More from Deb Ng, who showed us yesterday how to be firm but not tough.

What I Learned from Freelancing – Part 3 – Good Habits Rock by Deb Ng

When I left my job to write on a freelance basis, I thought I had it all figured out – work in my pajamas, choose my own schedule, and basically do what I want. Then I learned without rules comes anarchy and anarchy for a freelancer isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Though it felt good to be lazy, I soon realized I wasn’t being very productive. Instead I picked up a few good habits. I:

• Work according to a specific schedule each day so my clients know when to reach me and when to expect my work. They like the reliability of knowing when I’ll be at my desk over wondering whether or not I’ll be online that day.
• Make sure I meet all my deadlines and obligations so I’m not seen as a flake. My clients want to count on me, and I want to count on them.
• Change out of my flannels and into something causal, but presentable. No, my clients won’t see me but it gets me out of lazy mode and into working mode.
• Make sure to communicate often with my clients so they know where I am and how much I have left to go. This also lets both of us know whether or not we’re on the right track.

When I first started, I had the whole freelancing thing pegged wrong. There’s a lot of freedom to it, but successful freelancers need to have discipline as well. When I started cultivating good habits, my career took off. Coincidence? I’ll let you decide.

What other good habits do you think freelancers need to succeed? Does working in the jimmies give one the right mindset to face the business day?

Deb Ng blogs about the best ways to find, and keep, freelance writing jobs. Why not stop by and say hello?

Thanks, Deb!
This was wonderful!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

More from Deb Ng, who told us yesterday how to gain confidence in any freelance job.

What Freelancing Taught Me – Part 2 Be Firm but Not Tough by Deb Ng

Did you ever see a person on television or even real life who was considered “tough” in business? She could pick up the phone and get what she wants, or have employees running at her beck and call, practically sniveling at her feet. I used to work for a woman like that. I admired her so much until I realized she wasn’t tough, she was mean. People responded to her because she wasn’t a nice person and they didn’t want to be on the receiving end of her wrath.

As a freelancer I learned to get my way too, but not so my clients and colleagues are afraid of temper tantrums or hissy fits. I learned to be firm. I think a freelancer has to be firm enough to make sure she’s paid on time but not so tough her first paycheck is her last. A freelancer has to know the customer is (almost) always right, but not at the expense of her dignity. I’m thinking it’s best to know how to catch flies with honey, because the other alternatives stink.

Freelancers should be firm when:

• Negotiating
• Collecting a payment
• Not allowing another to take away one’s voice or sense of style
• Meeting a deadline
• Making a decision

And even though we’re being firm and making sure we get a fair deal, we have to be nice. Because nice works better than mean. Nice ensures return clients and future clients. Be nice because people response better to nice. Be firm because you don’t want to be a pushover. Be yourself because there’s no one better.

Are you firm or are you tough? What do you think is the difference in how people react?

Deb Ng blogs about the best ways to find, and keep, freelance writing jobs. Why not stop by and say hello?

Thanks, Deb!
Everyone, tune in tomorrow for Part 3 – Good Habits Rock

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Shortly before SOBCon08, Deb Ng invited me to write a post at her blog, Freelance Writing Jobs. I’m was delighted to have the chance. It’s a subject I know and writing something wouldn’t take too much time. As part of that same conversation, I mentioned the trip I’m talking May 9 – 18 to the UK for a speaking gig and vacation with my son. I asked if she would be interested in filling as a guest writer on Successful-Blog.

As you can see, Deb agreed. I’m delighted she did. In fact, we get a three-part series!

What Freelancing Taught Me: Part 1 – Confidence
by Deb Ng

The other day I was thinking about my “real” jobs. It seems like such a long time ago but there was a time when I put on the stockings and practical pumps and commuted an hour into the city. I wasn’t necessarily feeling nostalgic for pantyhose and subway tokens, I was more thinking about how I evolved as a professional since freelancing.

There’s no team in “I”

Regulars to my blogs my have a fun chuckle at this, but in the business world I was quite shy. I didn’t volunteer, I didn’t speak up and if someone took credit for my work, well, that’s the way it goes. Once I started working for myself I realized I didn’t have a room full of people to hide behind. Would I be able to hack it on my own?

Freelancing taught me to be confident. I learned I could be successful without relying on a team, but having friends doesn’t hurt. I learned I could do a job and take credit for it too. I learned people actually liked my work and didn’t mind paying me to do more. I learned to be confident.

Because I was always another person’s assistant, I was surprised to learn I was more than just someone’s right hand. I had my own hand, two of them as a matter of fact, and they worked just fine on their own. I learned people like me and like what I have to say. I learned how to truly be me.

What surprising things have you learned about yourself? Is there anything more rewarding than the confidence you get in being you?

Deb Ng blogs about the best ways to find, and keep, freelance writing jobs. Why not stop by and say hello?

Thanks, Deb!
Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 Be Firm but Not Tough

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!