For most people, launching a freelance career is a journey. There are no shortcuts; you can’t just “be” a freelancer by doing nothing but posting on Twitter that you want to be one.
It’s not like flipping a switch, and it’s certainly not something you can master overnight. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t rewarding.
Freelancing is in many ways the ideal way to work; if done right, you get to work for yourself, set your hours, set your pay rates for services rendered, and build an empire out of nothing but passion and perseverance.
The trick is understanding what freelance life entails before jumping in with both feet:
Unless you’re incredibly lucky, freelancing isn’t something that can be done in a couple of weeks.
If I could impart one thing to you about freelancing, it would be this: Freelancing isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon.
And unless you’re incredibly lucky, you’re not going to be able to do it in a couple of weeks (or even months).
The best way I can think of to explain this is by using an analogy.
When I used to run track in high school and college, we had races that were either 200 meters or 400 meters long the shorter ones were “sprints” and the longer ones were “distances.”
The two kinds of races are completely different: In a sprint, your goal is just to get as much distance out of your legs as possible as quickly as possible;
In a distance event like the 800-meter race or 1500-meter race (which are both competitive versions of the mile), there’s no room for error if you want your team to win or place well in the competition.
Your pace has to be consistent from start until finish if there’s any hope of achieving success against some seriously talented athletes.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Freelancing requires a long-term perspective and consistent effort. |
| 2. Success in freelancing comes from building relationships and maintaining client satisfaction. |
| 3. Freelancers should prioritize self-care to avoid burnout and maintain productivity. |
| 4. Developing a strong work-life balance is essential for sustained freelancing success. |
| 5. Embracing a marathon mindset allows for continuous growth and improvement in the freelance career. |
I Always Used To Think That When I Finally Quit My Job And Went Full-Time Freelance, Everything Would Just Fall Into Place
I’d be able to make money from the first day of freelancing, and all my worries would be over.
After all, it was just about working hard for a few months, right? So why did everyone tell me it was going to take years or even decades before I could breakthrough as a freelancer?
It took me almost two years to feel confident in my numbers, and even then, I was still underestimating my work schedule.
I’m not going to lie: Freelancing is a lot of hard work. It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.
It took me almost two years to feel confident in my numbers, and even then, I was still underestimating my work schedule.
But if you’re a smart person who loves to learn new things and has good time management skills, freelancing will reward you with flexibility and freedom and it can be incredibly financially rewarding as well.
Despite all this positivity though…freelancing isn’t easy! It takes time for your business model (product/service).
Client base (base of clients from whom you take on projects) and finances (your ability to manage money) all come together into something sustainable and profitable for yourself over the long term.
So if there’s one thing that I could give anyone thinking about starting their own freelance business: don’t rush into anything! Be patient with yourself during this process.
It won’t happen overnight but if you put in the hard work now it’ll pay off later on down the road when things get easier 🙂
Sometimes freelancing can feel like an uphill battle, but there are moments when it all falls into place. Discover how freelancing can become easier in our article on The Moment When Freelancing Isn’t Hard at All, and find inspiration to overcome challenges.
It Was Up To Me To Find The Clients And Create The Content They Needed
As the saying goes, “if you want a job done right, do it yourself.” Sometimes freelancers have to rely on themselves and their resources to find work.
This doesn’t mean that you have to be a one-man show. You can hire people or ask friends for help but the burden will still be on your shoulders to make things happen.
You need to take responsibility for your career and not just wait for opportunities to come knocking at your door.
The Idea That Any Client Could Leave At Any Time Has Forced Me To Maintain Strong Relationships With Everyone I Work With
To build a solid relationship, you need trust. Trust is built through communication and honesty, which can sometimes be difficult for freelancers to achieve due to their inherent nature.
It’s important for freelancers who are trying to build these relationships not only to communicate clearly and often but also to deliver on their promises every time they make one.
Hiring Someone Else Is An Option. You Don’t Have To Do This All By Yourself
You have the option to hire someone else. Many people can do the work you don’t like, don’t do well, and/or don’t have time for.
You can even hire someone who already knows how to do it if you’re not confident in your skills yet or want to get better at something specific.
It’s important to keep in mind that freelancing isn’t a sprint, but a marathon: if you’re interested in doing this for the long haul, then taking care of yourself is just as important as getting work done!
Balancing a full-time job and freelance writing may seem overwhelming, but it’s possible to maintain both without losing your sanity. Learn valuable tips and strategies in our guide on How I Maintain a Full-Time Job and Freelance Writing Without Losing My Mind On to achieve a successful work-life blend.
Freelance Work Requires A Long-Term Mindset And Strategy For Growth
The freelance world is similar to the traditional 9-to-5 world in that it’s not a sprint, but a marathon.
In the same way that you wouldn’t expect to be promoted after your first week on the job or start getting raises every year, you shouldn’t expect to make $1 million in your first year of freelancing.
There are many ways to make money as a freelancer, but all require a long-term mindset and strategy for growth.
Keep Learning
This is not just a phrase, it’s a way of life. You must continually learn and grow. If you’re not growing, then you’re shrinking and that can be dangerous when it comes to your career.
It’s easy to get complacent in one place or another and coast on your laurels, but if you don’t keep learning and growing you’ll be left behind by those who do put themselves out there to better themselves professionally.
Learning shouldn’t stop when school does either; I’m still learning new things every day even though I have over 15 years of experience under my belt (I started freelancing full-time at age 16).
There are many different platforms available online today that offer free training videos on topics ranging from social media marketing strategies way through graphic design tutorials.
From beginner-level lessons up to advanced tips & tricks for seasoned veterans looking for something new to try out in their workflow process!
Keep Growing
To keep growing and hustling, you need to stay on top of your game.
Here are a few ideas for how you can do that:
Keep learning. To keep growing as a freelancer, you must stay up-to-date with the latest trends in your industry and develop new skills.
This could mean taking courses from online learning platforms like Udemy or Codeacademy, reading blogs from other freelancers like Freelance Insights or Creative Bloq, or even watching YouTube tutorials on coding in PHP or CSS.
Stay organized by keeping track of your progress and goals so far this month/year/etc., which will help drive home the point that you’re making progress towards something big, and if all else fails (or gets too overwhelming), take some time off! We’ve all been there before:
Sometimes we just need some time out to refresh our mindsets before getting back into it again later down the line when we’re ready again!
Keep Hustling
You have to be willing to put in the time. You have to be willing to work hard, and you have to be willing to do it for a long time.
The race is not a sprint, but rather a marathon.
That doesn’t mean that everything takes forever; it just means that whatever you do takes longer than expected because freelancers don’t work fixed hours as employees do.
We all know times are changing, but we also need to accept that there aren’t any shortcuts or hacks that will get us where we want fast enough (or at all).
If you’ve encountered difficulties with freelancing platforms like Upwork and Freelancer, you’re not alone. Discover the reasons why freelancing on these platforms can be challenging in our informative article on Why Is Freelancing on Upwork and Freelancer So Terrible? and explore alternative approaches to freelancing success.
Working From Home Doesn’t Always Mean Relaxing
If you’re going to work from home, don’t think that it’s all fun and games. You have to be prepared to put in the hard yards if you want your business (or freelancing career) off the ground.
Marketing Takes A Lot Of Time
While you are working on your project, you have to spend time promoting and marketing it. You have to market yourself too.
You also need to spend time marketing your business, brand, and website.
Marketing is a lot like running a marathon; it takes a lot of time and effort and at times can seem overwhelming.
However, if you want to be successful in freelancing, then marketing becomes an essential part of the process.
Self-Employed Means No One’s Promoting You
While it’s true that freelancers don’t have to worry about job security, they do need to worry about building their businesses.
That means promoting themselves, being their publicists, and getting their names out there as much as possible.
If you want to be successful at this, you’ll need to be able to sell yourself and your work in a way that resonates with clients (and potential clients).
And if you can do all of those things and sell yourself and your services then you’re going places!
Dreaming of quitting your job and embracing the freedom of working from home? Discover the essential considerations and steps to take in our guide on Are You Ready to Quit Your Job and Work from Home?. Explore the pros and cons, necessary preparations, and tips for a successful transition into the freelance world.
Freedom To Choose Your Work
The freedom to choose your work is an important part of freelancing. You can set your schedule and work on projects that interest you, rather than having to do things that don’t.
Being self-employed allows you the flexibility to travel and pursue other passions, like sports, volunteering, or anything else that is meaningful for you.
Working from home has its perks: no commute time (read: more time for Netflix), no office gossiping with coworkers about who’s dating whom (you will miss this if you don’t have any friends).
But there are some downsides too like working from bed in pajamas all day long with only cold pizza for lunch while watching TV marathons on Netflix.
I would say the best thing about freelancing is feeling like my days aren’t chained by someone else’s rules or expectations and being able to get out of bed whenever I want without having to worry about how late I am getting into work!
Freelancing can have a profound impact on one’s life, offering freedom and new opportunities. Dive into our personal story on How Freelancing Saved My Life to understand the transformative power of freelancing and how it can positively shape your journey.
Conclusion
After years of freelancing, I’m still constantly learning. The pros and cons of being a freelance writer can make it stressful at times, but it doesn’t have to be.
Freelance writing is just like any other field if you’re willing to put in the hard work and effort, you’ll get out what you put in.
Just remember that while freelancing can be lonely at times, you’re never alone in your quest to make a living through it. There are plenty of resources online to help guide you on the right path!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that provide valuable insights into freelancing, career progression, and the concept of marathons and sprints:
Approach Freelancing: This comprehensive guide offers practical tips and advice on how to approach freelancing, including finding clients, managing projects, and building a successful freelance career.
Your Career Isn’t a Marathon, It’s a Series of Sprints: Discover a fresh perspective on career development and learn how to achieve success by embracing a mindset of continuous improvement and focused effort.
Startups Are a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Run at Your Own Pace: This Forbes article explores the parallels between startups and marathons, emphasizing the importance of pacing oneself and maintaining a long-term perspective when building a business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between A Sprint And A Marathon?
A sprint is a short, intensive period of work designed to reach a specific goal. A marathon is a long-distance race that requires physical endurance and mental strength.
Why Is Freelancing Like A Marathon?
Freelancing is like a marathon because it requires you to do things that other people don’t want to do and you have to do them consistently over time.
You have to be prepared for the long haul, no matter how hard things get. Consider them your running shoes!
How Do I Make Money?
In the beginning, we recommend that you take on as many projects as possible. That way, you can get your name out there and build up a portfolio for prospective clients.
After you’ve established your brand and built up a following, it will be much easier for you to negotiate higher rates with clients.
What Is The Best Way To Find Clients?
There are a lot of different ways to go about this, but one thing we recommend is joining local meet-up groups where other freelancers are active.
You can also try posting your work online or in local publications. But remember, the most important thing is to get out there and start building relationships with people!
What Should I Do If People Steal My Ideas?
This happens more often than you’d think! It’s important to have a copyright notice at the top of every project description so that people don’t plagiarize your work without permission (or even without knowing they did).
If someone does steal from you without permission or credit they probably will just send them an email asking them nicely
Why Should I Freelance?
Because you can make money doing what you love!
Freelancers have more control over their time and work, which means they get to spend less time at the office and more time with friends and family.
It also means that freelancers often have an opportunity to earn more money in a shorter amount of time.
How Much Can I Make As A Freelancer?
It depends on your skill set, where you’re located, and how many hours per week or month you want to work.
However, it’s important to note that there are no guarantees when it comes to income. You’ll need to be willing to put in the work for yourself if you want those earnings!
What Does It Take To Be Successful As A Freelancer?
It takes hard work, dedication, and an open mind! Freelancing is not easy there are no shortcuts or quick fixes but if you’re willing to put in the effort over time, then this career path could be right for you.
What Kind Of Work Can I Do?
You can do anything you want! Seriously, we’re not here to tell you what to do. We just want to create a space where you can figure out what it is you want to be doing and how to get there.
It might take some time, but once you figure it out, we’ll be here for you every step of the way.
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.