From Freelancers Union — Katie Hamill offers 10 ways in which freelancing is like dating. She writes:
1. Playing the field is fun, but exhausting
You entrepreneurial Don Juan, you.
When you’re working as a freelancer, some part of you is always on the lookout for a better gig. With each new contact, comes new potential… and new negotiation about expectations. It can be exciting to jump from prospect to prospect – but it’s also remarkably time-consuming and enervating. Unseen surprises are waiting to surface with every client: sometimes good, sometimes hair-raisingly bad.
2. You shouldn’t commit until they do
Nothing is more bewitching than the first flush of romance. But don’t throw out that little black book on a whim – give it a little bit of time first.
It can be tempting to block out big chunks of your calendar for every prospective client; to start building freelance castles in the air and adding wildly optimistic figures to your budget. But every seasoned freelancer has horror stories of dream clients that promised the moon – and then suddenly disappeared. Don’t fully commit yourself until you know it’s the real deal… and that means a signed contract.
3. You’ll find a lot of mismatches and false starts
The description of the gig looked great. You sent in your resume and a few samples – and they replied enthusiastically, with one little catch: right now, they’re not actually, uh, offering pay? But it’s great exposure!
Back to the drawing board, freelance friend. You’ll find the One someday.
4. When it’s a great fit, you’ll know
Sometimes, it just seems like destiny.
The clients who give you interesting, engaging work; who want to develop long-term relationships with you; who pay well (and on time) – eventually, you’ll find them. And when you do, you’ll want to lock those suckers down… because true freelance love is hard to find.
Read more at 10 reasons why freelancing is like dating [link no longer works]
