From the outside looking in, working for yourself can seem like a dream. You get to set your hours, work in your pajamas if you want, and (perhaps most importantly) put food on the table while doing something that you love! But before you go firing off your resignation letter or quitting on the spot.
It’s important to remember that self-employment isn’t right for everyone. To help you figure out if freelancing is right for you
Takeaways |
---|
1. Recognize the signs that indicate freelancing may be the right career choice for you. |
2. Assess your self-motivation, time management skills, and ability to handle uncertainty. |
3. Consider the benefits of freelancing, such as flexibility, autonomy, and potential for higher income. |
4. Evaluate your passion for independent work and your willingness to market yourself and find clients. |
5. Understand the skills in demand for freelancers and ensure you possess or can develop those skills. |
6. Take steps to manage your finances effectively as a freelancer, including tracking income and expenses. |
7. Explore additional resources and articles to gain further insights into freelancing as a career. |
You Want To Be Your Boss
As I’ve said before, freelancing is not for everyone. Some people are far better suited to working in an office, under the watchful eye of their superiors and surrounded by colleagues. If you find yourself longing for the comfort and security that comes with a steady paycheck, then freelance work may not be right for you.
However, if you thrive on being able to set your schedule and take time off when you need it—or when there’s time scheduled off then freelancing might just be your calling! You’ll have no one telling you what days or hours of work are best for them; instead, it will be up to YOU when it’s best for YOU to get down and dirty with some coding or writing.
You’ll also be able to choose who works alongside you (or sometimes alone).
You’ll only be accountable to yourself because nobody else is counting on those earnings from this month’s paycheck coming through as soon as possible like someone would in an office setting likely do at least once per week if not more often than that depending upon how many outstanding bills there were at that particular moment in time!
Tracking metrics is crucial for freelancers who aim to maintain consistency in their work. Learn about the 20 metrics you need to track to become a consistent freelancer and achieve long-term success in your freelancing career. Check out our guide on The Consistent Freelancer: 20 Metrics You Need to Track to learn more about tracking essential metrics in freelancing.
You Are Good At What You Do (And Know It)
You are good at what you do (and know it).
It’s important to have a strong sense of confidence in your skills and to be able to communicate them. You should also be able to articulate exactly why your skills are valuable and demonstrate how you can use those skills for others’ benefit. If you don’t feel confident in your abilities, this might not be the right time for freelancing but if it is something that sounds like a good fit for you, then keep reading!
You Are A Disciplined Self-Starter
You are a disciplined self-starter. Freelancing is not an easy task, but it’s not impossible either. It will take some time to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll be able to make a living from freelancing. To avoid burnout or giving up on your business, you must be self-motivated and disciplined enough to see things through until they come to fruition.
You have a good work ethic and are willing to put in the effort needed for success. One of the biggest challenges with freelance writing is getting your name out there so that potential clients will know who you are when they need someone like yourself (hint: me).
This means networking at conferences and other events where writers gather together so that people can get their names out there too! You should also make sure all of your social media pages are up-to-date with current content as well!
Managing time well is also crucial because it allows us more flexibility over what projects we can take on without having too many deadlines overlapping each other which could cause stress levels to rise quickly due . . .
Being open-minded about feedback from others could mean being willing to change direction during projects which may require additional research before making final decisions about how best to solve problems within those constraints.”
You Have A Strong Budgeting Sense
If you’re considering freelancing, it’s important to have a strong budgeting sense. This will allow you to know the difference between your needs and wants, create a budget, save money for emergencies and make sure you have enough money to pay your bills.
If you have a lot of expenses and want to freelance full time, some things cancan help:
Work on lowering expenses like cable television or internet services. If those aren’t necessary for your business operation and they’re costing too much each month, try finding alternatives like Netflix (which offers both movies & TV shows), Hulu Plus, or Amazon Prime Video (both offer free 2-day shipping).
Reduce debt as much as possible so that when emergencies come up it doesn’t put stress on your finances. Having high credit card balances is bad since most companies charge interest rates between 17% – 25%. You should always pay off every credit card balance monthly so that no interest is being charged against what’s owed!
Freelance writing can open up numerous opportunities for individuals seeking flexibility and creativity in their careers. Discover the compelling reasons why you should consider trying freelance writing and how it can transform your professional journey. Explore our article on Reasons Why I Think You Should Try Freelance Writing to gain insights into the advantages and benefits of pursuing freelance writing.
You Truly Understand The Need For Professional Boundaries
You’re a professional, so you know the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries. You understand that it’s important to be clear about what is and isn’t appropriate in the professional space: keep business and personal lives separate, don’t get too invested in your clients’ lives or share too much about your own life, etc.
It’s also important for you to remember that even though you can feel like you’re close with your clients because you’re working together so closely, they are not your friends. Your job is simply to provide them with whatever service they need not solve all their problems or try to become their therapist!
You Value Your Time And Know How To Manage It
If you’re the kind of person who knows how to budget their time, and you know when to say no, then freelancing might be right for you.
This means that when someone asks you to do something outside of your schedule or budget, you know how much work that task is going to take and can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s worth doing. You also have a good sense of how many hours per week are available for your business to thrive.
You will be spending most days working on projects from home and sometimes at night as well—so being able to manage your own time effectively will help ensure that progress gets made quickly without feeling like there aren’t enough hours in the day (or week).
Your Work Is Strongly Aligned With Skills You Possess
To succeed as a freelancer, you must be good at what you do. If you are not already successful in your career, freelancing may not be right for you just yet.
Being successful means more than just having a job or making money; it also means doing work that is aligned with skills and interests that come naturally to you. When work aligns with your natural strengths and passions, the process of doing it becomes easier and more enjoyable.
This leads directly to greater motivation (i.e., being able to stay on task), higher confidence that comes from knowing you are good at something (and therefore likely able), and ultimately greater satisfaction with what you do which makes it more likely that clients will pay your rates again in the future!
Recognizing the signs that indicate progress and growth in your freelancing career is essential for staying motivated and achieving success. Discover the 15 signs you’re on your way to a successful freelancing career and gain confidence in your professional journey. Visit our comprehensive list of 15 Signs You’re on Your Way to a Successful Freelancing Career to assess your progress and identify key indicators of a thriving freelancing career.
You Are Generally Happy Working Alone
If you are generally happy working alone and can get productive without needing to see other people, then freelancing may be right for you. Working alone allows you to set your schedule and pace of work, so there’s no pressure from anyone else about when things need to be done.
You won’t have to worry about office politics either; with freelancing it’s just you, your computer, and whatever project(s) in front of you that day. You also don’t have to worry about the office dress code or gossiping about coworkers with other coworkers (if any).
Your Expertise Can Be Delivered Via Skype, Email, Phone, Etc. More Than In Person
You can be a freelancer from pretty much anywhere. The only thing you need is access to the internet and some way of receiving calls or video chats.
Even if you have to travel somewhere for an in-person meeting, it’s unlikely that you’ll be going there more than once every few months or so (unless you’re meeting with clients outside of your local areHavingving a home office is one of the biggest perks of being a freelancer. You’ll no longer be chained to a desk you can work remotely and set your hours!
Perhaps what makes this option even more attractive is that it’s not just limited to working at home: There are many other places where someone could do their job efficiently while still operating as an independent contractor.
For example, they could lead virtual teams from coffee shops around town; they could pop into coworking spaces while traveling; they could take advantage of free Wi-Fi at libraries; they could even conduct online video interviews in public parks (or even on footpaths).
You Have A Supportive Network Of Friends And Family Who Can Help In Times Of Need
A supportive network of family and friends can be a huge asset if things don’t go according to plan. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running your own business, let them know so they can help you out with moral support and practical support like babysitting or cleaning.
If you’re just not getting enough work, ask for their advice about how to make more sales. If there are legal issues that need to be addressed, seek counsel from someone who knows the law better than yourself (and keep in mind that hiring a lawyer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time for panic). And if marketing strategies aren’t working, turn to those closest to ask for advice on how best to reach new customers
Making a positive first impression with your Upwork profile is crucial for attracting clients and securing freelance projects. Follow our expert tips on how to make a great first impression and optimize your Upwork profile for success. Dive into our guide on How to Make a Great First Impression with Your Upwork Profile to learn valuable strategies and techniques for impressing clients and standing out on Upwork.
You Aren’t Afraid To Set Business Goals And Strive To Reach Them
Goals are key to any successful freelancer’s business. They give you direction and purpose, and they help you keep track of your progress, which is essential in stay motivated.
When it comes to setting goals, there are two common mistakes that freelancers make:
- Setting unrealistic goals
This is the most common mistake I see among new freelancers. A client may ask for something too difficult for your skillset at this point (or simply not worth the money), but rather than facing that fact and asking for revisions or suggesting other options, some people will just blindly charge ahead with a goal they know won’t be reached by their deadline.
This leads us back to our first point if you’re not confident about achieving a goal as it’s set out in front of you (or worse yet, if someone else sets the goal), then don’t agree to take on the project at all! It’ll only lead to disappointment when things don’t go according to plan later on down the road.
- Not setting enough goals
This can happen on either side: Either someone has so many goals that they never get around to finishing them all (or maybe even starting them) because there’s always another one calling out louder than whatever else needs doing right now… Or someone doesn’t have enough goals;
They’re constantly looking up longingly at what others seem to accomplish effortlessly without ever getting around to doing anything themselves because everything looks overwhelming! So how do we avoid these pitfalls?
You Have A Clear Vision For Your Business
If you have a clear vision for your business, and it’s one that you can communicate to others, then freelancing may be right for you.
If this is the case, then freelancing might be an excellent fit for your life. When a freelancer is working on a project or client, they must be able to prioritize their time wisely to maximize the value of their work.
Freelancers need to be able to communicate their goals clearly with both clients and subcontractors (if any). They also need to adapt as needed because circumstances can change quickly in any business or personal situation.
Freelancing Is An Option If You Want To Be Your Boss, You Like Being A Disciplined Self-Starter, And You Can Work Well Independently
Freelancing is an option if you want to be your boss, you like being a disciplined self-starter, and you can work well independently. Freelancing is not a good option if you can’t work independently.
If freelancing sounds like something that fits your lifestyle… then welcome to the club! That’s great news for those who fit this description and want to explore how freelancing can enhance their career outlooks in 2019.
Freelancing has rapidly emerged as a prominent form of work, revolutionizing the traditional job landscape. Explore why freelancing is not just the future, but also the present state of work, and discover the opportunities and challenges it presents. Read our thought-provoking article on Freelancing: Not the Future of Work, the Present to gain insights into the current state of freelancing and its impact on the job market.
Conclusion
If you’re the type of person who doesn’t want to work for someone else, or if you have some great ideas that you want to pursue on your own, then freelancing might be the perfect career for you. It can be a tough industry to get started in, but with some hard work and determination, it can also be very rewarding.
And remember, as long as there are people out there willing to pay others for doing their jobs, then freelancing will always be
Further Reading
Here are some additional articles you may find helpful to explore the topic further:
Signs You Should Pursue a Freelance Career
Learn about the signs that indicate you might be ready to embark on a freelance career and gain insights into the freelance lifestyle.
8 Signs to Know If Freelancing Is Right for You
Discover eight key indicators that can help you determine whether freelancing is a suitable path for your career aspirations and personal preferences.
Signs to Start a Freelance Career
Explore the signs that signify you are ready to start your freelance career, along with practical tips and advice for making a successful transition.
FAQs
What are the benefits of pursuing a freelance career?
Freelancing offers various benefits such as flexibility in work hours, the ability to choose clients and projects, and the potential for higher income based on skills and experience.
How can I determine if freelancing is a good fit for me?
Consider factors such as your self-motivation, ability to handle uncertainty, time management skills, and passion for independent work to assess if freelancing aligns with your work style and goals.
What skills are in demand for freelancers?
In-demand skills for freelancers vary depending on the industry, but some popular skills include graphic design, content writing, web development, digital marketing, and project management.
How do I find clients as a freelancer?
To find clients, you can utilize online platforms, network within your industry, leverage social media, create a professional website or portfolio, and actively market your services through various channels.
How can I manage my finances as a freelancer?
It’s important to establish a system for tracking income and expenses, set aside money for taxes, maintain an emergency fund, and consider working with an accountant or financial advisor for guidance on financial planning and budgeting.
What If I Don’t Make Enough Money?
The great thing about freelancing is that you can make as much or as little as you want. If you’re making more than you did in your day job, great! If not, maybe your skills need some sharpening. But don’t worry there are plenty of ways to boost your income.
How Do I Find Clients?
Word of mouth is the best way to find new clients, but some websites and apps help freelancers find jobs and clients find freelancers. One of my favorites is Upwork, which connects freelancers with small businesses looking for help with specific tasks like writing blog posts or designing logos.
It’s free to register and list your profile, but only those who pay for premium membership can see the full range of potential jobs.
Can I Work From Home?
Yes! Many people choose to work from home because they prefer not having a commute or office politics to deal with every day. You’ll still have taxes withheld from your paycheck (and will file quarterly estimated tax payments), but otherwise, all the benefits and perks associated
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.