Improving Freelance Processes With Daniel Espinoza

We’re talking with WordPress freelancers in a series about improving your business and client process. Today we talked with Daniel Espinoza. He’s been a freelance WordPress developer since 2007 and has created more than 20 WordPress plugins.

“Everyone is saying you need to ‘hustle’ or ‘crush it,’ and I think doing that sucks all the fun out of life” -Daniel Espinoza

The conversation covers bringing in work, communicating with clients and whether or not you need to hustle.

What are the most important systems and processes for a freelancer to have in place?

A way to get work and do work. What I mean by that is a system to consistently market themselves to their target customers to keep a stream of leads coming through the door. Then a consistent system for doing the work. If one of these gets out of balance then things devolve into a feast or famine type situation.

What are some lessons about working with clients that you’ve had to learn the hard way?

No communication benefits no one. Communicate even when there isn’t anything to communicate. I’ve had projects that go sour because I either put off or forgot to communicate progress and it puts strain on the entire relationship.

What do WordPress freelancers need to be doing differently today?

I know some folks in the WordPress community, but I wouldn’t presume to be able to tell them what to do differently. [pullquote]One thing that I’m embracing is to “stop hustling” and enjoy the journey.[/pullquote] I really enjoy the work I do and the freedom I have because of the work situation I’ve chosen. Everyone is saying you need to “hustle” or “crush it,” and I think doing that sucks all the fun out of life. I’m not buying it anymore. I’ll get there eventually, I’ll have fun doing it and I’ll have a great family life along the way.