Success doesn’t come overnight, and this is something I learned over the course of 12 years of experience. In the world of freelance, it takes extra blood, sweat and tears to make it on your own and build a steady portfolio of reputable, loyal clients. But it all starts with a few rules that every freelancer needs to set in order to reach a level in their career they could be proud of.

Most freelancers are service providers, and in this line of business, the following 10 quick tips are key and should be implemented consistently in order to stand out in an overly saturated market:

1- Work smart, not hard. But if you have to, do the hard work early on.

2- Don’t be afraid to say “No”. With time, you will be setting the standards for your client base.

3- Respect your profession; know your worth and your work’s worth.

4- Do your homework. Study the market and try to offer something that your colleagues don’t, or offer a better quality if the service is the same.

5- Never stop learning and bettering yourself. It reflects on your performance and therefore your service’s quality.

6- Be punctual, respect deadlines, and as cheesy as it sounds, never mix business with pleasure. Your clients need to take you seriously on all times.

7- Educate yourself on the proper way of writing all types of emails.

8- When contacting a client, always be confident in what you are offering them. Never sound hesitant. Never offer a discount from the get go.

9- Never cut corners. Give every task the time it needs to be executed impeccably.

10- Last but not least, always make it hassle-free for your clients.