When freelancing, it’s tempting to put your head down and just go, go, go. But as a wise man once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” And what you don’t want to miss are opportunities to clean up, optimize, and improve your business.
In this guide, we’ll provide the best actionable strategies and tips for cleaning up your freelance business. We’ll help you assess your current situation, show you how to declutter your physical and digital workspaces, streamline your workflows, and refine your business strategy.
By the end of this, your freelance business will be spick and span.
Taking Stock of Your Current Freelance Business State
Before you dive into cleaning, take a macro view of where you currently stand by thoroughly reviewing your operations and finances. Here’s where to start:
- Look at your financials. Get a clear picture of all the revenue streams in your freelance business. Determine which areas of your business are the most profitable and where you might be leaking resources.
- Examine your client list. If you don’t have one already, compile a master list of all the clients you’re working with. Then, start logging which ones produce the most work and money for your business and which are costing you more time than they’re worth.
- Assess your business tools. Software is your friend here. It can save you a ton of time and effort — time you could be spending, making more money, or improving your work-life balance. For example, you wear all the hats when you freelance, including an accountant. Using accounting software helps manage finances, ensures peace of mind, and prepares you for tax season.
Once you have a clear idea of where you are currently, you can pinpoint where to improve your efficiency and productivity. Then, you can implement changes to streamline your workflow. But first, it’s time to clean.
How to Clean Your Workspace
When it comes to cleaning up your workspace, we’ll take a two-pronged approach: physical and digital. First up, physical.
Let’s get physical
As a freelancer in marketing, you’re most likely doing remote work. That means the physical workspace you’ve set up in your house or apartment impacts your creativity and productivity. So, take a look at your work environment and ask yourself:
- Do you feel comfortable in it?
- Is your area too cluttered?
- How’s your chair?
- What about your desk?
- How’s the lighting?
It might sound silly, but answering these questions can go a long way to improving your space, mental health, and, ultimately, your work. Once you’ve decided if anything needs to be updated or rearranged, consider making these adjustments:
- Minimize my desk clutter with smart storage solutions. It’s easy for a desk to go from clean to cluttered in no time. To reset, keep only what you need for your daily tasks within reach. Everything else gets stored out of sight.
- Personalize your space to boost inspiration and motivation. We’re talking artwork, motivational quotes, pictures of friends and family (and pets), and some plants to liven up (literally) the space.
- Ensure your workstation is set up for comfort. As a freelancer, you work long hours. Your workstation is where you’re most likely spending the majority of your time. Do whatever you can to make it as comfortable as possible. Get the best chair. Invest in a good desk. Just don’t make it so comfortable it turns into a bed.
Once you’ve done your deep clean, try your best to keep it that way for as long as possible. A well-organized, personalized workspace boosts your focus and productivity while improving your well-being.
Decluttering the digital
Digital clutter can be just as counterproductive as a physical mess. Start by organizing your files in a clear, hierarchical structure. That means:
- Deleting files you no longer need.
- Archiving old projects.
- Removing apps or programs you don’t use.
- Utilizing a cloud storage solution for better file management.
- Creating backups of all your work on external hard drives.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to tackle your email inbox. Go in and create folders or labels to manage incoming messages. Look at any unnecessary or distracting newsletters and marketing emails and hit unsubscribe.
Lastly, evaluate your online tools and software. Simplify your stack down to the essentials that support your creative process and freelance business operations. That can mean consolidating communication and project management tools to reduce overlap. And if you don’t have tools at the moment, don’t worry. We’ll dive more into that below.
How to Streamline Your Workflow
Your workflow is the lifeline of your business. And it’s all on you.
Start by mapping out your current workflow, from initial client contact to sending the final deliverable(s). Visualizing it will help you pinpoint if there are any bottlenecks or lags in communication.
But that’s only the first step. Next, you’ll implement solutions. That can be:
- Rearranging your sequence of tasks.
- Setting clearer deadlines and goals.
- Adjusting how you communicate with clients.
- Adding automation tools to streamline certain tasks.
For example, if you find yourself spending too much time in the revision process, consider a more detailed briefing stage or a structured feedback system. The better your workflow, the more time you’ll have to focus on what you do best: creating.
Automation and tools
If you haven’t already, embracing automation and the right tools can elevate your freelance business to the next level. It takes the grunt work out of your hands.
Are there any repetitive tasks that consume your time? We’re talking invoicing, scheduling, social media, or email marketing. If that’s the case for you, there’s definitely a tool out there that can automate that.
Project management tools are great at streamlining your workflow and bringing structure to all your projects. Platforms like Monday.com, Asana, or Trello offer visual project tracking, help you stay on top of deadlines, and integrate client feedback quickly and smoothly. If you’re looking to automate social media posts, look at Buffer or Hootsuite to keep your social promotion consistent without needing daily attention.
Remember, leveraging tech isn’t just about freeing up more time. It’s also about enhancing your efficiency and output quality. With the right tech stack and workflow, you’ll be able to scale your freelance business and unlock its full potential.
Refining Your Freelance Business Strategy
As a freelancer, it’s your job to make sure your business strategy adapts and grows along with the trends and shifts in the marketing industry. By regularly setting new goals and refreshing your brand and marketing efforts, you can ensure your freelance business not only survives but thrives.
Goal setting and planning
It’s normal for your vision for your business to evolve. It’s critical to keep setting fresh, realistic goals to sustain success. A great way to start is by reflecting on all the achievements and challenges you experienced over the past year. What lessons have you learned? Is there anything you want to do differently? Use your answers to inform your goals for the upcoming year.
The most effective goal setting isn’t just about dreaming big. It’s also about breaking those dreams down into smaller, achievable steps. Whether it’s increasing your overall income, expanding your client base, or mastering a new skill, each goal should have a clear, actionable plan.
For example, if you want to grow your income by 20 percent, calculate how many additional projects you need to book to meet that target. Or, calculate what hourly rate you need to achieve that with your current workload. Then, outline the marketing and networking actions you need to take to attract those opportunities.
Branding and marketing review
We mentioned how being a freelancer involves wearing many hats. That includes being your own PR team. Putting a fresh spin on your branding and marketing efforts can reinvigorate business and attract new clients.
Start by evaluating your current brand identity. Review your portfolio, website, logo, and social media profiles. Ensure they all accurately reflect your professional evolution and the quality of your work. You should also ensure your branding aligns with the clients you’re trying to attract.
While you’re at it, assess the effectiveness of how you’re marketing yourself. Review your current marketing channels and see which platforms yield the best engagement and client leads. Consider revising your content strategy, exploring new social platforms, or investing in targeted advertising (if you have the resources).
Spring Your Freelance Business Ahead This Year
Now that everything in your freelance business is fresh and clean, you’re ready for the work to start pouring in. We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for an extra boost in that department. When you join our Talent Network at ClearVoice, we will pair you with top brands that best match your expertise and skill set. Apply today to get started.
