Talk it up!
By, Debbi Cunnington
When a person considers joining the freelance
work force, there usually is one primary motivation: freedom
and flexibility of your schedule.
That
has always been my driving force. I am not a 9-5 person. I
don't like to take breaks, not even for lunch. I tend to work,
work, work until the project is completed. Then I want to
relax. If I am working a regular job, my work style goes
against the normal rhythm. Typically, you are expected to be
in the office for a full 8 hours per day. I cannot stand down
time. I want to be working and if I am not working, I want to
leave. Simple as that. I like to call this the completion
obsession.
I believe that freelance work is perfect
for people who have the 'completion obsession'. And explaining
this to your prospective client is the hardest part. I know I
am cut out for contract work because I love a challenge. I
want to do the best possible job on a project and I have a
terrible time stopping before it is completed to my
satisfaction. Eating, sleeping, bathroom visits all take a
back seat to the project. In other words, I can give you the
best work for the best price. Instead of hiring an employee
who will be paid regardless of the amount of work they
produce, a contract worker will work quickly and efficiently
to deliver the end product.
The hardest thing for me to
understand is people's reluctance to outsource projects. With
modern technology, what is really the difference between the
person sitting in an office, processing invoices or entering
data into the computer and a freelance professional doing the
same work at home? I am usually wearing shorts and rarely
wearing shoes but does clothing make an exceptional worker?
Actually, I have to be more dedicated and focused than
the average office worker. Generally, I have several projects
going at once. Some type of deadline drives most projects. I
have to know when to work on what, make sure all details are
covered and switch gears quickly. I have to keep track of all
my own time and expenses so that I am properly reimbursed for
my time. I may be working in my pajamas but I am hardly
sleeping.
The reason for this article is to attempt to
change a mindset. I know that when I began working as a
freelance professional, I still felt like the office workers
had something I couldn't provide. Then I began to realize that
my skills were above average and it didn't matter where I was
working. This shift helped me immensely. If you do not believe
that working freelance is the best option, it will be
difficult to sell outsourcing to a potential client. This is
the next step to realizing your freelancing goals.
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Debbi Cunnington is a freelance professional who has been working independently for the last 4 years. Highly skilled in many areas, including Accounting, Design & Virtual Assisting, she has been quite successful.
Her company, BearCreative, is dedicated to providing Web Design for small to medium businesses that are looking for unique, inexpensive, attractive websites.
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Why should I Freelance?
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By, Elena Fawkner
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