Freelance Administrative Support: 15 Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Started

If you’re reading this article, you might be thinking about taking the plunge into the freelance world. You might be considering becoming an administrative support worker or assistant. Or maybe you’re already working as an administrative support worker or assistant, and are looking for some advice on how to make your transition to freelancing easier.

This article will cover what I wish I had known before starting my own freelance business as an administrative assistant.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Freelancing – YouTube

Takeaways
1. Properly plan and organize your administrative support services to ensure smooth operations.
2. Set clear expectations and boundaries with clients to avoid misunderstandings and scope creep.
3. Develop strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with clients and manage their expectations.
4. Embrace technology and leverage productivity tools to streamline administrative tasks and enhance efficiency.
5. Continuously improve your skills and stay updated with industry trends to provide high-quality support services.
6. Take time for self-care and avoid burnout by establishing work-life balance and practicing stress management techniques.
7. Build a network of fellow freelancers or professionals in your field for support, advice, and potential collaborations.
8. Don’t undervalue your services; set fair pricing based on your expertise, experience, and the value you provide.
9. Prioritize ongoing professional development and invest in training or courses to enhance your skillset.
10. Stay organized with your finances by tracking income, expenses, and taxes to ensure financial stability.
11. Market yourself effectively by creating a compelling portfolio, optimizing your online presence, and utilizing networking opportunities.
12. Embrace feedback and learn from both successes and failures to continuously improve your freelance administrative support services.
13. Cultivate strong client relationships by providing excellent customer service, being responsive, and fostering open communication.
14. Adapt to changing client needs and industry demands to remain relevant and competitive in the freelance administrative support market.
15. Believe in yourself and your abilities as a freelance administrative support professional, and have confidence in your value proposition.

Table of Contents

Your Co-Workers Are Going To Be Your Best Friends And Your Biggest Challenges

It’s important, to be honest, friendly, and helpful. It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that the people you work with are just people, too other human beings who have their own personal issues and quirks just like you do. Try not to take things personally!

It can be really hard not to take it personally when your teammates don’t appreciate your help or don’t seem grateful for all that you’re doing for them. You’ll find yourself working long hours, getting no recognition from management or co-workers (or both), feeling overworked and underappreciated all while trying desperately not to burn out on this job that isn’t even paying you enough money for food or rent (you know the rest).

Here Are Some Ways That I’ve Found Useful In My Time As An Administrative Assistant:

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You Will Probably Work Alone. A Lot

Working alone can be hard. It’s not always easy to get feedback on your work, it can make it hard to get things done, and sometimes it can make you feel lonely.

As a seasoned freelancer, I’ve learned that having a backup plan if you need help is crucial. For example, when my wife and son were living overseas for six months while she finished her master’s degree in 2008-2009, I worked from home because I didn’t want to pay rent/mortgage while they were gone but also wanted to spend time with them whenever they came back home.

Thus Began My First Experience With A Co-Working Space

WeWork! You may want to consider working from a shared office space or renting a small office on your own. If you don’t live alone, _don’t_ work from home. Now, this is a bit of a personal preference, but I would strongly advise against working from your home office if there are other people in it.

The Job Can Be Demanding And Stressful In Ways You Can’t Even Imagine

In a nutshell, being a freelancer means you are your own boss. You decide what hours and days you work, how many projects you take on at once, and how much time off you need. While most people would think this is a dream come true (and it can be), there are also some drawbacks that could make the job less than ideal for some people:

You have to be ready to work at a moment’s notice. If a client calls with an emergency or asks if they can get something done sooner than planned, then yes you will have to drop everything and get it done right away. This can be tricky when juggling multiple clients who might need something done in the meantime!

Working from home requires great self-discipline because it’s easy for coworkers or bosses who aren’t as self-motivated as freelancers tend to feel guilty about not working as much as others; this makes them more likely than not just give up on their own projects so they don’t look bad among their peers again.*

It’s An Excellent Way To Keep Your Brain Fresh, Especially If You’re Between Gigs

If you’re looking for some extra work to do, freelancing provides a great opportunity. It’s an excellent way to keep your brain fresh, especially if you’re between gigs. You can use it to stay relevant in the job market and ensure that you don’t fall behind on skills or knowledge.

Plus, it provides a steady stream of income that could help keep your finances afloat while other things are going on in your life (like new jobs). If you’re worried about getting bored or feeling overwhelmed by too much free time on your hands, freelancing is also a great way to avoid procrastinating while keeping busy!

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It Will Force You To Be Flexible, Organized, And Disciplined About Your Time

Working for yourself means you have to be flexible, organized, and disciplined about your time. As a freelancer, you don’t have a boss telling you what needs to get done. You need to prioritize tasks and make sure they get done in the right order by the due date. You also need to be able to work with different people and different types of work.

If this sounds overwhelming, know that it gets easier with practice! But in the beginning, it can often feel like there’s too much going on that needs your attention and not enough hours in the day or days off from work to do all that needs doing without feeling overwhelmed by it all.

You Won’t Have To Worry About Getting A Holiday Bonus

There are some downsides to freelancing. You might not get a holiday bonus or be able to take off for Thanksgiving, but there are other tradeoffs to consider as well.

You may have to work longer hours than in a traditional job. As a freelancer, you’ll need to be flexible with your time and schedule because it’s all on your terms. If you have a client who needs something urgently at 10 p.m., you may find yourself finishing up work until 1 a.m., without any overtime pay for those extra hours worked (though some companies will give an extension on deadlines if needed).

You could also be asked to work on weekends and even holidays, particularly around big events such as Black Friday or Christmas Eve/Day when there are more people online shopping from their couch than being productive at the office! This can really cut into your personal time if these things aren’t negotiated beforehand (which usually means asking for more money).

Lastly, birthdays might become non-existent since they’re no longer part of your employment benefits package and if they do happen while working independently then oftentimes they’re treated like any other day where nothing special takes place aside from maybe getting sent flowers or chocolates by clients who want their work finished ASAP so everyone can enjoy their special day without feeling pressure about putting in extra effort beyond regular business hours.”

It’s a great way to meet people and make connections in different fields and create new opportunities for yourself in the future that you might not have gotten otherwise.

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There Are A Few Things I’ve Learned About The Freelance Environment That Can Help You With Your Job Search

First, if you’re looking to network, this is a great way to meet people and make connections in different fields and create new opportunities for yourself in the future that you might not have gotten otherwise.

Second, having an informal connection with someone who knows someone else or works for another company is really useful when it comes time to apply for jobs. There’s nothing like hearing from a friend of a friend’s friend who is looking for someone just like you! And when you get hired because of this person’s recommendation, they’ll be happy too!

Thirdly (and most importantly), freelancing will give you experience doing something new and growing your skills as well as contacts—all while giving you more freedom than working full-time would give!

Depending On The Team You Work With, You Could Be Asked To Do Things That Are Entirely Out Of Your Comfort Zone.

You may be asked to do things that are entirely out of your comfort zone. You could be asked to:

Perform an activity that you have no idea how to do, even if it’s something simple and straightforward like setting up a new email account or using a software program.

Take on a task that requires more time than what is allotted in the contract (for example, if your client needs help with research for 6 hours but only pays for 5).

Take on an assignment that takes away from your other work responsibilities (for example, if the client asks you to spend 30 minutes each day updating their social media accounts).

I don’t think these situations are uncommon at all! When I started freelancing as an administrative assistant and office manager, I was working with clients who were not necessarily familiar with my services or how much time they would take up.

For example, when one of my clients needed help setting up their new email account because they’d just purchased a new computer system at work and wanted some guidance getting started on something totally within my skill set I was fine doing it; after all, it’s what I do every day!

But then there were times when they’d ask me to perform tasks outside of my job description (like helping them research local restaurants), which felt like overkill on their part since this wasn’t exactly what we’d agreed upon when first discussing rates/time commitment/etcetera…and so those requests always made me feel anxious about whether or not I should say no…

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It Can Accelerate Burnout If You Don’t Take Time For Yourself And Establish Boundaries Early On

Burnout is a real thing and it can happen to you. If you don’t take time for yourself, establish boundaries early on, and ask for help when you need it, freelancing administrative support can easily be one of the most draining and rewarding careers you’ll ever have.

It’s important that you are mindful of your own mental health while working in this field. The role requires a lot of self-motivation and responsibility so it’s crucial that we take care of ourselves in order to avoid burnout or other mental health issues that could arise from working too much or taking on too many projects at once.

Being Highly Organized Is Key Because As A Freelancer

If you’re not a natural-born organizer, it’s worth working on this skill. As a freelancer, the organization is how people judge how well you are doing your job. Even if they are not consciously thinking about it as such, clients will notice if you miss deadlines or make mistakes because of miscommunication and lack of organization.

Being organized also means that when a client asks for something a document, a piece of information you can produce it quickly and efficiently instead of having to scramble around in search of the right file or answer on deadline time.

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Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to decide if a career as a freelance administrative support person is right for you or at least gave you some insight into what life as one would be like. It can be difficult to have enough hours in the day to get everything done, so it’s important to keep in mind that work-life balance is important! If you’re committed enough and willing to put in the effort, this job may just be right up your alley.

If you love organizing and managing things, but don’t have time to commit full time yet or don’t want all of the responsibility that goes along with being an employee at an office job, then this may be a great way for you not only to learn new skills but meet tons of new people too.

A lot goes into keeping up with such varied tasks every day (and night). If this type of work does sound interesting to you but sounds overwhelming as well then let me assure you that it won’t always feel like this.

While there will always be something else waiting around the corner (or inbox), once everything gets going smoothly there will actually be more free time than usual since most of these projects can take place over email/phone calls instead of face-to-face meetings which require more travel time (and gas money).

FAQs

What are the advantages of freelancing?

Freelancing offers several advantages, including:

Flexibility in setting your own schedule and choosing projects that align with your interests and skills.
The potential for higher income, as you have the opportunity to negotiate rates and take on multiple clients.
Independence and the ability to be your own boss, making decisions that shape your career.

How can I find clients as a freelancer?

To find clients as a freelancer, consider the following strategies:

Build an online presence through a professional website or portfolio to showcase your work.
Utilize freelancing platforms and job boards to search for relevant projects and connect with potential clients.
Network with professionals in your industry, attend events, and leverage social media platforms to expand your reach.

How should I price my freelance services?

Determining the right pricing for your freelance services can be a challenge. Consider the following factors:

Evaluate your skills, expertise, and the value you bring to clients.
Research industry standards and market rates to ensure your pricing is competitive.
Consider project scope, complexity, and your desired income when setting rates.

How can I manage my time effectively as a freelancer?

Time management is crucial for freelancers. Here are some tips:

Set clear goals and prioritize tasks to stay focused and organized.
Create a schedule and allocate specific time blocks for different projects or activities.
Use productivity tools and techniques such as time tracking apps or the Pomodoro Technique to improve efficiency.

What legal considerations should I be aware of as a freelancer?

When freelancing, it’s important to be aware of legal considerations. Here are a few key points:

Understand tax obligations and consider consulting with an accountant or tax professional.
Create contracts or agreements with clients to protect your rights and define project scope.
Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding freelance work, licensing, and intellectual property rights.

What Is Freelance Administrative Support?

Freelance administrative support refers to working as a virtual assistant for individuals, groups, and organizations. You will be working as part of a team that may include other assistants, but you’ll be working on your own projects.

What Skills Do You Need To Be A Freelance Administrative Assistant?

You’ll need strong communication skills (both written and spoken), the ability to take initiative and follow through with projects without being micromanaged, and good time management skills.

Depending on which clients you work with, there may also be specialized skills that come into play, for example, knowledge of social media platforms or website management software like WordPress would be beneficial if your client needs someone who can help manage their social media presence or build them a new website.

In any case, make sure you learn everything about the clients before taking on any new gigs! You don’t want to waste time learning something only after accepting the gig because it makes your life harder than necessary later on down the line when things get busy around here.”

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.

Freelance Administrative Support: 15 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Started