Melly's Musings | Adventures in Freelance
A little life update and where I'm at right now...
So, in September, I left the job I was in and I'm currently freelancing in my various skills and areas of expertise. There are a lot of myths around about freelancing; we make a fortune, work in pyjamas and flit about drinking coffees all day.
My routine goes a little like this.
10.00 - wake up, refreshed from a lengthy lie-in.
10.30 - flit downstairs, switch on my MacBook and read emails from the fabulous big name brands that I work with, whilst sipping a latte.
11.00 - devour a plate of Eggs Florentine for Brunch, because, why not?
11.40 - second latte of the day. Still sitting around in my silk pyjamas, because I don't encounter other humans throughout the day.
12.00 - sign for a parcel. Goodies from clients because I'm so fabulous.
13.00 - reply to more emails.
13.30 - write a few tweets and schedule them.
14.00 - update Instagram with a photo of last night's outfit.
14.30 - check that my outfit has more than five likes.
15.00 - take a nap.
15.30 - reply to tweets.
16.00 - read a few blog posts. All for research, of course.
16.30 - get some squats done, whilst I listen to a motivational podcast or two.
17.00 - shut down the computer and get ready to do it all again the next day.
Now, if you're smart, you'll have gathered that that was completely satirical but that routine included some of the ridiculous misconceptions surrounding freelancers, their lifestyle and their work.
I absolutely adore being freelance but here are the things that it is not:
- glamorous
- luxurious
- slow paced and filled with gifts
- one long day off
- an excuse to work in my pyjamas
- a chance to run my endless list of errands
Let the myth-busting begin...
'What do you do for money?'
Erm, I work. It's different in the sense that you have to almost constantly be on the look out for new projects. There is no 'new business manager' to get the work rolling in. You are that person. You're also your own PA, HR manager, payroll officer, client services manager...get my drift? Not having a 'steady' 9-5 does not equal poverty, it takes a different approach.
I know many freelancers and self-employed people who take on part time work, to keep their heads above water. Admire and encourage them because it takes a certain something to step out and make this lifestyle work. I learnt a new word earlier this year 'multipotentialite' and now, I genuinely believe that that is the lifestyle for me. A very good friend of mine gave me some advice that put everything into perspective. He said 'it doesn't have to make sense to anyone but you'. He is right. Not everyone will understand or 'get it' and that's okay. They don't have to. There are many things that could discourage me. There are other freelance copywriters in Birmingham. There are people who are more experienced. Some people charge less. If I spent all of my time looking at factors to deter me, I'd do nothing else.
'Wow, you must be so relaxed. You can do whatever you like.'
Yeah, and you can do whatever you like but you'd probably get fired. Want to know a secret about freelancing? The freedom is good. So good. But it isn't for the fickle or the lazy. If you aren't self-motivated, wave your potential success goodbye. The idea that freelancers can do whatever they like all day is both unrealistic and ludicrous. There are pitches to write, clients to answer to and deadlines to meet. That's not to say I don't occasionally cook a nice lunch and treat myself to an hour of Loose Women because I do. Abandoning ship for a few hours will always mean that there is time to make up, at some point. Freelancing takes discipline and a thick skin. Sometimes, clients will come back with amendments on what you considered a masterpiece. People don't reply straight away. You can wade through endless emails. Some days, you feel like you have achieved nothing. Relaxing is the last thing on my mind, most working days - which can be any day. Switching off is difficult.
'So, life's just all tweets and reading fashion blogs, then.'
Someone said this to me once and I almost snorted. I wish! For some people, that is life and good on them but copywriting and being involved in social media takes much more skill and strategy than people may think. Very rarely does my job involve writing about fashion and Twitter is an amazing tool but also a massive distraction, if I allow it to be.
Being outside of a traditional office doesn't mean that I don't 'work'. Yes, I can take my work with me, largely speaking and I can hold meetings in coffee shops. The pressure to impress clients is no less great; in fact, it can be greater - you're now the only representation of the company and the work.
'When you say clients, do you really mean your mates?'
Yes because every savvy business person knows that doing work for friends is an awesome idea. I think this is the one that riled me the most. Of course, when you're freelance anything, there will be people that you know who could use your services. As a rule, I tend not to take friends and family on as clients. Why? It adds a weird tension to otherwise successful relationships in your life. It is rare that I will work with or for a loved one.
I don't consider it a healthy way to conduct business, especially if work dries up. It can be done but only with careful navigation and crystal clear communication, at every stage.
'Can you just...' *insert menial task here*
Sometimes, the answer is yes I can drop you off to wherever, meet you for an hour, peel the potatoes, quickly proofread the essay you've written or pick up that parcel. But there's a fine line between the odd favour and complete lack of respect for someone else's time. Know what else you shouldn't expect from a freelancer? Work for free. Now, I don't mean the odd bit of something here and there, like 'could you just cast your eye over my website and feed back to me on errors?' That's fine. We're talking, 'could you practically run my business and I'll give you a nice reference?' The answer is almost certainly 'no'. Went off on a tangent there, but I didn't realise I'd have so much to say on this topic.
'I'd love to sit around in my pyjamas all day.'
You know what? So would I. I would be lying if I said I got dressed in a blouse and pencil skirt every single day, to sit around my home office. What a waste of an outfit that would be. However, the way you are dressed will directly influence how you approach work and how you feel.
Dress for the occasion. If I sit around in my tracksuit bottoms and hoody, like it's a lazy day for me, then I am going to find it very difficult to focus on work and not in fact have a lazy day. A confession though; once, I did take a last minute video conference call with a gorgeous top and full face of makeup on the top and joggers on the bottom. Why? Because I could. It's a tiny act of rebellion. You know, like not safely removing your USB.
But you know, freelancing isn't all doom and gloom. Am I rich? No. Bored sometimes? Product descriptions aren't always exciting, believe me. That doesn't mean for one second that I would change this situation. It's difficult, is taking a lot of faith and is scary but it's satisfying. Hard work has no choice but to reap great rewards. The days where I am working for 12 hours straight are completely worth it, even if it doesn't feel that way immediately. There will and have been mistakes made and lessons learned. I wouldn't change them. You will never grow, if you stay in your comfort zone.
Yes, I miss working in a busy office sometimes. But there are things that I don't miss about those atmospheres and the pros will always outweigh the cons. There are co-working events and people just like me, if I spend a little time looking for them. What I love about freelancing is that it has its own little community. Who knows what the next chapter will look like. The opportunities, doors that are opening and ideas that I get to run with wouldn't be possible, without residing in restlessness, a little bit.
That's me done, for now. If you're freelance, I'd love to hear about your adventures. If you're one of my amazing friends and family, I love and appreciate you, your support and endless encouragement.
My routine goes a little like this.
10.00 - wake up, refreshed from a lengthy lie-in.
10.30 - flit downstairs, switch on my MacBook and read emails from the fabulous big name brands that I work with, whilst sipping a latte.
11.00 - devour a plate of Eggs Florentine for Brunch, because, why not?
11.40 - second latte of the day. Still sitting around in my silk pyjamas, because I don't encounter other humans throughout the day.
12.00 - sign for a parcel. Goodies from clients because I'm so fabulous.
13.00 - reply to more emails.
13.30 - write a few tweets and schedule them.
14.00 - update Instagram with a photo of last night's outfit.
14.30 - check that my outfit has more than five likes.
15.00 - take a nap.
15.30 - reply to tweets.
16.00 - read a few blog posts. All for research, of course.
16.30 - get some squats done, whilst I listen to a motivational podcast or two.
17.00 - shut down the computer and get ready to do it all again the next day.
Now, if you're smart, you'll have gathered that that was completely satirical but that routine included some of the ridiculous misconceptions surrounding freelancers, their lifestyle and their work.
I absolutely adore being freelance but here are the things that it is not:
- glamorous
- luxurious
- slow paced and filled with gifts
- one long day off
- an excuse to work in my pyjamas
- a chance to run my endless list of errands
Let the myth-busting begin...
'What do you do for money?'
Erm, I work. It's different in the sense that you have to almost constantly be on the look out for new projects. There is no 'new business manager' to get the work rolling in. You are that person. You're also your own PA, HR manager, payroll officer, client services manager...get my drift? Not having a 'steady' 9-5 does not equal poverty, it takes a different approach.
I know many freelancers and self-employed people who take on part time work, to keep their heads above water. Admire and encourage them because it takes a certain something to step out and make this lifestyle work. I learnt a new word earlier this year 'multipotentialite' and now, I genuinely believe that that is the lifestyle for me. A very good friend of mine gave me some advice that put everything into perspective. He said 'it doesn't have to make sense to anyone but you'. He is right. Not everyone will understand or 'get it' and that's okay. They don't have to. There are many things that could discourage me. There are other freelance copywriters in Birmingham. There are people who are more experienced. Some people charge less. If I spent all of my time looking at factors to deter me, I'd do nothing else.
'Wow, you must be so relaxed. You can do whatever you like.'
Yeah, and you can do whatever you like but you'd probably get fired. Want to know a secret about freelancing? The freedom is good. So good. But it isn't for the fickle or the lazy. If you aren't self-motivated, wave your potential success goodbye. The idea that freelancers can do whatever they like all day is both unrealistic and ludicrous. There are pitches to write, clients to answer to and deadlines to meet. That's not to say I don't occasionally cook a nice lunch and treat myself to an hour of Loose Women because I do. Abandoning ship for a few hours will always mean that there is time to make up, at some point. Freelancing takes discipline and a thick skin. Sometimes, clients will come back with amendments on what you considered a masterpiece. People don't reply straight away. You can wade through endless emails. Some days, you feel like you have achieved nothing. Relaxing is the last thing on my mind, most working days - which can be any day. Switching off is difficult.
 |
| By the way, this book is awesome! |
'So, life's just all tweets and reading fashion blogs, then.'
Someone said this to me once and I almost snorted. I wish! For some people, that is life and good on them but copywriting and being involved in social media takes much more skill and strategy than people may think. Very rarely does my job involve writing about fashion and Twitter is an amazing tool but also a massive distraction, if I allow it to be.
Being outside of a traditional office doesn't mean that I don't 'work'. Yes, I can take my work with me, largely speaking and I can hold meetings in coffee shops. The pressure to impress clients is no less great; in fact, it can be greater - you're now the only representation of the company and the work.
'When you say clients, do you really mean your mates?'
Yes because every savvy business person knows that doing work for friends is an awesome idea. I think this is the one that riled me the most. Of course, when you're freelance anything, there will be people that you know who could use your services. As a rule, I tend not to take friends and family on as clients. Why? It adds a weird tension to otherwise successful relationships in your life. It is rare that I will work with or for a loved one.
I don't consider it a healthy way to conduct business, especially if work dries up. It can be done but only with careful navigation and crystal clear communication, at every stage.
'Can you just...' *insert menial task here*
Sometimes, the answer is yes I can drop you off to wherever, meet you for an hour, peel the potatoes, quickly proofread the essay you've written or pick up that parcel. But there's a fine line between the odd favour and complete lack of respect for someone else's time. Know what else you shouldn't expect from a freelancer? Work for free. Now, I don't mean the odd bit of something here and there, like 'could you just cast your eye over my website and feed back to me on errors?' That's fine. We're talking, 'could you practically run my business and I'll give you a nice reference?' The answer is almost certainly 'no'. Went off on a tangent there, but I didn't realise I'd have so much to say on this topic.
'I'd love to sit around in my pyjamas all day.'
You know what? So would I. I would be lying if I said I got dressed in a blouse and pencil skirt every single day, to sit around my home office. What a waste of an outfit that would be. However, the way you are dressed will directly influence how you approach work and how you feel.
Dress for the occasion. If I sit around in my tracksuit bottoms and hoody, like it's a lazy day for me, then I am going to find it very difficult to focus on work and not in fact have a lazy day. A confession though; once, I did take a last minute video conference call with a gorgeous top and full face of makeup on the top and joggers on the bottom. Why? Because I could. It's a tiny act of rebellion. You know, like not safely removing your USB.
But you know, freelancing isn't all doom and gloom. Am I rich? No. Bored sometimes? Product descriptions aren't always exciting, believe me. That doesn't mean for one second that I would change this situation. It's difficult, is taking a lot of faith and is scary but it's satisfying. Hard work has no choice but to reap great rewards. The days where I am working for 12 hours straight are completely worth it, even if it doesn't feel that way immediately. There will and have been mistakes made and lessons learned. I wouldn't change them. You will never grow, if you stay in your comfort zone.
Yes, I miss working in a busy office sometimes. But there are things that I don't miss about those atmospheres and the pros will always outweigh the cons. There are co-working events and people just like me, if I spend a little time looking for them. What I love about freelancing is that it has its own little community. Who knows what the next chapter will look like. The opportunities, doors that are opening and ideas that I get to run with wouldn't be possible, without residing in restlessness, a little bit.
That's me done, for now. If you're freelance, I'd love to hear about your adventures. If you're one of my amazing friends and family, I love and appreciate you, your support and endless encouragement.
Think there may be a part two to this. Thanks for stopping by.
Much love,
Melly
xxx
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