“Work mostly seems to find me; I get work from client recommendations, through my portfolio website, through a local digital media website (Wired Sussex), even via Twitter. I think word of mouth is probably the most important factor in getting work.”
Do you separate your work from your social life?
As a freelancer you have to immerse yourself in what you do so it can be quite hard to prevent work and your social life from blurring together. I love what I do so I’m not too worried about having boundaries.
Where do you work?
I work at home where I have my cluttered desk and lovely widescreen PC. If clients don’t have office space then I’ll meet them in a cafe. I’m not sure how other freelancers actually manage to do any real work in cafes though, on a small laptop with loads of distractions and too much cake.
What’s your least favourite thing about freelancing?
The worst thing about freelancing is paperwork – chasing invoices, anything to do with finances. I just want to get on with the work.
What’s your favourite thing about freelancing?
The best thing about freelancing, once you get over the novelty of working in your pyjamas, is deciding which projects you will or won’t take on. Being able to choose which direction your career goes in is really fulfilling.
How do you organise yourself?
I think I’m probably a bit chaotic but I try to do paperwork once a week. I try to get up early, check my inbox, reply to emails and go to the gym before starting work. And I try to finish work before 10pm… but actually things never work out as planned. But that doesn’t worry me; you can work to your own rhythm when you freelance.
Why do your clients choose you?
My clients choose me because I’ve been recommended to them or they find my website and like my portfolio. Many of my clients say they like a particular piece of work I’ve done and want something similar.
Have you ever considered going back to a permanent job?
Sometimes I think it would be easier, and then I remember what it’s like having to get up at the same time every day, go to the same office, see the same people and work on projects I don’t enjoy. I would really feel like I’d let myself down if I went back to working full time.
If you could give a friend one great piece of freelance advice, what would it be?
Your clients are your best advocate so give them a brilliant service and they will repay you by telling everyone how great you are. When I started out all my work came from client recommendations.
Thanks to Rowan Richardson for taking the time to be interviewed and for sharing her experience of freelancing.
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In the first of Freelance Advisor’s freelancer interviews we speak to web designer Rowan Richardson, and discover how she succeeds as a freelancer.
