If you’re like most people, you probably go to work every day and get paid a salary or hourly wage. However, if you want to supplement your income and make some extra cash, freelancing is a great way to do it.
But, the question you might have is can you be a freelancer with a regular job? Fortunately, there are lots of ways for freelancers to make money online with their freelance jobs. In this article, we’ll answer that question.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Balancing freelancing and a regular job is possible. |
| Time management is crucial for managing both roles effectively. |
| Utilize freelancing platforms like Upwork for additional income. |
| Set clear boundaries to avoid burnout and maintain work-life balance. |
| Freelancing can offer skill development and career growth opportunities. |
Be realistic
It’s important to be realistic about your expectations, as well as the amount of time you can spend on freelancing.
If you want to make a living from freelancing, it will require a lot more work than just starting out with a small side project and seeing if it works out.
You’ll need to do research into what kind of projects are out there and which ones might be right for your skillset, then pitch yourself directly to people who might hire you.
If this sounds overwhelming or like something that requires too much effort, then it probably isn’t worth trying.
However, if the idea excites and motivates you (and let’s face it: why else would anyone want to do this?), then go forth!
It’s also good practice not only to be realistic about how much money you can make with freelance work but also to be realistic about how much time investment it takes up in general.
If working freelance means that there is less time available for other priorities like family life or socializing with friends because your work-life balance has shifted dramatically in favor of working from home alone all day long.
Instead of going into an office environment where social interaction still happens even when there aren’t any actual tasks assigned at any given moment during each day…then perhaps freelancing isn’t right for everyone after all?
Building a successful freelance career while working a regular job is possible! Check out our guide on how to make a good living freelancing on a part-time basis to learn valuable tips and strategies for balancing both worlds.
Be Self-Motivated
While freelancing, you will be your boss. You’ll be responsible for your success or failure and so you’ll need to take initiative to make it work.
While this can be a good thing you’re free to do what YOU want and no one else it also means that if you don’t start taking action right away, nothing is going to happen.
To get started as a freelancer, the first thing you’ll have to do is find some clients and projects worth working on.
This means marketing yourself through social media and networking events which can be overwhelming at first if you haven’t done them before (or aren’t comfortable doing them).
The next step after finding some work is doing the work itself: writing code or designing websites or whatever else it is that makes up your freelance business model.
This can take hours of hard work each day as well as great concentration skills so keep those energy drinks handy!
Are you considering freelancing as a side gig? Discover why you should be using Upwork for your freelancing business and how this platform can help you find clients and grow your freelance career.
Set A To-Do List The Night Before
A good rule of thumb is to set a to-do list the night before. This way, you’ll have everything you need to start your day and make sure you get right down to business.
You don’t want to try doing too much at once; instead, break it up into smaller tasks that are easier and faster to accomplish.
Remember: it’s important not only to work when your brain feels sharp but also when it’s rested and alert!
If possible, take breaks in between each task so that your brain can process what has been accomplished thus far and how much more remains on the list.
Remember: don’t forget about self-care! Don’t put yourself through impossible situations just because others might expect them from freelancers (or other professionals).
Take care of yourself first so that later on in life there are no regrets about what could’ve been achieved had we taken better care back then.”
Take Advantage Of Doing Extra Work On Weekends
Being a freelancer is all about being able to do your job, wherever you are. It’s important to be able to work wherever and whenever you choose.
And this means you have the freedom to work in your free time as well. If you have a regular job, there are still plenty of ways for you to get ahead with your freelancing:
Get Ahead On Weekends
In his article “Why ‘Work From Home’ Isn’t A Thing Anymore,” Derek Blasberg recommends working during the week but taking advantage of those two days off by working from home on Saturday and Sunday.
This gives you some extra time that other people might not have access to (and therefore more growth opportunities).
Work During Lunchtime
Another tip from Derek Blasberg says that if it isn’t possible for him or others in similar situations (people who work full-time jobs) then they try their best not only at lunchtime but also after work hours!
Be Prepared To Work Night Hours
One of the most important things to consider before deciding to work as a freelancer is the fact that you are your boss.
As such, if you are in charge of your schedule, it’s up to you to decide when and how much time you want to devote to your freelance business.
For this arrangement to work properly, however, certain rules must be followed at all times:
- You need some sort of system that will allow clients or customers whoever they may be access their website or blog at all times (this can include anything from setting up an auto-responder email system).
- If possible, try not working during peak hours like 5 p.m.-7 p.m., since these are usually “rush hours” for most people who commute home from work in those hours.
Curious about freelancing during the summer while still having a regular job? Learn more about the possibilities in our article on freelancing during the summer: Can I do both? and explore the potential for extra income and experiences.
Use Tools That Can Help You With Multitasking And Managing Your Time
Tools: If you’re going to be a full-time freelancer, you must equip yourself with the right tools. You might not think of these as “tools” at first, but they are.
An app like Google Calendar can be one of the most important tools in your arsenal because it helps you schedule your time and stay on top of deadlines and tasks.
To-do list apps: A to-do list app is also key for organizing what needs to get done both during the day and on any given project
Project management apps: These will help keep track of all your projects so that nothing falls through the cracks!
Expense tracking apps: It may seem like something no one would ever want to do but if you’re serious about being a successful freelancer then expense tracking is essential!
It allows you to see where money is going so that expenses can be minimized or eliminated wherever possible (this applies even if they aren’t necessarily unnecessary).
Establish A Routine So You Know What To Do Each Day At Specific Hours
Establishing a routine is important for freelancers. It’s easy to get distracted and lose track of time, but having a schedule will help you stay on track with your work.
Here are some ideas for daily routines:
Wake up at 7 am every day and go for a walk or run. Then have breakfast and get ready for work, stopping by the coffee shop or grocery store along the way if needed.
This will help wake you up in the morning so that when it comes time to start working, your mind is alert rather than foggy from being asleep all night long!
At noon each day, take a break from whatever else you might be doing (like working at home) and go outside somewhere else like into town where there is more activity happening around town as well as other people around too!
It’s good practice just getting out into nature itself during these times because then we won’t feel like robots stuck inside their computers all day long.”
Get Your Family And Co-Workers Onboard With What You Are Doing
The key here is to have a conversation about what you are doing, why you are doing it, and what this means in the long term.
Explain that it’s not a hobby or something you’ll be able to do indefinitely; rather, it’s a way to provide an additional source of income while also maintaining your regular job.
You should also ask them for their support by offering to help them with some of the tasks they are responsible for at work and vice versa.
This way everyone has some breathing room and can focus on getting more done during the day instead of worrying about everything else that needs taking care of around the house or office!
Stay Organized And Keep Things Simple
Use a simple system to keep track of all your freelance work. You don’t need an elaborate organizational structure, especially if you have a regular job that takes up a lot of your time and energy.
Try using a digital system like Trello, Wunderlist, or Asana all of which are free options, or simply use an old-fashioned notebook or spreadsheet.
The key is to make sure that it works for you and makes sense for the way you work best, whether that be simple or complex.
It’s also important to choose the right time management tools that work well with your schedule and personal preferences.
If you have trouble waking up early but like to go to bed early too (like me), then try using an app like Sunrise Calendar because it has both day and night modes.
So I can see what needs doing at either time without having any brightness changes mess up my natural sleeping rhythm!
Upwork skills can be more valuable than you think! Find out why in our guide on why your Upwork skills are more valuable than you think. Maximize your potential on the platform and attract high-paying clients with these valuable insights.
Keep Detailed Records Of All Your Income And Expenses
If you’re going to be a freelancer, it’s important to keep detailed records of all your income and expenses.
Keeping track of this information and knowing how much money is coming in and going out will help you determine whether or not freelancing is right for you.
You’ll also want to keep these records for tax purposes; the IRS requires that all self-employed individuals report their earnings on a Schedule C form (or other appropriate forms).
Here are some tips for keeping track of everything:
Use a spreadsheet or app to keep track of what comes in and goes out every month.
It’s best if this kind of software can help categorize different types of income as well as separate business expenses from personal ones so that everything’s easily visible at once without having to do any calculations yourself.
Always consult with an accountant before claiming any business expenses on either side.
For something like a professional website or logo design service to qualify as an allowable deduction.
There must be proof that the item was used exclusively for business purposes and not just incidentally related thereto (e..g., if you bought some new shoes while running errands but they were comfortable enough on their own merits).
Consider Joining A Freelance Network Or Community
You may be able to find freelance work through a network or community. These are groups of freelancers who work together, share resources, and collaborate on projects. These networks can offer you many benefits:
They can help you find new clients. Most networks have a database of potential clients that they’ve vetted and approved for quality and reliability.
This makes it easy for members to get jobs with reputable companies right away. Many also offer access to job boards with thousands of opportunities from all over the world!
They can help you find other freelancers who can help you with your work. If there’s something more complex than what one person could do alone (like logo design), this is where teaming up comes into play!
Many freelance networks are composed entirely of people who specialize in different areas so everyone has someone else they can call on as needed for specific tasks (and getting paid too).
They pay well because there are fewer overhead costs associated with running an online community compared with having physical offices around town–so why not take advantage?
It may even be worth investing some money upfront so that later down the road when things start rolling smoothly again financially speaking then maybe someday soon those initial investments will pay off big time!
Struggling to maintain work-life balance as a freelancer? Our article on the 15 tips to setting better work-life boundaries as a freelancer offers practical advice to help you manage your time and energy effectively while juggling freelancing and a regular job.
Conclusion
As you can see, juggling two jobs is a big challenge. But it’s not impossible and with the right tools, you can make it work.
Just remember that it’s important to keep your freelance business separate from your full-time job so that you don’t get in trouble with either employer.
If possible try not to take on any projects that have deadlines overlapping with each other because this will only increase your stress levels and cause things to fall apart faster than if you had just taken one or the other.
The best way for freelancers who also work a full-time job to succeed is by keeping their schedules as organized as possible without letting anyone know about their side gig except those who need.
Further Reading
How to Balance Freelance Work: Tips for Managing Your Time: Learn effective time management strategies to balance freelancing with other commitments and maintain productivity.
Freelance While Working Full-Time: Resources and Insights: Explore valuable resources and insights on freelancing while holding a full-time job to optimize your freelance career.
Can I Do Freelancing Along with a Job?: Find answers and tips on successfully managing freelancing alongside your regular job for extra income and professional growth.
FAQs
Q: How do I balance freelancing with my regular job effectively?
A: Balancing freelancing and a regular job requires good time management, setting priorities, and establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life.
Q: What are some time management techniques for freelancing and full-time work?
A: Effective time management techniques include creating schedules, setting realistic deadlines, and utilizing productivity tools to stay organized.
Q: Can freelancing while working full-time be beneficial for my career?
A: Yes, freelancing can offer additional income, skill development, and the opportunity to build a portfolio that may open doors to new career opportunities.
Q: How can I avoid burnout when juggling freelancing and a regular job?
A: Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks, practicing self-care, and knowing when to say no to additional projects if your workload becomes overwhelming.
Q: Are there any legal considerations I should be aware of when freelancing alongside a job?
A: It’s essential to review your employment contract and consult with a legal professional to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or restrictions related to freelancing activities.
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.