To all the passionate freelancers out there, especially the one's who have just got themselves started. You must have heard this from your early clients. "Work for us and in return, you will get exposure"!
Getting exposure is by no means bad for your career or your portfolio, but the problem is for how long? When do people actually value you for your work? When can you actually sell your service for a valuable return?
These questions need to be solved by the individual in his\her initial stage of a career.
Because you will always find people wanting to get work done from you but not actually consider returning the value you deserve. This usually happens when your new and you're not very recognisable.
So what is the solution for this crucial aspect of your life?
Based on my experience of my initial 8 months, I would like to help you on how you can start charging your clients even if you're new. So let's get started.
- Keep your portfolio ready.
When I say portfolio it just means that you can properly arrange your few works which you have done earlier. it doesn't mean you need to have tons of work or need to have a website.
Having a ready portfolio makes the client think that you have worked on many projects earlier and thus will not you lightly.
- start talking about the commercial aspect as early as possible.
from my experience on making commercial video ad for others, I have learnt that you need to be very clear at the beginning about your fees. You may get the project in your hand and the client seems to be well to do, so you may assume that let's finish the project and then do the needful later on. Trust me, it doesn't work that way. The client assumed that I am working for him free, which is funny but not their fault because you weren't clear about it.
- Never agree to work for free, Never Ever!
Let's be straight and frank, only you know how valuable your time is and the amount of effort that goes into executing your project. with a good conversation, i had with my friend just before 3 days writing this post, I have learnt that you should always charge a fee even if it is your friend. Its then they take your work seriously because they have paid for it.
someone said it very truly, "If you are good at something, never do it for free"
- Its okay to lose clients who do not value your work.
As being a newbie in which ever industry you belong, I'm sure you must be very excited to take up new projects and work with clients. But at the same time you have a fear of what if I lose this client, is it bad for my career?
The answer is NO, It doesn't matter at all. Remember this, always focus on quality rather than quantity. Because if your quality is great, people will come to you no matter what.
I would like to advice one more thing from the experience I've had.
never work with the people who do not value your work! Because they will somehow make you feel that you have not done anything great, which no creator should entertain ever.
- People say never be too good for a client, Is it?
Many people take you granted if you are too kind to other people. But does it effect your professional career?
I think NO, Because being kind to people is your nature of behaviour, and I personally think that you shouldn't be changing your nature for the sake of some one else.
Just be you, you are always unique in your own way. Go with the flow and you will achieve the things you have a desire for.
Thanks for taking time and reading this blog of mine.
Stay tuned for more.
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