Sujimy.com

Turning Pro

Posted on 07. Mar, 2009 by Sujimy in Freelancers

I have met a good mix of professional freelancers. Some really left a lasting impression on me.

These are their common traits:

- Easy to work with (No diva attitude. Oh Tidak!)
- Very flexible
- Demanding in the right places
- Serious about their quality of work
- Cool in stressful situations

There are of course many other attributes of a professional freelancer. It is quite easy to spot.
I find it fulfilling to work with a freelancer who knows their stuff inside out.

So how do you turn pro in freelancing?

1. Have a rates table ready. If possible, create a fix rate for all your services so that production houses can budget your rates easily into their project – instead of going to and fro checking your quote for each projects. Production houses prefer predictability in your rates. However, be ready to compromise on your own rates. Especially during bad times.

2. Keep in touch. Not just for work.

3. Give and take. When you have clocked in years of experience in the freelance business, you will agree that at times, you need to “give” before you can “take”. For regular clients, do give value-added services for FREE. Such gesture will translate to customer loyalty.

4. NEVER go back on your words. Most-disputed element in freelancing: FEES. It happened because both parties didn’t go through what was expected of the job, how many re-voicing, rewrites, filming days etc were required. It’s always better to clarify all these before taking up the project. But once you understood the terms, and agreed, get pass the issue of fees and focus on doing the job well. Resist the temptations to adjust or ask for a fee-raise even if you feel you are putting more than you should. Especially if the project is for your regular client. The industry is small and words will get around.

5. Don’t bad-mouth or gossip about your client. Nobody likes a gossipmonger.

6. Keep your integrity intact if you are servicing competing clients. DO NOT reveal any confidential matters to competing clients at all cost. You will get repeated business.

7. Be positive always. Leave the negative aura behind.

8. Be humble about your talent.

9. Be generous. Volunteer your services to non-profit organizations. Pros do it.

10. Network. Network. Network.

Tags: freelance, freelancer, network, networking, quality, services, translator, voice over, work