Ready to Freelance, Creative Worker? Survival Tips, This Saturday

Don Genova didn't intend to have a career as a freelance writer and broadcaster. But when he was working as an afternoon news reader for a radio station in Oshawa, Ontario, he witnessed a colleague making extra money on the side by selling stories to the Toronto Star, and decided to try it out himself.

It wasn't easy at the start. "My first story for my editor was cut to pieces," Genova says. "He told me to read what he had done and write more like his finished product. I read, and learned, and just kept getting better and better."

Over the years, Genova honed his craft as a freelance writer, and has since become an award-winning food and travel writer, contributing to such publications as the Globe and Mail, National Post, enRoute, the Georgia Straight and Western Living.

Genova isn't alone in making a career out of freelance gigs. With traditional staff positions at many companies disappearing in favour of flexible contracts, Canadians are being forced to adapt to precarious work situations. According to the Canadian Media Guild, there are over 10,000 freelance media workers across the country.

One piece of advice Genova has for beginner freelancers? Don't be afraid to stretch yourself and learn new things.

"When I lived in Edmonton I got to do a feature radio profile on veteran jazz pianist, bandleader and conductor Tommy Banks. He told me that he never said no to a job if he didn't know how to do it. He said 'yes,' then figured it out. Every time he did that he added to his skill set, and he always had work. It's a story I've never forgotten as I expanded my abilities from radio to print, to television, to the Internet, right through to the writing and publication of my first book."

Ready to dip your toes into freelance, but wondering where to start? This Saturday, Oct. 3, The Tyee and the Canadian Media Guild are teaming up to offer a Tyee Master Class on essential skills for freelance workers, led by Genova.

You can learn more and register here.

Whether you have a regular job and are thinking of taking on some freelance gigs, or starting from scratch, this crash course will give you the tools you need to set yourself up for success. Participants will learn how to manage taxes, how to create and use a realistic budget, how to pitch work to publications, and how to manage contracts. Plus, they'll get tips and advice from an industry professional on how to network and ethically practice as a freelance worker.

Registration for this class also includes a one-year CMG Freelance Branch membership ($150 value, limited number available). Learn about the many benefits of a Freelance Branch membership here.

The Tyee asked Genova about what it's like to make a living doing freelance work, and what to expect from his class on Saturday.

The Tyee: How do you know when it's time to quit your day job and freelance full time?

Don Genova: It's easy to say that if you hate your job you should just quit. But it's tough to quit a full-time job and go off into the wonderful but fickle world of freelancing. One week you get a paycheque, the next week you don't. It's best to try to build a roster of regular clients you'll be able to count on to replace at least most of the income you're making at your "regular" job. If you're guaranteed some sort of severance pay or "golden parachute," you might be able to work on establishing your freelance career while drawing on those savings.

What are the particular characteristics or habits of highly effective freelancers?

[The] ability to multitask, working on several assignments at the same time. Providing what you were asked for, on time. Especially on time! Try to never miss a deadline, and don't make excuses. They're the equivalent of "the dog ate my homework" you tried in grade school.

Try not to create extra work for your clients. If you're a writer, for example, provide clean, error-free material, with no factual inaccuracies. Develop regular clients you can depend on.

What is the one thing you wish you'd known about freelancing before you got started?

It doesn't matter how good you are: quality and experience are no guarantee of continuing work. You have to roll with whatever punches are thrown your way.

What is a common way that freelancers get burned, and how can they avoid this?

So many freelancers get burned by doing work without a contract or letter of assignment. You should always have something in writing that details the work you're expected to do, your deadline, how much you're going to get paid, and when you're going to get paid. If you don't have anything like that to fall back on, it's easy to get burned.

What are you planning on sharing with participants in your master class?

So many things! Everything from how to recognize something that will sell, how to set your rates, how to get those regular clients, and also whether that hot dog you grabbed from the food cart is a legitimate expense you can deduct on your income tax return.

People should be prepared for a bit of a reality check. I will really try to encourage people to fulfill their dreams and [explain] how wonderful the rewards can be; at the same time, I want them to know what all the pitfalls are and how to prepare themselves to go in whatever direction that will help them succeed.

Take a crash course with Don Genova on Saturday, Oct. 3 in Freelancer's Survival Guide: What You Need to Know as an Independent Creative Worker. Space is limited, register here.