Things to Consider Before Starting Freelancing Career
It’s the 21st century. Business and careers are leaving the corporate scene and moving into homes. Careers are adopting flexible schedules and new work styles. Freelancing is becoming much more popular than it was. People are selling their services to clients without a long-term employment contract. These services can be anything from writing and editing (which is the most common) to any other service you can think of. More and more taking the entrepreneurship path. More and more people are embracing the idea of being their own boss and working outside a chain of command. If you are considering freelancing, what are some things you should bear in mind before going solo? We want the best for you, therefore we want to ensure that all the right boxes are ticked so that your freelance career can have a great start.
Check out these important things to consider before freelancing.
- Personal Finance: No one knows your pocket more than you do. Be sure that your freelance career is well enough to take care of your basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. A freelance job should be able to take care of your monthly expenses and any other responsibilities you have before you make it a full-time career. Also, ensure that you have enough capital to start the business. If you are a photographer, do you have enough money to buy quality equipment to take pictures clients will love?
If you are a content creator, writer, or editor, do you have enough money to buy a laptop or any other device that will help you produce quality results? To set up shop, you need the right tools so your business can start off on the right foot and have room to grow. You also need to be able to take care of yourself. Like every new business, profit-making might not start in the first quarter, so you need to have enough money saved to boost your career and take care of your day-to-day expenses. Have emergency funds set out to cover some of your expenses before big profits start rolling in. You may need to reduce your spending habits or lower your standard of living for some
- Strong Professional Network: Make sure you have a strong support system. The first few months of freelancing may not be as rosy as you think. Talk to people already in the same field as you are before starting the business. Get professional advice from them. Create awareness of your brand and what it offers and start building a client base. Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth advertising. Let people know what you do so that they can bring you referrals.
Attend seminars, workshops, and other gatherings where you can meet like-minded people. Social media is very popular when it comes to networking. Make good use of it by creating social media pages for your brand, advertising your skills, and following successful Even if you are planning on running your freelancing career alone, ask for help and advice when needed. You could build your professional network by talking to former colleagues, friends and family, and mentors.
- Tie up Loose Ends Neatly: If you are quitting a job to start your freelance career, be diplomatic about it. Notify your soon-to-be former employers on time. Hand in your resignation letter and any company property you have. In short, leave peacefully. Your former colleagues and employer could be your clients in the future. Don’t give off the idea that you are leaving hell for heaven (even if your job was not really your first choice).
Remember that it probably gave you a chance to learn, grow or even save up to start your own career. Also, if you are planning on re-entering the workforce at some point, keeping the connections you have made is a good idea. Make a lasting good impression when you are leaving.
- Level of Skills: Embracing a full-time freelancing career means that you are skilled enough to manage your own time and business. A freelancing career is not just a side hustle or hobby. Start only when you have practiced your skill enough to make it your profession. As a brand, you should be focused on giving your clients the best services. You need to have mastered your skill to be able to do that. If your skills are a little rusty or outdated, polish them before embarking on a career journey.
- Be Mentally and Emotionally Ready: Like every career, freelancing might need time to take off. Do not despair when you do not get a truckload of projects at first. This is why you have to be emotionally and mentally ready to handle both the upside and the downside of your career. If you are transitioning from a corporate career, ensure you are doing so because you are determined to work hard on your own. Accept that things might be a little different as you are starting your new career. It’s a big thing to use your skills to make money but make sure you have thought things through and that your decision is not a spur of the moment thing or done to escape a temporary problem.
Final Thoughts
A freelancing career can be an amazing journey. It is no less important than a regular 9-5. In fact, it gives you the opportunity to create your own schedule and work on your own terms. The fact that you are thinking of striking out on your own without the confines of a 9-5, is a step in the right direction. But it is also an important decision to make and so you have to view it from different angles and make sure that all ‘I’s are dotted and all ‘T’s crossed. Considering these five important factors mentioned in this article will help you avoid some mistakes and have your career up and running in no time. Many freelance experts have made the most out of their careers, financially and otherwise and so can you! We are rooting for you as you walk the path of a successful career!
