Freelancing from the UK #2
In my last post I introduced this series of blogs about freelancing in the UK.
When thinking about how Britain relates to the rest of the world I am often left wondering why other countries appear to rate us Brits a highly as they do. Preparing for this blog has left me thinking similar thoughts. To the point that the hypothesis loosely established in my previous post (that British freelancers have something unique to offer international clients) appeared to be drastically flawed.
Like Michael Palin, I have gone full circle, after thinking I had written a blog under a false premise I now recognise that all I have done is start the process of understanding. I hope that this blog is an extension of that process, it would be great if this blog post can act as a central point to help us begin to understand how us British freelancers can, corporately, discover our unique selling points.
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Tips For Freelancing: How To Impress
So you have just started out by yourself, in the lonely and dangerous world of freelancing. Working for yourself can be challenging at the best of times, keeping track of all your accounts and where you are on what project. Or maybe, you’re finding it hard to connect to new business opportunities.
One of the most integral ways to attract and maintain clients as a lone-ranger is your reputation. In fact, some say it is all you have. I’d slightly disagree (only slightly), as there are the type of clients out there that don’t even ask for previous work. But reputation is your pass to a fruitful time being self-employed.
But how do I build my reputation? Overimpress.
- The client wants the project done for two weeks time - don’t stretch it to the full two weeks, get it done early. Surpass their expectations.
- The client is initiated in design - but they like your first-draft proposal mockup thing that you sent them “on the email” last week. Don’t just settle for your first thoughts - make every design your best yet. Surpass their expectations.
- The client is expecting features A, B and C. Implement a feature D and say “surprise! you like?”. Don’t charge extra. Surpass their expectations.
In essense, overdeliver without kissing arse. Focus on going one step further than what they are expecting, one step better than your last project. Word will soon get around that you are the most hard working, forward thinking person in the world and your total focus is on the customer.
More quick tips to come!
Freelancing from the UK
All through my childhood I wanted to be in a gang, I know that isn’t the most sensitive thing to say, but it’s true. I wanted to be part of a close group of friends that got up to mischievous acts together and had a good time (I must have been a pacifist as a child too, as violent acts never crossed my mind). Now I am beginning to feel like I am part of a gang, and it is thanks to the internet.
Every time I read a technology blog with the word “colour” written in the same way the Queen would write it, I know I am part of a gang. Whenever I see add this site to your “favourites” written on a website, I know I am part of a gang. Whenever I see someone saying that they are power ranging* before sitting down to enjoy a cup of tea and a crumpet (I have never read anyone say this) I know I am part of a gang. We, the British people, seem to be embracing the credit crunch by getting our geek on and flexing our technological muscles, more and more freelancers are based in the UK.
The Professional Contractors Group have said that there has been a 14% increase in the number of freelancers during the ten years leading up to their 2008 survey, whilst not all of these people will be working on-line the general shift towards telecommuting will, no doubt, mean that more and more British freelancers are working on-line, or working from home using the internet as their primary communication tool.
I am going to have a look at how being British effects us in the freelance market place and how we can use our nationality to our advantage to win more clients, to win better contracts and to make our working life easier. As always your contribution and ideas will add huge value to what I say, in fact I am certain you will have better things to say than I do, so please chip in with your comments.
To conclude this introductory piece I am going to apologise in advance for using as many British colloquialisms in this series, I usually try and avoid them, but this is my one chance and I am going to take it. With a stiff upper lip, until next time, goodbye.
*The act of searching for a power supply to fire up your laptop in a cafe/airport/cattery, obviously this act is performed by a Power Ranger :o)
Thanks Guy Cross
