Usually, people ask me how did I manage to stay in my freelancing career where in fact I could work for a company where I could get a bi-monthly salary or monthly salary with mandatory benefits.
Well, there are things that you need to be consistent and also things you need to do to protect yourself.
Here are my tips each time a co-freelancer would ask me. A quest
Ensure you have a contract with a client. At first, of course, you’ll be asking me what kind of contract should you have. Given that you just started freelancing. Get a template or message us we’ll send you a copy.
Templates should consist of the following: No. of Hours and the rate you want the client to pay you. There are also other things you should include for example;
First The work that you produce is original and not plagiarized. Ensure that the work you do is original and not a copy from the internet.
Second, you create a non-disclosure clause in the contract wherein the client’s information stays confidential.
Third, your payment terms, this is how and when you want the client to pay you. Is it every completed task or by the hour you work.
Fourth you must include that when the client accepts the completed work they also accept full responsibility of any further process in which the work is used.
Lastly, you and the client must have the right to terminate the services and should accept the consequence of the contract termination.
Though these are I think the important ones. Once you are financially stable you might want to consider to consult legally.
Getting a Downpayment. This is a common mistake don’t be shy to ask for a Downpayment as long as you are sure that you can deliver the output then ask for a 50% downpayment.
Good thing at Upwork.Com you’ll know if the client is a good payor. Most of the client know why you are asking for a downpayment this is to protect both your priorities and their goal to complete a project.
If the client refuses to pay, they are not worth it believe me but again there are also clients that won’t trust their money right away unless there is an output.
In short, what you could do before you delivery any files (workable/raw/editable) you require the final 100% pay so before you’ve been fully paid don’t send any master files or designs in full resolution.
“No” “You can give it to someone else with better expertise” or “I just can’ do it” these are the things we are afraid to say when a client wants you to another project or he referred you to someone else.
It’s really hard to say no to an opportunity when you know that this might be a good thing for your freelancing. Again when freelancing you should know your limitation, If your schedule is fully occupied then it’s a NO right away. If this is not your expertise then say no right away.
You don’t have to accept all opportunities, you just need to choose if this project is aligned with the knowledge you want to acquire.