What is freelancing? It is a service-oriented business that involves you, the entrepreneur, and a client who needs help with a project. Before starting on this new world of self-employment, some factors that have to be considered include the following:
- your marketable skills,
- how much time you can devote to a project, and
- how much to charge for your service.
Is freelancing lucrative?
What is the point of going into it, and possibly giving up an office job, if it doesn't pay well? Right? Right.
Businessmen are the busiest people, but they are successful, because they know how to manage their resources and their time well. Considering this, a lot of shrewd companies will pay top dollar for quality service, and this is where you come in.
Where to start? Assess your skills, and then honestly present what you have to offer to make it easy for these companies to reach their goals. You have to be realistic about your strengths and limitations, including the time you are going to spend on their project.
No boss looking over your shoulder? It has its pros and cons.
That these businessmen could not meet with you face to face, as in an online transaction, means you have to consistently meet your clients’ requirements to be able to create a long-term relationship built on trust. Trust is the single most important element in a freelancer-client relationship. They trust you to provide quality service, and you trust them to provide a reasonable compensation for your efforts. Most of the time, the first project is the test.
Your effort. Your benefits.
Starting an enterprise that involves devoting a significant portion of your time is never easy, but a lot of hardy souls brave the freelancing world of client searching and time management because of the freedom it affords. A freelancer answers only to himself. Every project’s successes and failures are all due to a freelancer’s efforts or lack thereof.
The time factor.
One big issue in freelancing is time. Unlike a regular nine to five job, this new enterprise involves strategic planning of your usual daily routine. People vary in terms of productivity during the day. Some are mentally active during night time, while others are most awake during the late afternoon. A work-at-home mom may plan her work hours around her child’s active hours or may work while the kids are in school.
Check your attitude.
What is the ideal attitude of a starting freelancer? A freelancer is aggressive but not pushy, a good sport, and a confident individual. That you know your service is valuable is not enough to get you far, as a lot of other talented people are out there hoping to get worthy projects that will help pay the bills. Aggressively market yourself through directory listings and talk about your services to friends and family members. This way, you spread the word about you, your talent and your willingness to take on a responsibility.