The Beast from the East might be causing havoc around the country but that just means you have time to grab a blanket, a cup of something warm and kick back with the latest FreelanceLife!
This week we meet PR Consultant Denver. An accomplished Senior PR professional, Denver has spent most of his working life in agencies and in-house and now loves the life of a freelancer with the flexibility and diversity it has to offer.
Over to you Denver...
1. What is your favourite thing about being a Freelancer?
Being your own boss. Taking the projects you want, with the people and companies you like and being able to work when and where you want to.
2. What is your least favourite thing about being a Freelancer?
Leaving good projects behind. Sometimes you get to work with on an amazing project, or with incredibly talented, and fun, people but when your part comes to the end, it’s time to say goodbye. Or at least au revoir.
3. What skills are essential for a Freelancer?
Confidence. You have to back yourself, whether that’s to win work, or when it comes to delivery. Without the on-tap support network that a team would provide, you’re your own biggest fan, and biggest critic. You have to believe in yourself, pick yourself up when things go wrong, and be honest when the work needs another draft.
4. On average, what time do you start and finish work?
Completely depends on the work. If it’s on-site for a client, then I adopt their office hours. If the work is being done at home, completely depends on what mood I’m in. Some days a walk in the park, or Netflix, is much more attractive, which means working late in the evening. Other days, it’s up early and finished by lunch, well onto the next project anyway!
5. How often do you work remotely?
It works out to be around 50 percent, although it depends on the nature of the work, some contracts can be 100 percent. I thought freelancing would mean a lot fewer meetings, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
6. What do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
To start out a lot earlier. Working in an agency can be fun but looking back I wish I taken this step years ago.
7. Would you ever consider going for a permanent position?
Never say never but never.
8. What is the most standout memory from your Freelance Career?
The very first day when you’ve got loads of work in the pipeline but nothing to do right now. The happiness you get from that realisation is incredible. You just have to ensure you make the most of those opportunities when they arise.
9. What song best represents your Freelance state of mind? Metal, Hip Hop, Classical?
Being freelance means your state of mind will change many times throughout the day from Soup Dragons: ‘I’m Free’, the White Stripes ‘I don’t know what to do with myself’ to ‘Under Pressure’ by Queen. As long as you’re ‘Happy’ at the end of the day it’s all good.
We hope reading that has given you time to warm up, if not, we have plenty more chapters to work through! Find them all here.
We have two fantastic freelancers in digital on the way so keep an eye out for that. As always, if you would like to share your #FreelanceLife you can, just get in touch with us here.
