Implement tips and tricks after each chapter
After you read a chapter, take the time to implement the advice that was presented in the chapter. Why? Because once you move on to the next chapter, you may forget some of the tips from the previous chapter(s). Also, taking baby steps and doing small tasks at a time will help you stay motivated and hungry to continue reading the book.
If the book has lessons/activities/baby steps to do during the chapter, do them
Especially in the book I am currently reading, chapters build upon each other. In books that make this especially evident, they provide mini activities to complete during your reading. You will benefit most from what these activities have to offer, and from the advice that is forthcoming, if you take the time to take them seriously. These activities serve the same purpose as your homework does—to drive the point home.
Take notes, and lots of them
Some of the advice that is offered in freelancing books is meant to be practiced daily. So, in order to do that, it helps to make a list of such things. For instance, one of my books states that you should review your target market daily, and qualify prospects to make sure they fall within your target market. With having something written, and you reviewing it daily, it helps you take this advice to heart. Also, there is the old saying if you will about writing things and retaining them.
Not every piece of advice will work for you
Freelancing books are written to help freelancers have more successful businesses. However, not every freelancer is the same. Because of this, not every piece of advice freelancing books offer will help you. If you feel as though a certain tip or trick may not be as productive, based on your experience, then you don’t have to follow it.
If you bought the paper version, mark it up!
Highlighters work good, and post-it notes work even better. Highlight information you find extremely useful, and make notes on post it notes and mark the pages that correspond to issues you struggle with the most. For me, I mark on post-it notes in my books where certain subjects are discussed, so I mark them for future references. It greatly helps to be able to scan through the notes and find out the information you are looking for.
If you are struggling with an issue, read about it first, but it is worth reading the book cover to cover
Chapters in books are meant to organize content in a manner that helps you to identify its content. If there is a particular area of your freelancing that you are struggling with, go ahead and read that part first. Work on that area and take the advice and implement them. Once you feel you have handled that area, it is always worth reading the book cover to cover. If you enjoyed reading and taking the advice of one chapter, then chances are the other chapters are just as good.
So what is all these tips if you don’t have a book to use them on?
Good question! To start your freelancing book research, I have listed a few of my favorite books below along with the links to purchase them on Amazon.
The Designer’s Guide to Marketing and Pricing by Ilise Benun and Peleg Top. ISBN: 978-1-60061-008-0
Freelance Design in Practice by Cathy Fishel. ISBN: 978-1-60061-302-9
My So-Called Freelance Life by Michelle Goodman. ISBN: 978-1-58005-259-7
The Business Side of Creativity by Cameron S. Foote. ISBN: 978-0-393-73207-8