What Keeps you Motivated as a Freelancer?

Obie16

I've done a lot of freelance writing work so far early into my career. It's been hard to find a steady job with a steady cashflow while working random hours. Are there any other freelancers out there? How do you stay motivated with inconsistent pay and hours? How do you gain more clients? 

BrianSmith

I've personally had the most luck gaining clients after in-person introductions. Meeting someone face-to-face still seems to be the best way to form a lasting impression.

Ryan O'Bleness

@Obie16, I do think setting yourself up as an LLC. is wise. It's pretty cheap to do, and you can write off a lot of your expenses when you file for taxes. I did the 1099 thing for far too long as well, and I luckily am in a salaried role now. But I know the struggles. It's hard to save money because you have to live off of every penny you earn. I would just tell you to reach out to as many agencies or businesses as possible and see who could use the help. Or apply for full-time gigs. 

If you do set up yourself as a writing service LLC., there are many free, grassroots ways of marketing your business. That includes social media, earned media campaigns (building relationships with journalists and pitching them ideas), word-of-mouth, client referrals, etc. 

Moved_outta_here

There are two major things that seem to be on the top of my list when it comes to staying motivated.

I will tell you that money is not one of them. I try to let money follow, not lead, otherwise I fall into that scarcity mentality. This means I'm concentrating on the amount of money I can receive, not the amount of value I'm trying to deliver. Pretend you're rich and don't have a single monetary worry in the world and ask yourself, "OK, what do I really want to do with my time to impact the world?"

Now that the money rant is over, here are the two most influential motivators:

1. Appreciation. I love what I do best when clients respect, value and appreciate what I do. Nothing feels better than knowing that a client realizes that you've positively impacted their business and gotten them closer to their dreams.

2. Networking. I’m talking about getting out amongst your peers and understanding that you're not alone in your struggles. Freelancing can be extremely lonely when it’s just you working away at all hours of the day and night, while all of your friends and family do their 9 to 5 jobs and enjoy their lives afterwards. Seriously, you wonder why you’re the only one on the planet doing this. Networking can save your sanity and may open doors to more freelance work. I mean, you're meeting with a group of professional business-minded people, so you know that business ideas are going to spark.

So, the appreciation keeps me motivated and the networking does the same, but also provides a great opportunity to make more money and can provide tips on managing the slow times.

Hopefully this has been useful info.

Randi Miller

I completely agree with @BrianSmith that most of my work comes from in-person meetings or warm introductions through a colleague or friend. When I started freelancing, I had neither. My suggestion is to use meetup.com quite heavily. Go to any meetup for small businesses or horizontal industries. For example, as a writer.. going to marketing meet ups would be highly beneficial as they are always looking for writers.

Randi Miller

Adding to what @RyanOBleness said.. Guerrilla Marketing, by Jay Levinson, is a must read book for anyone starting a small business.

Ryan O'Bleness

Well-said, @Randi Miller. Meeting up with like-minded people not only allows you to develop a potential friendship or business partnership, it can also connect you with a whole new network of people through that person's relationships and acquaintances. 

Obie16

Thanks, @Randi Miller! I will look into meet ups and see if I can find that book. 

translator

> @Obie16 said:
> How do you stay motivated with inconsistent pay and hours? How do you gain more clients? 

The only motivation for freelancer can be professional success. Concerning personally me, I feel good when my client leaves 5 stars feedback and positive recommendation. It makes you grow faster and get more money. New clients come from the positive feedback. It's like a seed which will turn into a tree someday. This is vitally important for freelancer.

Obie16

@translator, yes, good feedback and referrals are key. Perhaps I should develop some sort of rating system for myself, or feedback survey after I have completed a project. 

grayson

Money and deadline.

Money is obvious; otherwise I wouldn't have to take freelance projects on top of my full-time work.

I don't know why but I really love doing things with proper deadline. I complain a lot when the deadline is tomorrow morning but I still haven't been able to finish the project. I just love how concentrated one can be when the clock is ticking.

Obie16

I agree that face-to-face is the best way to introduce yourself. However, I've tried a lot of email pitches as well, which I need to work on apparently because I don't get a ton of responses. I think I just need to set myself up as an LLC. instead of working for various companies as a 1099 employee. 

Obie16

@grayson, working toward a deadline helps me too, but it can be stressful for sure. However, I would rather work toward something with a given deadline than a project with no structure. Otherwise, things don't get done in a timely manner. 

Steve Nichols, MS

What motivates me to be self-employed rather than to work for others is threefold: the satisfaction of helping clients whom I want to be successful; the excitement of working on interesting projects and helping to make them successful; and the freedom of choosing whom I work with and why.

Steffi Dsouza

Becoming a freelancer can take you on quite the journey. You are your own boss, determine your own schedule, and can even work in your costume if you please. Like all journeys, freelancing can become exhausting and you might find yourself unmotivated, discouraged, and distraught.

3 Ways to Stay Positive and Motivated as a Freelancer

1. Map it out
2.Pick a Routine
3. Maintain a Separate Work Space

Staying motivated as a freelancer can seem like a daunting task. Especially for those who are new to this sparkling world of innovation and creativity, it can feel like standing up to Goliath. Don’t fret, though, by finding a tight community of fellow freelancers and following these ways to keep motivated you can be on your way to a highly sought-after future in freelancing.

Asfandiyar

It's easy, look at people who do work in the office. Talk to them and you will understand a big plus of your work. Keep it running like you're working in an office.