Comments on: Top Tips Series #4: Samar Owais

By: Weekly translation favorites (Nov 7-13)

Weekly translation favorites (Nov 7-13) — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 13:04:53 +0000

[…] Marketing Timeline: From Pre-launch to Post-launch 7 Things Every New Freelancer Needs to Know Cutting Through the Writing Advice Noise 10 Tips for New Freelance Bloggers Bending Without […]

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:28:23 +0000

Gabriella, great point. I get a LOT of people asking me for my overflow work. The times I'm that busy aren't often, but when I do I have my go-to writers. It's a little unnerving to have someone say "I'd love to take on whatever you don't have time for!" when we all want that. :)

Churchill, welcome! Love that you've found this blog, and I love your insights.

Great advice on hanging out in the right crowd. I like your network -- sounds like they're quite smart in how the set up the networks.

By: Churchill Madyavanhu

Churchill Madyavanhu — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 11:25:09 +0000

Great points. Your point about not hanging out with other freelancers reminds me of BNI – business networking international, where they don't allow two people in the same business to join their groups. I got most of my work as a translator by hanging out with Civil Engineers. Although some of them could have done the technical translation job better, they just didn't have the time or where not interested in doing translations so they just passed the work on to me. As Jake mentioned, it could also be a matter of just hanging out with the right kind of freelancers, i.e. those after a different kind of client or work.

By: Samar | Freelance Flyer

Samar | Freelance Flyer — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 20:46:52 +0000

Jake - Great point about hanging out around freelancers who offer services that complement your own.

The worst part about working for low pay was the resentment I felt - which was not fair to my clients or my business. So yeah, once you accept that it's okay to start off small, it becomes a lot easier.

Tay - I'm so glad my posts help. And yes, break free from the crowd. There's nothing wrong with hanging out with freelancers to talk shop. But that's all it should be. I love the 5 buck forum (even though I'm no longer as active) because of the agenda-free crowd it has :)

Gabriella - Thank you for the kind words and you're spot on. It is a cycle that keeps repeating. It's also why I feel so many clients get away with paying abysmal rates.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 20:08:22 +0000

Excellent advice, Samar! I like your point about working for low pay only to launch.

Also totally agree on not hanging out with other freelancers. It's pointless, I think, to compete with masses, especially since it almost always comes down to money--which brings us back to your point about low-paying jobs. And that's NOT a coincidence, methinks.

Thanks again.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 17:41:18 +0000

Samar, thank you. I'm pleased to have your words grace my pages. :)

Hard work and then some, right Cathy?

Jake, agreed on all points. The low-paying rut is easy to step out of if you don't stay too long.

TayKat, happy to have you here! Break away not from the freelancers, but from lousy situations and bad advice. Not all freelancers are part of that crowd!

By: TayKat

TayKat — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:15:03 +0000

Not sure if my last comment posted - silly iPhone. If so feel free to delete this.

You have a way of writing posts for exactly my situation!!! You've validated my current goal of breaking away from freelancers. I've missed other paying target markets by sticking with the crowd. NOT GOOD!

By: Jake Poinier

Jake Poinier — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:59:55 +0000

Great list, Samar. #7 is absolutely key. I always recommend hanging out with freelance graphic designers or web designers--they're still creative freelancers, and therefore have a similar worldview, but they can be a source of work AND a way to upsell your own services. (When a client comes to you needing a website or brochure, you have a ready-made resource.)

I also appreciate your caveat on low pay--it's better than nothing when starting out, but don't make a habit of it. Securing those higher-paying jobs takes effort and strategy, and, per your #4, it's not just about having a huge pile of clips.

By: Samar | Freelance Flyer

Samar | Freelance Flyer — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:34:07 +0000

I hear you Cathy. Took me a long time to realize that freelancing is a business and that I would never succeed unless I treated it as such.

Yes, freelancing gives me the freedom to pick work I find interesting. Move things around to only work with two clients at a time if I want, take 6 week vacations - but all of this didn't happen overnight.

It took years to get to this point. Even then it wasn't until I actively started investing in my business and education that things kicked off - which is when I had my epiphany: Reading and talking about running a successful freelance business is not enough. You have to take action.

That's when I turned into a tell-it-like-it-is person who is often mistaken for being cranky :D

Lori - Thank you so much for the kind words and for inviting me to guest post here. Ever since we've met, I've always been able to count on your help and advice and you and Anne have never disappointed :)

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:20:32 +0000

We've been at this freelancing thing about the same amount of time, Samar. No wonder I relate so well to you. :-)

I love your tell it like it is advice. Freelancing is hard work but when you get on track, you may find it's the only way to travel. ;-) At least it is for me.