Business
Freelancers: How To Avoid Cramming When Meeting A Deadline
One of the biggest threats that a freelancer may face in his/her entire freelance career that may cause a poor rating or negative feedback score is failure to meet a deadline. We all know for a fact that aside from the quality of work, a freelancer’s success to a project is also weighed on how professional he/she is in complying with an agreed deadline.
I, being a freelancer with numerous work in progress make it a point that before accepting a new workload that the timeframe set to finish the entire project is realizable and manageable on my part. If I find the work too hard to accomplish, I will relay my concerns immediately to the employer and ask if that deadline could be compromised to a more convenient schedule, where I could produce top quality output. Aside from proper negotiation, below are some of the guidelines that can be followed on how you can avoid cramming when meeting deadlines.
1. Clarity of the deadline
Before accepting full responsibility with a project, make sure that the agreed deadline date is clear to both, the contractor and employer. Remember, most freelancers work from any parts of the globe, so there are major differences to our time zones and this matter should be discussed properly before setting a due date. Ask for the exact time at your place or at his/her place, so both of you will know exactly when is the right time the project will be done.
2. Make a list of projects handled
Keeping a detailed list o projects you have at the moment together with their preferred deadlines will make your work run smoothly and less stressful on your side. Prioritize your work according to their level of importance. Check which task needs to be done right away.
3. Follow a strict work schedule
Make it a habit to follow a strict work schedule no matter how time constraint you are at the moment. Verify all the tasks for the day as you make a head start. Set aside a “time-out” period for yourself wherein you could either have a break or provide a buffer for any unavoidable circumstances that may happen along the way like a family emergency that you have to attend to and that cannot be put on hold or a power shortage beyond your control. These unforeseen events should also be considered regardless if you are ahead of a scheduled deadline or already cramming to meet a due date.
4. Proper communication
Open-communication is always a key to the success of a project. When both parties have good communication from start to finish, for sure a desirable outcome will always be met, the freelancer being able to comply with the agreed deadline while the employer getting a good result or quality work output. Bear in mind that as a freelancer, you are accountable if you cannot meet a deadline. Notify your employer the soonest possible time you can finish the work if you are unable to submit on the preferred schedule. Compromise a timeframe wherein you can satisfy your client. Remember, if you ask for a reschedule for a project, that you have to do everything on your human power to finish the task. If you need to spend long hours in front of the computer or laptop, then do so. Your reputation as a freelancer is at stake here.
I do hope you have learned some valuable insights with the above guidelines. Before accepting a project, be sure that you have fully analyzed the estimated time you will need to finish the work. If you think the required deadline is totally unrealistic on your part, site your concerns to your employer and explain why you need to spend more time doing that project. Knowing where you can work effectively and give the best output should be your top priority as a freelancer. Carry on with your freelancing activities.
Tagged freelance deadlines, freelancer, freelancing, Online Business, social media, time management, website
TashWordJuly 5, 2012 at 1:16 pm
I completely agree that you should assess your available time before taking on a new project to ensure you can complete it on time. One danger is accepting an urgent request from a client which then makes existing projects difficult to complete in time.
Being honest and up front is the best option if you do find yourself struggling with a deadline. I often find that providing most of the work on time will suffice – that is, if I provide all but part of the project on time, the client can be reviewing it or the designer working on it while I finish the last part. That minimises the delay for everyone.
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LeetPro77July 5, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I have been involved with freelance work for years now and I can definately confirm that this post is very accurate and helpful.
To reinforce what the post has already said, make sure you maintain proper communication, this is the most important part of freelance work (for me, atleast).
WaynefireJuly 5, 2012 at 10:23 pm
These are all great points. I know working as a freelancer can be rewarding, but with the deadline crushing it can make it impossible for some of the work to be done at top quality. However, like you mentioned in the article about having a work schedule is very true. I found it to be really helpful to have a set time period of nothing but work.
akanbiJuly 6, 2012 at 9:52 am
One thing that I would definitely say to add to the list from experience, is to make sure you don’t get sidetracked. It’s easy as an artist to get sidetracked with so many different ideas and ways to finish your client’s project.
psmith140July 8, 2012 at 2:51 am
At university I used to leave essays until the last minute, I think in part because I could get away with it and plead for last minute extensions, and in part because I was lazy. The thing about doing freelance work is that you do not have the institutional cushion provided by universities or businesses. You are literally “out on your own” – there is no such thing as an extension and late arrival or sloppy work could result in bad ratings and no business! Very important advice for freelancers.
Audrey MillerJuly 8, 2012 at 3:29 pm
The guidelines are totally helpful. The most important thing to do when doing freelance especially when you still have a day job is scheduling. Time management is very crucial to help you know what you will be doing at what time so that you may not be carried away by other commitments.
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streakanimeJuly 9, 2012 at 11:46 am
These guidelines are insanely helpful. Procrastination is a freelancers worse nightmare. It is an awful feeling when you wait and wait to do work and said work piles up on you. You kind of have to force your way into developing a schedule so you do not fall behind.
CarolinaJuly 18, 2012 at 7:05 am
Amazing tips! Thank you so much! These tips will be my new best friends for the next few years. If you have any more ideas, please keep them coming.
theaaaJuly 20, 2012 at 11:44 pm
I definitely need these. I keep putting off my work and then I suddenly realize it’s due the next day. Hahaha. Good thing I finish them anyway. But they’re so stressful.
MoniqueSeibelJuly 21, 2012 at 11:43 am
I find a schedule vital. If I don’t know exactly what I should be working on at one time, it gets too overwhelming. I do various jobs all over the place, so there always seems like more to do than hours in the day. Therefore, learning to prioritize is crucial or you will never get anything done. I make daily to-do lists.
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ashmonnJuly 24, 2012 at 11:11 am
For anyone that may be new to freelancing, follow these guidelines and you will definitely avoid some of the mistakes and pitfalls that I was a victim to, when I first began my career as a freelancer.
For me, the poison fruit was the allure of flexibility and freedom. I found out the hard way, that I had to define a rigid schedule and stick to it, because the flexibility that drew me into freelancing could also be the same thing that limits my productivity, and looking back it certainly was and did.
Now that I have a better regiment, I am able to meet all of my deadlines, and actually find that I don’t feel pressed or pressured to meet them anymore. I love the wonders of proper self management; I wouldn’t have it any other way.
pinklilyJuly 24, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Time management is essential for freelancers. And I seconded all the list provided by the article. Accepting overload tasks beyond your work schedule can also result to less quality work. It is a must that you need to weigh down your capacity how many workloads can you done in a day. Of course, you can mixed that up with circumstances that needs to be attention. The habit of having strict schedules is very helpful and I commended you for that.
ARipenedPotatoJuly 26, 2012 at 5:29 am
This is a great article for those who seem to think that freelancing is an easy business or a quick way to make some money. Freelancers are so often juggling 15 projects or more at the same time, and for a disorganized person, this can be death.
Magic PixelAugust 3, 2012 at 12:28 am
If my computer could speak it would say what I am going through with a deadline for tomorrow. But I negotiated with my client and he’s okay with the hour I set. He had hired me late at night so that accounts for the loss of 8 hours for me.
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omgomgomgAugust 23, 2012 at 9:39 am
I found that following a strict work schedule to be the most important part. It is easy as a freelancer to put off work until the last day then try to cram it all in. This leads to poor quality work and missed deadlines in my experience.
toughtrasherAugust 23, 2012 at 11:24 pm
I love the tips here, and especially agree with following a strict work schedule.
If you’ve already made it a habit to work on a very strict and time-specific schedule, you won’t have a problem meeting unexpected deadlines later on in the future.
dhintakaAugust 24, 2012 at 4:23 pm
I have been freelancing for years now, and I can definitely say that all the points shared in this post is very accurate, true and helpful.
I would only like to reinforce the point of maintaining proper communication. This is the most important part of freelance work. I have always kept my client posted with all my developments & this helps them to have confidence on me. Whenever I have realized that the deadline is unrealistic I have informed them on an immediate basis. Never wait for the last minute. Clients have always been good & they also understand work ethics & pressure. We just need to explain them the delay & most of the time they understand.
PaladinOctober 4, 2012 at 11:48 am
Time management is essential for freelancers. And I seconded all the list provided by the article. Accepting overload tasks beyond your work schedule can also result to less quality work. It is a must that you need to weigh down your capacity how many workloads can you done in a day. Of course, you can mixed that up with circumstances that needs to be attention. The habit of having strict schedules is very helpful and I commended you for that.
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