As a freelancer, how do you make money? Where do you find work or jobs? How do you figure out what to do? What about insurance and benefits?
Freelancing can be the most difficult time of your life, but it can also completely rerouted you career and lead you to a lucrative lifelong profession .
Whether freelancing is your lifelong dream or ameans to an end, we’re going to walk througheach element of starting your own business, making your own schedule, and managing yourown clients.
Freelancing is doing contracted work for multipleclients and companies.
A freelancer’s field of expertise can range fromcontent creation to app development to tutoring, and he or she could also be referred to as anindependent contractor or self-employed worker.
Based on economic trends, the majority of theworkforce is projected to be freelancing by 2027.
Is freelancing right for you? If so, what workwould you do as a freelancer? What would yourniche be?
Pursuing freelancing for the wrong reasons willmake it hard to keep going when the going getstough.
“For us freelancing means freedom. A few yearsago, we were at a point where the thought ofdoing the same thing in the same place fordecades of our lives felt stifling. One day, we finally decided to actually do something about it. We researched our options, found work online asfreelancers, sold everything we owned, andstarted our adventure as digital nomads. So far, we’ve been to over 40 cities in 17 countries andcan’t wait to see what the future holds.” -Erin B.& Tannia S., Eff The Office, Remote.
The first few months of freelancing typicallyinvolves sacrificing income while setting up yourbusiness, establishing yourself, and findingclients.
Are you comfortable with being uncomfortable? Freelancing can be uncomfortable.
Now, let’s pull the spotlight back and look atfreelancing as a whole.
Regardless of fit or type of work, there aredefinite benefits and drawbacks to a career as afreelancer.
This instability can cancel out any work-lifebalance achieved through freelancing.
We want to miminimisenimize the unknowns and equipyou with plenty of knowledge as you pursuefreelancing.
This will not only attract clients, but it’ll alsoprovide direction when you feel stumped or at aloss for why you’re freelancing.
A personal brand is valuable when establishingauthority as a freelancer and creating a long-lasting impression with clients.
Nowadays, every freelancer should have awebsite, especially if they work with clients remotely.
Why is personal branding so important? A clean, consistent brand communicates authority andprofessionalism to anyone looking at yourbusiness and will help you establish yourself as atrustworthy freelancer.
Some freelancers remain sole proprietors andopt to receive 1099s and work from a personalbank account.
You’re set up online, now where are you going toset up to work? Your physical workspace can impact your productivity, focus, andmotivation, so you should keep this top-of-mindwhen considering your jump to freelancing.
Many freelancers choose to work out of theirhomes, whether for convenience, cost, or to becloser to family.
The process of setting rates and determiningfees is the hardest part of freelancing.
It’s so hard to see yourself as a commodity, butthat’s what freelancing is.
“I actually love using Facebook groups likeFreelancing Females, The Copywriter Club, andThe Denver Boss Babe Collective. Those aregroups that get it. They understand freelancingand running your own business and are verycollaborative. I also enjoy word of mouth. Thebest business is a referral, so I let some of thattake its course. In six months I’ve already hadthree or four referral offers.” – Laura B., Denver.
Remember, as a freelancer you not only need tocreate amazing work but also please your clients, as clients lead to referrals which lead to morework! I’ve compiled a list of tips for working withclients below.
The other half involves billing, getting paid, andmanaging your freelancing financials.
One important thing to acknowledge aboutfreelancing is that sometimes clients don’t wantto pay.
Freelancers can set up and managetheir own benefits and taxes, but it does take alittle extra research and work.
Freelancing is an incrediblyincredible independentundertaking, but you don’t have to do everythingalone.
Another sacrifice of freelancing is forgoingcompany-sponsored benefits.
Retirement planning isn’t reserved for the” employed, and you definitely don’tneed an employer to set up a 401(k) or IRA.Freelancers and self-employed folks have manyof the same options as those who work for acompany, such as the Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or self-employed 401(k).
Regardless, freelancing requires stepping outsideyour comfort zone and working hard to buildrelationships and joining communities – like you’d do at work.
Meeting others can help you not only stayconnected and up-to-date on new jobs andfreelancing trends but also refine your skills andlearn new ones.
My mentor showed me exactly how to be afreelancer, including how to find business, pitchmyself, set my rates, and more.
Whether you’re working from the heart of NewYork City or middle-of-nowhere New Mexico, today’s technology makes it easy tostto stayay connected to other freelancers.
Sites like Freelancers Union and AmericanWriters and Artists Inc. offer memberships thatprovide resources and access to elitecommunities of freelancers and creatives aroundthe world.
If you’re on Slack, you can also hop into aFreelancer slack community, such as DigitalFreelancer.
This ultimate guide to freelancing is long for areason – there’s a lot that goes into this massivemassive career career move.
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