Freelancing is something that, if your profession allows it, you should try - especially if you are in the 20-40 age group.
Freelancing is the best way to test your skills, develop new skills, get an in-depth understanding of how your industry works and (literally) become your own boss.
Freelancing can provide you with financial independence and help you settle down to what you really enjoy doing. At the same time, it offers a unique freedom as it allows you to set your own time and commitments.
However, what do you need to know before you start?
Freelancing Requires Time Before It Starts Bringing You Income
When you start freelancing, don't expect the sky to start raining money - It would be dreamy, but not gonna happen.
In order to get to the point of having revenue, you need to meet several requirements regarding time-management, your financial plan and networking with clients. No matter how good you are or are not at your job, if you do not take care to organize the above properly, you will find it difficult to succeed.
Ideally, you should set a 3-6 month timeframe before you expect your first income and in between, learn to balance all your newly created roles properly. However, even if you make it sooner, make sure your expectations and goals remain realistic and grounded and don't rush into anything.
In Freelancing You Are Your Own Boss - Work with the Right Mindset
Very few people realize how much a freelancer has to manage in a day. Freelancing is neither simple, nor easy, nor quick - but it is fully rewarding once you get it right.
To increase the chances of this happening, you need to see yourself as ... your employee. Allow him to rest, take breaks, take vacations. More specifically:
- Do not neglect the holidays
- Do not work more than eight hours a day
- Don't skip your meals
- Make sure the space you work in is aesthetically pleasing and fully functional
- Set the days of the week you will have off from the start
- Make a list of your expenses for the consumables you use - don't go over the limit you set
- Set limits for yourself when it comes to communicating with your customers
- Create your own rules
Decide How You Will Make Your Charges
The above is one of the most important and crucial decisions a freelancer can make. How will you charge for your services? By the hour? By project? Per feature? The answer to this question depends on many parameters.
How many projects do you plan to do per year or per month? Are you aiming to produce a large amount of work, do you want to build your own exclusive brand that focuses on quality and a few projects or are you only interested in enriching your portfolio?
Take as much time as you need to answer with confidence and, once you have settled down, adjust your actions accordingly.
Imitate the Best in Freelancing
Trends work. Experts in every field know πάντα what they do. So, follow the experts and trends and walk in the footsteps they set before you put your unique, personal touch.
Take a close look at the leaders in your industry and copy their habits, the way they approach their customers, their setup, their principles, their techniques and anything else that might be useful to you. Adapt all of this to your own workflow and watch your freelancing career take off faster!
