Freelancer Profile: Connie Scheer
Connie Scheer
St Louis, MO
conniescheer.com
Q: Tell me a little about your freelance background (how you got started, how long you’ve done it, etc)
A: I got into freelancing based on the fact that I had a second child and wanted to be home more and be closer to my children. So I decided to let loose the office and work from my house. And I actually worked in marketing and found that it was much more conducive to what I wanted to do personally. It started out small--it was probably part-time initially and since 2003 it’s the way I make a living.
Before I started freelancing I was the VP of marketing for a technology company. I helped people learn and use the technology, which was actually a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. Networking is critical, it’s crucial to really building your own clientele. I lucked into it because I stepped away from a company my husband and I had started, and so I still had that business in marketing. I had met Pat Maloney of TMN Events when he was a teacher and I was criss-crossing the state of Idaho promoting technology for teachers. Pat decided to do a life change and work as an event planner. I’ve stuck with Pat and I’ve grown with him, I would say. We’ve developed clientele together, so it’s worked out well. He’s the ultimate in networking and customer relationships. If anything I’ve learned about freelancing or business, it’s that it truly is the relationships that you build with people that can help you succeed.
I think the secret to maintaining or continuing to be a freelancer is to really be versatile. You might start out in communications, but you may pick up skills in PR, and in writing and design. Pat came to me and said, “Can you take pictures?” and I said, “Sure, I can take pictures! Who can’t take pictures?” And I’ve built that skillset. I had a few other clients I would meet when we were doing events and I was the photographer for the longest time, an then they said “Can you build websites?” And I said, “Sure I can build websites!” So I learned how to build websites. And that’s how my business has stayed afloat--because I’m open and willing to try new things. When you have the network of people you can trust and who believe in you because you are the type of person that can. If you know how to learn and you’re not scared to improve yourself, you can achieve a lot of things in this business of communications and marketing and branding. As long as you’re involved with it, and you’re willing to learn about it, you can develop the business side of it. If there’s a need you find a way to fill it. It’s pretty common that my clients want me to do more than I was specifically hired for. Richard Branson said something like, “Always say yes, and figure out how to do it after the fact.” If you’re willing to take those chances, you’ll do well.
Q: What do you wish you would have known when you started freelancing?
A: I still struggle with keeping everything organized. Setting up an infrastructure is important. I’ve used dropbox and iCloud. I wish I would have known how to set up an infrastructure initially as an office. Accounting is not my biggest deal. I would recommend business classes. Take them because every little bit helps in terms of understanding the law and your rights and contracts. I would have put a little more time into that because it would have saved me a little bit of everything.
There’s such a need for content, being able to write and articulate ideas, it’s a talent and if you do graphic design.
Not knowing if you’re going to get paid is the scariest part. I’ve had clients where they’ll add things or it takes them six months to pay and you spend all your time chasing down bills and invoices. When you’re busy that’s the juggle of being the accountant and your own marketing person and your own designer and writer, and all of those hats you have to wear as a freelancer--you want to minimize the question of how you get paid. For freelance jobs make sure you cover yourself with a contract.
I would find an area that you’re interested in--meaning that if you want to write for healthcare, find an area in healthcare. You’ll find that your passion and excitement for your job will be at a higher level. If you like film festivals and you want to write for film festivals, then that’s where you should go. You need to have a passion for something if you want to stick with it. My own perception is that I love what I do, so that’s why I continue doing it and trying to improve it.
Q: What are three key pieces of advice for students considering freelancing?
A: Three key pieces of advice are:
Definitely get a portfolio together
Networking is important
It’s okay to start something and do it for free. My philosophy is when you’re young and starting out, sometimes you just have to prove yourself. I’ve done multiple jobs where I would cold call people, and just say, "I would like to do this for you, it’s not going to cost you." And every time they turn into full-time jobs. Just ask because people are often willing to give you a chance.
Q: What are the best parts and the biggest challenges?
A: Riding the wave. Cashflow can be a challenge because sometimes there’s none and sometimes there’s a lot and you’re tempted to clear out all your debt and pay things up months ahead of time and then you’re like oh no. Cashflow is a big thing to get ahold of and to understand. Remembering it can be so overwhelming with the amount of work I have to do, but I still have to market myself. Keeping that top-of-mind: you’re only as good as your last job, but you’re also constantly trying to market and brand yourself to keep a continuous cashflow. Also understanding your value and your worth, and making sure you go out and find out what other people are charging. You don’t want to undervalue yourself, and if you get pushback, if you can offer different services or add to the value of what you bring to the table that will help you sell who you are. It’s about selling yourself, you’re the Kate brand and you have to sell yourself.
Finding a client you can trust has been a big thing, work with several clients within their company, working with them as partners--if you can find someone you’re partnering with that trusts you and pays you. That has been the secret. I’m their marketing arm. When they come in and say we need to have signage and design and a website and photography.
Q: Can you recommend any resources for people wanting to start freelancing?
A: There are some legal websites that give you ideas in terms of setting up business. There's a website called Creative Live with training and videos and webinars. Hubspot is a good one for marketing and business development. Sometimes it’s just plug your nose and jump. Maybe you have a job and it’s something on the side, and yes you might be working odd hours. Just try it. I know we all want to be prepared, but I really encourage you to stick your neck out and offer to do certain things that might work. You might meet other people who know people or have ideas.
Have your portfolio prepared. Be your own entity in becoming involved and contributing to the online community, the more you contribute, the more your name gets out there.