Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer
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Ine Dehandschutter shares key lessons learned from years of freelancing as a designer and photographer. Critical advice includes using the S.M.A.R.T principle for business planning, finding quality clients, and understanding financial management, such as charging promptly and avoiding unpaid work. She emphasizes the importance of networking, measuring progress, and maintaining a work-life balance while staying adaptable to changes.
Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer
- 1. Things I Learned The Hard Way Ine Dehandschutter @matuvu www.matuvu.nu Bizcamp.be 2012 The business adventures of a freelancer
- 2. Hi, I’m Ine, a (web)designer & photographer, currently based in Ghent, Belgium. (I’m also lead designer of Emphas.is) I have been a freelancer since 2000. And I made loooooads of mistakes during the years. You don’t have to! Enjoy this presentation. If you do, don’t hesitate to like & share it, @matuvu
- 3. because you will. suffer. cry. blood. tears. die. over and over again. Have A Dream To Die For @matuvu
- 4. use S.M.A.R.T principle: specific.measurable.achievable.relevant.time framed. Outline Your Plan @matuvu
- 5. because if you don’t earn, you have no bread on your table. (define what you need by calculating all your costs) not earning enough? reconsider your business plan! Define Your Wage @matuvu
- 6. a good accountant can save you a lot of money, but most of all a good accountant thinks along with you! Get A Good Accountant @matuvu
- 7. never. ever. work for free. unless it is for your mom. (infographic: jessica hische: http://jessicahische.is/awesome) Don’t Sell Cheap @matuvu
- 8. when you can, ditch the friends, family and fools. they’re perfect for starters, but bad for pro’s. Find Real Clients @matuvu
- 9. learn from the 20% 80% rule: 20% stand for 80% of your trouble. keep the good clients, ditch the others. Teach Those Clients @matuvu
- 10. and follow up your cash flow. don’t play bank to your clients. no money on the bank = no bread on the table. Charge Fast @matuvu
- 11. it is the best way to find exiting new clients. or to find new partners. or to do fun stuff. Network @matuvu
- 12. the best way to loose your uncertainties is to talk to colleagues. unite with others. (consider co-working, join certain business groups, ...) Surround Yourself @matuvu
- 13. measure everything you do. your time, your projects. your profits. learn from your mistakes. and do it better. Measure, Evaluate @matuvu
- 14. try it: nononono. it will earn you more. if not in money, in quality. Learn To Say No No @matuvu
- 15. don’t spend to ‘save taxes’. if you pay taxes you keep 50%. if you spend you keep nothing. Save For Later @matuvu
- 16. make time for your personal life ‘later’ = ‘now’ it is gone before you know. Live The Now @matuvu
- 17. be prepared to fail, to change, to adapt. sometimes stuff works, sometimes not. Most Of All Be Flexible @matuvu
- 18. It Is A Bumpy But Adventurous Ride @matuvu
- 19. Thank You Ine Dehandschutter (web)designer & photographer & talker www.matuvu.nu @matuvu www.linkedin.com/in/matuvu www.slideshare.com/matuvu