"So You Want To Be A Freelancer? Here's How"
By Vishal P. Rao
Not that long ago, freelancing was something people did mainly in larger
metropolitan areas where work for writers, artists, and other creative
types was plentiful and easily accessible. Today, however, the freelance
landscape has dramatically changed.
For one, you can live practically anywhere in the world and still be
able to maintain a successful freelance career. Not to mention that the
creative fields aren't the only areas where freelancing is popular any
more.
Today, accountants, trainers, computer technicians, etc. are all able
to earn a living as freelancers. Regardless of the freelancing field you
are interested in, there are some important things you should know that
will help you get started and get successful.
Before we discuss those, however, we need to talk briefly about the pros
and the cons of being a freelancer. You need to know both sides before
you make your decision so you truly understand what you're getting into.
Freelancer Pros
1. You set your own schedule
As a freelancer, you get to determine what time you get out of bed and
what time you turn in at night. You get to decide how much vacation time
you can afford to take this year and you can elect to skip work one afternoon
to spend time with your children.
2. You don't work for a boss
Even though you are answerable to your clients, they don't wield the same
power over your life that a boss does. Yes, they can fire you, but you
can also quit working for them if things get too difficult.
3. You determine how much you earn
While a conventional job pays a set amount of money regardless of how
hard you work (and in some cases how long you work), freelancing allows
you to make practically any amount of money that you wish because you
determine how much your services cost and how many jobs you take on at
one time.
4. You are able to work from your own office
Whether you prefer working in a home office or renting space somewhere
to do your business, you are in charge of designing and maintaining your
own comfortable office. You get to pick the people you work with. You
get to pick the type of computer, post-it notes, and bottled water that
you use on a daily basis also.
Freelancers Cons
1. You can become overworked quickly
When you start working steadily as a freelancer, it becomes nearly impossible
for you to truly take a vacation. You have projects and clients that need
your constant attention, so being gone or getting sick even for a day
can put you behind schedule.
2. You have to deal with clients who can be more difficult than bosses
Most of the clients freelancers work with are genuinely good people, but
there are others out there that are not. Every freelancer has probably
been ripped off by a client at one time or another, even if they take
steps to protect themselves.
3. You don't have a steady income
Unless you have one or two truly constant streams of work, you can expect
your income to fluctuate dramatically. Some months you may feel like you
struck the lottery while others may make you think you're heading for
the food stamp line, especially when you are starting out.
4. You don't have a way to separate work from home life
If you have a home office, you may find it difficult to recognize the
difference between being at home and being at work which means that while
your watching television or eating dinner you may begin to feel like you're
actually still on the job.
As you can see, each positive has a negative aspect as well. However,
many of these negatives can be easily handled once you have experience
as a freelancer, but to get to that point, you need to know how to get
started.
Find Something You Enjoy Doing
This is critical to your success. If you don't already have something
in mind to do as a freelancer, you need to be sure that you pick an activity
that you truly love. Remember, you will be doing this type of work every
day. Also, the more you enjoy your work, the more passionate you are about
it. Potential clients will spot that passion and will be more inclined
to work with you.
Save Some Money
Most freelancers actually start out as conventional 9-5 workers. In fact,
many of them maintain their full-time jobs in addition to their freelance
work for the sake of a stable income, health insurance, or other benefits.
If you choose to go freelance full-time, however, you need to be sure
to have a comfortable nest egg in the bank. Most experts agree that you
should have enough money in your savings to cover six months worth of
your basic necessities. If that sounds impossible, then try juggling some
freelance work with your regular job for awhile. Save up all of the money
you earn from your freelance work and use that as your nest egg.
Start Finding Clients Today
One mistake that freelancers often make is that think they can only start
networking and marketing their services after they've gotten started.
The truth is that if you're considering becoming a freelancer, now is
the time to start networking and marketing. Let people know that you are
thinking about going solo and get their reactions. Start building a database
of possible job leads. In fact, you may want to line up some work beforehand
so you can be sure of having an income initially.
Be Prepared
Most potential clients will want to see references and/or samples of
your work before they give you a project. You need to have these prepared
in advance. Don't wait until someone calls to possibly offer you a project
to get your portfolio in order or to line up some qualified references.
Have those ready to dispatch as soon as you get off the phone or finish
the email.
Find an Accountant
The most difficult part of freelancing can be the handling the financial
aspects: tracking invoices, staying on top of bills, figuring your yearly
taxes, etc. Unless you are already skilled in accounting, you need to
find someone to help you out with this from the beginning. It makes it
much simpler for you and for the accountant.
Start a Web Site
Use the Internet to your advantage. Create a professional-looking but
simple web site advertising your experience and your services, then place
it on the Internet. It's one of the best ways of attracting new clients.
These suggestions will help you start your freelancing career on the
right foot, but the most important key to your success will be your perseverance.
If you give up easily or don't follow through with things, you may never
truly make it as a freelancer. You must be able to take rejection. You
must be self-motivated, and you must be persistent. Only then will you
be able to experience firsthand all of the benefits of being a modern
freelancer.
Useful sites:
http://www.elance.com
http://www.guru.com
http://www.allfreelance.com
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Vishal P. Rao is the editor of Home
Based Business Opportunities - A website dedicated to opportunities, ideas
and resources for starting a home based business. He also runs the Work
at Home Forum - an online community of folks who work at home.
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