Bandwagon Graphiks

I’m just going to go ahead and admit defeat on this whole regular blogging thing of which people speak. I honestly don’t know how you do it. It feels like just yesterday I was writing the last post – how time flies! Better yet…how time just seems to disapear into that dark abyss where I’m sure you could also find my life and that pair of comfy biker socks that no longer exist in my sock basket.

Well, here we are, on a lovely Tuesday evening in sunny Los Angeles – I’m sitting at my favorite coffee shop Pricilla’s which sits on the Burbank/Toluca Lake border. Around me there are about 15 screenwriters tap tap tapping away just like me. Always the multitasker I’m listening to the latest Adam Carolla podcast and working on a new website design for a motocross apparel company. I think I’m incapable of being productive without having at least 3 things going on a the same time – maybe I have ADD but I’ve always been the type of person who either has to have nothing going on or a hella lot going on.

This brings me to something that has been the bane of my existence recently, and something that new freelancers struggle with everyday, screw new freelancers – everyone struggles with this. ROUTINE. The hardest thing an independent of any style has to deal with is creating a productive structure, one that not only elicits profit but also balances out the boredom and cabin fever. Otherwise the procrastination takes over and before you realize it, KAPOW!, your realize you have watched more movies in the last 4 days than in the last year. I’m six weeks and counting into going back into full time freelance and finally, in this sixth week, I feel like I have a handle on a routine. How you say? Well I’ll tell ya:

First off there is one thing you have to understand about me – I’m a cyclist – a crazy spandex wearing bike-sexual commuter with more than a enough love for anything two wheeled. I spent all of last year commuting to my day job, which not only did wonders for my health…but it also made my rear end disappear in like 6.42 seconds! Anyways, the whole point of this is that in order to make the transition as easy as possible you need to mimic your previous routine, as best as you can. Get up at the same time you did, take the same steps you did – even if all your doing is commuting the 6 feet to your desk opposite of your bed. I am a cyclist so I had to recreate my daily commute and get in a bike ride everyday – kinda hard when you dont have anywhere to go or be by a certain time everyday. This has been the hardest part and also probably why its taken me this long to get into a groove. I get caught up in answering emails or working right when I wake up and then forget to get out and ride. Which sort of sucks when you have a weekly amount of miles you strive for and have to make it all up on the weekend!

So the first and best thing you can do is find a place you can go to get out of the house. Preferably one with free WiFi and a power source. Then make it your commute! It may seem funny to commute to a coffee shop everyday but it works for me. I get in a good bike ride and can get work done without any distractions.

If you are at all interested in the freelance life – you need to get your daily schedule settled – do not turn the TV on and as hard as it may be try and avoid Facebook. Take a lunch break at the same time you used to and create hours for yourself. I make myself available to those with multiple careers so my hours are Monday thru Friday 8 to 8. Whether I’m awake or not – I make myself available.

Another serious factor for an independents daily routine is socialization. You could have the best group of friends out there but everyone goes to their day jobs and leave you behind. It’s important to find a community and/or independent freelancer socialization network. You may not believe it, but without a network the mailman becomes your best friend very quickly! Its just like dating – you won’t meet anyone by not getting out there! If you are totally lost on this networking abyss – try locating a small business networking community in your area. There are usually several that hold monthly breakfasts or meet and greets – mine is the Burbank Biz which holds a small business networking breakfast monthly.

If you’re more senior in the industry – try scheduling “meetings” by hitting up other industries networking events to not only socialize but find business! I’ve recently gotten into the habit of attending every conference under the moon at the LA Convention Center which posts its conference schedule on their website. Entry fees are cheap and it doesn’t take much effort or time to go talk to people and hand out business cards/postcards. You can also hit up city council meetings which are a gold mine for independents and others who more often then not prefer to work with independent small business owners. Other ideas include attending talks or speeches – which you can find out about on Twitter by doing a simple search in your area or Google. It may be boring but when you are on your own you need to do everything you can to give your new career path regularity and business.

At Pricilla’s – I meet people, talk to other freelancers about the issues they face, and of course peruse the classifieds for people in need of a rockstar designer I try to write about 10 emails a day, the rate of return is not the greatest since the personal connection is non-existent but you do get responses – especially if you craft a good email and respect yourself!

All in all, its about discipline. You’re freelance career will stall and go no where with out discipline, respect and routine. However you accomplish it, make it work! If you have any resources where myself and others can meet other industry professionals let me know – and I’ll post them! Or hold on to them and leave a comment as soon as the comment page gets up and running in the coming days

Till then, keep it up!