Being a Freelancer

Being a freelancer is an adventure of great uncertainty and many fears. To embrace this lifestyle is a true leap of faith. You struggle with a great deal of insecurity because, let’s be clear, everything depends EXCLUSIVELY on yourself.

In Portugal we have a saying; “If good advice were profitable, you wouldn't give it away. You’d sell it!” Well, I’m gonna give you some advice; share my experience and some "tips" that may or may not help you take the leap to become a freelancer.

If you find my advice helpful, feel free to send me an invoice!

Being a Freelancer was never an option

Born and raised in a conservative household, I was soon directed towards a “stable job for life" mindset. As a Millennial, this concept is as outdated as a typewriter.

My passion for observing the world around me and my incessant need to create methodologies for my thought-process led me to Psychology (at the University of Coimbra). Despite loving the subject, I soon realized Psychology wasn’t my dream professional path. I graduated anyway and my next step was to enroll in Communication Design at Faculdade de Belas Artes in Lisbon. That was it, I was where I should’ve been all along.

Soon after, I was selected for an internship at RTP (Portuguese Public Television Channel), and ended up being hired as a Motion Designer. After 3 years, tired of such a bureaucratic and impersonal company, I was hired by a small studio as a Visual and Motion Designer. In parallel to that new challenge, I was always involved in social projects like H4PPS (a technological platform promoting synergies among the community), or artistic projects like short films or music videos, assuming the role of Art Director.

It was then that I started to realize, maybe I should try another work philosophy...

Being a Freelancer becomes a possibility

After 3 years working in the studio, I decided to quit. It was time for another challenge. I was gonna work as a freelancer. I was gonna work for me, myself and I. With all the risks involved, I knew it was a tricky adventure! I was going to start something from scratch. I didn't have any secure clients, no awarded project. Nothing. Just a handful of dreams, a lot of anxiety and a bit of savings that would give me some stability.

During my first year, after going through some setbacks (more personal than professional), I found myself reflecting on a lot of issues no one teaches us, or explains, on how to become a freelancer:

1. Everybody assumes you have a lot of free time

When family and friends know you work from home they assume you’re free as a bird. In fact, it's the opposite. It’s as simple as this: if you don't work, you don't make money. So time is valuable. Time is literally money.

2. You will wonder if you are good enough for this life

The Impostor Syndrome is, without a doubt, the most recurrent thought of any freelancer in any creative industry. You are great at what you do. I swear! If you weren't you would have given up already. So keep at it, no matter what the voice in your head says!

3. Maybe you’ll gain extra weight

Yeah... no one is watching or judging when you eat a whole jar of cookies.

4. Let your emotions out

When we are rejected for some project/work or told we don't have what it takes, it's easy to get sad, angry and discouraged, because the criticism is directed at YOU. There is no one else to blame.

5. You will become more productive

You will need to define your values, and to do so you have to consider how much your time is worth. Soon you’ll realize your time is your most valuable asset. With this in mind, I found myself structuring my day a lot better. Being a freelancer is not a career, it's a total mentality change!

6. You will fire clients!

Even though I've been lucky and learned how to manage client’s expectations, there's always that ever so troubling project, a time-consuming mess... You'll soon realize money doesn't make up for the hassle, and it’s time to move on.

7. Being a freelancer can be lonely

You may miss having people around you, the exchange of ideas, stress relieving in a coffee shop with coworkers. Although I really enjoy working from home, it's great to find a place where you feel good to work - a co-working hub or a cafe. You can reserve some time to attend networking events or conferences. Go out, meet people, feel part of a community.

8. You will discover a manager inside you

Nobody will manage your time, your clients, projects, or even your finances (but get an accountant!). You're on your own. You will discover your management skills fairly quick.

9. Take some time for yourself

In the middle of so much obligatory work, try and have some fun. Take some time off to be with those you like the most and never forget what brought you to this adventure (freedom!)

Being a freelancer is not a career, it's a total mentality change!

I won't say freelancing is easy.

I'm not going to say there are no difficult days. I'm not going to say you won't have extra worries or problems you would never think of having while working for someone else. However, I'm sure of this one thing, it's extremely rewarding and empowering to have total control of your time.

To be able to work remotely from anywhere, to work on what you want and with whom you want.

Some advice - *cough* tips *cough* - that may (or may not) be useful:

1. Always be honest

It's a cliché, but as our mother used to say, this is a small, small world, and being honest with ourselves and with others is always an excellent calling card for a new client or collaboration.

2. Be disciplined and organized

Having freedom is being able to choose the when, how and for how long we work. But it can also be quite overwhelming. Set a comfortable schedule, organize your day (SMART goals), get dressed for work (forget you own pajamas during the daytime, save it for the weekend). Notify your clients/collaborators about your progress. Good communication is always the basis of a good relationship.

3. Online Portfolio

It can be a website, or any other platform (Behance, Dribble), try to have your portfolio updated, always respecting the terms and conditions. As well as your CV and LinkedIn profile.

 4. Friends

Your friends are your best business card. Try to let them know exactly what you do, what causes you identify with and promote.

5. Sharing & Praise

Everything is networking, everything is communication, everything is a mirror of how you manage your work. Praise your peers, professionals or institutions you admire. Be cordial. Avoid easy praise and gratuitous criticism. Never try to show off by criticizing someone else's work. Your community will know what you are doing which could jeopardize future collaborations or recommendations. Send constructive criticism by private message. Good personal practices, make good professionals

Being honest with ourselves and with others is always an excellent calling card for a new client or collaboration.

Last July I celebrated my second anniversary as a full-time freelancer (Yeah!) These last 2 years have been the most challenging - and scary - years of my life. But maybe also the best. So much so, I’m preparing for another challenge! (Yes...facepalm) I opened my own studio (during a pandemic...double facepalm...I know...), but there are dreams that we simply cannot put off.

 It is an adventure I have the privilege to share with my life partner (and work partner, of course!) and with an incredible team, with which we already worked as freelancers. I hope to have updates to share soon.

What are your biggest challenges as freelancers? What are your greatest/best achievements?

Meanwhile... Have a great adventure!

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Follow me on Instagram: @itsanafborges | @itsanashow.studio