertise
I no longer have a person “above me” to advise me on a different approach to take on a project or to review my work before I submit it ahead of my deadline. I am the go-to person for my clients, and they don’t care how I get the job done — but they’re paying for it to be nearly perfect.
While I’m not quite at the point where I can hire someone to help with tasks like editing documents, I know close friends and colleagues who are always willing to bounce around ideas. Whether it’s something simple like determining the amount of money to put toward a Facebook ad or rephrasing a website paragraph to make it more SEO (search engine optimization)-friendly, I am not above asking for help. I always want my clients to look and sound their best.
This definitely can also fit under “dying to self”: I am not perfect, and I always want to improve on my skill and strategy.
Offering to Go the Extra Mile
Hear me out on this one.
I am a firm believer in boundaries. I believe that if I am doing the work for a client to profit off of, then I should be paid. I do not say “yes” to people on a regular basis when it comes to offering advice or insight. However, sometimes, going the extra mile for a client, potential client, or former client will set you up for success in the long run.
I have two clients whom I have acquired over time because I said “yes” to helping two other clients on some simple website fixes. At the time, I felt like I might have been in over my head, taking on small work and not getting paid for it. But it paid off, and now I have consistent work because of my small “yes.”
Maybe you’re on the fence about freelancing, or maybe you recently took a leap of faith and are trying to figure out how you can improve the way you manage clients. These three steps are simple, but I’ve incorporated them into my business with success, and I hope you can, too!
Colleen Godinez is a freelance copywriter living in Kansas City. She graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in psychology and a minor in journalism and mass communication. In her spare time, she loves laughing with friends and family and finding new wines to sip on (sparkling rose on warmer days). She has learned to appreciate the little things in life and soaks up every moment she can with her two kids and husband. You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram.