When I was still in the process of moving into freelancing and hadn’t figured out where to go yet, I already had a clear understanding of where not to go.
The idea was pretty simple: earn, don’t spend. Many may argue that spending doesn’t always mean wasting and that sometimes it means investing. Well, fuck it – I had nothing to invest anyway.
So…
1) I never waited for someone to teach me how to do the job searching, how to land myself a gig, how to talk to prospects or how to talk to them more efficiently. Hey, school’s out – I’m already supposed to know that, so it’s time to act, not to learn how to act (especially from self-proclaimed “gurus”, “coaches”, and “entrepreneurs”). I just move on further and further, whether I’m sure I’m doing things right or not. I’d rather learn from my mistakes than from someone else’s (probably fictional) success.
2) I never paid for anything relevant to my job. I never bought job board subscriptions, never paid for “special programs”, “conferences”, tests or certifications etc. Whoever I talked to – in whatever situations, I’d stop listening to them right at the moment there was a slightest sign of an attempt to sell me something. For God’s sake, I’m here in this business to make money, not to part with them.
3) I never worked for free, no matter how prospects tried to justify their reluctance to pay on the first assignment – usually there’s no second one in such cases. Also, I don’t want to contribute to the development of situations like this one.
Have to laugh … these sentiments are applicable to so many ‘careers’ in life. The minute you work for yourself, and especially if it is in a field that is remotely creative or artistic, you are screwed. Don’t ever bank on being rich, while you are alive. I understand the pro and cons of, say, freelance writing, but did you know, this shit happens when you bake, as well? Too often, I have given handouts, warm and fragrant – straight out of the oven, relatives, prospective clients and damn – even strangers. It has helped f. all. They all smack their lips and ooh and aah about the texture and sublime flavours, but I can count on my one hand the instances where it actually led to a PAID order. Maybe a case of, “Why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free?”
“The minute you work for yourself, and especially if it is in a field that is remotely creative or artistic, you are screwed.” – Can’t agree more. You either work for someone, or make someone work for you. Playing fair is of course encouraged, but never rewarded.
“but did you know, this shit happens when you bake, as well?” I didn’t… I thought that at least people were much more likely to pay for something tangible.
A bit strong in your opinion. I’d not be as radical if I were you.
I agree that you may not learn much from successful people. I’m quite a skilled person (I won’t go into details, don’t even ask), and what I learnt helped me more screw my own past businesses than succeed with them.
Now what you should not avoid is advice from people who failed. Because you can learn from your mistakes (and that’s an excellent way to progress) but if you can avoid some mistakes, it’s even better. Your path to success doesn’t have to be full of mistakes
Good luck with writing freelance. Not the best sector you could work in, as for arts in general, but I can always wish you luck. I worked in the music business, and even if there are buyers, you don’t get them if you’re not huge, usually. Same for the book industry. Now I had a friend doing journalism freelance and it seemed to pay a bit… sometimes. So, just choose well whom you write for
Bravo! for you. You got drive. Especially #3. Like what store would let someone walk out with the first cart of groceries? I am retired but did consulting work and I never worked for ‘free’. Either they wanted me or they didn’t. A corner grocery store knows well enough to charge for a can of beans. Like most things you learn as you go. If you do snag a mentor, be grateful. I wish you all success.