How to Grow as Freelancer and Manage Your Finances?

Every profession and field of work have certain tips that one must know before jumping into it. Lavanya Naidu, a freelance illustrator and animator shares some of the tips, especially to manage finances, she has followed.

- Lavanya Naidu

Before I started off as a freelance artist, I had spoken to seniors in my field and thus had a brief idea of what to expect. It motivated me to discipline myself from the beginning. When you don’t have a strict schedule and work from home, it can sometimes be hard to have a routine. Some of the key points that I like to keep in mind when taking on a new project are:

KEEPING DEADLINES

Aside from the client deadline, I usually create a personal deadline, a couple of days before the expected delivery. This gives me a small window, in case there are unforeseen hurdles during the project timeline.

CLEAR COMMUNICATION

At the start, before taking on an assignment, I prefer putting everything on the table with my client; when to expect drafts leading up to the final files, fixing the budget, making sure to mention when I might be taking time off, and assuring completion in good time. Clear communication keeps everyone on the same page and helps avoid misunderstandings.