Thanks for sharing Emma, this is super helpful in expanding my thinking as I’m figuring out the transition from “perm” to freelance. I wonder if you have any tips for finding projects on a 1-2 days per week commitment?
As a user researcher, I haven’t yet come across anything that’s less than 3 days per week. Something I’m quite keen on trying is having one slightly longer and consistent project for 3 days per week and then taking on smaller 1-2 day per week projects. (I did have a 2.5 day project recently that I loved but haven’t come across anything else like that.)
Do you think there specific types of organisations or industries that tend to hire this way? Or is it about positioning yourself more as a consultant rather than contractor? Or perhaps it’s just different between research and design role?
Thanks again for sharing your insights so generously!
Good question. Some of the projects I do through small agencies are like this, tending towards 2 days/week. I've also go work that's smaller direct, most recently through local authorities. Some of my direct client work that is spread over a longer period of time works out like this too. This has been mostly charity sector. I think national Gov tends to be less in this space. Hope that helps.
Hi Emma, thanks for writing and sharing your experience. I’ve just started freelancing for the first time in years, and I am considering taking on a project each with two different agencies. I have a few questions:
1. What questions do you ask to gauge expected cadences for collaboration, meetings, and milestones/deliverables?
2. How do you negotiate when the project is exciting but the expectation is more than you’re willing to commit to?
3. Regarding working fast, have you ever signed on for more than 40h/wk across contracts?
Hey Jules. Welcome to the freelance world! Sounds like you've made a fab start if these are your questions. My thoughts:
1. Just ask. Sometimes these things wont be decided yet but it's fine to ask the questions. If there is a proposal to a client you could ask to see it. Otherwise I'd just explicitly ask what you want to know the answers to.
2. It's about understanding each others hard lines I guess. They may be willing to move on some of theirs, you too, and not others. If it's about time, just ask how many days/week they expect you to work on the project and if it's above what you have you can try negotiating but they may not move. It's good to understand if it's flexible hours or if you have to be on the project for full and/or specific days.
3. I probably have in theory when I've had a days per week contract alongside a piece of direct client work when I'm running the project. My limit is more around numbers of projects which is three. I would never commit to more days than the week has! I work 4 days a week too. My general advice here is don't take on more than you can do - it's not worth it.
Thanks for sharing Emma, this is super helpful in expanding my thinking as I’m figuring out the transition from “perm” to freelance. I wonder if you have any tips for finding projects on a 1-2 days per week commitment?
As a user researcher, I haven’t yet come across anything that’s less than 3 days per week. Something I’m quite keen on trying is having one slightly longer and consistent project for 3 days per week and then taking on smaller 1-2 day per week projects. (I did have a 2.5 day project recently that I loved but haven’t come across anything else like that.)
Do you think there specific types of organisations or industries that tend to hire this way? Or is it about positioning yourself more as a consultant rather than contractor? Or perhaps it’s just different between research and design role?
Thanks again for sharing your insights so generously!
Good question. Some of the projects I do through small agencies are like this, tending towards 2 days/week. I've also go work that's smaller direct, most recently through local authorities. Some of my direct client work that is spread over a longer period of time works out like this too. This has been mostly charity sector. I think national Gov tends to be less in this space. Hope that helps.
Thank you 😌
Hi Emma, thanks for writing and sharing your experience. I’ve just started freelancing for the first time in years, and I am considering taking on a project each with two different agencies. I have a few questions:
1. What questions do you ask to gauge expected cadences for collaboration, meetings, and milestones/deliverables?
2. How do you negotiate when the project is exciting but the expectation is more than you’re willing to commit to?
3. Regarding working fast, have you ever signed on for more than 40h/wk across contracts?
Hey Jules. Welcome to the freelance world! Sounds like you've made a fab start if these are your questions. My thoughts:
1. Just ask. Sometimes these things wont be decided yet but it's fine to ask the questions. If there is a proposal to a client you could ask to see it. Otherwise I'd just explicitly ask what you want to know the answers to.
2. It's about understanding each others hard lines I guess. They may be willing to move on some of theirs, you too, and not others. If it's about time, just ask how many days/week they expect you to work on the project and if it's above what you have you can try negotiating but they may not move. It's good to understand if it's flexible hours or if you have to be on the project for full and/or specific days.
3. I probably have in theory when I've had a days per week contract alongside a piece of direct client work when I'm running the project. My limit is more around numbers of projects which is three. I would never commit to more days than the week has! I work 4 days a week too. My general advice here is don't take on more than you can do - it's not worth it.
Hope that helps.