How to Be a Practical Freelancer

There was a time when I was going to call my freelancer-focused business “Practical Freelancer”.

In fact, I even created a website… an opt-in page… and almost got my list going.

I also had plans afoot for writing a book on “How to Be a Practical Freelancer”.

But I didn’t.

This isn’t a “poor Chris” sob story though.

I was keen as a bean… and wanting to help…

But the reality was: I had more to learn and experience first.

I was simply jumping the gun on this.

So kept focusing on doing more client work. And left my brain to simmer away on ideas like this.

Some things are now slowly coming out through my email list.

And through things I’m offering — like coaching.

I have a massive pile of ideas and stuff from these “practical freelancing” days.

The original idea was to help other freelancers move ahead with the practical stuff in their businesses.

Like setting up websites. LinkedIn pages. And stuff that often sits on a never-checked-off “todo” list.

I’ve been going through some of it today. Some of it’s actually not that bad… if I say so myself 😁

So today I’m sharing some points from my notes for the “How to Be a Practical Freelancer” book.

They’re general tips — sure. And they don’t explain the “why”.

But they might fire off your neurons with ideas for your own business.

Here’s the “tip nuggets”:

Basic is better than not at all. This is the “ready, fire, aim” concept. E.g. just get a basic website up, rather than the Sistine Chapel version.
Learn from masters of your craft. Not the opinion of newbies. Avoid social media echo chambers.
Learn deeply. Do the Ben Settle thing: read a small number of quality books 10x each, and regularly revisit them for new insights.
Doing is better for learning than just knowing. No, you don’t need to buy yet another course. Learn as you do the work for clients.
As a freelancer… you are a salesperson. If you don’t like this, then go get a “regular job”. You can’t be a practical freelancer without being a salesperson. You are in business so you must sell. If you don’t work on sales skills you’ll be stuck as an order-taker. Like in a regular job… but with twice the stress and half the hourly rate!
Get good support around you. Your family might not “get” this freelancing thing. Connect with people who are on a similar journey to you.

There’s plenty more where that came from.

Let me know if you want me to expand on any of these.

I’ll pick up on some as we go along… but happy to prioritise if you ask 😊

Go well this coming week!!

Ready to build your email list? Go here…

Chris Milham