Set Up Metrics from Day 1
Track everything. Not just how your website is performing or how much money you're making. Do you know how long it takes you to complete an average job? What about how much time you spend looking for clients? How many clients do you have on your backlist (your list of clients you have worked for in the past)? How recently have you contacted them? What about what types of jobs you do - do you know which types of jobs earn you more money per hour? The more you track the more you'll be able to evaluate how you're doing.
Look for Partners to Branch Out
Even if you're brand new at freelancing, or perhaps especially if you're brand new, finding a partner or partners can really help your business. Partners can provide strengths that you don't have - such as marketing, programming, or writing. A partner also brings in more work. Plus, if you're working with someone else, you're less likely to get lonely or in a slump creatively. Finding a partner can make being a freelancer less scary, as someone else is in the same boat you're in.
Always Keep Learning
The great thing about being a freelance Web designer is that there is always more to learn. And the more you learn about different technologies, trends, or software, the more employable you are. For example, if in your first year you just do Web design, but you learn to write PHP, your second year you can branch out to some programming. Then if you learn a CMS like Drupal or WordPress, you can give your clients some management tools of their own in year 3 (or month 3, depending upon how fast you are).
When You're Frustrated, Get Support
Freelancing is hard work. When you work as a freelancer you often work alone, you have to look for new work all the time, and you probably get very few vacations or free time (I tend to work 7 days a week, and on vacations and holidays). This can get very overwhelming unless you have some support. You can find support in many ways:
- Join a Web development organization
- Read Web design blogs
- Participate in Web design forums
- Sign up for Web development mailing lists
- You can even contact me for help.
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