Freelancing is increasingly becoming a lucrative side income option, not only for freshers but also for salaried professionals. However, there are many individuals who might wonder how to start freelancing. If this question has also stuck in your mind in many ways than one, then this article might help you give the answer to this question in simple steps. Keep reading the article till the end to decode.
Sorting out the Priorities First
One of the key things to understand before hopping into freelancing tips or freelancing as an option is to sort out the priorities first, which essentially include the financial and timing priorities. If you are a salaried individual, then you must know that a permanent job is quite a stable option that will equip you with a fixed income every month.
However, when you are actively looking to do freelancing, you might not be able to get the fixed income every month. This is one of the basic differences that come in freelancing and a regular full-time job.
Here are some of the things that you might have to give up on if you are looking to take up freelancing as an option:
Regular Income
The first and foremost thing is having a regular income that you will get with a salary from a full-time job. You also know that you get paid every month and how much money comes into your account every month with a full-time job.
Taxes and NI
Another one of the things that a full-time job offers is a constant responsibility for your salary, which is usually taken care of by the payroll team. This is quite easy and convenient for you, as you will not have to worry about dealing with the HRMC.
Paid Holiday
This is another one of the top things that you might have to give up on if you are switching your career to freelancing. The full-time employees can often get up to 28 days of paid holiday each year (or more in the public sector).
Sick Leaves
This is another one of the massive bonus that comes with a full-time job, and if it is paid, then you are truly lucky.
Dedicated Work Environment
One of the huge benefits of having a dedicated full-time job is that you will be getting a work environment with colleagues. Regardless of how irritating or brilliant they are, there’s much good stuff to be said about working with others.
Now that you have a fair understanding of the pros of having a full-time job, head to the next section of the article to understand how to freelance, and that too in an easy wa,y without having any career experience.
A Few of the Essential Freelance Tips
One of the top tips that you need to understand when you are looking to start freelancing is to have a wider visibility and availability of money in your account. Make sure to have enough money to help you sustain and help you to give your room rent or mortgage, and also maintain your lifestyle.
Once that is done, then you need to make sure to manage your own books, and by that we mean having a good understanding of your financial incomings and outgoings, and making sure you can pay your self-assessment tax bill. Not forgetting those pesky Payments on Account every January and July.
Another thing that you can keep in mind is to continue to pay for your pension scheme, to help you to have financial reliability when you decide to retire. Another key thing to keep in mind is to be mentally prepared for not getting paid leave or paid sick leave.
As for having a dedicated work environment, as a freelancer, you might only miss the camaraderie and the laughs that you had with colleagues.
The To-Do List to Get Started with Freelancing
Here are some of the top things that you must do in order get your freelancing journey started:
Having a Plan
The first and foremost thing that you need to have is a plan in mind. Make sure not to quit your job, and also set up your basics while you’re still working. Have a goal that’s realistic in terms of timescale and affordability. Get your social media and website sorted, and figure out (the best you can) who you want to work for and the type of clients you want. Have your job as the motivation to help you get started.
Getting a Website
This is another one of the simple yet effective things that you can do. You do not need to start with a fancy website; instead, you can have a simple website on WordPress to help you to get started. You can easily use WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace to create your own website. It doesn’t have to be forever, but it’s an easy way to save money until you get or can afford the site you want or need – and the SEO you need to go with it.
Finding your Clients
The next step is to find your clients, and you can start with a cold email to potential clients who are looking to be approached. If you do not have a prior work portfolio to back you up, then you can easily start with cold emails. One thing is that if you are still working at an organisation, then the pressure to find clients is a bit lesser as you will already have a good amount of money in hand, and hence you can give your freelancing career more time rather than acting under pressure.
But clients can come to you in a variety of ways – through chance, coincidence, dumb luck, or long gameplay – so don’t think you need to hustle and market yourself to death all the way.
Networking
This is another one of the key ways by which you can easily kickstart your freelancing journey. There are plenty of networking events out there, some may say too many, but keep your eyes peeled for ones you might find useful. You can keep an eye out on LinkedIn to understand and spot the local events where you can actually gather and meet a lot of people.
Additionally, you will need a lot of patience and persistence to help you meet the right people. With these local events, you will be getting a good exposure to a lot of people who will be helping you to understand your freelancing opportunities that lie in your sector. However, the best way to approach events is to go in with the intention of having conversations. Be approachable, ask questions, and don’t start selling. Instead, a good conversation that makes the right impression in the mind will be the ultimate showstopper that will help you land your freelancing gig.
Collaborating with Agencies
This is another one of the key steps that you need to know when you are looking to get started with your freelancing journey. One thing that you need to keep in mind is that there are many creative agencies – web, digital, and marketing – use freelancers.
Thus, helping them to run a manageable business, an agency might only employ a small team and won’t be able to do everything in-house. But they will have a valuable network of freelancers they can call upon when the time and project call for it.
Additionally, you can easily get in touch with many creative agencies that will be offering you the right creative opportunities, such as copywriting, illustration, videography, and graphic designing. You can easily start your freelancing journey with these creative fields.
The Decision Phase
The final step in deciding your freelancing journey will ultimately be on you. You need to take a call in understanding as to where your strength lies, and whether or not you want to approach freelancing as a full-time career option. You can easily choose between the two and take a more decisive call, and then start your approach towards having a freelancing career.
Also, make sure to weigh the above steps to help you narrow down to an informed decision to help you get started on your freelancing journey.
Conclusion
Freelancing is one of the most lucrative career options, especially in creative fields. However, the only challenge that lies is in finding the right set of clients and the right set of work. While freelancing can bring uncertainty in terms of money and work, it is now opted for by many professionals without prior career experience to get started before actually taking up a full-time job. You can weigh the above steps that will help you get started on your freelancing journey easily. That’s all, folks. I hope the article will help you to get all the information you need.
Commonly Asked Questions
What are the Best Tips for Design Freelancing?
One of the best design tips for freelancing is to have a dedicated portfolio.
What are Freelancing Tips?
You can check out the above guide to get a better understanding.
Is Freelancing Easy?
It can be, but it also depends on your line of work and the portfolio that you have to show.
Can I Start Freelancing Without Experience?
Yes, you can easily start your freelancing journey without prior career experience.
Can I do Freelancing for more Pay?
Yes, you can, and it also depends on your work quality and experience.
