Transparent Freelancing

I was reading an article on (the newly redesigned ) Freelance Switch the other week about 5 Tips for College Freelancers and one tip was to hide your student status. I thought this tip was a little odd and so did a few people in the comments so I came up with 12 reasons you should tell your new clients you’re a student and proud of it!

Photo by Randomcliche

Keeping things from clients isn’t always the best idea. Honesty and transparency in freelancing are important traits to have. The Young Freelancer’s Manifesto goes further on why being young and freelancing is the way to go.

Student, Loud and Proud

Shows that you’re versatile

Being and young freelancer and a proud student can mean in any given day you need to do some very different tasks. Most clients remember their college days fondly and will be impressed you can manage your degree and a small business on the side. Just prove your track record and clients will warm up to the idea of a student freelancer.

We’re hip and in-the-know

Who is more in touch with all the trends and fads than the young freelancer? Whether you know the ins and outs of social media or stay up to date on the latest trends in design, you have some area of expertise the client might not. Often clients look for solutions to their problems that will change their brand for the cooler so they don’t become obsolete.

They know you can manage your time well

If you can explain that you’ve been managing piles of homework, a social life, and your clients at the same time clients will respect and ultimately hire you. There are lots of full time freelancers who don’t know how to manage their time as well as a student in school. Play to your strengths as a highly organized and motivated student freelancer.

BFAs are good things

The very fact you’re getting your BFA could help a client decide to go with you. It shows you’re moving up in the world, value education, ad have the ability to handle a lot. Saying you’re in the process of getting your BFA puts you at no disadvantage to those who already have them. So be proud!

You know how to prioritize

The hard truth is the priority is not freelancing. School is your job while you are in school. Letting clients know this from the start gives them confidence that you do know how to prioritize and adds a degree of transparency should you need extra time on a project.

Your on an upward trajectory

Clients can recognize someone who is on an upward trajectory and will be happy to give you that next step in your career. Having confidence and knowing that you’ll go places will come through when a client talks to you or meets with you. They’ll trust you aren’t floundering in school and gladly award projects to the up and coming.

Age shouldn’t matter

As long as you truly have the skills, ability, and maturity a power freelancer should have, how old you are won’t matter to your clients. Blind them with talent and professionalism and leave them with no reason to doubt you because of your age.

Mature and accountable

In order to even start winning your own clients and following through on projects, a certain amount of maturity is required. Having an example of a client success stories for a new client might push them over the edge into hiring you.

You’re personable

Big designs firms can be scary and hyper trendy. You on the other hand are just a highly motivated college student. Clients won’t be intimidated by you and that’s one less barrier towards effective communication and a well executed project. Be real with your clients and they’ll be real with you.

Calm under pressure

College is certainly a pressure cooker at times with exams,  massive reading lists, and impossibly high stress days. Clients will remember their days at university too and be blown away by how cool you are under pressure. Explaining this might help them gain even more confidence in your abilities.

Fresh Perspectives

Veterans of a field are often slaves to it. As a young freelancer you have no constraints on what you can and can’t do. You haven’t been conditioned to think or work a certain way by your industry. This makes you the perfect candidate for out of the box thinking and loads of creativity. Don’t forget this fact and don’t let clients forget it either.

Cost effective but cost aware

In most cases a college student doesn’t charge the same as a full time freelancer. That’s just the way it is. This shouldn’t be an excuse for clients to take advantage of you but as long as you set your rates and stick to them you’ll often be a better deal in the end. A student freelancer should never underalue themselves but ask a fair price and see who bites.

Precautions for Students

Contracts

They are a paint to make and fill out and sign but they are the first line of defense for student freelancers. Proclaiming your student status can make you a target so take the precaution of putting a little law behind you and your client agreements.

Spec Work Watch

The majority of spec work victims are students. Keep your eyes peeled for clients asking for “work samples” or a “tryout period” before they agree to any payment. Learn more about spec work and it’s dangers at No!Spec and don’t fall into that young freelancer trap early on.

Rates and Payment Plans

Clients are always willing to pay more than they put in a budget. Although it may be more difficult, give them an estimate for a project with your rate and see how they react. Even if it is a little negotiable test the waters to see how reasonably high you can go. You should have a sense of how much your services are worth and what the industry is charging.

TIP: When entering a contract, secure your terms and request some payment up front for the project. This is pretty common practice and most clients will be more than amiable to it.

Do you tell clients you’re a student?

Do you think it makes a big difference to clients how old you are? Has telling a client you’re a college student ever backfired on you? Has announcing your student status ever landed you some unexpected benefits?

Related Posts:

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• Spending Money to Win Money? The Fees of Design Competitions (75.1%)
• A Freelancer's Starter Ethics - 20 Guidelines (72.5%)
• The NO!SPEC Campaign - The Value of Your Profession (72.5%)

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