Does
working from home, setting your own hours, and being your own boss
speak to you? If so, here’s a step-by-step guide to making it happen.
The first thing
you’ll want to do before making any big decisions is determine whether
it even makes sense financially to become a freelancer. According to a
survey of more than 23,000 freelancers
from around the world, the average freelancer earns roughly $39,000
per year. Keep in mind, however, that freelancers get to determine their
own hours and be their own bosses, and they don’t have to deal with
lengthy commutes or office politics.
Define your expectations
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Before
you do anything, be clear about what you expect to get out of
freelancing. Are you doing it as a part-time gig to supplement your
income, or do you want to be a full-time freelancer? How much do you
expect to earn the first year, or five years down the road? By clearly
defining your goals and expectations, you create a road map to success.
Quit your day job
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If
you’ve done your research and determined that you’ll be able to support
yourself as a full-time freelancer, then all that’s left to do is to
quit your day job. As tempting as it may be to go out in a blaze of
glory, it’s important that you leave your current employer on good terms
to avoid burning any bridges or losing potential contacts. Be
respectful, and make sure you give at least two weeks’ notice.
Pick a niche
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When
you’re first starting out, you might feel the need to take on any and
every job, but it’s important to narrow down your area of expertise in
order to target specific clients and set yourself apart. As Freelancer
notes, “Your potential clients want someone who is an expert, and the
more you try to do everything, the less of an expert you’ll be than if
you only focused on one or two specialties.”
Consider the market
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When
picking a niche, don’t just choose a field that’s of interest to you.
You also have to consider the market to determine what’s in demand at
the moment. According to Creative Revolt, some of the most profitable
niches for freelance writers in 2019 include long-form blog posts,
cryptocurrency content, and white pages.
Get the necessary materials
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No
matter your business, you’re going to need certain tools: a computer
with a reliable internet connection if you’re a freelance writer, a
camera if you’re a photographer, specific software if you’re a graphic
designer, and so on. As the old saying goes, you have to spend money to
make money, so budget accordingly.
Create a good work environment
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If
you choose to work from home, designate a specific room or spot in the
house for your work. Don’t work on the couch or in bed. Also, make sure
that your family or roommates know not to disturb you while you’re
working. You may also choose to work out of a coffee shop, library, or
co-working space. Whatever works best for you.
Find clients
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The
most important—and for many, the most daunting—part of being a
freelancer is finding clients. The first thing you’ll want to do is
create a portfolio to highlight your work. Then you can start submitting
and pitching to prospective clients. For example, for freelance
writers, look for a Contact or Write for Us section on blogs or
magazines that you’re familiar with, or search through online job
boards.
Big clients or small clients?
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The
common belief among freelancers is that it’s better to work for big
clients, but freelancermap makes a strong case for targeting smaller
clients, in part because they give you more freedom to be creative. And
though bigger clients might pay better, there’s also a good chance that
the work will be more demanding and time-consuming.
Name your price
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The
most important thing when setting your price is not to sell yourself
short, as many new freelancers have a tendency to undervalue their
services. To establish a reasonable rate, there are several factors to
consider: How much money do you need to get by? How much time will you
need to invest in the project? How much will it cost you? To determine
an hourly rate, content marketing consultant Abdullahi Muhammed says to
add your target annual income to your expected business expenses and
divide that number by your annual billable hours.
Don’t work for free
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For
some reason, people often misinterpret the free in freelancing to mean
that you’re willing to work gratis. Or some clients will try to convince
you to work for exposure, which is the same thing as saying free. Don’t
do it. Your time and skills are just as valuable as any other worker’s.
Perfect your pitch
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When pitching your services to a potential client, here are a few things to consider:
(1) Make sure you’re pitching to the right person. As a freelance writer, you should go straight to the editor.
(2) Write a compelling subject line that will grab the reader’s attention.
(3)
Be concise and to the point. You should be able to explain who you are
and what you will bring to the client in no more than two or three
paragraphs.
(4) Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.
Create a website
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Having
your own website is one of the best ways to market yourself. Some of
the elements your site should include are a bio (you don’t have to
include a picture of yourself, but it would help to put a face to your
name), contact information (including links to social media pages), a
description of the services you provide, pricing, and, most importantly,
samples of your work.
Use social media to your advantage
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Social
media has its downsides, but it’s also an invaluable tool that helps
freelancers market their work and connect with potential clients. Forbes
outlines five ways in which social media can be used to help land
clients:
(1) check out who follows you on Twitter,
(2) create a portfolio board on Pinterest,
(3) get involved in Facebook groups,
(4) publish content on LinkedIn, and
(5) streamline your accounts.
Treat it like a normal job
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Perhaps
the hardest part about freelancing is being self-motivated, since
there’s no boss breathing down your neck to make sure you meet your
deadlines. To stay on track, treat your freelance work like any other
job. Create a work schedule and stick to it. It doesn’t have to be 9 to
5, but it should be consistent.
Keep your freelance and 9-to-5 work separate
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If
you are freelancing to supplement your income, don’t let it get in the
way of your regular job. For starters, read over the contract you signed
with your current employer to be certain that you’re not breaking any
rules by having a business on the side. Second, do not under any
circumstances spend time on your freelance business during work hours.
Lastly, do not use company resources to further your own business.
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