Have you ever dreamed of just quitting your day job to pursue freelance work? The flexible schedule, control, and dynamic aspects of the job can make freelancing seem extremely desirable, especially in the face of an uncertain future at a company. However, freelancing is more than working at home in your pajamas, watching the money roll in. If you’re considering freelancing, here’s how to get started, and what to do to ensure continued success.
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Start by figuring out what you want to do and what you can do. Most freelancers start off by working on a passion project on the side while they’re still at a full-time job. Many others find themselves unemployed and try to parlay their work experience into something to pay the bills while they look for full time work. If you want to be happy and successful at your freelance work, it’s better to start off when you already have a steady paycheck, and work on nights and weekends to grow your client base and portfolio.
If you’re interested in exploring a field that’s outside of your current line of work, offer to volunteer or intern in the industries or jobs you want to pursue. If you are content with your current job, but want to expand your skill set or gradually move towards setting out to working for yourself full time, look for clients amongst your friends (but not at your job!) to start getting a feel for freelancing.
Establish your brand and network as that brand. Freelancing isn’t just about working in your niche position. A successful freelancer has to wear all the hats of a business owner, including sales and marketing. Start establishing yourself as a brand and network through your friends, family, LinkedIn and other social media outlets as that brand.
Make sure your brand message is clear, concise and to the point about what you can offer and why you’re different from your competitors. Be consistent in your brand voice when you’re creating content for your blog or posting on social media.
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Create an online portfolio or website. Part of building your brand is creating a cohesive voice, image, and message on- and offline. A successful freelancer will have an online portfolio, blog or website that encompasses both the portfolio and blog. New clients will want to see what work you’ve produced in the past, as well as see references from happy customers. Also, if you are able to produce content that is relevant, high-quality, and original material, you will have a better chance of establishing yourself as a credible authority on your particular subject.
Find your clients. Once you’ve depleted your immediate network’s resources, it’s time to reach out to acquaintances and strangers. Let everyone you come into contact with know that you’re available for freelance work. You don’t have to be aggressive about it; it can simply come up in conversation, as you discuss what you do for a living. People are generally more than happy to help make connections that are beneficial to all parties involved. Word-of-mouth is incredibly important to a freelancer just starting out, as people are more likely to trust and hire someone who comes recommended by someone they know and trust.
Money matters. In order to be a successful freelancer, you will have to set rates that allow you to live, but also don’t price you out of the market. How much you charge will vary based on client, industry, project, and a number of other variables. If you are just starting out in the freelance world, you may need to settle for a lower number until you’ve built up a base of happy customers and goodwill that can vouch for you.
Also, keep an eye on taxes. Freelancers are often blindsided by just how much they owe every April. Overestimate how much you will owe in taxes and set it aside for tax time to avoid any financial situation that will result in heavy debt or even bankruptcy. Having said that, there are agencies out there such as National Debt Relief that are tried and proven resources for debt solutions.
Freelancing can be the epitome of the American dream, as it often brings a great deal of flexibility with time and more control over finances than the standard 9-to-5 job. If you’re considering going solo, start with some work on the side until you feel that you are able to support yourself. Then expand your business by running it like a small company. With a bit of work, you can succeed as a freelancer like so many others, regardless of the state of the economy.