How to Become a successful Freelancer

This article discusses the role of a freelancer, the benefits of being a freelancer, and the 10 steps to becoming a successful freelancer.

Who is a Freelancer?

Freelancers are someone who is self-employed and who is for-hire for other companies and firms. Anyone who is a freelancer is responsible for the work they do, on their own or with other freelancers. They don't work for companies or other firms and they are solely in control of the number of hours they work. They can work any hours that they want and can work on any days that they want.

However, freelancers have the benefit of accessing different clients seeking workers in their chosen areas from one site and immediately bidding on several jobs. Professionals can create a client base and begin to reap the benefits of the freelancing lifestyle.

However, for freelancers, the ability to access different clients looking for workers in their chosen areas and immediately bid on several jobs from a single site is invaluable. Professionals can build their client base and begin to experience the far-reaching benefits of the freelancing lifestyle.

You can freelance in a wide variety of industries, from writing, graphic design, and marketing to accounting, project management, and teaching. Some freelancers choose a particular industry as their focus, while others may have a wider skill set to have more flexibility with their work

The Pros and Cons of Freelancing

Freelancing makes up over 30% of the global workforce, and the number is ever-increasing. What are the pros and cons of freelancing? Why is it so popular?

The biggest pro of freelancing is that you are your boss. You get to decide when and where you work, which can be a great perk. For instance, if you’re not a morning person, you can sleep in and start working later in the day. Many people enjoy the ability to work when their schedule allows it. It’s also an excellent way to enhance your education and develop new skills.

Another pro of freelancing is that you have the potential to make more money and still enjoy your freedom, you can decide to take a vacation or relocate to a new city at any time you choose than if you were working a traditional 9-5 job.

There are also some cons to freelancing. One con is that it can be more difficult to get steady work as a freelancer. Since you are the boss, you are responsible for finding and booking your work. Another con is that it can be difficult to stay motivated if you aren’t being paid or don t have any work booked. Freelancers also have to be self-motivated and disciplined. You're the one who has to get work, so if you don t, you don t make any money.

How to work as a freelancer

Here are 10 steps you can take to become a successful freelancer:

1. Define your "why"

Your "why" will determine why you want to freelance. The factors you want to consider are: a) what kind of work you want to do, b) how much money you want to make at the end of the month, and c) if you want to work by yourself or on a team. Make sure you know why before you look for ways to make money. Take some time to ask yourself why you want to become a freelancer. Whether it is to achieve a particular lifestyle or earn extra income, your "why" is what will keep you going when times are challenging.

2. Find a profitable niche

Freelancing is a highly competitive field, and often you can find someone doing the work you're interested in doing. Clear out the competition by finding a profitable niche. Set up a website and wait for potential customers to come to you. Search out local businesses that are just starting and offer your services to them. Ask yourself: "What niche is that business looking to fill? How can I offer them the best value"?

3. Gather what you need to get started

Verify with your county or city whether you need to file any paperwork or attain any licenses or permits to work independently in your chosen field. You’ll also want to create a business plan that outlines your services, target demographic, and marketing strategy. Then create a website and order business cards to advertise your services. 4. Develop a plan of action to take charge. Set a goal, break it down into steps, and assignment to yourself.

5. Set your income goal

Although it may take some time to reach a full-time income, it’s still important to set a financial goal. You can approach this by calculating three different amounts:

• Necessities: This is the minimum amount of money you need to earn to pay for basics, such as food, rent, and other necessities.

• Leisure and hobbies: This is the amount you need to cover activities that you like to do outside of work, such as recreation, entertainment, and hobbies.

• Wish list: This is the amount that would allow you to thrive, including money for vacations and wish-list purchases.

This exercise can help you figure out how much income you need to cover your living expenses and set milestones. When you reach a specific income level, you’ll know that you’re one step closer to your ultimate goal.

6. Keep your expenses lean

As a freelancer, you’ll have business expenses that you wouldn’t have as a full-time employee. For example, your laptop, smartphone, internet connection, and any business services you pay for are considered expenses. Suppose you work from a dedicated home office. In that case, you can also count a portion of your utility costs and housing as business expenses.

It can help to make a list of already existing expenses to see which ones are necessary for your freelance activity. As your business grows, you will probably invest more and increase your costs. In the beginning, keep your costs lean and make sure you stay focused on the income level you need to achieve to meet basic financial obligations.

7. Find work

Indeed offers a convenient way to search for freelance jobs online. Simply go to indeed Job Search and type “freelance” in front of the job title you are searching for, then enter your city or state and you’ll find a list of freelance opportunities near you. You can also search by keywords, company, salary estimate, and more. Plus, you can filter your results by the job posting date and remote positions, among many other options.

8. Build your network

Once you start working as a freelancer, contact everyone you know to tell them about your new business. Don't forget to mention that you are ready to start immediately and encourage them to forward your contact information to anyone who may need your services. By doing this, you introduce yourself as their go-to professional and start expanding your network.

9. Work on your brand

As a freelancer, take the time to polish your image and advertise your brand on different platforms. Your objective is to be easy to find and easy to remember through the use of a powerful digital brand.

In addition to creating a social media profile, consider spending time on forums that are devoted to your industry. Asking and answering questions can be an excellent way to get people interested in your activity. This is a very targeted approach where you can reach potential clients who are already on sites related to your type of work. Another advantage of online platforms is that you can meet more people than you would in person during the same amount of time. You can also leverage those online meetings into in-person meetings.

10. Find a mentor

Finding an experienced professional who can give you advice as you grow your freelance career can be enormously helpful. You can approach potential mentors with your business plan, website, and marketing strategy to show them that you are serious in your determination to succeed