I’ve been a freelance writer for over four years now, and I love it. And I’m not alone: the number of people working as freelancers has nearly doubled since 2011, according to surveys from the Freelancers Union.
Still, there’s often a lot of skepticism about whether freelancing is sustainable (and even ethical!) from friends, family members, and basically anyone outside the “gig economy.” The truth is that with some commitment and planning, you can build a stable career as a freelancer.
So if you’re interested in joining the growing world of independent work but you’re worried about being able to make ends meet, here are my top tips on how I’ve made freelancing into a long-term career:
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Freelancing can be a rewarding and fulfilling career option. |
| Successful freelancing requires a strong work ethic and self-discipline. |
| Building a diverse client base is essential for long-term freelancing success. |
| Continuous skill improvement and staying updated with industry trends are crucial. |
| Balancing work-life and setting boundaries is vital for sustainable freelancing. |
Why Freelancing Is A Viable Career
You can make a career out of freelancing, and it makes sense to do so. Freelancing is not just a way to make some extra cash on the side; it’s also an opportunity for you to earn enough money that it becomes your main source of income.
The people who ask me about freelancing tend to be young and full of ideas. They’ve been working at their current job for a few years now and feel like they’re ready to take control of their lives by striking out on their own.
It’s important for these folks (and anyone else thinking about starting a business) not only because there are so many benefits but also because there are so many risks involved when starting up any kind of business venture, especially one as complex as running your freelance design or marketing agency from home!
Whether you’re looking at freelancing as a temporary gig while keeping your regular job or considering making this new side hustle into something more permanent, here are 28 facts you should know before taking the plunge into self-employment:
Understanding what freelancing is like and what to expect is crucial for success. Our comprehensive guide on What Freelancing Is Like and What to Expect provides valuable insights and tips for those embarking on the freelance journey.
How To Get Started As A Freelancer
- Make sure you have the right skills and experience to do the job.
- Make sure you have the right tools and equipment (computer, webcam, etc.).
- Make sure you have the right mindset that is, an attitude of professionalism and dedication to your work no matter what happens or how much money it makes for you in the beginning stages as a freelancer (or even as a long-time career).
- Make sure you have the right attitude which is one of confidence that says “I know I can do this!” rather than self-doubt that says “What if I can’t?”
This doesn’t mean arrogance or conceit (that’s not confidence), but rather simply believing in yourself from within yourself rather than looking outside yourself for validation from others about whether you’re good enough at what you do especially when all they see are words on paper (or pixels on screen).
Instead of actual proof behind those words/pixels being true representations of reality as seen through their own eyes…and ears…and sense of smell…and taste buds…but let’s just leave it at seeing things differently than others tend to see them
It’s About Standing Out
In a crowded marketplace, you need to stand out from the crowd. If you’re doing the same thing as everyone else and not getting any results, it’s time for a change.
You have to be unique and different in some way even if it’s just that you’re a specialist at helping people who have never freelanced before. You can have years of experience in your field and still be able to give valuable advice to someone who has never done this before.
If someone is looking for help with their business plan or wants help starting their own business, they’re going to want an expert who knows what they’re doing (and doesn’t try to do everything themselves).
And when they read your bio on LinkedIn or another website, they will know that because of your experience in freelancing, you already understand how hard it is and how much work goes into starting something new!
The future of work is evolving, and freelancing is playing a significant role. Discover the compelling reasons why “The Future of Work Will Be Freelance” in our thought-provoking article: The Future of Work Will Be Freelance – Reasons.
What’s Your Niche?
What Is A Niche?
A niche is a small area of interest. In the context of freelancing, it’s the specific thing you’ll be working on and trying to sell.
The first step in finding your niche is to figure out what you love doing. If you’re having trouble figuring that out, ask yourself: “What am I passionate about?” or “What do I enjoy talking about?”
You can also start by looking at some of your hobbies and seeing if any of them line up with what people are paying for on Upwork. If not, then move on until you find something that does.
Getting Clients
You need clients. If you don’t have clients, you don’t have anything. You’ll have to find a way to reach out and get them, which can be challenging if you’re just starting.
To be successful as a freelancer, you’ll also need to know how to market yourself and your services.
You’ll need to keep track of everything related to your business from invoices and expenses to taxes and learn how best to manage your time to avoid getting overwhelmed by workloads or falling behind on deadlines (or both).
Lastly, managing finances is another area where many people struggle when it comes down to having their own freelance career business; however that doesn’t mean these things aren’t possible for anyone willing to put in some hard work!
Preparing For Growth
As a freelancer, you’re the CEO of your career. If you want to grow, then it’s up to you to prepare for your future growth. Here are some tips:
Don’t get too comfortable. Don’t be afraid to take risks and make changes in your work life as needed you never know when something unexpected will come along that could mean a sudden career boost!
Ask for help when needed and always seek out mentors who can guide how to stay on top of the latest trends in your field of expertise (and beyond).
You’ll learn more than they think they’re sharing with you; they’ll see that as their responsibility as well instead of just having someone listen while they talk about their own experiences with growing up in this industry or making mistakes along the way toward reaching success today…etcetera-etcetera…
If you’re considering freelancing on Upwork, you’re in for a world of opportunities. Learn about the 13 compelling reasons to start your freelancing career on this platform: 13 Reasons You Should Start Freelancing on Upwork.
It’s Not Just About The Work
Though it might seem like a dream job (and it can be), freelancing comes with its own unique set of challenges. As you seek out clients and build your business, you’ll find yourself facing different problems than your traditional 9-to-5 colleagues.
You’ll have to learn how to manage your finances, market yourself and keep track of contract negotiations all while working from home or in coffee shops across the country!
It’s tempting to think that these obstacles are insurmountable but they’re not! Here are five things you should know before launching into freelance life:
You Need A Marketing Plan
Why? Because marketing is the most important ingredient for business growth. It’s the only ingredient that you can control. Marketing is how your product gets sold and how you get paid for your work.
So if you’re not putting money into your marketing budget, then you’re leaving all of the heavy liftings to chance and chances are that won’t turn out so well for you in the end.
A good marketing plan should be based on what your goals are as an entrepreneur and freelancer (what do want to achieve with your business). If those goals aren’t measurable or specific, then they won’t help guide any kind of actionable plan at all (like how many sales do I need per month?).
You also need flexibility to adapt as new opportunities arise or unforeseen problems occur; otherwise, things may start falling through the cracks once again when times get tough!
You Need To Manage Your Business As Well As Your Work
You also need to manage your business as well as your work. This means you need to be able to handle the finances, time management, and marketing aspects of a business.
You can’t just focus on the actual work; you have to be able to manage everything else around it too. That’s why freelancing can be a career for some people but not for others.
Where Should You Look For Clients?
There are many ways that you can find clients. Below are a few of them.
Check your local community. Are there any businesses or organizations in your area that need a freelancer? You might start by asking friends, family members, and former colleagues for their recommendations. Don’t forget to check places like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer!
Search online for jobs or browse through job boards like Craigslist, Indeed, and Monster; or use specialized websites specifically designed to match clients with workers (see below).
Search within your industry: If you’re a writer who is looking for work as an editor, look at job listings posted by editors working in magazines and newspapers they may have openings they need to be filled!
If none of the above options work out, it’s time to think outside of the box…or rather outside of industry-specific job boards like Monster or LinkedIn Jobs (both great resources).
People indeed tend not to mix up “freelance” with “contractor” but these two terms can be used interchangeably depending on how much freedom one wants when working from home vs commuting every day instead.”
The rise of freelancing has transformed the traditional work landscape. Discover the impact of freelancing on work dynamics in our insightful article: What Freelancing Has Done to Work.
Why ‘Set And Forget’ Doesn’t Always Work For Marketing
There’s a reason why you hear the term “set and forget” when it comes to marketing. The idea is that once you’ve set up your business, you can sit back and watch as money rolls in. An alluring prospect, but one that doesn’t always work.
As freelancers, we have to be aware of our marketing all the time. We need to stay on top of trends, competitors, and customers’ needs so we can adapt quickly if something changes in our field or someone else introduces a new feature or product that makes us look outdated or unprofessional.
Be Creative With Your Marketing Efforts
When it comes to marketing your freelance business, you have to be creative. The fact is that there are a lot of freelancers out there these days and for you to get noticed and stand out from the crowd, you need to be creative with your marketing efforts. In other words, don’t just copy what everyone else is doing and expect it to work for you.
You need something unique and different that will catch the eye of potential clients who might otherwise not notice your services. But don’t fret this doesn’t mean that being creative has to be complicated; all it takes is some thoughtfulness when crafting your message as well as some creativity in how exactly you deliver it (more on this later).
Create An Online Presence
Create an online presence. This can be as simple as a website and blog, but it’s also a good idea to create social media profiles that you update regularly with links back to your main site.
Update your portfolio. Make sure that you have some examples of the work you’ve done in the past that show how great of a job freelancing is!
Get business cards printed up with the name of your business on them and hand them out wherever possible or send them out by mail if that’s easier for you. You never know who’s going to need someone like yourself someday soon!
Freelancing may be the career you’ve always been looking for.
Freelancing Can Be A Career
I’m not just saying this because I’m a freelancer myself, but because there are a lot of people who are looking for more flexibility in their lives and also want to build their businesses.
For me, freelancing gave me the freedom to work on my terms while still getting paid well. It also allowed me to learn new skills and grow as an individual.
Freelancing has been around since before computers were invented and it continues to evolve today with new opportunities popping up every day!
Curious about freelancing in the engineering field? Hear about the personal journey and experiences of a freelance engineer in our inspiring article: How I Became Freelance in My Engineering Field.
Conclusion
As you can see, freelancing is a viable career, and it’s not just for writers or artists. If you have a skill that can be used remotely and if the flexibility of working for yourself appeals to you, then freelancing could be the perfect career path for you! I hope this article has given you some useful information on how to start down that path.
Further Reading
From Freelancing Back to Full-Time Employment: Explore the journey of individuals who transitioned from freelancing back to full-time employment and the lessons learned along the way.
Pros and Cons of Freelancing: Discover the advantages and disadvantages of freelancing to make an informed decision about pursuing a freelance career.
Choosing Freelance: Is It the Right Path for You?: Considering freelancing? Learn about the factors to consider before making the leap into freelancing and find out if it aligns with your goals.
FAQs
What are the main benefits of freelancing?
Freelancing offers various benefits, such as flexibility in work hours, the ability to choose projects, and potential for higher earnings based on skills and demand.
What are the challenges of freelancing?
While freelancing has its perks, challenges include inconsistent income, managing taxes and finances, and the need for self-discipline and time management.
How can I find freelance opportunities?
To find freelance opportunities, you can leverage online platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, network within your industry, or create a strong online presence and portfolio to attract clients.
Is freelancing suitable for full-time employment?
Freelancing can be a full-time career choice, but it requires dedication, business acumen, and the ability to manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously.
How can I ensure success as a freelancer?
Success in freelancing comes from delivering high-quality work, building a strong professional network, continuously improving skills, and providing excellent customer service to clients.
How Do I Know If Freelancing Is Right For Me?
If you’re an independent thinker with excellent communication skills, good organization skills, and the ability to work independently, then freelancing might be right for you. You should also have good time management skills and be able to work well under pressure.
Are There Any Other Requirements Or Qualifications?
Freelancers are often self-employed, so they need business licenses and insurance policies that protect their income sources and assets in case something goes wrong (like an injury or illness). Freelancers may also need a tax identification number, which requires filling out paperwork with the IRS and state tax agency(s).
Can Freelancing Be A Career?
I’ve been asked that a lot lately. The answer is yes, but not in the way you might expect.
I’m sure you’re thinking.
“But freelancing is just a temporary gig, not a real job!” But let me tell you: I’ve been freelancing for years now and it’s not only become my primary source of income but it’s also helped me grow and develop my skillset in ways that have made me better at every other job I’ve had since.
Freelancing isn’t a stopgap until something better comes along it’s an opportunity for growth and personal development that may not have been on offer at your last full-time gig.
The flexibility and freedom of freelancing are both liberating and empowering: it lets you take control of your life and pursue projects that are meaningful to you, while still earning money at the same time.
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.