How To Become a Successful Freelancer

There can be many reasons to want to become a freelancer. Some do it because they can't stand working 9 to 5 while others want to pursue their creative passions and can't imagine doing anything else. Whatever the reason for wanting to be a freelancer, it can be a rewarding career path that offers you the opportunity to be your own boss and pursue something you love, whether it's photography, writing, or something else altogether, and build a life that's a true reflection of you.

Do Your Research

Before committing to becoming a freelancer it is important to make sure that you do your research. No matter how badly you may just want something to work out, if you don't do enough research first you could be setting yourself up for failure. Not only should you research the field that you plan to be freelancing in, but you should also research typical rates, as well as what your competition is like in your area.

Sell Yourself

After you've done some basic research, it is a good time to start working on your Sales Skills and develop your inner salesman. When you're a freelancer, no matter what kind of creative service you're offering, you will need to find ways to stand out as a good option. There can be a lot that goes into being a good salesman, and it can take time and practice, especially if the concept of trying to sell yourself is new to you. However, a good place to start is by being able to rattle off several reasons why choosing you as a freelancer is beneficial.

Develop Your Skills

While you are working on your skills as a salesperson, you should also be working on your creative skills as well. If you're going to tell people what a great service you can offer, then you need to be able to back it up. Whether it's graphic design or clothing design, taking the time to educate yourself and learn more about your craft can help you to feel more confident about selling your services and can show your customers and clients that you are a true professional.

Pick the Right Pricing

Pricing is something that it is important to deliberate about when you are a freelancer. Many freelancers, especially those just starting out, sometimes set their prices too low because they aren't confident in what they are offering yet. While this may be find initially, the reality is that setting prices too low can cause a lot of issues in the long run, and can lead to you missing out on a lot of funds. Because of this, starting out with the right pricing can be important, even if you feel that some of your rates are too high. It is always easier to lower rates for potential customers, than to raise them.

Build Connections

When you're a freelancer, building connections is important. For many freelancers, income doesn't just come from advertising, but in fact much of it comes from word of mouth and building in-person connections. One of the simplest ways to make these connections is to talk to friends and family about your freelancing and spread the word among those you know about what you're doing.

Don't Quit Your Day Job Just Yet

Starting out on your path as a freelancer can be exciting, and time consuming. However, that doesn't mean that you should quit your day job just yet. Even though freelancing may require a lot of work and effort, especially at the beginning, taking the leap too soon could put you back financially and cause you a lot of stress. Although it may feel exhausting to keep a full time job and to build a freelance career at the same time, by waiting until your freelancing income is enough to support you before quitting your day job, you can save yourself a lot of stress.

The Takeaway

From increased freedom to pursuing something you love, there can be many reasons to become a freelancer. While it may seem like a big transition to make, the reality is with some patience and effort any one can do it.