_edited.png){kind=small}
As a Community Leader at Illuminate Universe, I had the opportunity to dive into the World of Freelancing work-integrated learning experience. The learning experience has familiarized me with the ins and outs of freelancing and given me practical advice. Here, I will share the key takeaways, reviews and tips from the learning experience; and a small reflection on my leadership journey with Illuminate. Hopefully, it equips you with the confidence, encouragement and knowledge you need to start your freelancing journey powerfully.
Background
Freelancing has emerged as a powerful and flexible career option in today’s dynamic job market. The freedom to choose your projects, the ability to work from anywhere, and the opportunity to collaborate with diverse clients make freelancing an attractive choice for many. My area of freelancing is in the creative arts: freelance photographers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers who offer their creative services for projects ranging from events and advertising to film production. Specifically, I started my journey by selling still-life photos I took in my free time on Adobe Stock. I embarked on this learning journey to learn about client management and how to earn from photography consistently.
“Could freelancing be my only source of income?”
A misconception is that freelancers struggle to make ends meet and earn less than their traditionally employed counterparts. While some freelancers may face income challenges, many others earn competitive rates, especially those with specialized skills or expertise in high-demand fields. As freelancers, we have the flexibility to set our rates, negotiate fees, and take on multiple projects, enabling us to achieve financial success and even surpass the earnings of salaried employees.
Freelancing takes a lot of my time and effort, will it pay off?
The short answer is yes, it will pay off. It might start rocky like my journey, I didn’t have many sales in the beginning, but with persistence, proper planning, rest, and experience, you will see consistent sales and get more clients. Some people assume that freelancers work around the clock, sacrificing work-life balance in pursuit of their careers. While freelancers may face challenges in setting boundaries and managing their time effectively, many prioritize work-life balance and intentionally structure their schedules to accommodate personal commitments, hobbies, and downtime. Freelancing offers flexibility and autonomy, empowering individuals to design lifestyles that align with their values and priorities.
Where do I find clients? Build a Strong Network
Networking is crucial for freelancers. Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with other professionals to expand your network and gain valuable insights. Illuminate helps you network with industry professionals and receive super helpful mentorship. I am a part of multiple photographers' communities online and in person. Online communities I suggest are Behance and the Facebook group or Instagram group of the Freelancers platform.
Also, I suggest you join photography contests on Photocrowd and Gurushot, it will help you establish your presence online if your goal is to land international clients or clients in a different city. I was able to connect with someone whose business needed commercial jewellery photos on these online communities. So I suggest you join and be active on them. Use Adobe Portfolio, Google Sites, or SquareSpace to build an online portfolio. Posting on Instagram alone isn’t enough to attract clients. If your goal is to work with businesses, you should consider creating a portfolio, and a business card, and attending creative meet-ups in your local area. I use Meetup to find photoshoots and networking events around me.
Furthermore, developing soft skills such as effective communication, time management, and client relations are indispensable skills for freelancers to thrive in the competitive freelance landscape.
You don’t need to sign up for online freelancing platforms to be a freelance photographer!
You don’t need to be on Fiverr, Freelancer, Upwork or other platforms to sell your creative services. I suggest starting local, taking a walk and asking if the businesses, restaurants or sole-proprietorship businesses around you need any help advertising or creating content. Show your portfolio to your friends, family and the larger community and let them know you are available to photoshoot at their events. Getting your foot in the door by going local helps you gain experience and land clients faster and easier for the first year.
Landing clients with online freelancing platforms requires you to check those platforms daily and takes a lot of maintenance. That isn’t ideal if you are a student and are still practicing to become an expert in your field since it will take much of your time. Also, going local will help expose you to many forms and niches of photography such as sports events, weddings, commercials, advertising for small products, etc. Don’t worry about picking a niche when just starting, experiment with them for a while, then decide.
After you gain some experience and work with clients consistently for 3 years, you should consider registering your services as a studio business or a creative agency. If your goal is to freelance as a side hustle, use online platforms, but if you want to be a freelancer for life, consider registering a business.
How to run the business
I have not yet registered a business since I am focusing on improving my skills and my finances. However, I have started working on my business structure and how I want to run it. Because of Illuminate, I know the information I need to know before opening the business. Here is what I found practical and useful:
Depending on your province or territory, you may need to register your business with the provincial or territorial government, obtain a business license, and register for applicable taxes (e.g., GST/HST). In Ontario, you can visit this website Start a business in Ontario, or book a consulting meeting with your bank to learn the legal side of things and tax information about opening your business.
Contracts and Agreements: Use written contracts or agreements for all client engagements to outline the scope of work, project timelines, deliverables, payment terms, and intellectual property rights. Contracts help protect both parties and clarify expectations, reducing the risk of disputes or misunderstandings.
Choose the Right Business Structure for you
It is important to consider which business structure is right for you since the different types of business impact your liability, tax return and how you run the business. Here are some types of business in Canada for freelancers:
Sole Proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common form of business structure for freelancers. As a sole proprietor, you are the sole owner of the business and personally liable for its debts and obligations. Income from the business is reported on your personal income tax return.
Partnership: If you're working with one or more individuals, you may consider forming a partnership. In a general partnership, all partners share ownership, profits, and liabilities equally. Partnerships are relatively easy to establish but involve shared responsibility and liability among partners.
Incorporation: Incorporating your freelancing business as a corporation offers limited liability protection, meaning that your assets are separate from the business's assets and liabilities. Incorporation can provide tax advantages, access to certain business deductions, and increased credibility with clients.
Ensure your business complies with all rules and laws in your province. It is best to consult a lawyer, accountant or business advisor since freelancing is complex because of legal and regulatory requirements.
Reflection on my leadership journey as a community leader
Overall, the Illuminate Universe learning experience is an inclusive environment that promotes resilience and empowers individuals to start or develop their careers with leadership, communication and empathic skills. As a learner, I have been inspired many times by my coaches and key learning topics in the learning experience. It is easy to follow and implement into my career development and my freelancing journey. As a Community Leader, not only have I been gaining experience while learning, but I have also been growing personally through understanding my personality better and my skill levels.
Final thoughts
In my time with Illuminate, I have realized the hardest challenge to overcome is self-discipline. When it comes to freelancing, consistently practicing your skills in your area of expertise and staying up-to-date with trends and what potential clients are looking for is key. By setting goals and seeking accountability from my coaches at Illuminate, I have become better at staying consistent and overcoming procrastination.
Set Clear Goals:
Define your short-term and long-term goals and create a roadmap to achieve them. Setting clear objectives will help you stay focused and motivated on your freelancing journey. There are coaches available to help you figure out what goals you should set and help you achieve them.
Seek Feedback and Mentorship:
Constructive feedback and mentorship are invaluable for personal and professional growth. Actively seek feedback from clients and peers, and consider finding a mentor to guide you through your freelancing career.
Embrace Continuous Learning:
The freelancing landscape is constantly evolving. We need to stay updated with industry trends, invest in skill development, and seek out learning opportunities to remain competitive. Consider earning a diploma or degree in your area of photography, or attend online events hosted by photographers or the Abobe Photoshop community. Learn how to do basic touch-ups on Adobe Photoshop or your preferred editing software.
I hope this blog has inspired you and empowered you as well in your personal development and leadership journey as a freelancer.
Comments