Neil Gaiman On the 3 Secrets of Freelancer Success
The author of American Gods and Coraline reveals how you only need 2.
May 19, 2012 - 2:15 pm
via Neil Gaiman Shares ‘Secret Freelancer Knowledge’ – GalleyCat.
Here is Gaiman’s secret freelancer knowledge:
You get work however you get work, but keep people keep working in a freelance world (and more and more of today’s world is freelance), because their work is good, because they are easy to get along with and because they deliver the work on time. And you don’t even need all three! Two out of three is fine. People will tolerate how unpleasant you are if your work is good and you deliver it on time. People will forgive the lateness of your work if it is good and they like you. And you don’t have to be as good as everyone else if you’re on time and it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.
The sad part about Gaiman’s 2-out-of-3 assessment is that it’s unimpeachably correct. The prevailing standards for quality, punctuality, and courtesy have all fallen dramatically in recent years, such that quite a number of people no longer expect them, and are surprised when they manifest themselves. However, that does provide a path to the top for anyone who can discipline himself to follow it.
Yep, I made the same point although not as well at my recent pjmedia piece about freelancing:
That people like to work with… people they like to work with
http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2012/04/30/talent-isnt-everything-5-secrets-to-freelance-success/2/
I agree with you 100%. As a freelancer, and considering as overcrowded the market is, people need like to work with you; it’s not only a matter of professionalism (although the latter be indispensable).
You MUST be pleasant, responsive and dependable, otherwise, soon or later, your client will find a replacement for you.
No clients -> no jobs -> no food
Personally, I go for all three. Its not like there’s some universal law that’s says you can’t.
I forget who said it, but this brings to mind the cliche that most of success is showing up. On time would be understood.