Most people associate learning with textbooks and gaining knowledge. However there are a lot of lessons that you can take from a training course to the world of freelancing. Being your own boss sounds like the ultimate dream for some people but the truth is, you will need to apply a wealth of other practices and mindsets in order to really thrive within the freelance world.
Whether you’ve taken an apprenticeship and have decided to freelance, or if you have gained additional qualifications to enhance your reputation and standing within the industry you’re working in, here are a few other lessons that are both transferable from a training course as well as essential.
ORGANISATION IS KEY
If you intend to juggle multiple projects on the go then you’ll need to approach your work in a methodical and organised manner.
DON'T BE AFRIAD TO ASK QUESTIONS
The only way you’ll know exactly what clients want or expect is to ask questions. Some people feel this quality makes you appear unsure of yourself however if you cast your mind to a learning environment, whether it’s in a classroom on an apprenticeship, asking questions is the way you learn and clarify facts. Being inquisitive and confident enough to ask questions within a job shouldn’t be a taboo thing. How else are you going to ascertain small details?
DEADLINES ARE IMPORTANT
Deadlines are in place for a reason. They give you a realistic time frame for a project and can either make or break you. Think back to school; if you missed a deadline for coursework, your grades would suffer, which as a result would have an effect on your future educational prospects. The same logic applies to freelancing. The more deadlines you miss the more your reputation will be at risk and this can easily hamper opportunities for new work and maintaining loyal customers.
YOU NEVER STOP BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
When you leave a training course, you’ll not only walk away with a qualification to your name, but also contacts to your phone book. It’s a great opportunity to get to know people and maintain contact even after you’ve finished your academic training. Maintaining this kind of personal relationship is good practice when it comes to working with clients. It also helps to refine the way you approach networking.
YOU STAY INNOVATIVE
In a fast changing world, freelancers will be required to stay one step ahead of others when it comes to their services and products. Developing new approaches, methods and ideas that help your work and business stand out will work to your advantage rather than following the crowd and not differentiating.
IT'S ESSENTIAL TO BE ABLE TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY
Team work is generally seen as a huge prerequisite within a working environment, however training courses and apprenticeships both require a certain degree of independent working. It’s important that you are able to focus and apply this as often as possible – freelance work will require you to spend hours upon hours without that team element.
YOU NEVER STOP LEARNING
Every day is a new opportunity for you to learn something new. Taking a training course or an apprenticeship will expose you to new opportunities to expand your knowledge. You may be surprised what little nuggets you remember within a photography course or tricks to overcoming writers block from your creative writing class.
There are plenty of transferable skills you can gain from a creative writing or photography course that applies to freelancing. Refine your knowledge at Training and Courses with a professional course or an apprenticeship!
