A freelancer works independently, offering their services to companies or other people, and manages their time and their way of working autonomously.
Anyone who has skills, talents, or knowledge in an area that allows it can work as a freelancer.
For example, it is common to see freelancers working in writing, education, SEO, programming, design, translation, graphics, and many more.
It is not necessary to have a higher education to succeed, but it takes dedication and commitment to work to achieve reliable results.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Being A Freelancer
Before turning your life around, the first thing you can do is evaluate the pros and cons of being a freelancer. Thus, it will be easier to decide if it is what you want for yourself and how to prepare to start your day.
Advantages Of Being A Freelancer:
We don’t have to keep schedules
One of the biggest advantages we freelancers have is that we can manage our time with much more flexibility than if we had a job with fixed hours.
We can do our tasks at our own pace if we meet the deadlines and requirements of clients.
More freedom to see yourself as you want
In some jobs, it is necessary to wear certain clothes or maintain a style, either for safety, comfort, or the image itself that must be reflected.
If you are a freelancer, you can dress and present yourself however makes you feel more comfortable in your day-to-day work.
It is possible to spend time with family
Working as a freelancer, and especially if you do it from home, is a great advantage to spend time with people you love.
If you know how to organise yourself and plan activities, you can be present at the most important moments for your family or friends, something that is not always possible in jobs with fixed hours.
We’re in control
Freelancers have the freedom to control or workload and choose the projects we want to do and how to do them.
But remember that being in control will also require you to take on more responsibility to run your business successfully.
There is no earnings limit
One of the biggest advantages of being a freelancer is that the value you will earn for your work is not predetermined.
That means that a person can earn much more money being a freelancer than working with a fixed salary.
Of course, everything will depend on the quality of your work and the ability you must find clients to achieve real financial independence.
Disadvantages of being a freelancer
You only earn when you work
As a freelancer, you can go on holiday whenever you want or take a few days to resolve personal issues, as long as you know how to organize our agenda.
But beware! In most cases, during those periods no income is generated, just as you do not do it in case of illness or accident. And, without a doubt, this is a fundamental point that you must consider in your financial planning.
On the other hand, there are those who have businesses that allow them to continue to have a rein, even while they are not working.
This is the case of digital producers and affiliates who sell their products on platforms, through social networks or sales pages in which most of the processes are automated.
You could spend a lot of time alone
If you don’t live with other people, one of the downsides of being a freelancer is having little social contact, especially if you’re someone who enjoys company.
By spending most of your time at home working, interaction with other people is limited. Therefore, it is normal for many people to start feeling lonely after a while.
You have fewer guarantees
As we have already said, when you work as a freelancer and have your own business, things are in your hands. Therefore, it is inevitable to take some risks.
Nothing guarantees that you will find the job you want or earn enough money for all your expenses. You also do not know if you are going to be successful or not, and you may have to try some alternatives until you find the best option.
What Do You Need To Freelance?
If you have read this far, you are likely really interested in taking that big step in your working life.
To become a successful freelancer, you must decide to do so. You may have to leave the security of a steady salary and work hard to build your own business.
Working through some limiting beliefs that prevent you from getting out of place and taking the first steps can take weeks or even months.
Like any major life change, you may encounter difficulties as well as great satisfaction and benefits. The only way to find out is by trying.
Build an attractive portfolio
Having a well-presented portfolio is extremely useful when it comes to getting freelance work. Therefore, it is best that before you start sending proposals, you prepare them very well.
In it, you must put your personal information, a summary of your experience, and, of course, samples of your work.
The main objective is to transmit confidence to your potential customers.
Choose just one performance area
It is important that you choose a specific activity to work as a freelancer and that you do not struggle with several different jobs simultaneously. Thus, you dedicate all your energy to the job at hand to obtain better results.
To select your job niche, consider your skills, your education, and, most important, what you enjoy doing.
Equipment and tools
Make sure you have all the equipment and software needed to conduct your work well.
When starting, you may have little money to invest, but you will improve your work tools over time, which will help you grow professionally and produce better results.
Put a fair price on your work
One of the typical mistakes people make when they start freelancing is to price their work too low.
We know that the stress of not receiving a specified amount of money every month can be overwhelming, and there are expenses to cover.
But determining a price that is below the market value will devalue you and the rest of the professionals who work independently.
If in doubt, think and set a fair worth for you and your customer.
Set a Work Schedule
Among the advantages of freelancing I have mentioned is not having to keep a work schedule. This is true, but it’s also true that if you want to freelance long-term, you need to set a work schedule for yourself.
Decide what time of day you produce best and designate a schedule in which you can devote yourself completely to creating the work and helping your clients.
Of course, that schedule can be changed and adjusted on the fly if necessary.
Prepare An Appropriate Workspace
I have said that you can work anywhere in the world if you have Internet.
However, just as having some pre-established hours will help you organize and produce, you must find good places that allow you to work comfortably and without significant interruptions.
An environment without noise, with furniture that allows you to spend several hours comfortably, and adequate lighting are essential for the quality of your work.
How To Get Jobs As A Freelancer
There are many online platforms where you can offer your services and apply to work on projects, and those who are looking for freelancers can find you there.
Here are some sites that can help you land your first job. Some are only available in English (such as Guru, PeoplePerHour, and UpWork), and while it is possible to work from anywhere in the world, you will need to be fluent in the language.
- Workana
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
- Genius
- Simply Hired
- Guru
- PeoplePerHour
- UpWork
Beyond this list, you should know that there are no limits to searching for opportunities. You can also send proposals directly to companies or promote your services on social networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.
Tips To Be An Exemplary Freelancer
I cannot finish this post without first giving you some tips so that you start on the right foot and have a successful day as a professional freelancer.
Get organized
Clutter is a freelancer’s worst enemy, so if you want to be successful working this way, you need to learn how to organize yourself well.
Get used to preparing your projects, plan your work day by day, set short-term goals, and never get more work than you can do without forfeiting quality.
Be transparent with your clients
Sincerity is a pillar of a good working relationship between professionals and clients. When necessary, do not be afraid to say that you do not know how to do a task or that you cannot meet a deadline.
With effective communication, it is possible to have an understanding that is good and fair for both parties.
Send attractive proposals
While it is true that freelancers are increasingly sought after, it is especially important to prepare attractive proposals to stand out from the rest and help you get the job.
Find your niche and specialise
It is not the same to “write articles” as dedicating yourself to “writing specialised articles on nutrition”.
Finding your niche and specialising will help you find better clients and opportunities. Think about the work categories in which you perform best and, above all, that you are enthusiastic about.
Working as a freelancer can be a terrific way to earn money and do what you love.