Things I Learned The Hard Way: The business adventures of a freelancer

Things I Learned The
Hard Way
Ine Dehandschutter
@matuvu
www.matuvu.nu
Bizcamp.be 2012
The business adventures
of a freelancer
Monday 4 June 12
Hi,
I’m Ine,
a (web)designer & photographer,
currently based in Ghent, Belgium.
(I’m also lead designer of Emphas.is)
I have been a freelancer since 2000.
And I made loooooads of mistakes during the years.
You don’t have to!
Enjoy this presentation.
If you do, don’t hesitate to like
& share it,
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
because you will. suffer.
cry. blood. tears. die.
over and over again.
Have A Dream To Die For
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
use S.M.A.R.T principle:
specific.measurable.achievable.relevant.time framed.
Outline Your Plan

@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
because if you don’t earn, you have no bread on your table.
(define what you need by calculating all your costs)
not earning enough? reconsider your business plan!
Define Your Wage
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
a good accountant can save you a lot of money,
but most of all a good accountant thinks along with you!
Get A Good Accountant
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
never. ever. work for free.
unless it is for your mom.
Don’t Sell Cheap
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
when you can, ditch the friends, family and fools.
they’re perfect for starters,
but bad for pro’s.
Find Real Clients
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
learn from the 20% 80% rule:
20% stand for 80% of your trouble.
keep the good clients, ditch the others.
Teach Those Clients
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12

and follow up your cash flow.
don’t play bank to your clients.
no money on the bank = no bread on the table.
Charge Fast
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
it is the best way to find exiting new clients.
or to find new partners.
or to do fun stuff.
Network
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
the best way to loose your uncertainties is to talk to colleagues.
unite with others.
(consider co-working, join certain business groups, )
Surround Yourself
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
measure everything you do.
your time, your projects. your profits.
learn from your mistakes. and do it better.
Measure, Evaluate
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
try it: nononono.
it will earn you more.
if not in money, in quality.
Learn To Say NO
NO
@matuvu

Monday 4 June 12
don’t spend to ‘save taxes’.
if you pay taxes you keep 50%.
if you spend you keep nothing.
Save For Later
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
make time for your personal life
‘later’ = ‘now’
it is gone before you know.
Live The Now
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
be prepared to fail, to change, to adapt.
sometimes stuff works, sometimes not.
Most Of All Be Flexible
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
It Is A Bumpy
But Adventurous Ride
@matuvu
Monday 4 June 12
Thank You
Ine Dehandschutter
(web)designer & photographer & talker
www.matuvu.nu
@matuvu
www.linkedin.com/in/matuvu
www.slideshare.com/matuvu
Monday 4 June 12