How to Become a Freelancer and Land Your Dream Job

What is freelancing?

A freelancer is one who works independently rather than committed to a particular employer who pays them a consistent salary. Often, a freelancer chooses to work for multiple clients at the same time.

One of the burning questions faced in the world of freelancing is whether it is a viable career. The most effective way to make it as a freelancer is by turning a well-defined passion or expertise into a service that you can provide to a client in return for payment. This means that you’ll be able to put into good use your talents or specialties, adding extra value for your customers. By providing something that’s beneficial to your clients, you will also stand out from your competitors.

Advantages of freelancing

In recent years, there’s been a surge of full-time freelancing in the U.S., bringing the total number of freelancers in the nation to 57 million, up by 4 million since 2014. These statistics signal that the appeal of becoming a freelancer is only getting stronger.

Here are the key freelancing benefits that have lured millions to the so-called brighter side of the workforce:

1. Flexible hours. Unlike the typical 9 to 5 working day, you can choose and set your own ho urs through freelancing. In fact, you can take advantage of working during a time where you are the most productive version of yourself. Perhaps you’re a night owl or rise to the occasion as an early bird? Either way, it’s up to you.
2. Higher compensation. Freelancers can take home more money upfront than their salaried peers because they get to keep all the profit.
3. Low investment to get started. Ideally, you want to start a business or do a digital nomad job that requires minimal overhead. In most cases, all you need is a computer and a stable internet connection. This is in stark contrast to jobs that require you to rent office space, buy expensive equipment, and pay for maintenance.
4. Work where you want. In today's world, the ability to work anywhere is a real advantage for many. As telecommuting adoption proves feasible and productive, people will seek more opportunities as digital nomads.
5. Choose your own clients. It gives you an opportunity to match your skill sets with the right clientele. You will be able to excel at giving them what they want, thus establish a solid presence in your field. In turn, your relationship with customers will be built on a strong foundation of loyalty and trust.
6. Control of your work-life balance. By having the freedom to manage your own work schedule, you are more likely to improve your work-life balance. This means you’ll find more time to give priority to your family, friends, hobbies and any other area of your private life.

Like the ying and the yang, there's an issue of dualism in freelancing. As a self-employed person, you'll have to take on additional responsibility, like taking care of your taxes and setting up your own retirement plan and medical insurance. There's also a fear of not finding enough work to sustain yourself. That said, being aware of these different challenges and realities that many freelancers face will help you prepare and overcome any obstacles.

How to become a freelancer?

From building a business website to promoting your business, here’s our guide on everything you need to know about starting a successful freelancing career that earns you money.

• Decide what services to offer
• Create a website
• Pick a niche
• Define your target market
• Sharpen your skills
• Build your brand
• Choose a pricing strategy
• Take care of your finances
• Find job opportunities
• Promote yourself