Freelancers are doers. We are motivated, self-made, and are not afraid of a little hard work or putting in some extra hours to get the job done.

Unfortunately, this mentality can also be our downfall. Trying to do too much and trying to be a jack of all trades can actually hurt your ability to grow your business.

There is nothing wrong with trying to do it all yourself. I certainly did when I first started freelancing, but it also led me to be tempted to cut corners, something that did have an impact on my work. All it took was for one client to be somewhat unsatisfied with the work I was doing, when they were typically happy, for me to start questioning if I was taking on too much.

Get Help – And Watch Things Fall into Place

Deciding to get some help was the best thing I could have done for my business then, and it was the single most important factor that has allowed me to grow to what it has become today.

I went back and forth about whether or not I needed to get some assistance with my business for a few months before actually doing something about it. I had all the typical thoughts and excuses:

  • Will it cut into how much I make?
  • I can save the money by doing it myself
  • I can do it quicker
  • I don’t have the time to train someone and manage them
  • What I’ve been doing has worked in the past

But, with the encouragement of my wife (who was tired of me working 10-12 hour days), I finally gave in, and I am glad I did.

As a freelance writer, the first thing I did was get an editor. Probably the best thing I could have done. It freed up more time for me to write, and I no longer had to worry about whether or not my editing skills were up to par.

I also hired an accountant to handle my finances – no more doing my taxes myself. This immediately paid dividends in the form of tax credits.

Finally, I have sub-contracted a couple other freelancers to help me out when I have overflow work. I send them work when I am too busy, also creating a somewhat passive stream of income for myself.

The result?

  • More time for myself
  • More time to develop my business
  • Better quality work outputs for my clients
  • More referral because of better quality work
  • Higher fees

Above all else, I’ve had the time to streamline things, be more selective of the clients with whom I choose to work, and am now enjoying the benefits of the freelance lifestyle. I have the flexibility I want, I have great clients, a great team to help me out, and I am achieving the level of success that I imagined when I first started out.

My Advice to You: Even though it may seem counter-intuitive now, getting help and surrounding yourself with the right people will help your freelance business thrive and truly allow you to enjoy the benefits of the freelance lifestyle.

Case in point:  It’s a Thursday afternoon as I write this, and I am headed off to have coffee with a friend. I couldn’t do that if I still had an “I can do it all myself” approach to freelancing. And just in case you were wondering, I drink my coffee black.

 

Access NeilPatel

Author Access NeilPatel

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