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Freelancing is a great way to earn money and work from home, but it involves a lot of effort, work, dedication and discipline. You can choose the project you want to work on, set your own schedule and do what interests you most. However, this freedom has its drawbacks as well. You have no one to call in case something goes wrong with your finances or business relationships.
In this guide I will try to share everything I know about freelancing so that you can get started on your own journey towards financial independence and freedom.
You should know what you are good at, and what you are not so good at.
If your skill set is diverse, freelance work might be for you. If it isn’t, then consider looking for the perfect job instead of trying to make freelancing work for you.
Decide what kind of freelancer you want to be. Are you a generalist who can do it all? Is it someone with a niche skill-set that specializes in one thing? In the latter case, pick something that excites or interests you most! You’ll have more fun if the work fits your personality!
A portfolio is what you show to potential clients when they ask to see your work. Including your resume and samples of your work is important, so it should be easy to find. When a potential client wants more than just a cover letter and resume, but not quite the full package, like a portfolio site or portfolio book, you should give them options.
Another thing to keep in mind is that while many freelancers are very good at what they do, few can call themselves excellent at everything. If there’s one thing that most potential clients will look for in an illustrator or photographer (or any other creative professional), it’s specialization. Someone who knows what they’re good at and doesn’t mind being pigeonholed into one type of project. In order to get repeat business from large companies or agencies with strict branding guidelines, freelancers need to specialize. If all else fails, focus on producing high quality work instead of trying something new every time out of fear you won’t get hired again!
The first step to success as a freelancer is to get clear about what you’re going to offer, and at what price.
To do this, make a list of the services you can offer. For example, writing copy for websites or editing videos for YouTube. Then write down the price you want to charge for each service. Be realistic about your pricing; this should reflect your skillset, experience level and cost of living in your area. Let people know what you will and won’t do.
It’s important that people know what they’re getting into before hiring someone so they don’t get disappointed later down the line when their expectations aren’t met.
In spite of the fact that you will be working from home, it is still a good idea to wear a professional outfit to work, because it will make you feel more professional. You don’t need an office with a receptionist and an assistant; all of that can be done remotely.
- Set boundaries and timelines with clients.
- Make sure you have a clear understanding of what the job entails.
- Be specific about what you can deliver, and when you can deliver it by (don’t forget to include time for revisions).
- Set expectations for when you will respond to emails or other communication from the client (if they don’t get a response within 24 hours, call them!).
- Be polite and respectful. A client is a colleague, not an adversary, so treat them as such.
- Be a good listener. The most critical part of any business relationship (and even more so for freelancers) is making sure that you understand what your client needs from you and then doing it to their satisfaction.
- Make yourself available when you say you will be. Even if it means working from home during off hours or taking time off on weekends while the kids are at school or with family members who can keep an eye on them while they’re young enough not to be alone yet, be sure that there’s never a day where someone could ask Why they haven’t heard back from their freelancer yet and have no good answer for them besides “because I’m busy.”
Freelancing is a great way to earn money doing things you love, but it takes organization, commitment and a positive attitude. While freelancing can be a great opportunity for many people, it isn’t right for everyone. This is because freelancers have to be able to work on their own without the support of an employer or manager. Freelancers may also need to deal with challenges like managing finances and keeping organized without the help of an HR department or team members.
However, if you do enjoy working independently and have enough patience with yourself (and others), then freelancing could be right for you! I know many people who are happy with their careers as self-employed workers, including myself!
To learn more about how I got started in freelance writing (and why it’s been such a rewarding experience) check out my previous blog post: How To Start Freelance Writing With No Experience.
As we’ve said, there is no shortage of information about how to be a successful freelancer. What we hope you take away from this article is that you can make it happen for yourself if you put in the work and have the right attitude. It’s not easy, but it’s worthwhile! We wish you all the best on your journey toward being a successful freelancer.
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