Succeed as a freelancer

Contractor. Read your contract well and ensure you do not work for a competitor if it forbids you, or do anything contrary to what your contract says. Photo by David S. Mukooza

A freelance is a person who works or gives services by the hour, day, job rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer. A freelancer has the liberty to work at their comfort zone and also determine what they can earn depending on their output.
Here is how one can succeed as a freelancer.

Work twice hard
To have the best results at freelancing, Dorothy Nabatanzi, the director Rota Tech Luzira, notes that you need to work extra hard because you are paid by your input.
The more you produce, the more you will earn. Giving in more time will be a great deal to make you succeed.
“Focus on numbers, as full-time workers labour to see their assigned tasks done, you should labour to see you finish as many tasks as possible because you are paid according to numbers,” she adds.
Be creative
Mbarak Mugerwa, a freelance journalist, notes that every freelancer has to have a unique way of doing things that will persuade their employees that their services are needed and relevant to the company. This should begin with your form of delivery and how best it is delivered.
You should do your move in a unique way that someone finds it hard to reject your services.
“You should also have a personal identity to be successful. Choose an area that you think you can do best and concentrate on that. Learn the best ways to have your work delivered and, in a way, you will be building your brand,” he says.

Get a mentor
He adds that you need to get someone to guide you in that specific field. This could be a friend who has been in the filed for some time or your boss.
Your mentor will help you grow, learn and develop in that particular field. To be successful, you should listen and respect your mentor.

Be friendly
You need to be friendly to your fellow employees and practice a high level of humanity. This will help you know what is going on at your work place and also keep you updated.
“While in the field, you should know that every person you meet is very important, talk to them nicely and keep in contact,” Nabatanzi adds.

Be disciplined
Karungi adds that discipline is key in any aspect of life and therefore to be a successful freelancer, you must exhibit the highest levels of discipline and to everyone. Respect all the rules and regulations and put to action all that is required of you.

Read your contract well
A contract is what binds you to your employer so you have to be well versed with the what it entails.
Read it a couple of times and ask for clarity where you do not understand. In case it forbids you from doing certain things, go by it.
“Some companies dont like their employees working for their competitors and other companies that do a similar service, so you will need to avoid such things to remain relevant at work, other things you should look at is mode of payment, days to work among others,” Herbert Zaake, a human resource consultant, adds.