Want to become a freelancer? If you’re gonna do it, then effin’ do it right! Here's an little introduction to finding your purpose, building a personal brand, communicating with clients, making a contract, and red flags to watch out for.

1. How To Be a
Freelancer

2. If you’re gonna do it,
then effin’ do it right.

3. I am not a lawyer
I am not giving legal advice
There are no guarantees
Use your own judgement
Disclaimer


4. Freelancing With a Purpose
Building a Personal Brand
Communicating With Clients
Making a Contract
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Contents
-

5. Freelancing
With a
Purpose

6. Why do you want to be a freelancer?
• What’s your motivator?
• Why not get an awesome job?
Freelancing
With a Purpose
?

7. Find your passion (or at least one of them)
• What is super easy for you?
• What would you do for free?

Freelancing
With a Purpose

8. Define your long-term goals
• Freelance forever?
• Just on the side?
• Start a business?

Freelancing
With a Purpose

9. Define your ideal client
• Who do you want to work with?
• Where does she hang out?
• Why does she buy?
J
Freelancing
With a Purpose

10. Building a
Personal
Brand

11. Building a
Personal Brand
Brand = Reputation
• Carve out a niche for yourself
• Be the go-to person in your niche
• Continue to add value
• Make your clients happy


12. Building a
Personal Brand
Position Yourself
• Niche services
• Industry
• Location
• Personal values
• Customer service
¥

13. Building a
Personal Brand
Get a Personality
• Stand for something
• Get a distinct voice
• Be unique and memorable
• Be personal and authentic
• Tell great stories


14. Building a
Personal Brand
Get a Brand Identity
• Appropriate name
• Visual brand style
• Online portfolio
• Business cards
• Compelling copy
• Elevator pitches
™

15. Building a
Personal Brand
Create Some Buzz
• Clear and consistent message
• Online and offline networking
• Products, books, tutorials, etc.
• Blog, podcast, or videos
• Basic SEO practices
• Long-term action plan


16. Communi-
cating With
Clients

17. Communicating
With Clients
The basics:
• Listen, listen, listen, then clarify
• Use appropriate language
• Don’t be afraid to push back
• Don’t be a jerk
(even if you think you have the right to be)


18. Communicating
With Clients
Maintain great service
• Answer emails quickly and appropriately
• Stay proactive; keep clients updated
• Pick up the phone once in a while
• Focus on the clients’ needs
B

19. Communicating
With Clients
Avoid miscommunications
• Don’t assume anything; always ask
• Spend time being exceptionally clear
• Don't avoid giving bad news
• Follow-up with emails
• Talk with only one person
M

20. Communicating
With Clients
After the sale
• Ask for feedback after projects
• Remind them to mention your name
• Stay in touch every few months
• Share useful content and resources
O

21. Making
Yourself a
Contract

22. Making Yourself
a Contract
They don’t have to be scary
• Contracts are for clarity
• You don’t need a lawyer (yet)
• A template is fine
• Simple language is great
• Call them “Agreements”


23. Making Yourself
a Contract
The essentials
• Project scope & details
• Pricing & payment
• Client content
• Project cancelations
• Additional fees
• Approvals & revisions
• Ownership
• Credit & promotion
• Non-exclusivity
• Jurisdiction
• Limitation of liability

24. Making Yourself
a Contract
Resources
• http://webdesignlaw.com/
• http://www.docracy.com
• http://www.docstoc.com


25. Red Flags
to Watch
Out For

26. “
Most of the content is done.
I’ll send you the rest next week.
Red Flags to Watch
Out For

27. G
Most of the content is done.
I’ll send you the rest next week.
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
This means multiple content
updates. It will only waste time
and cause headaches.

28. “
Could you finish this by
Monday morning?
Red Flags to Watch
Out For

29. G
Could you finish this by
Monday morning?
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
You don’t have to accept
unreasonable deadlines or
work on the weekend.

30. “
I don't know what I want.
Just make it look good.
Red Flags to Watch
Out For

31. G
I don't know what I want.
Just make it look good.
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
Clients who don’t know what
they want are indecisive and
will drag projects on.

32. “
Can you make me a
website for $100?
Red Flags to Watch
Out For

33. G
Can you make me a
website for $100?
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
You must know what your
time is worth and learn to
say no to cheap clients.

34. “
I can't pay now, but I can
offer profit sharing.
Red Flags to Watch
Out For

35. G
I can't pay now, but I can
offer profit sharing.
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
Get paid for your work. If you
want to be a partner, that’s a
different discussion.

36. “
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
Don't worry, you'll get lots of
work from me in the future.

37. G
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
Don't worry, you'll get lots of
work from me in the future.
Clients say this to get free or
low-cost work. Don’t agree just
because you hear this.

38. “
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
Could you just add this small
thing? It won’t take long.

39. G
Red Flags to Watch
Out For
Could you just add this small
thing? It won’t take long.
Small things add up and turn
into scope creep. Plus, how do
they know how long it takes?

40. Whatever
You Do…

41. Whatever You Do…
Be memorable
Provide exceptional service
Communicate well
Use a contract
Get money up front
!

42. And...
Learn how
to say “No!”

43. Get in touch
Robert Hacala
Brand Designer
roberthacala.com