It’s been just over two years since I (re)started my freelance practice. Here are some things I’ve learnt along the way:
Carve out your own niche. The broader your offering, the more competition you have.
Get comfortable with selling yourself. Then get good at it.
Don’t buckle on your rate. Except for non-profit work. Ideally increase it with every engagement.
Try to work only on projects that push you upward. Poor-quality projects both burn you out and deteriorate your portfolio.
Actively carve out holidays. Otherwise they will revolve around the whims of clients or never happen at all.
Keep a regular routine between gigs. Use that time to update your presence or scratch an itch.
A project isn’t ‘on’ until both sides have signed the contract. Don’t start without it and keep pursuing other jobs until it lands.
Even with a signed contract, understand the termination clause. Prepare for the case in which it gets enacted.
Surround yourself with other makers. Freelancing gets lonely, particularly when done at a distance.