When you quit your full-time job to pursue a career as a freelancer, it can be difficult to get used to the new rhythm of life. You’ll no longer have regular working hours or set deadlines instead, you’ll face an ever-changing roster of projects that need completion with varying degrees of urgency.
It’s also likely that you won’t be getting paid as much for this type of work as what was earned during your last position (unless you’ve got years under your belt with other freelance clients).
For first-timers, freelancing can be an overwhelming prospect because there are so many moving parts and uncertainties involved but don’t worry! In this guide, I’m going to give some tips on what I’ve learned from my own experiences so that other people don’t have to go through them.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand the reasons why US freelancers charge higher rates than others. |
| 2. Learn how to create a compelling portfolio that showcases your skills effectively. |
| 3. Consider important factors before quitting your day job to pursue freelancing. |
| 4. Discover the moments when freelancing becomes effortless and enjoyable. |
| 5. Gain valuable tips on balancing a full-time job and freelance writing without losing your mind. |
| 6. Further reading: Check out additional resources on freelancing for more insights and tips. |
| 7. FAQs: Find answers to common questions about setting freelancing rates, finding clients, time management, taxes, and work-life balance. |
Keep A Clear, Short Pitch On Hand
The pitch is a one- or two-sentence description of yourself and your work. It should be professional, concise, and clear. For example:
My name is Jane Doe and I’m a freelance journalist. Here is my email address and phone number; here are some examples of my writing; here’s what I charge per hour/word/project.
You must keep this pitch updated with any new information (like if you change jobs) so potential clients can easily find it. Make sure it’s easily accessible from your website or social media pages and don’t include any personal information in it (like a birthday or anniversary dates).
Understanding why US freelancers charge higher rates than others is crucial for setting competitive pricing in the market. Check out our article on Why Do US Freelancers Charge Higher Than Others? to gain insights into the factors influencing freelancer rates and how to position yourself for success.
Create Sample Work And A Portfolio
You need to build a portfolio of your best work. This is the first thing that potential clients will look at when they’re considering you for a project, so it needs to be good enough that they keep reading.
You should include several samples of your work, in formats like images and videos which show off what you’re capable of doing. If possible, include links (or screenshots) to the websites or apps where it has been published.
For example, if you were creating an app for an e-commerce company, include screenshots from their existing site along with some mockups or wireframes showing how your design would look on top of those existing pages.
In addition to pictures and video clips showing off your skillset, include a short description explaining what exactly is being shown off here and why this person should hire you based on these specific pieces of work alone!
Make sure there’s contact information about who produced this sample portfolio included as well this way potential employers can easily reach out directly by email if needed.”
Be Prepared To Promote Yourself And Your Work. A Lot
Promoting yourself and your work is an important part of any freelancing career. You’ll have to do it a lot, and you’ll have to promote yourself and your work often.
Being prepared for these inevitable promotions will help you better understand how to handle them when they come up, which can make things easier on you in the long run.
Creating a compelling portfolio is essential for freelancers to showcase their skills and attract clients. Learn how to craft a portfolio that stands out and lands you the job with our comprehensive guide on How to Make a Portfolio That Gets You the Job.
Network Aggressively And Often
- Networking is one of the most important parts of freelancing.
- It’s not just about finding work, it’s about building relationships.
- You need people in your network who can refer you as much as you need them to be able to refer themselves.
- Networking is also about building your reputation and personal brand, which will help you in all areas of life (not just freelancing).
Aim For A Niche, But Have Other Skills, Too
The best freelancers are the ones who know their strengths and weaknesses, and they don’t try to do everything. They focus on the things they’re good at and get help with the rest. In my case, I’m strong in writing and design (I majored in graphic design), but my technical skills are lacking so I’ve focused on content creation for websites instead of building them from scratch.
Take Time To Develop Your Skills
Be patient with yourself as you learn new things; it takes time! It’s okay if you’re not great at everything right away that’s why we hire other people sometimes!
Just remember that the more knowledge you have about your field(s) of interest, the better equipped you’ll be for success when working independently or freelancing part-time while still holding down a full-time job elsewhere.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Self-Promotion Or Talking About Your Accomplishments
The first time I was asked to give a talk in front of the class, I almost died. The idea of talking about myself and my work in such a public way made me want to hide under my desk and never come out again.
But after doing it more often, I realized that this wasn’t just an anxiety issue it was also a performance problem: I didn’t know how to talk about myself without coming across as boastful or arrogant.
That’s why it’s so important for freelancers (and anyone else who wants their work to be seen) not only to learn how to promote themselves but also to develop what we’ll call “the skill of self-promotion.” And it’s not just about talking: It’s also about knowing how best to convey your skills and accomplishments so that people can see what makes you unique as an employee or contractor.
Maintain A Professional Relationship With People You Meet, Even When You Don’t Think That Relationship Will Ever Pay Off Professionally
Maintaining professional relationships is important. It’s possible that the person you meet at a conference or through mutual friends could be the one who changes your life, and it’s worthwhile to get to know them as best you can. You never know what opportunities might come from getting to know someone better.
Even if you don’t think that relationship will ever pay off professionally, maintaining a professional relationship with people is still worth doing because it increases the chances of finding other opportunities down the line.
That friend of a friend who keeps giving you advice? Maybe she’ll become an editor or agent someday! Or maybe another writer will meet her and offer her representation because they have something in common with you!
Thinking about quitting your day job to pursue freelancing? It’s a major decision that requires careful consideration. Explore our article on 13 Things to Consider Before You Quit Your Day Job to weigh the pros and cons, and ensure a smooth transition into freelancing.
Plan Ahead To Anticipate Downtime As Best You Can
You’re not invincible, so don’t feel like you have to be. You’re allowed to take a break or spend time with family and friends. You can even take a vacation if you want!
The key is to plan as best you can so that when the inevitable downtime happens, it doesn’t catch you off guard. If any projects are coming up short like an upcoming deadline or important presentation then make sure that your clients know about them beforehand and give yourself enough time for proper preparation.
If work isn’t coming in regularly, then consider taking on more projects or working on something new until things pick up again. Also, consider hiring subcontractors or assistants who can help out with tasks that take away from client service time so that those hours aren’t wasted sitting around doing anything during slow spells at work (but don’t forget about taxes!).
Prepare For Moments When You’re Flooded With Work
The most important thing you can do when you’re starting is to prepare yourself for the possibility of being swamped with work. If this happens, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to take on more than one client at a time.
This is why you must have at least two potential clients lined up in case something comes up with one of them while there’s still work available from another.
It’s also important that all the other elements are in place: Do you have enough time? Resources? Skills? Motivation? Even if your schedule looks full now, things change quickly in freelancing and if they don’t change, then maybe freelancing isn’t right for you after all!
Get To Know Your Clients And The Type Of Work They Need Before You Start Earning Money From Them
Before you start working for a client, get to know them. This might mean meeting them in person or having a phone call or email exchange. You want to make sure that they are someone you feel comfortable working with and understanding what their needs are will help avoid misunderstandings later on.
The following are some things you should ask about:
- The type of work they do
- How they work
- What their goals are for hiring an independent contractor (IC) like yourself (if applicable)
- How do they want to be billed, paid, and/or tracked for time spent on projects if applicable
- Deadlines for projects – If you don’t know what the deadlines are yet, then find out when the next deadline is expected so that there’s still time if needed!
Make Sure The Companies You’re Working With Have Industry Standing
The best way to ensure that you will be paid and receive a good product is to make sure the companies you’re working with have industry standing so that even if their project falls through, your reputation is not negatively impacted (in other words, no scams).
Look for a company that has a good reputation and has been in business for a while. You can usually find this information on LinkedIn or other websites that list businesses. If they’re not listed anywhere or don’t seem legit, there’s probably something wrong with them!
Ask for references and check them out yourself. Most freelancers will provide references if asked and it’s important to take this time to ask about the quality of work they’ve done before allowing them access to your projects or ideas!
Learn how to negotiate pay rates and bill clients early on so that you are not taken advantage of by someone who knows more than you do about billing or setting rates. Then set your rates accordingly–and consistently improve them as your experience grows!
One of the first things new freelancers learn is how to negotiate pay rates and bill clients early on so that they are not taken advantage of by someone who knows more than they do about billing or setting rates. Once you have a handle on this, you can set your rates accordingly and consistently improve them as your experience grows!
If you need help negotiating, check out these resources:
Freelancing can have its challenging moments, but there are times when it becomes effortless and enjoyable. Discover that pivotal moment when freelancing feels like a breeze in our article, The Moment When Freelancing Isn’t Hard at All, and find inspiration to persevere through the tougher times.
Negotiating Tips For Freelancers
How To Set A Salary When Starting A Freelance Business
The First Client Is The Most Important One: How To Negotiate When Starting In Your Own Business
Don’t let anyone take advantage of your inexperienced status–if they want something done quickly or without much compensation and seem unwilling to negotiate, move on!
This one is pretty straightforward: don’t let anyone take advantage of your inexperienced status. If they want something done quickly or without much compensation and seem unwilling to negotiate, move on!
It’s not worth your time to do something that won’t pay you well or even pay you at all. It can be hard to turn away clients when you’re new, but it’s better than wasting your time on a project that isn’t worth doing in the first place.
You’d be surprised how often people will ask me for favors–things like “I’ll pay you $10” or “Can I borrow your car?”
And then never follow through. When someone does this once or twice, it’s easy enough just to laugh it off and consider yourself lucky enough that someone was willing to ask you for help; when it happens regularly though (as it has for me), try saying no more often than yes until people stop asking altogether!
Juggling a full-time job and freelance writing can be demanding, but it’s possible to maintain balance and excel in both. Gain valuable tips and insights from our article, How I Maintain a Full-Time Job and Freelance Writing Without Losing My Mind, and learn strategies for effective time management and prioritization.
Conclusion
Becoming a freelancer is a process of trial and error, but if you’re able to follow these tips and avoid the mistakes that many people make when they first start in this line of work then your transition from traditional employee status should be as smooth as possible. Good luck!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that provide valuable insights and tips on freelancing:
Freelancing: A Comprehensive Guide: HubSpot’s blog offers a comprehensive guide to freelancing, covering various aspects such as finding clients, setting rates, and managing finances.
21 Tips for First-Time Freelancers: This blog post from Xolo provides 21 practical tips specifically tailored for first-time freelancers, offering advice on managing clients, maintaining productivity, and building a successful freelance career.
The Big Guide to Freelancing: Save the Student presents a detailed guide covering all aspects of freelancing, including finding work, negotiating contracts, and managing self-employment taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get Started As A Freelancer?
Start by making a list of things you’re good at and enjoy doing. Then ask yourself if any of those skills would be useful for someone else. For example, if you love to cook, consider offering to make food for people who are having parties or events.
Or if you’re great at organizing things, maybe you could offer to organize other people’s closets or offices. Once you’ve got some ideas in mind, find out if anyone would be interested in hiring you by talking with friends and family members about their needs and wants.
What’s The Best Way To Market Myself?
There are lots of ways to market yourself as a freelancer. One thing that can help is having a website with information about your services and contact details so clients can find you easily online. You can also advertise on social media or even in person by handing out business cards with your contact info on them.
What Kind Of Hours Will I Have?
It depends on what kind of work you do! Some jobs require more time than others, for example, working as an accountant might mean having more regular hours than if you were working as an artist.
How Do I Become A Freelancer?
Becoming a freelancer is easy! All it takes is a little bit of time, dedication, and research. First, you need to figure out what you want to do as a freelancer. Do you want to write? Do you want to paint? Do you want to make music?
Once you’ve figured out what your passion is, go ahead and start doing it. Eventually, people will find out about what you’re doing, and they’ll ask if they can pay for your services instead of the other way around.
How Much Money Should I Charge For My Services?
The amount of money that you charge depends on how much value people see in your work so don’t feel pressured into charging what someone else tells you is too high or too low. If it’s worth $0, then that’s what someone will pay for it!
But if they’re willing to pay $10 or $100 or more per hour, then that’s what they’ll do and it doesn’t mean anything other than the fact that they value your work enough to pay more than average rates (which are usually lower). It’s important not
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.