In today’s economy, many people are choosing to take the plunge into full-time freelance work. Having the ability to work remotely is a major draw for freelancers, who have enough stress in their lives without having to battle traffic and deal with office politics.
Not only that, but being able to set your schedule is probably something every working adult dreams of.
But there are downsides too: You miss out on face time with your coworkers, you lose out on benefits like health insurance and PTO, and it can be a challenge to stay focused when your cat’s purring in your lap and you’ve got the latest Netflix release calling your name.
If you’re thinking about becoming a full-time freelancer, read on for some advice from experienced professionals who love their jobs:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelancing can be a viable option for a full-time career. |
| Transitioning from part-time freelancing to full-time freelancing requires careful planning and building a solid client base. |
| Freelancing offers flexibility in work schedule and the potential for higher earning potential. |
| Financial stability in freelancing as a full-time career requires managing finances effectively and establishing a consistent income stream. |
| Challenges of freelancing as a full-time job include irregular income, self-employment taxes, and the need for self-discipline and time management. |
| Skills and qualifications needed for full-time freelancing include expertise in your chosen field, good communication skills, and effective self-marketing. |
| Continuous learning and adapting to industry trends are crucial for success as a full-time freelancer. |
Know Your Worth
Know your worth. Do you know what your services are worth on the open market? Do you know how much you should be charging for other freelancers of similar experience, skill level, and talent? If not, take the time to learn.
Know who is paying for your service. This is important because it can help you determine what a company or individual has to gain by hiring someone with your skillset instead of doing it themselves or outsourcing the work to another firm or contractor.*
Know what they’re going to do with that information once they pay for it. There are a lot of different ways people can use their money to get something back from investing their resources into using freelance workers (which translates into buying our time).
Many people wonder if freelancing as a full-time job is a viable option. Explore our article on Does Freelancing as a Full-Time Job Really Exist? to gain insights into the realities and possibilities of making freelancing your primary source of income.
Network With As Many People As Possible
You’ll also want to build a network of people who can help you. The best way to do that is by making friends with other freelancers and joining online communities for freelancers.
These places will help you connect with other people in similar situations, as well as provide resources for how to get started or what it’s like being a freelancer.
Attend Meetups about your industry, and make sure to use social media sites like Twitter and Linkedin so that people know what you’re capable of doing.
Be Specific About Your Niche
As we discussed in the previous section, a niche is the area of expertise that you are most familiar with.
Your niche can be anything from your profession or passion to your geographic location. For example, if you’re an accountant and you live near New York City (NYC), then it would make sense for your niche to be “NYC Accountants.”
You could also specialize further by saying “NYC Accountants specializing in tax preparation and bookkeeping services for small businesses within NYC.” This will help potential clients narrow down their search to find exactly what they need: an accountant who specializes in helping small businesses prepare their taxes in the city of New York and nothing else!
Stay Organized
Use a calendar. It’s easy to get distracted on the computer, so try using a paper or digital calendar to keep track of your daily tasks and appointments.
Create a to-do list for each day and week, then prioritize those tasks based on their importance (i.e., “make a dentist appointment” is probably more important than “finish reading War and Peace”). When you complete one task, cross it off your list!
Use project management tools like Trello or Basecamp in addition to an old-fashioned notebook if you’re working on large projects that require multiple team members’ input and attention.
You can also use these tools as repositories for documents related to your work (like client contracts), which will help make sure that everyone involved has access to what they need when they need it.
If you’re working remotely with people who aren’t sitting in the same room with you, consider implementing some form of file sharing system (Dropbox is great) so that files can be shared easily among team members without having multiple versions floating around.
This will also help prevent confusion about what version is most recent or correct and save time by eliminating back-and-forth emails about revisions as well as confusion about whether something was sent yet or not!
Did you know that freelancing is impacting millennials’ ability to purchase homes? Discover the reasons behind this phenomenon in our in-depth analysis: Freelancing Is Keeping Millennials from Buying Homes.
Be Professional And Courteous When Dealing With Clients
As a freelancer, you are your boss. You can work whenever and wherever you want (including in the comfort of your own home). This freedom may seem like it’s not that big of a deal at first glance until you realize how much time it can save!
But there are also some drawbacks: no one is going to tell you what to do or when to do it as a freelancer. If something comes up with one of your clients, well…that’s on you!
You need to make sure that every client interaction goes smoothly and professionally because if it doesn’t then they will be turned off by your professionalism and probably won’t hire again (or worse).
When An Email Is Sent, Always Reply In A Timely Fashion
When an email is sent, always reply in a timely fashion. Not only will this make your clients feel appreciated and valued, but it will also help you build your reputation as someone who can be trusted to do what they say they will do when they say they will do it (which, let’s face it: is one of the most important aspects of being a freelancer).
If you’re going to be away for any period or have any other reason you might not be able to respond to an email right away (and if so, please let your client know), set some expectations beforehand and then stick with them: “I’ll respond within 24 hours,” or “I’ll get back with you on Monday.”
Clients want reliable freelancers who are available when needed and follow through on their promises. To honor those promises by keeping responses short, concise and timely!
Treat Your Freelance Work Like A Job, Not A Hobby
It’s important to treat your freelance work like a job, not a hobby. You want to be as serious about it as you would be if you were working for someone else. Don’t treat this like something that’s just fun and games.
It’s your livelihood; it’s how you pay the bills and buy food for yourself and your family. Treat it accordingly by taking every step possible to make sure that what you do is of good quality (whether in writing or design).
Take on only projects that are interesting to you, try new things outside of what has already been done before (because there’s always room for improvement!), and think ahead about where this work may lead next (because who knows? You might just be able to turn this into something bigger).
Take Breaks Throughout The Day To Avoid Burnout
Taking breaks during the day is very important. Every hour, take a 5-minute break and do something different. For example, switch tasks or take a walk outside to get some fresh air. If you feel tired or overwhelmed by your work, then it is okay to take a longer break (10 minutes).
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms while working as a freelancer:
- Boredom
- Disinterest in what you’re doing at that moment
- Feeling stressed out and overwhelmed
- Take a longer break until those feelings pass!
Freelancing is more than just a job—it embodies the essence of extraordinary work. Learn why freelancing is the working definition of extraordinary in our thought-provoking piece: Freelancing Is the Working Definition of Extraordinary.
Continue To Learn And Grow Within Your Field Of Expertise.
What you need to do is to continue learning and growing within your field of expertise. Learn new skills and techniques. Learn new software. Learn new languages, strategies, business models, and marketing strategies.
Learn tools that can help you monetize your business in the future like online courses or e-books on freelancing tips, blogging tips, or blogging for beginners.
Find What Works Best For You In Terms Of When You Work Best
Find what works best for you in terms of when you work best during the day and stick to a schedule that supports that. For example, I’m a morning person and have found that it’s best if I just get up early, grab a coffee and start working. If your schedule is more flexible, try out different times of day until you find the one that works best.
Don’t work when you are tired or hungry either! This can make everything take longer than necessary and will severely cut productivity levels. Also avoid working when distracted (this includes social media), as this will not only slow your progress but also cause mistakes or trouble with client projects.
Curious about turning freelancing into your full-time gig? Our comprehensive guide, Freelancing Can Possibly Be Your Full-Time Gig, offers valuable insights and practical tips to help you navigate the transition and thrive as a full-time freelancer.
Always Set Deadlines And Honor Them On Both Ends Of The Business Relationship
You will likely be working with other people, and they’ll need a deadline. You should set the deadline and tell them when it is so they can plan accordingly. If your client doesn’t respect your deadlines or pushes back on the date, you need to be prepared to push back as well.
This may seem like an obvious piece of advice, but it’s important to honor every deadline that you set for yourself or others because if you don’t honor them, then others won’t trust that you’re going to do what you say.
Once they feel like they can no longer count on you as someone who delivers on time, it becomes more difficult for them to work with someone like that in the future (and vice versa).
Make Sure All The Tax Information Is Up To Date
If you’re planning to work as a freelancer full-time, be sure that all of your tax information is up to date. This includes:
Knowing what forms you may need to file. It might seem obvious, but some people are not aware that there are multiple tax forms in addition to the standard 1040 form. If they didn’t realize this beforehand, they could end up missing out on important deductions or credits. You can read more about these by visiting the IRS website here.
Have your business license in hand. If you’re operating under an LLC or other legal structure for your business and aren’t filing as an individual (i.e., sole proprietor), then make sure that you have a copy of everything on hand so that it’s easier for someone else later on if questions arise about how things should be set up legally.
Have any necessary licenses for whatever services or products are provided through their company’s website(s).
For example, if someone does graphic design work at home but only sells those services online through their website (and not locally via word of mouth), then they would also need an internet service provider license before doing so otherwise, they may run into legal problems later on down the line!
Have you considered the advantages of being a mobile-only freelancer? Discover how mobile-only freelancers can potentially earn more money and enjoy greater flexibility in our article: Why Mobile-Only Freelancers Make More Money.
Conclusion
We hope this post has given you some good ideas for how to secure a steady stream of clients and income. Give one of our strategies a try and we’re confident that you’ll be able to make your freelancing business a full-time gig.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore:
Can Freelancing Be a Full-Time Career?: Discover the possibilities and considerations of pursuing freelancing as a full-time career in this insightful article.
Becoming a Full-Time Freelancer: Learn about the steps and strategies involved in transitioning from part-time freelancing to a full-time freelance career.
Ease into a Full-Time Job: This resource offers practical tips and advice on how to gradually transition from freelancing to a full-time job while maintaining stability and success.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about freelancing as a full-time career:
What are the benefits of freelancing as a full-time job?
Freelancing as a full-time job offers numerous benefits, such as flexibility in work schedule, the ability to choose clients and projects, and the potential for higher earning potential.
Is freelancing as a full-time career financially stable?
Freelancing as a full-time career can provide financial stability, but it requires careful planning, building a solid client base, and managing finances effectively. It’s important to establish a consistent income stream and maintain a financial cushion for unpredictable periods.
How can I transition from part-time freelancing to full-time freelancing?
To transition from part-time freelancing to full-time freelancing, it’s advisable to gradually increase your workload and client base while ensuring you have a sustainable income. Building a solid reputation, expanding your network, and continuously improving your skills are essential steps in this process.
What are some challenges of freelancing as a full-time job?
Freelancing as a full-time job may come with challenges such as irregular income, dealing with self-employment taxes, and the need for self-discipline and time management. It’s important to be prepared for these challenges and have strategies in place to overcome them.
Are there any specific skills or qualifications required to become a full-time freelancer?
While specific skills and qualifications vary depending on the freelancing field, some common requirements include expertise in your chosen area, good communication skills, business acumen, and the ability to market yourself effectively. Continuous learning and adapting to industry trends are also crucial for success as a full-time freelancer.
What Is The Best Way To Learn To Freelance?
If you are new to freelancing, my best advice is to take small jobs on Upwork or Fiverr. These sites will give you a chance to get started and make mistakes without getting in over your head financially. Also, consider joining a Facebook group of fellow freelancers.
They can be very helpful for sharing tips, finding clients, and providing moral support when things aren’t going well.
How Do I Find Clients?
You can contact companies directly or find work through online platforms like Upwork or Guru (formerly Elance). When contacting companies directly, send them a short email explaining who you are and what services you offer; make sure this information is on your website as well!
If they seem interested in hiring someone like you for their project(s), ask if they have any questions before scheduling an initial call with them so that everyone involved has all the information needed before starting work together–this prevents miscommunication later down the line when deadlines may be involved (which happens often).
What Is The Best Way To Start Freelancing?
First of all, make sure your skills are marketable. You don’t want to be an expert in artificial intelligence and then turn around and try selling yourself as a writer – unless you are willing to do both jobs. Seek out what your strengths are and find clients who need those particular skills. Once you’ve got that figured out, it’s time for some research:
What Is The Difference Between Freelancing And Being A Full-Time Employee?
When you work for someone else, they pay you a set amount per hour or month. You can get health insurance and other benefits through them, but they also take control of your schedule, your work environment, and sometimes even your clientele.
When you’re freelancing as a business owner or contractor (that’s what “freelancer” really means), you’re responsible for finding clients that need your services, negotiating contracts with them, setting up payment schedules, and keeping track of all expenses related to providing those services. Basically: everything that goes into running an independent business.
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.
