I linked to a GREAT post today on a blog called beetlegrass. Written by a freelance illustrator who is celebrating 17 years of working on her own. In honor of that milestone, she has passed along 17 things that she’s “learned over the past years, listed in really no particular order of importance.”
They are all excellent “why I failed” items I wish I had known (or actually listened to) when I began my journey as a musician. I recommend you take the time to read, remember and use them all. Here are four of them in no particular order of importance:
- Get Health Insurance.
I know, I know: it’s expensive. But it’s important. You can go through
a professional organization, but what I’ve found to be the most
expedient is to go through your local Chamber of Commerce. They can
hook you up with health insurance plans that cater to 1-person
businesses. If you have a spouse who is employed and has health
insurance, well, then, you’ve hit the jackpot!
- During Times of No Work. Don’t panic. Panic causes productivity and creativity to come to screeching halt. You have other jobs to do during times when you do not have “paying” work. Market. Create a new promotional postcard. Work on some of your own projects that you ‘never have time for’. Re-do your portfolio (online or real). Do some portfolio drop-offs. Got a backlog of laundry? dishes? yardwork? Do it! I have found from personal experience that more work always comes, and if I’ve spent the intervening time worrying, I have wasted the opportunity to get other stuff done, or have wasted the opportunity to rest/relax.
- Support System.
Have one. 🙂 If you are working for yourself, by yourself, from your
home, you will need human contact. Make sure you know some humans, and
interface with them once in a while. If you are also fortunate enough
to know other freelancers, form your own “support group”. - During Times of No Work.
Don’t panic. Panic causes productivity and creativity to come to
screeching halt. You have other jobs to do during times when you do not
have “paying” work. Market. Create a new promotional postcard. Work on
some of your own projects that you ‘never have time for’. Re-do your
portfolio (online or real). Do some portfolio drop-offs. Got a backlog
of laundry? dishes? yardwork? Do it! I have found from personal
experience that more work always comes, and if I’ve spent the
intervening time worrying, I have wasted the opportunity to get other
stuff done, or have wasted the opportunity to rest/relax.
Please do yourself the favor and go read the other 13, you won’t regret it.
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