Best advice you’ve been given
We asked our Facebook group of over 1,800 creative and cultural freelancers to share with us the best advice they’ve been given and here are a few of the highlights.
Value
Value yourself, your work, your time, your skills, your health.
Valuing yourself means charging what you’re worth and investing in yourself - this could be training, courses, mentoring - be the best version of yourself.
Remember, no-one else can do what you do, the way you do it. Know and live your values, it’s what makes you unique.
“Don’t undersell yourself because then you are basically undercutting everybody else and bringing the value of everybody’s work in your sector down.” Julie Nicholson
Protect
Your time, your headspace, your health, your practice, your finances and your work.
Use an accountant if you can afford to because they save heaps in time and stress!
Use a lawyer to check all your contracts or have one drawn up that you use so that you know your interests are protected.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, everyone is on a different journey.
Take real, proper time off.
“Learn to say no.” Sinead Livingston
Ask
For help, for advice, for the fee you deserve.
If you don’t know how to do something, find someone who can - there is strength in collaboration.
If you can pass work on to someone who you know would be better placed, do it, it will come back to you in the future.
“Wedge the door open for others who are at an earlier career stage to you.” Bridie Jackson
Connect
Freelancing can be lonely.
So, develop a support group, a network or a peer group who get it. Go to networking events if you can, stay connected, support other freelancers with likes, shares, supportive comments. We all need each other!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. If you’re not in our Facebook group yet, join here.
“Be generous to your network and community - give more than you take.” Rachel Horton
Enjoy
Enjoy what you do, where you work, who you work with.
Make time to be creative and enjoy the reason you became freelance in the first place.
Make peace with the fact that there will be fallow times and make the most of that (also plan for it, financially!)
“Do what you love. Re-evaluate it if it doesn’t and make positive changes for your own mental health and practise.” Joanne Michelle Burke
