How to Get Started a Fruitful Freelance Career?

You’ve probably heard of all the benefits of freelancing. More freedom, better potential to make more money, no set working hours, the ability to be your own boss… It sounds so enchanting. But where do you actually start on your quest to become a freelancer? Here are a few ways to get started a fruitful freelance career.

Make sure you have the necessary skills

Not all jobs are suited for freelancing. If you’re a developer, a designer or a writer, finding freelance work will be easy. If you’re a biochemist, police officer or a pediatrician, freelancing will be slightly more difficult.

Don’t quit your day job immediately

Before you make a living off freelancing, you’ll need some time to earn a steady income. Get started a fruitful freelance career on the side before quitting your job, to minimize your chances of being left without income.

Pick the right tools

As a freelancer, you’ll be in charge of your own equipment and tools. Besides a great laptop and a home office, invest in some apps to get you going. My recommendations include Xero for accounting, Better Proposals for proposal management, Toggl for tracking your time, and other tools depending on your profession.

 

Always be prospecting

One thing no one tells you about freelancing is that it comes and goes. Sometimes, you won’t have clients for a month, other times, you’ll barely have time for a toilet break because you’ll be flooded with work. Always look for more clients, your future self will thank you for it.

Work hard on your portfolio

Your portfolio is everything when it comes to getting new business. If you do stellar work, your portfolio has to show it, so keep it freshly updated with your best work.

Know your worth

As a salaried employee, the money you earn is yours to keep. There are no hidden costs. However, as a freelancer, you have to pay your own taxes, bills, health insurance and everything related to your business. Always charge more than you would as a salaried employee to cover all your costs and make a good living.

Get yourself out there

Unless you already have a well-developed network of clients from your days as a salaried employer, finding new clients will be your #1 priority. Referrals are great, but they won’t come until much later in the game. As you’re starting out, join as many freelancing websites and get your name out there. Fiverr, Upwork, Freeeup, whatever you can get your hands on, start chasing clients right away.

These are just some essentials of starting a fruitful freelance career. Depending on your experience and industry, you will have to focus on different aspects of freelancing to achieve success.