How to Set Boundaries as a Self Employed Creative
A boundary is an invisible line that you set to separate business from the other aspects of your life. As a self-employed creative, you might find other business owners and clients trying to take advantage of your nature and services.
However, you can build boundaries in order to set expectations and ensure a healthy working relationship with your clients. This way, you avoid resentment on both sides and use your creative talents to their full potential.
How to Set Boundaries
The most effective way to set boundaries is at the beginning of an arrangement with a new client. There are a number of ways to set and maintain your work boundaries, but the easiest could be within your contract.
For example, stating your rates and the scope of work within your contract covers you against a client trying to take advantage. If they ask you to do something outside of the agreed-upon scope of work, you can refer back to the contract.
Secondly, you may wish to create a working relationship guideline or presentation during your onboarding process. This would signify your boundaries to your client and ensure that they agree to your style of working before coming onboard.
Ideas for Setting Boundaries
Sticking to your Rates
It’s super easy for freelancers and creatives to have a goal rate in mind, and then accept a lower offer. For some reason, many business owners can’t seem to understand that you are running a business too!
So, make sure you know your rates, and you stick to them. Entering into negotiations with a potential new client gives them the power and may categorize your working relationship as an employee-employer.
Instead, sticking firm will prove that you are your own business owner. If you come across a client who has a hard time accepting this, they’re probably not your ideal client.
Alternatively, try explaining that you have your own costs to cover, and that working on a self-employed basis means you miss out on the typical benefits that an employed person has. The hourly breakdown on your rate needs to cover your:
Rent
Bills
Work Expenses
Groceries and other living costs
Luxuries
Insurance and more
This way, you can explain higher rates.
Know your Worth
Imposter syndrome affects us all, but it shouldn’t be weighing in on your negotiations at work.
In the same way that you should stick to your rates, knowing your worth is important in business. If potential clients aren’t on board with the value you bring, they just might not be your ideal client after all.
Knowing your worth is about knowing what you bring to the table. Whether this means years of experience, achievements and results or training, you’ll use this to set expectations with potential new clients. It also means avoiding comparison with the “celebrities” in your field who have a large marketing budget.
Your website copy, sales calls, and any promotional materials should spell out whatt benefits you’ll bring. This way, even when imposter syndrome strikes, you’ll have plenty of backup on hand.
Saying No
You’ve probably heard of the saying “give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.”Unfortunately, it’s common for freelancers to experience this in the form of scope creep.
Scope creep: the project’s requirements and deliverables extending beyond what was originally agreed. It can be pretty annoying if a client is asking you to extend your services beyond the original agreement. Not least because you aren’t getting paid.
For the majority of self-employed creatives, we place a real focus on time and scheduling in various projects. So it’s pretty unfair if the project parameters change halfway through. This can have a knock-on effect for the rest of your work and stretch your focus. It leads to negative effects all round.
So, sometimes we just have to learn to say no. You can measure the success of your boundaries by how your clients react when you say no. If problems are caused or offense is taken, it might be time to re-evaluate.
Respect your Time
As a small business owner, you’re probably trying to juggle it all. It’s pretty hard to schedule all of your work tasks, let alone making time for self-care, friends, and family. In this way, respecting your time must become a priority.
This means having a set working schedule. Have you got clients calling you at 8pm every day? Doesn’t sound like they are particularly respectful of your time.
Setting a boundary around the hours you work (or contactable hours) is important as it lets clients know that you’re not available whenever and that you choose your own working hours.
Another great trick to help clients respect your time is to set expectations around turnaround times, for example. Implement rush fees for those wanting a quick turnaround and lay out response times in your contract.
Know the Full Story
Too often, freelancers and creatives are duped and tricked because of their good nature. So it’s super important for us to know the full story before getting involved in new projects.
As bad as it sounds, keep your wits about you and don’t be bribed into doing something. For example, makers and crafters are often asked to provide something at a discounted rate for a market event, but are then asked to buy a ticket for it!
When you enter into any agreement (formal or informal), ensure you’re covered by a good contract. This holds the other party liable to stick to their word and can help you avoid getting duped.
Here at Allegiant, we’ve interviewed a number of creative business owners as part of our blog series. We love listening to their stories and learning from their experiences. Would you like to take part? Get in touch today!