I've been freelancing for a long time.

Long enough to have made most of the mistakes.

Some of them more than once.

Over the years, I've learned that being good at video isn't enough.

You can be the best filmmaker in the world.

If you're rubbish to work with, people probably won't come back.

So here are a few rules I've picked up along the way.

Take deposits

This one took me longer than it should have.

A deposit isn't about being difficult.

It's about making sure both sides are committed.

It also makes the conversation around scheduling and cancellations much easier.

Don't do “mates rates”

Either do it for free because you genuinely want to.

Or charge your normal rate.

The weird middle ground where you're charging someone less because you know them can become awkward very quickly.

Agree review windows

Don't just agree on when the work will be delivered.

Agree when feedback needs to come back too.

Because you've got deadlines as well.

A project shouldn't sit untouched in someone's inbox for three weeks before suddenly becoming “urgent”.

Be proactive

If you spot something that could be better, say it.

If a client has a gap in their content, mention it.

If you've got an idea that could help, put it forward.

You're not just there to execute a brief.

You're there because you've got expertise.

Use it.

Communicate when things go wrong

Something will go wrong eventually.

It's freelance life.

The worst thing you can do is disappear and hope it fixes itself.

Tell the client.

Explain what happened.

Explain what you're doing about it.

People are generally far more understanding when they know what's going on.

And finally: be human

This one is probably the most important.

Contracts matter.

Processes matter.

Boundaries matter.

But relationships matter too.

The best clients I've worked with aren't necessarily the biggest names.

They're the people I trust, enjoy working with and would happily work with again.

Good creative work is collaborative.

And collaboration is a lot easier when everyone involved actually likes working together.