Make sure content is provided and LEARN from every job!

It has been over three years now since I started my journey of self-employment. From working full-time and receiving my monthly pay packet – on time, every month – I moved into a world of uncertainty but excitement, with no guarantees of success. Fortunately, I have managed to make my business work, and whilst it is in a relatively healthy position at this point in time, I can’t say it has been without it’s difficulties.

Along the way, I have encountered a number of hurdles, gained invaluable experience, and have learned some incredible life lessons. In this series of articles, I continue to share some tips and general nuggets that I have picked up from this adventure – many of which a budding web developer or sole trader might find handy ahead of taking the leap!

This is the final part of my blog series on providing tips for self employed people.

« Points 13 & 14: Be Clear with Project Briefs & Avoid Communication Overload

15: Make Sure Content Is Provided

Once you start a project, make sure you have as much information from the client that you can glean in order to proceed, and make sure they know that the completion dates you are providing them with completely depend on them supplying the relevant information to you in a timely manner.

I have previously had projects whereby I have stated that I can get a website finished in five days. However, it has occasionally worked out that I have commenced a site on a Monday, and am given the bare minimum in terms of content until the Thursday, all with the expectation that the Friday deadline still stands. Of course – this is not possible.

As lovely as it is to be trusted with penning information [about the client’s company], ultimately, this detail should come from the client.

Similarly, there may be occasions where you are asked to “write something” on the client’s About Us pages. As lovely as it is to be trusted with penning this information, ultimately, this detail should come from the client and you should not be expected to provide that level of creative thought.

You’re not being paid to write their sales patter, and although it is a service you might can provide, you would need to know in advance that it is something they are expecting. The client should know how to market their website best, but if they are asking you to do it, they should be charged accordingly according to the brainpower being used to sell THEIR product.

16: Learn from every project, but above all…. enjoy!

Every single day you will face new challenges, but you need to learn to embrace them when they come in rather than resent them. If you’re good at what you do you’ll quickly find yourself very busy, and quite possibly – all over the place! You’ll get enquiries from clients coming through via email constantly and you’ll find yourself in situations where you’re seemingly juggling a number of people at once.  Rather than get frustrated by it though, you should use it as a challenge to develop better ways of working.

One of the key reasons that people go self-employed is to enjoy a bit more freedom and flexibility in their working life, and try to embrace and challenge and find solutions to prevent the stressful build up. Ideas include…

• Deploying knowledge-bases to lessen your incoming questions
• Get organised with hosting renewals, payment dates and use systems which take the stress of administration away.
• Be aware of how you spend your day-to-day time, and ensure your focus is on activities which earn you money – you don’t want to have a busy day and realise that you’ve made nothing from it – it will only add to the stress.
• If you’re getting frustrated with chains of emails, do a face to face chat for 3/4 minutes rather than an endless stretch of Q and A’s, it might be more effective to work this way – but do document all of the conversation in minutes which are emailed to the client straight afterwards, so that there is no wriggle room!
• Ensure that you are not over-optimistic with your project timelines – add another couple of days if you have to!
• People are quirky! They will work in different ways! Accept their differences and realise that there will likely be a lack of understanding when it comes to anything technical – try to teach and nurture them – however, whilst you should be friendly and approachable – do remember that you need to stick to your guidelines with the methods by which you communicate, and always be forceful with the payment deadlines that you have put in place.

It’ll be a steep learning curve, but if you try and be disciplined – and you’ll feel the positive effects in no time at all.

Last of all, good luck!  If you’re making the step into self-employment, then do try to enjoy what you’re doing. It’ll be a steep learning curve, but if you try and be disciplined – and you’ll feel the positive effects in no time at all!  You’ll also be able to set your own hours and fit your work around other commitments, which often leads to an improved quality of life. Plus, working from home means that you don’t have to worry about office politics, company hierarchies or an expensive and stressful daily commute!

Plus, like I have done with a number of my side projects such as Hosting Right and Back of the Net – The AFC Bournemouth Podcast, you’ll have the opportunity to work on a range of pother exciting projects with a number of clients and develop new skills, as you’re in control of your workload!  You’ll also gain experience in the different areas of setting up a business, including overseeing the finances and administrative work!

Points 1 & 2: Return to the start of this Blog Series »