Freelancing is like climbing a mountain: the scenery is great at the top, but to actually get there an inconsiderate amount of work is required. You’ve probably heard countless success stories of self-employed individuals who earn more than $30,000 from easy gigs, making you think that ‘I can do this too’. Unfortunately, not only did the pioneers – those that are on the market from the very beginning – probably snatch easy-to-get positions already, but the freelance market is quite exaggerated as well.
Although this might seem frightening at first, we don’t wish to discourage you from pursuing your dream. However, you should come in terms with the ins and outs of the industry before making any radical changes in your life.
The Virtues of a True Freelancer
Let’s start with the obvious: freelancing in its current state isn’t for everyone. In other words, everyone can do freelancing, but a high level of expertise is key in being successful: as all job types are based on a specific skillset workers must have, they’ll struggle if said skills are missing.
So how does an ideal freelancer look like? First and foremost, an independent worker must have self-discipline: if you easily fall victim to the seduction of time-consuming websites such as Facebook, Twitter, 9GAG or YouTube, chances are high you’ll produce slap-dash results in the last minute. Therefore, good freelancers dictate their own schedule, sticking to it no matter what. In simpler words, no excuses, so forget things like ‘Just one more episode of Game of Thrones and then I’ll start working’.
Another key virtue you need is self-motivation. Doing what you love the most for a living seems like the ideal job, but clients are the ones dictating the assignments, which could quickly sap your enthusiasm. Repetitive, uncreative tasks lead to indifference and boredom, effectively killing any investment in freelancing, which will no doubt show on the work quality. Thus, you must have a unique drive deep within your soul to maintain the same kind of zeal you had during your first gig for the rest of your career.
A good freelancer also has good communication skills and wears a thick skin. You’ll be dealing with difficult clients all the time, who bargain for lower pay rates, demand free work as ‘skill testing’, make mountains out of molehills, or constantly nag you with last minute changes. Remaining calm, collected and polite is the only way of handling these issues, but it’s worth the price in the end. However, it’s best to also prepare yourself for letdowns and rejections when another freelancer runs off with that project you had set your eyes on.
Take a Demo Tour
Freelancing is a risky business, where everyone competes against each other, so it’s highly recommended not quitting your day job on a whim.
Being a beginner freelancer is an especially difficult position: you won’t get well-paying gigs due to lack of experience, therefore you need to build an impressive resume before making any profit. Making a good first impression is everything, so fumbling with the first task and getting a poor review for a subpar performance scars your resume for good.
The best course of action is to start taking freelance gigs while having a full-time job. This may come at the expense of your free time, but there are always opportunities that don’t require the sacrifice of your livelihood. The community is surprisingly helpful, meaning you’ll find lengthy blog articles and forum debates chock-full of helpful advice and warnings. And don’t forget that reading freelance site reviews is also a good way of gathering intel or avoiding landmines.
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More FAQs
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