Freelance Corner: How to ask for help

In the last post, I wrote about my journey so far in Specky Scribbler HQ. I wrote about the wins, but not so much about the losses or challenges. This week, I asked someone I'm working with at the moment what they wanted to know about freelancing/self-employment and they said: 'How to ask for help/guidance'. So, that's what this week is all about, how to ask for help and guidance on a project.

It's always best to ask for help early

When I started out, I had MASSIVE imposter syndrome. I felt like I had no idea what I was doing, couldn't string two sentences together and that I was just being a spoofer. Therefore, I definitely felt like if I didn't know something, I just had to work it out on my own or wing it. This lead, in some cases, to over-promising and under-delivering. Or, in other cases, a project stalling or being done in a way that missed the brief because I didn't know what the brief was.

I think most people learn this the hard way and think that asking for help or guidance will make their client say, 'Oh hold on there a minute, what do you mean you don't know the answers to everything? You're done, bye.' The likelihood of this happening is very slim; most times you part ways with a client on bad(ish) terms is normally to do with something else (for another day). A client often relishes being asked things, they don't feel like you're steamrolling all over their opinions by just doing whatever you want. 

If you need help from your client in terms of content to use for their campaigns, ask for it. They may only have rough bullet points or images, maybe some statistics, but this is helpful. Likewise, if you’re struggling to get something across the line and signed off, ask your client for further feedback or a quick call. While in the early stages of a project or a career of self-employment, it might seem really silly to ask loads of questions, do. The more questions you ask, the more answers you have and the more information you have at your disposal to create content/do the thing. I'm probably a bit of a pest in the early stages of a project, but I have no regrets.

Reach out to other freelancers

Freelance life can be lonely and it can feel like you have no one to actually ask for help, who isn't the person literally paying you to do the thing. That's where fellow freelancers come in. And while at first, you may feel like you're competing with them, you're not. Ask them things! Most freelancers are more than happy to help those navigating the murky waters of early-stage freelancing.

If you're struggling with a difficult client, communications, or anything else, another freelancer has absolutely 100% had that challenge in the past. If nothing else, people will at least understand where you're coming from. I know that the freelance communities I'm a member of all are willing and happy to help. Even if it's just to ask for feedback about an idea. 

Freelancers get a bad reputation sometimes for being people who are jacks of all trades but masters of none and yes, we all wear many hats. For example, I'm a copywriter but I'm also my business developer, social media manager, account manager and finance manager. But I also know that there are other people who know a bit more about these things than I do. So I ask, even if it feels silly. Which leads me to…

There is no such thing as a silly question 

Like I mentioned earlier, there is often the expectation that we have all the answers, but we don't. I develop the tone of voice and verbal identity for brands, so I make decisions based on research as to the best tone for that brand. However, I'm not an expert within the organisation. I don't know the ins and outs of everything. I might not understand the industry so I might need clarification about an acronym or phrase.

Yes, Google probably knows the answers, but the context surrounding the usage of terms, colours, particular icons, fonts, etc. are all chosen for reasons. The context matters, and it's important to clarify those choices and how they might impact your work. This applies not only to questions you might ask your clients but questions to ask other freelancers. For instance, a lot of people may ask about the difference between being a limited company or a sole trader.

We're all human, we all suffer from imposter syndrome at times, and sometimes it can feel like asking questions will make us seem totally inexperienced or just not with it. But don’t worry, you’re not. You're trying your best, you're developing your businesses and your reputation and you're learning from each experience you have. Personally, I love helping people who are starting out on their freelancing journey. It's tough, it's scary and it's all very cloaks and daggers on the surface. But ask questions to your heart's content.

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I personally will answer any I can. I'm always willing to chat about copy, comms and all things self-employment. So feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn, Twitter or good old fashioned email.