There are many things to like about freelancing in the Philippines. From not having to deal with the stressful daily commute to being able to work in the comfort of your own home, the benefits to being your own boss are numerous and tempting, especially to the salaried office worker who has always lived life from paycheck to paycheck.
However, the truth of it is that freelancing comes with its own challenges—things that you may not be able to figure out simply by looking in from the outside. This can set you up for a nasty surprise should you take the plunge without preparing yourself beforehand. As such, to help you determine whether or not life as a freelancer is one that actually suits you, we’re filling you in with the four biggest truths about freelancing that you need to know right now.
You need to be always looking for new clients
We probably all know that freelancing means having to look for your own clients. However, did you know that you also have to be looking for new clients regularly, even if you’ve already got a few regular clients who keep your docket filled? This is because you can never really tell when a client will suddenly drop you, no matter how long you’ve worked together. It can happen unexpectedly or without any warning, creating a sudden loss of revenue on your part.
While unfortunate, such an event is common in freelancing and can happen for many reasons. It could be that your client company is doing some cost-cutting, and they’re letting go of non-permanent employees; perhaps business is slow, and their demand for work is no longer as big as before; or maybe there’s been a sudden change in company management, and their new leaders saw you as a redundant resource.
The only way to insulate yourself from the resulting loss of income is to ensure that you have a steady supply of clients on tap. One good way of getting new leads is advertising yourself online, such as by setting up a profile on a reputable freelance job website in the Philippines.
You need to recognize when a client is trying to exploit you
There will be times when you and a client will disagree with one another over your output. This is a natural part of the collaborative process and can be easily resolved through clear communication and clear-headed negotiation. However, there will also be instances when one of your clients will attempt to get free labor out of you. This can present itself in many seemingly innocuous ways, from them asking you to make free samples according to their specifications, to repeatedly demanding for drastic overhauls even though you’ve followed their every instruction to the letter.
These are clear-cut cases of freelancer exploitation, and they can rob you of profitable hours if you fail to recognize them. Protect yourself by asking for very clear-cut and simple instructions with every project, and make sure that everything you agree upon is put down in writing.
This way, you will have all the evidence you need to protest or call out instances of exploitation when it does happen. Bottom line: never be afraid to stand up to your client and call them to task when you need to.
You need a home office or designated workspace
Working from home is one of the best things about freelancing. Not only is it more comfortable and convenient for you, it also allows you to save a lot of money in fuel and transportation expenses. Of course, working from home also means that you’ll constantly be exposed to a lot of distractions, which can easily affect your ability to focus on your work. This can result in a significant drop in your productivity, as well as in the quality of your work.
Resolve this by closing off a specific section of your home and designating that space as your home office. It doesn’t have to be an entire room if space is at a premium; it can be just a small desk at a corner of a quiet room. The important thing is that it should be a space with zero distractions. This means no smartphones, toys, TVs, game consoles, kids, pets, or anything that could take your attention away from work. Tell everyone in your home not to disturb you when you’re in this space as well. Do this, and you’ll have a much easier time getting your assignments done on time.
You need to take saving money more seriously
Once you make the jump from a salaried position to being a freelancer, it’s generally a good idea to start saving as much money as you reasonably can. This is because you will inevitably have certain “dry” periods when you have very little work to do, either due to your chosen industry having an off-peak season or just a general lack of potential clients. Such periods could become a constant source of stress and sleepless nights mainly due to your lack of income.
You can prevent this from happening by having a healthy savings account to survive on while you wait out the dry period. Furthermore, you can be more prudent with your purchasing decisions if and when such a dry period actually occurs. This will allow you to look for work without feeling the need to undervalue your services or appear desperate to a potential client. Moreover, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that even if a financial emergency were to arise, you can easily weather it without having to resort to getting buried in debt.
Freelancing can be challenging, but ultimately rewarding
Let’s not beat around the bush here: freelancing is an amazing way to earn money, especially if you’ve been working in a salaried 9-to-5 job ever since you can remember. That being said, it does come with its share of unique challenges and difficulties that may catch you unawares if you jump into it right away with zero thought or preparation. Before you take the plunge, keep the above information in mind, and figure out if you’re ready to deal with them for the rest of your professional career. By doing so, you’ll end up a happier, healthier, and overall more productive freelancer.
