Contrary to popular belief, creative fields are no longer the only areas where freelancing is popular. Today, accountants, trainers, IT specialists, etc. can earn a living as self-employed. Whatever field of freelance work interests you, there are a few important things to know that will help you get started and succeed.
Whatever field of freelance work interests you, there are a few important things to know that will help you get started and succeed.
However, before discussing it, we need to briefly talk about the pros and cons of being a freelancer. You need to know both sides before making a decision so that you fully understand what you are getting into.
Pros of freelancing career
1. You set your own hours
You can determine what time you get out of bed and what time you go to bed at night. You can decide how much vacation time you can afford to take this year, and you can choose to take an afternoon off to spend time with your children.
2. You don't work for a boss
Although you are responsible to your customers, they don't have the same power over your life as a boss. Yes, they can fire you, but you can also quit working for them if things get too tough.
3. You determine how much you earn
While a regular job pays a fixed amount no matter how much you work (and in some cases how long you work), self-employment allows you to earn virtually any amount of money you want because you find out how much your services cost and how much. multiple jobs can be done at the same time. You can create your own marketing strategies to get the clients and customers
4. You can work from your own office
Whether you prefer to work from a home office or rent space to do business, you are responsible for designing and maintaining your own comfortable office. You can choose who you work with. You can also choose the type of computer, sticky notes, and bottled water you use daily.
Cons of freelancing career:
1. You can quickly become overworked
When you start working regularly as a freelancer, it becomes almost impossible for you to take vacations. You have projects and clients that require your constant attention, so being away or sick for even a day can slow you down.
2. You have to deal with clients who may be more difficult than bosses.
Most of the clients that freelancers work with are really good people, but there are some who aren't. All freelancers have probably been scammed by a client at some point, even if they take steps to protect themselves.
3. You don't have a fixed income
Unless you have one or two really consistent workflows, you can expect your income to fluctuate wildly. Some months may feel like you've hit the jackpot, while others may feel like you're headed for the food stamp line, especially when you're just starting out.
4. You have no way to separate work from family life.
If you have a home office, you may find it difficult to tell the difference between being home and being at work, which means that while you're watching TV or having dinner, you may start to feel the difference. feel like you're still at work.
As you can see, every positive element also has a negative aspect. However, many of these negatives can be easily managed once you have some experience as a freelancer, but to get there you need to know where to start.
Find something you love to do:
This is essential to your success. If you still don't have anything in mind to do as a freelancer, you need to make sure you choose an activity that you really enjoy. Remember that you will be doing this type of work every day. Also, the more you love your job, the more passionate you feel. Potential clients will notice this passion and be more willing to work with you.
Have a bank balance:
Most freelancers actually start out as conventional 9 to 5 workers. health insurance or other benefits. However, if you choose to be self-employed full-time, you need to make sure you have comfortable savings in the bank. Most experts agree that you should have enough money in your savings to cover six months of your basic needs. If that seems impossible, try juggling freelance work with your regular job for a while. Save all the money you earn from self-employment and use it as savings.
Start finding clients today:
A common mistake freelancers make is thinking that they can only start networking and marketing their services once they've started. The truth is, if you're thinking of becoming a freelancer, now is the time to start networking and marketing. Let people know you're considering going solo and get their feedback. Start creating a database of potential job opportunities and potential freelancing websites. In fact, you might want to plan some jobs ahead of time to make sure you have some upfront income.
Plan ahead:
Most potential clients will want to see references and/or samples of your work before they give you a job. You must prepare them in advance. Don't wait for someone to call with a potential project to get your portfolio in order or to find qualified references. Have them ready to send as soon as you hang up the phone or finish the email.
Find an accountant:
The hardest part of freelance work can be managing the finances: tracking bills, staying on top of bills, calculating your annual taxes, etc. Unless you already have accounting experience, you need to find someone to help you early on.
Create a website:
Creating a professional-looking yet simple website that advertises your expertise and services is one of the best ways to attract new clients.
Conclusion:
While these tips will help you start your freelancing career on the right foot, the most important key to your success will be your persistence. If you give up easily or don't follow through, you may never truly succeed as a freelancer. Being able to accept rejection and self-motivation will only allow you to experience firsthand all the benefits of being a modern freelancer.
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