Brand/Web Designer Liz Elcoate - Becoming A Business Professional

Steve Folland chats to Brand and Web Designer Liz Elcoate. How she went from pension advisor to banking on a freelance career for her future. It's not enough to be a passionate freelancer, you need to be a business person and this episode includes cracking thoughts on: payments, contracts, commanding respect and finding a niche. This conversation also touches upon mental health issues: if this resonates with you, please do check out the 'useful links' at the bottom of these Show Notes. Liz co-hosts The Freelance Web podcast - it's great, so check it out! Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcast app for iPhone etc and also via Stitcher who have an Android app, or scroll down and download from here - If you like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: As a freelancer, being passionate about your field isn’t enough, you have to become a business person Be professional and be firm over your terms or clients won’t respect you Break large projects into smaller sections and take payment on each deliverable 30 days payment terms can kill your business (Liz never accepts them) Try and work with people you like - it makes a difference Find a sector or industry you want to work with, it helps you market to those people - it can also help you become known in that field Being a freelancer can be tough mentally as it's so isolating; become part of a community (Liz met many on Twitter) More from Liz Liz on Twitter Liz's site The Freelance Web Podcast Useful Links Behance How to Kill Your Business: 30 Day Payment Terms Andy Clarke's Contract Killer Sean Johnson's T&C's Everything from Geek Mental Help Week including resources JOIN THE COMMUNITYYou're not alone being freelance. Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).beingfreelance.com/community NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!The Being Freelance course is made for you!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFollandBeing Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.