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!

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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

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Suggested Podcasts

Pineapple Street Media / Gimlet

Patrick Ceresna & Kevin Muir

Thomas Lundy and Chris Johnson

Carey Nieuwhof and David Kinnaman

JustGetFit Nikki

Nordstroms Automotive Inc.

Tom Christopher

Chandan Chakraverty

English Literary Society, SRCC