Outline
Working for yourself can be rewarding, but it can also be hard. If you are considering a career as a freelancer, it is important to have a game plan.
One option is to find an area of your expertise and find clients that are in need of your services.
Another option is to take on projects that you are passionate about and build up your portfolio.
You can also find clients by networking with other freelancers and companies in your area, and there are many Forums and websites that can help you find work and answers.
In the below 8.000 word article, you’ll be taken through the basics and some more advanced aspects of Freelancing/Working From Home, which we hope will help explain some of the Pros & Cons of the whole thing.
Two of the most overlooked things when working from home are the necessity of looking after your physical and mental health, which we cover further in the article below.
Please feel free to read our 8.000 word article starting below here, and then you can head to our Teachable site… and learn how things really work, don’t panic, there’s a heap of FREE stuff there.
We think you should have a basic understanding before you race into any online business, so we’ve put together around 1000 Video Lessons covering most aspects of Digital Online marketing, including Freelancing & Work From Home info, with the first Video Lesson in every course being absolutely FREE.
So again, please enjoy this article and If you like this piece, you can read the whole article as an eBook “How to Start A Freelance Business” for Free over on Teachable HERE
Blog Posts
Introduction
- The Basics To Being A Freelancer
- Creating A Business Plan And Choosing Your Goals
- The Legal Stuff; Taxes, Ethics, And Contracts
- How To Start Working With Little Experience
- Best Places To Find Freelance Work
- How To Advertise Yourself: Creating A Portfolio
- The Importance of Valuing Your Work And Your Time
- The Next Adventure: Scaling Your Business
- Conclusion
Introduction
So you think you want to be a freelancer? Let us guess, you want freedom, flexibility, and to be in control of your life? There is no denying that starting a freelance business will change your life, but it will also change your relationship with, and perception of, work.
Being a freelancer is one of the most liberating career paths. It is also one of the toughest. Starting a freelance business is not just as simple as waking up in the morning, rolling out of bed, and opening your laptop. Freelancing is not just an easy way to monetize your hobbies, nor is it easier than a “proper” job.
Nevertheless, freelancing is some of the most rewarding work you will ever do.
One of the most significant things to remember when becoming a freelancer is that the worst thing someone can say to you is “no.” You need to put yourself out there. There is no shame in being rejected, but there is some shame in not trying in the first place. You may have to reach out to people. Things do not always come to you; you will have to seek them out.
Freelance can be done part-time, on the side, or, eventually, it may turn into a full-time job.
This blog post will give you all the tools that you need to be a successful freelancer. It will tackle common problems and answer the most common questions that new freelancers have. There are numerous perks that exist within a freelance business, that other jobs simply do not provide.
The first section of this blog post outlines the basic foundations required to start a freelance career; it will ask you some questions and force you to think about your dream life. This will make you think about whether a freelance business is the right path for you and will give you some hints on structuring your new lifestyle. It will emphasize the fact that a plan is essential, a freelance business is not just something you can make up as you go along. Effectively researching and planning extensively before beginning will be the hallmark of success—ensure that you understand your service, your industry, and your audience properly, first.
After discussing planning, goal setting, and briefly touching on legalities, this blog post will talk about how essential a portfolio is. It will also go on to provide some tips on how to fill it up effectively to attract your target audience. Following this, it will also discuss how you can start working without much experience, and also delve into the positives and negatives of different platforms and places to find freelance work.
You will also have to think about the importance of time management and valuing your work. Your time is valuable, and the way that you manage it will help to dictate your work-life balance.
The blog post will conclude by suggesting some forms of business expansion. Once you have reached a certain level of success, you will have the opportunity to upscale it.
So, future freelancer, read on for the ultimate guide to starting a freelance business and changing your life.
1. The Basics To Being A Freelancer
This blog post will begin by outlining some of the basic features of freelance work.
The fundamental details of a freelance business plan will be outlined in the next chapters. However, it would be remiss to discuss the basics of freelance work without stating unequivocally that, as a freelancer, you are also a business owner. You will be responsible for all elements of your business, which is why you need to have a solid understanding of what it means to be a freelancer.
Is a freelance career right for you?
Chances are, if you are reading this blog post, it is. Starting a freelance business requires courage and investment, two things you already have by choosing to read this content.
The remainder of this chapter will be discussing some of the most important things that you need to think about before starting your new business.
What skills do you have?
First of all, you need to start by thinking about what skills you have. These skills are likely things you have gained throughout your life and your career. Your freelance business will be most successful if you play to your strengths and your skills.
It can include, of course, any education and training you have received, as well as things that you excel in.
What interests you?
As well as your skills, you need to recognize what interests you. What are your passions and your interests? What kind of work do you enjoy?
What about your free time and hobbies? What do you do then, and what is it about them that you enjoy?
Your business will be most successful if you are doing work that you are genuinely passionate about.
Most importantly, what kind of work makes you happy?
You should think about and reflect upon the past projects that you have most enjoyed. What elements of your past work have you enjoyed? Is it in the customer service element or the collaborative effort of a team?
Or, if you have been stuck doing work that you hate, reflect on why, and determine what you can do to make sure it does not happen again.
Concentrating on doing work that makes you happy will improve your quality of life and give you a spark that other freelancers do not have.
What will your service be?
As well as determining what you do, you also need to determine what you do not. This will ensure that you are only doing quality work in areas of your expertise that you want to do.
When you begin freelancing, you should really think about what you actually want to do. You may have an idea of a vague industry or area, but you should think about the specific kind of work that you want to do.
It should lie at the intersection of your skills and passions—this will be the key to the success of your business.
Freelance work ideas
There are a plethora of freelance business ideas that can be tailored to your skills and interests. Chances are you already have an idea of what you would like to do. However, below, in no particular order, is a list of potential freelance business ideas.
– Writing
o Copywriting
o Editing
o Proofreading
o Blogs
o Journalism
o Ghost-writing
o Content writing
– Web development
o Web design
o Website creation
o Software programming
– Graphic design
– Photography
– Transcribing
– Translating
– Teaching
o Online English teaching
– Tutoring
– Social media marketing
o Content creation
o Brand management
– Search Engine Optimization
– Data entry
– Admin
– blog postkeeping
– Virtual assistant
– Marketing
Once you have an overall idea of what you would like to do, you can narrow it down to a specific niche. This is not something that you need to do immediately, but it is something that you should keep in mind as you grow your business. Specialization is essential to business growth—but your niche can evolve as your direction changes.
Who are your clients?
Once you know what your business will be, you will need to consider who your target market will be. Clients will be discussed in more detail later in this blog post. Nevertheless, you should be considering who your target audience will be as you plan your business.
It is important to remember that, in terms of clients, you should be aiming for quality over quantity. While (and this occurs especially when you are starting out), it can be tempting to take any and all clients you encounter, you should know that you are allowed to say no. If someone is rude or trying to rip you off, move on. There are plenty more out there. Allocate your time to clients and projects that you enjoy and believe in. In particular, it is recommended that you try to gain long-term clients.
One of your primary business goals should be to retain quality clients and build good relationships with them—regular work is fantastic.
Hidden costs
There may be hidden upfront business costs that you will need to invest in. Obviously, this is dependent on your industry and the things that you already own, but nevertheless, there are things that you need to consider. Will you need new software or technology? How about office equipment?
Can you work from home or do you need to rent somewhere? If you are thinking about using a coffee shop as an office, remember to budget for the coffee (and snacks!).
Working these out in advance is the best way to not get caught up with unexpected expenses.
Motivation
Having a freelance business requires motivation and discipline. You will no longer have a boss hovering around demanding that you work harder; you are now that boss. Being self-motivated and having good time management skills are quintessential traits of successful freelancers.
It also cannot be stated enough that you need to know your worth. If you feel undervalued or underappreciated, you will also likely feel unmotivated.
Figure out what motivational strategies work for you and utilize them to smash your goals!