Freelancing is a standard part of our industry and the way many organizations find their labor for various kinds of shows. As freelancers, people often worry about where their paycheck is going to come from; including how they are going to cover things such as insurance, taxes, and the grocery bill. However, there are other aspects to freelancing that need consideration as well. Yes, freelancing is about the paycheck just like most work, but it is also about being your own boss, in which you get to pick and choose who you work for and what you do each day. As you are choosing companies to partner with I think there are a few things that can help quality companies stand out.
As I’ve mentioned in many blogs before communication is essential, make sure you are getting the information you need to do the job and to succeed at the event. You are partnering with the company that has hired you while also representing them onsite. Everyone needs to be on the same page to make sure the entire team succeeds. This means there must be good communication involving all of those contributing to the event.
A freelancer needs to be able to trust the company they are working for. Trusting that the company will follow through on their commitments, provide the tools needed, and pay your invoices within a timely manner. Make sure the company holds their full-time employees accountable. A lack of accountability could result in tough events, missed content, and terrible communication. Also, as a freelancer, the company also needs to trust you. Trust that you know your craft and will remain flexible as the client will change their mind, and to be prepared for what the event needs.
Trust also brings understanding; any company you would be willing to work for must understand that you are a freelance employee. You will be working for other people and taking on different events and projects. Your schedule will be full at times when the company calls; they need to be ok with you saying no, and still be willing to call you next time. You are not obligated to work for the same company all the time, that would be a full-time job, but if the company doesn’t recognize that or gets angry if you’re not available it might not be a good fit.
The overall culture and feel of the company are essential too. We all know the stereotypical angry techie. If the whole company is like that, it might not be a great environment to work in. Look for a positive working group that builds teamwork, communication, and is prepared for their events. The long days can get tough, especially when things don’t go according to plan. Working with a negative crew will only make it worse when you reach hour 16 of that supposed to be 10-hour event. Freelancing is an excellent opportunity to work a variety of events with many different people and partnering with the right companies can make the experience that much better.