1) Understand what you can do, and what you can't. No one can do it all, and a niche (or several specialty areas) are far more important than advertising oneself as a jack-of-all-trades. How often do you eat at Johnny's Chinese and Donuts? Same principle.
2) Don't get wrapped up in protracted interview processes. If they've got you on the hook for six phone calls at an hour apiece, you've already wasted nearly a full work day. Motivated clients will quickly understand if your skill set fits with their needs, and will be eager to move forward.
3) Get everything in writing. Always. Standard writer's agreements minimize problems down the road. If a potential client refuses to sign an agreement, wish him or her well and move on.
4) Don't give it away. Free work is the devil's playground. Why would a client pay down the road for what they're currently getting for free?
5) Treat your job like a job. Many freelancers (including myself) resent the imposed structure of an office, but gaining your clients' respect means proving that you're a disciplined professional. Deliver on time, and make sure your work is worth what the client is paying for it.
6) Be accessible, but not a beck-and-call girl. I try to answer client emails within a few hours at most. However, I do not tend to make myself available outside of typical working hours (8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday), though I often will work on the weekends. Set honest, sustainable boundaries and your clients will respect you for it.
7) Keep work samples and references close at hand. Most clients will want to see samples of your work before they hire you. Online portfolios are a good idea as well, and you should definitely consider launching your own website. Most professional websites will run you between $350-$500, depending on the number of pages as well as other factors. Though I don't often procure business from my website itself, a website gives you credibility as a professional.
8) Cliche alert, but true: Have fun with your work. You're a freelancer for a reason. Enjoy it.
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