20 steps to becoming a freelancer - serpaja america

20 steps to becoming a freelancer

20 steps to becoming a freelancer

More and more people are eschewing traditional 9-to-5 jobs in favour of freelancing and the independence that comes with it. In fact, at the current rate, more than half of the U.S. workforce could be made up of freelancers by 2027.

Does working from home, setting your own hours, and being your own boss speak to you? If so, here’s a step-by-step guide to making it happen.

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Consider whether it’s worth it

The first thing you’ll want to do before making any big decisions is determine whether it even makes sense financially to become a freelancer. According to a survey of more than 23,000 freelancers from around the world, the average freelancer earns roughly $39,000 per year. Keep in mind, however, that freelancers get to determine their own hours and be their own bosses, and they don’t have to deal with lengthy commutes or office politics.

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Define your expectations

Before you do anything, be clear about what you expect to get out of freelancing. Are you doing it as a part-time gig to supplement your income, or do you want to be a full-time freelancer? How much do you expect to earn the first year, or five years down the road? By clearly defining your goals and expectations, you create a road map to success.

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Quit your day job

If you’ve done your research and determined that you’ll be able to support yourself as a full-time freelancer, then all that’s left to do is to quit your day job. As tempting as it may be to go out in a blaze of glory, it’s important that you leave your current employer on good terms to avoid burning any bridges or losing potential contacts. Be respectful, and make sure you give at least two weeks’ notice.

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Pick a niche

When you’re first starting out, you might feel the need to take on any and every job, but it’s important to narrow down your area of expertise in order to target specific clients and set yourself apart. As Freelancer notes, “Your potential clients want someone who is an expert, and the more you try to do everything, the less of an expert you’ll be than if you only focused on one or two specialties.”

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Consider the market

When picking a niche, don’t just choose a field that’s of interest to you. You also have to consider the market to determine what’s in demand at the moment. According to Creative Revolt, some of the most profitable niches for freelance writers in 2019 include long-form blog posts, cryptocurrency content, and white pages.

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Get the necessary materials

No matter your business, you’re going to need certain tools: a computer with a reliable internet connection if you’re a freelance writer, a camera if you’re a photographer, specific software if you’re a graphic designer, and so on. As the old saying goes, you have to spend money to make money, so budget accordingly.

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Create a good work environment

If you choose to work from home, designate a specific room or spot in the house for your work. Don’t work on the couch or in bed. Also, make sure that your family or roommates know not to disturb you while you’re working. You may also choose to work out of a coffee shop, library, or co-working space. Whatever works best for you.

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Find clients

The most important—and for many, the most daunting—part of being a freelancer is finding clients. The first thing you’ll want to do is create a portfolio to highlight your work. Then you can start submitting and pitching to prospective clients. For example, for freelance writers, look for a Contact or Write for Us section on blogs or magazines that you’re familiar with, or search through online job boards.

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Big clients or small clients?

The common belief among freelancers is that it’s better to work for big clients, but freelancermap makes a strong case for targeting smaller clients, in part because they give you more freedom to be creative. And though bigger clients might pay better, there’s also a good chance that the work will be more demanding and time-consuming.

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Name your price

The most important thing when setting your price is not to sell yourself short, as many new freelancers have a tendency to undervalue their services. To establish a reasonable rate, there are several factors to consider: How much money do you need to get by? How much time will you need to invest in the project? How much will it cost you? To determine an hourly rate, content marketing consultant Abdullahi Muhammed says to add your target annual income to your expected business expenses and divide that number by your annual billable hours.

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Don’t work for free

For some reason, people often misinterpret the free in freelancing to mean that you’re willing to work gratis. Or some clients will try to convince you to work for exposure, which is the same thing as saying free. Don’t do it. Your time and skills are just as valuable as any other worker’s.

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Perfect your pitch

When pitching your services to a potential client, here are a few things to consider: (1) Make sure you’re pitching to the right person. As a freelance writer, you should go straight to the editor. (2) Write a compelling subject line that will grab the reader’s attention. (3) Be concise and to the point. You should be able to explain who you are and what you will bring to the client in no more than two or three paragraphs. (4) Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.

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Create a website

Having your own website is one of the best ways to market yourself. Some of the elements your site should include are a bio (you don’t have to include a picture of yourself, but it would help to put a face to your name), contact information (including links to social media pages), a description of the services you provide, pricing, and, most importantly, samples of your work.

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Use social media to your advantage

Social media has its downsides, but it’s also an invaluable tool that helps freelancers market their work and connect with potential clients. Forbes outlines five ways in which social media can be used to help land clients: (1) check out who follows you on Twitter, (2) create a portfolio board on Pinterest, (3) get involved in Facebook groups, (4) publish content on LinkedIn, and (5) streamline your accounts.

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Treat it like a normal job

Perhaps the hardest part about freelancing is being self-motivated, since there’s no boss breathing down your neck to make sure you meet your deadlines. To stay on track, treat your freelance work like any other job. Create a work schedule and stick to it. It doesn’t have to be 9 to 5, but it should be consistent.

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Keep your freelance and 9-to-5 work separate

If you are freelancing to supplement your income, don’t let it get in the way of your regular job. For starters, read over the contract you signed with your current employer to be certain that you’re not breaking any rules by having a business on the side. Second, do not under any circumstances spend time on your freelance business during work hours. Lastly, do not use company resources to further your own business.

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Learn from other freelancers

Who better to learn from than those who have already been there? Fortunately, there’s no shortage of great resources for aspiring freelancers, from ProBlogger to freelance consultants like Ryan Robinson to online communities like Reddit’s r/freelanceWriters, where you can interact with other freelance writers and ask questions.

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Know your competitors

According to the Freelancers Union, 56.7 million people freelanced in America last year (more than a third of the national workforce), which means you probably won’t be the only one vying for jobs in your field. The best way to stand out from the crowd is to familiarize yourself with your competitors.

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Join a community

Freelancing is solitary work, which is why it’s advised that you join a community for support and guidance. In the U.S., for example, Freelancers Union offers its “450,000 members a powerful voice through policy advocacy, benefits, and community.”

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Plan ahead and always look for new clients

Freelancing is all about numbers. Even if you have a solid stable of clients, you should always be on the lookout for more work. “The key is to schedule and plan work for the future so you’re never left without any work to do and bill for,” writes freelance journalist Danielle Corcione in Business News Daily.

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21/21 SLIDES

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