I guess you can consider the experts at EEI your freelancers. We’re your go-to team when you need a staff of editors, proofers, desktop publishers, and designers—especially if you don’t have your own staff on hand to depend on or if you’re just short-staffed and need a few helping hands to get you through a project.
It’s a bit of a dance that we do, because our object is to not ever have to say no to a customer. We want to make everyone happy. We always work to negotiate the best prices for our customers and we work hard to make every deadline.
I came across this article on Creative Market and it’s a great summary of what my team should always keep in mind.
It provides a pretty straightforward infographic that just reminds us not to take ourselves for granted. People come to us because they need our help and they know that we’re great at what we do. In the article, graphic designer Paula Scher says, “It’s through mistakes that you actually can grow. You have to get bad in order to get good.”
5 mistakes every freelancer makes.
Here are what the infographic lists as 5 Mistakes Every Freelancer Makes:
- Not knowing when to say no. You may be asked to work with a company with bad ethics. Or the client may add tasks to your current work pile. Sometimes “No” is necessary.
- Appealing to everyone. Focus and specialize in one or two services which could bring in more clients. Pick a niche that you love doing and something you’re good at.
- Having no formal contract. Clients may take advantage of this. You don’t have to be a lawyer. Use one of the many templates available.
- Working too much. Thinking that you’re the only one in your business sometimes makes you work every day, all day.
- Charging too little. This actually has the opposite effect than you think. Clients may see you as “cheap” and someone who provides low quality work.
Keep these in mind as you tackle your next project and try to avoid them in your career.
Johanna Daproza is the Director of Creative Services at EEI Communications. To read more about Johanna, click here.
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