OneTipADay - What Will You Learn Today?

How to Make More Money as a Technology Freelancer

Posted: 02 Mar 2012 05:20 AM PST

Posted on One Tip A Day - What Will You Learn Today?

This is a guest post by David. If you want to guest post on this site, then please read our guidelines here.

Freelancing and contracting can be daunting at first. If you have left fulltime employment, you may miss your job security and having people around you who guide and support you when you need it most. However, contracting can offer you a greater quality of life, flexibility to do what you want and greater financial reward.

If you are new to the world of freelancing or are considering making the change soon, here are a few helpful tips to maximise you earnings.

Be Sociable as well as Professional

Many people struggle with the idea of working on their own but working as a freelancer or contractor needn't be lonely. Build relationships with the clients you obtain as if they were colleagues and talk to as many people in the department as possible. See it as a perk of the job. Every time you get a new contract, you also get a chance to meet new people and make new contacts.

Don't Burn Your Bridges

Most advisors will tell you to focus your time on the people that provide you with the most money. This could be recruitment agencies that provide you with work or clients that you deal with directly. The problem with this is that many freelancers often take this advice too literally. They screen calls or don't bother responding to emails, because they don't want to <em>waste their time </em>with people that won't generate money. The key is to keep your finger in as many pies as possible. Keep all of your contacts sweet and you will always have the option to pick and choose who you decide to work with. After all, you never really know where the next big job is going to come from.

Practise What You Preach

It seems like an obvious thing to say, but make sure you use your skills to help you get business. If you are a web designer, make sure your website demonstrates your very best work. If you are a software programmer, design something in your free time which you can talk about and don't be afraid to show off. Show that what you do is important to you, that you really strive to be the best. This will win business over and over again.

Be Transparent

Building solid relationships means you will generate repeat business. Building good relationships isn't only about the work you provide, it's also about YOU. If a company feels they can trust you and depend on you, why would they both looking elsewhere when they need the service you provide? To inspire trust, go above and beyond to do the right thing. IF you complete a project in less time than you had initially quoted, tell them about it and reduce your fee. You may make less money in those situations but you will get more work in the long run and that is key to freelancing success.

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer

When you work for a company, you are surrounded by your peers who stimulate and educate you. Freelancers sometimes struggle to develop or discuss new ideas as they often work alone. This needn't be the case. Go to networking events and don't just look for work, look for your competition. Get friendly with them and study what they are doing. Discuss the industry and your ideas. Is there anything they are doing which you don't? Can they teach you something new? Understanding your competition can often be as important as understanding your clients.

Above all, be 110% committed and dedicated to what you do. Never forget why you got into it in the first place and enjoy it!

ABOUT AUTHOR: Written by David Benjamin, a writer for Red Commerce, SAP Jobs Agency specialists in contract and permanent SAP industry tech jobs.