things i learned the hard way being a freelancer
DESCRIPTION
I have been a freelancer since 2000, and I made loads of mistakes... You don't have to! This presentation talks how I do stuff now, and I wished I knew this before :) Enjoy. *Interested in an inspiring presentation or workshop for your company/organization? Hire me for a day! ;) *TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Things I Learned The Hard Way
Ine Dehandschutter@matuvu
www.matuvu.nu
Bizcamp.be 2012
The business adventures of a freelancer
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 2: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Hi,I’m Ine,
a (web)designer & photographer, currently based in Ghent, Belgium.
(I’m also lead designer of Emphas.is)
I have been a freelancer since 2000.And I made loooooads of mistakes during the years.
You don’t have to!
Enjoy this presentation.If you do, don’t hesitate to like
& share it,
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 3: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
because you will. suffer. cry. blood. tears. die.over and over again.
Have A Dream To Die For
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 4: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
use S.M.A.R.T principle: specific.measurable.achievable.relevant.time framed.
Outline Your Plan
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 5: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
because if you don’t earn, you have no bread on your table.(define what you need by calculating all your costs)not earning enough? reconsider your business plan!
Define Your Wage
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 6: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
a good accountant can save you a lot of money, but most of all a good accountant thinks along with you!
Get A Good Accountant
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 7: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
never. ever. work for free. unless it is for your mom.
Don’t Sell Cheap
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 8: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
when you can, ditch the friends, family and fools.they’re perfect for starters,
but bad for pro’s.
Find Real Clients
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 9: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
learn from the 20% 80% rule:20% stand for 80% of your trouble.
keep the good clients, ditch the others.
Teach Those Clients
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 10: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
and follow up your cash flow.don’t play bank to your clients.
no money on the bank = no bread on the table.
Charge Fast
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 11: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
it is the best way to find exiting new clients.or to find new partners.
or to do fun stuff.
Network
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 12: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
the best way to loose your uncertainties is to talk to colleagues.unite with others.
(consider co-working, join certain business groups, ...)
Surround Yourself
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 13: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
measure everything you do.your time, your projects. your profits.
learn from your mistakes. and do it better.
Measure, Evaluate
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 14: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
try it: nononono.it will earn you more.
if not in money, in quality.
Learn To Say NO
NO@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 15: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
don’t spend to ‘save taxes’. if you pay taxes you keep 50%. if you spend you keep nothing.
Save For Later
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 16: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
make time for your personal life‘later’ = ‘now’
it is gone before you know.
Live The Now
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 17: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
be prepared to fail, to change, to adapt.sometimes stuff works, sometimes not.
Most Of All Be Flexible
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 18: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
It Is A Bumpy But Adventurous Ride
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
![Page 19: Things I learned the hard way being a freelancer](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022051608/53ed231b8d7f7289708b5ac4/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Thank YouIne Dehandschutter
(web)designer & photographer & talker
www.matuvu.nu@matuvu
www.linkedin.com/in/matuvu
www.slideshare.com/matuvu
Monday 4 June 12