Setting yourself up for success with basic freelance rules, guidelines and infrastructure (oh my!)

From time management and setting aside your perfect work space to asking the right questions ahead of time, there are lots of things you can do to set yourself up for success in your first freelance jobs. Check it out.

This article is part 8 (of 10) of Lightpost, a new USA TODAY Network series sourced by experts and focused on helping you achieve your goals. You can read this article as a standalone, or check out more of our career-focused checklists and keep developing your badass skills.

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✔️ Ask questions before you take the job

"Try to determine whether the company or individual client has sufficient cash flow to be able to pay you. For example, you may want to ask who the company's current customers/clients are and what kind of jobs (i.e. how large) the company is working on. The company may find these questions intrusive, so try to find out the answers indirectly if possible." - Tristan Blaine, lawyer for freelancers and start-ups, LawSoup

"'What do you expect out of hiring a freelancer who does what I do? What will a successful engagement look like for you?' Questions that clarify a prospect's expectations and understanding of what I do are invaluable -- they're the key to understanding the problem the client needs solved and an excellent opportunity to clarify how, exactly, you're going to do it." - Bryce Bladon, digital communications specialist and co-host of the Clients from Hell Podcast

✔️ Set your boundaries

"Set clear expectations about what days and times you are available (weekends? nights?) and how quickly you are likely to respond to clients (24 hrs?). Get as much payment upfront as possible (50% deposit is standard in many industries), and be clear about exactly when remaining payments are to be made. Determine who at the company has the authority to make decisions on the project and don't take orders from anyone else." - Tristan Blaine

"There are numerous things you can cover, but clarifying basic things like boundaries (e.g. I don't respond to emails after 5 PM) and payment terms (e.g. I never work without a 50% deposit; the rest will be due after you approve the final version) will save you from 90% of the most common clients from hell situations." - Bryce Bladon

✔️ Make sure you're capable of completing the job

Do you have these basics covered?

• Working tech and gear you need to do your job
• Transportation if needed
• Time (AKA you have not committed to another project at the same time)
• Space

Meeting deadlines is just as important as delivering top-notch work, Adriano Moraes, a freelance cartoonist, says. “It doesn’t matter how brilliant your artistic talent is. No company can put a project on hold forever waiting for you to get inspiration. The next person is waiting for you to deliver your part so they can do their part.”

✔️ Get your FAQs down pat

Know those questions people helping you network asked? They will be asked by prospective employers and then some. What are your limits? What kind of work are you looking to do?

Add to this worksheet and continue to use it as a one-sheet reference to who you are as a professional.

✔️ Understand that time management is a BIG DEAL

Time management is important. Take it from these freelancers we interviewed:

• “I wish I'd known just how obsessed I would be with running my business. Being able to maintain a healthy work/life balance is something I never thought I'd have to worry about. Ironically, in my quest to avoid a 40-hour workweek, I now have an 80-hour workweek! When I'm not working, I'm still constantly thinking about work so this is something I am constantly working on.” - Eliza Romero-Kovalsky, freelance photographer/style blogger
• “Time management is key! My day is pretty mapped out as to when I will work. My main advice is have a schedule that works for you and stick to it. It doesn't have to look like someone else's but rather works for your life.” - Erika B. Hess, freelance writer and editor
• “Time management is the trickiest part of freelancing. I tend to "chunk" my time. For an entire week I'll market by calling venues, following up with emails, following emails with a personal hand-written note, scanning directories, searching the Internet, networking with friends and colleagues, and attending events to learn and be inspired by others.” - MiMi Zannino, freelance performing artist and teaching artist
• “Freelancing ebbs and flows, so there are moments when the schedule can get a little wonky – purposefully scheduling downtime helps to balance things out.” - John Waire, freelance photographer
• “I feel like I’m able to do a lot of things that my peers who have 9 to 5 jobs can’t do. But, I’m never off of work, ever. I can’t even go to Taco Bell without my planner.” - Kaitlin Newman, freelance photographer
• “During the idea generation phase, that’s when you need to establish the top 3 priorities for the project, and know the difference between what must happen to make the project great, versus what would be nice but isn’t one of the top priorities.”  - Life Coach Kate Swoboda

✔️ Find tools to manage your time

Tools good for time management worth a download include:

•  Evernote: Fill virtual notebooks with text, images and audio files, then access them from all your devices. Free.
•  Remember the Milk: For those obsessed with organization. Now, your lists can have lists! Organize and search your tasks and subtasks, and assign reminders and deadlines for each portion of a job. Free.
•  Rescue Time: Tracks the minutes you spend on computer tasks. Great for tracking billable hours and cutting back on online procrastination.
•  17hats: This site, created specifically for freelancers and small business owners, helps you manage all aspects of a project. Track your time; create quotes, contracts and invoices; manage the books and sync email accounts and contacts.
•  Dropbox: Store and share large files. Imperative for photographers and very useful for everyone else.

✔️ Create a functional, inspiring workspace

Here is a checklist for organizing your workspace in a productive manner, courtesy of certified business coach Deb Lee:

• Have two zones: one for computer work and one for non-computer work
• Store often used stuff in the closest drawer
• Make sure you have enough space to work on your desktop by getting an external monitor
• Stand up from time to time -- or invest in a standing desk
• Boost inspiration by displaying a quote, photo of family, etc. Plants can also liven up your space.

This article is part 8 (of 10) of Lightpost, a new USA TODAY Network series sourced by experts and focused on helping you achieve your goals. You can read this article as a standalone, or check out more of our career-focused checklists and keep developing your badass skills.

GO TO MAIN CHECKLIST | GO TO PREVIOUS STEP | GO TO NEXT STEP