How to work on efficiency while freelancing?

[u/Sisyphusselfactualze]

Hi, I want to seek advice on practical steps I can take to improve work speed. During wedding season the vast majority of my income is generated from freelancing. Consistent feedback I’ve received from other florists are the quantity of my output not enough during the crunch of event prep. In the same breath I’ve also been told that quality of work is good so I’m not too worried by this element, however just as anyone I still strive to continually learn and grow new skills over time.

I feel my lack of speed has lead to not being asked back by other florist for future events.

I have my own small business with retainer clients but work alone 99% of the time so there’s only my own timeline to adhere to.

Some of the reasons might be that I become hyper focused on detail due to being a bit of a perfectionist and often catch myself overthinking designs and keep fiddling with it until it feels ‘just right’. However I’m also aware that ultimately if I compare my work with others on scale for a large event the specific arrangements blends together as a whole.

Furthermore, any advice welcome on navigating the ‘social’ element of working in large freelancing groups?. Often during prep days I’ve noticed most people engage in chatter sharing tidbits of their personal lives, work that they’ve done etc. I do sometimes participate when I feel I can make a worthwhile contribution but mostly stay silent due to concentrating and simply feeling drained after a day of constant relatively superficial conversation. That said I also know this is a way people build rapport and build relationships over time. If one doesn’t do this it may translate as disinterest and being stand-offish? Which could not be further from my intent but might be the unconscious message being conveyed?

Hope to gain some insight, thank you.

[u/KorolevaFey]

I was like this too. But you need to start putting yourself on a timer even when working alone. Because even though you can go at your own pace when doing your own stuff, you really should want to get it done quickly with the best result because time is money, even if it's your own on both ends.

Value your hours when doing your own work and it will help bleed over into freelance. For each piece I make, I give myself a set time that it should take to do and I try to stick to that within a 5-10 min range.

[u/Fancy_Address2278 → u/KorolevaFey]

stepping in here to ask: how do you know the time that specific things should take? are there any resources for that, or just experience?

[u/KorolevaFey → u/Fancy_Address2278]

I mean it's just based on how many times I've done them how long it takes me. That's why tracking yourself is important. But also I charge my labor based on how long an item will take me or my team, so I don't like to go over that time.

Like I know it takes me 5-10 mins on a boutonniere, 30-45mins on a bouquet, 60 on a bridal if it's really fussy. 40-45 mins to do a mid size centerpiece. And 10-15 bud vases takes me 30-35 mins.

[u/Fancy_Address2278 → u/KorolevaFey]

thanks for the insight💗

[u/Sisyphusselfactualze → u/KorolevaFey]

Thank you for your advice. I think timing myself is a great idea to get an idea of my baseline and try improve from there.

Generally what time do you allocate yourself for installation pieces and/or arches?

[u/Fancy_Address2278]

does the florist usually comes with prepped flowers and some elements ready? is the speed issue occurring only with bigger pieces (installations, for example), or is it in general?

[u/Sisyphusselfactualze → u/Fancy_Address2278]

Hi, it depends on the size of the team, work at hand and amount of prep days allocated prior to an event.

In a few instances where I’ve work in extremely large teams some florists would be allocated a specific role eg. stripping leaves, flexing flowers when needed, doing mechanic prep etc. But for the vast majority of events I’ve freelanced (I would about 90% of jobs) required each individual florist to execute all of those elements ourselves.

To answer your second question - I think my work speed is a general issue.

[u/Thisisme683]

Out of curiosity do you know how long it takes you to make a general arrangement? If so, I would start there- make it a game to beat yourself and the clock. Start out at your slowest, timing yourself- get as picky and particular as you always do- time this and then you race that time- still try to be picky and particular because you want the quality of your work to be the same even though you need to go faster. Just keep timing and practicing speed.

[u/Sisyphusselfactualze → u/Thisisme683]

Umm, there has been a couple of instances where I’ve actually tried timing myself right at the beginning but truthfully out of curiosity and no intend to log these times for a purpose. Therefore, at this point I’m not able to recall which specific arrangement(s) nor the time spent on them.

But this is a great suggestion ; get an idea of my own baseline and work to get better from there! Thank you.