In order to be successful as a freelancer you must be organized.  Your success depends on it!  You have to know how to quickly transition from one project to the next while keeping your life manageable.
First thing – clean it up!  If your desk, your closet, your car, or your life is messy and mismanaged, chances are your projects will be the same way.  Throw away old paper and notes you don’t need and shred your old documents. Have you ever paid attention to how you get that unsettled feeling whenever things are messy, dirty, and cluttered around you?  Think about it.  You sleep better on clean sheets, you feel good (and save 5 minutes) when you can walk into your closet and see everything organized and the list goes on.

Second – make sure you have a superior filing system. Every item and piece of paper should have a designated nook or drawer.  There should never be a time when you (or anyone else in your house) should have to “find it”.  This will save you loads of time when you need to pay bills, keep up with clients, or keep track of tools to fix that leaky faucet.  Even have a place in your wallet where you can keep your ATM receipts, purchase receipts, (and in even those parking tickets) so you can log them into an expenditure tracking system like Quickbooks.  This way, you can keep better track of what is going in and what is coming out of your pocket.  Make sure you have designated pouches for each set of receipts so you don’t get them confused, and when you get home, file the ATM in the banking stuff, and that Taco Bell receipt under food purchase.   Make copies as needed and include them in your Quickbooks – just in case you’re ever audited.  Yes, structure is needed when you are in business for yourself, and the first order of business is just that: order.

Time budgeting – Just like setting up a designated place for things, set up a designated time to take care of your things.  Have a time to update your calendar, pay your bills, send our invoices, and take the dog to the vet.  Try using time-management software for deadlines. These will come in handy when you are getting ready for taxes and audits.  Set aside specific times when you check email or return phone calls.  A lesson I learned from a coworker is perhaps checking email once in the morning, afternoon, and evening.  Unless you are expecting an important email, avoid IM-ing your friends and chatting it up online.  Only do the necessary email corresponding during those specified times and then set aside some time during the day for leisurely chatting and surfing the net.  You can also save time (and money) by having a plan for your day.  Get an agenda!  Know where you are going, what to do, and who to do it with every morning before starting your day.  Try to get all of your errands done in the same part of town on the same day to save on gas.  Making lists can keep you from lingering too long on a task, errand or in a place, especially in grocery and retail stores where we have the tendency to spend much more than we really want to.

Communication is key – Make sure you have all your phone lines (fax, LAN, cell, etc.) all working and be sure they are listed on your business cards.  You do have those don’t you?  If not, what are you waiting for?

Set some Goals – So, now that you’ve gotten your email, phones, and have some structure to your chaotic life, it is time to start promoting your business.  Set some goals.  Have a plan (especially a business plan).  Make sure you have a business plan.  Time consuming? Yes.  Lengthy? Sure is.  HOWEVER, it can be the difference between you getting that coveted and much needed business loan and not.  Besides, it always helps to see things in black and white.  A business plan will help you do that and will allow you more insight into who you are as a business person and how much growing you need to do to be where you hope to be.  Although, there are many companies and professionals who will compose and create a plan for you, I suggest you do it yourself for a number of reasons, but mainly because no one knows you’re your vision, your life’s ambition more than you do and no one will ever be able to articulate that like you would (but if you need some help in the editing department, you can always pay a college student or VA to proof and edit it for you). Be sure to include your goals – where you want to be in 1, 5, 10 years…as time goes on, be sure to measure your progress.  I find it helpful to also keep a journal.  You may be surprised how keeping one can help you track your success and keep you humble when you reflect on the long way you’ve come.

Appeal to your Masses – Set up a website that consumers can access, appealing to their senses and their needs.  Do your homework!  Research your audience and demographics so you can know who to target and how to reach them and sell them your product or service.  Read some books, watch some clips on youtube.com about your business and join a forum of kindred spirits who do what you do!

Building up – Open a business account to keep you abreast of any business purchases and transactions.  Some banks have free business accounts if you already have another type of account, so check your local banks for more details.  If you need investors, now is the time to pull out that business plan.

NETWORK, Baby – attend as many networking workshops, conferences, etc. as you can.  Bring lots of business cards and brochures for people to have.  Make sure you get business cards of others present in the group.  Log them and begin a contact list so you can send post cards or email blasts to let them know about new services or specials.

Marketing – take the time to learn how to market your business.  Learn about the most effective ways to reach the demographic you wish to target.  Learn about how to create newsletters and brochures and how to sell yourself.  Learn to speak, read, and write well.  I know, pretty elementary, huh?  Well, you may be surprised to find that you can lose a client’s business and respect if you cannot communicate well.