Five Things to Consider Before Going Freelance

Are you keen to go freelance? If so, who could blame you? This career option allows you to work in both a place and at a time that best suits you. Before you get started, you’ll no doubt want to be fully prepared. To help, we’ve listed the top five things to consider for all hopeful freelancers. Read on to find out more…

1. Strengths and learning opportunities 

As you’re considering going freelance, you’ll likely have an idea of the industry you want to go into. Have you identified your strengths within that sector? Are you better at some tasks than others? By examining your strengths and areas for improvement early on, you’ll be able to sharpen your skills to perfection before you set up your business. As a result, you stand to offer a better service to clients.

2. Financial help 

Do you have a clear idea of how much the set-up process for your business is likely to cost? Almost always, the best time to work this out is at the very beginning of your freelance journey. Experts and successful business leaders alike tend to underline the value of planning finances far in advance. So, before you do anything else, research and try to identify the potential cost of installing your dream company. Whether you’ll be working by yourself, or with a team, this is an essential step. You may need to consider a loan to kick start your business, depending on the overheads needed to begin i.e. investing in a computer, desks or other equipment. 

3. Reaching out to fellow freelancers 

Not sure where to begin with planning your business? Look no further than fellow freelancers who’ve secured success. Very often, networking is the best way to get to know an industry completely. By asking different sector members about their experiences, and how they achieved success, you’ll be able to enter your chosen business area feeling better informed. Better still, those you’ll be networking with can provide tips on vital factors like marketing and business budgeting. 

4. Managing stress 

Stress can feature in a freelancer’s career, – but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. So long as you’re not overwhelmed by it, and it’s short-lived, it stress often spurs us on to finish what we’re doing. The key to this, however, is stress management. Before you get your business up and running, you may want to develop some effective coping skills. Take, for example, this quick breathing exercise, whereby you count from one to 10 and back. Imagine the number you’re on as you breathe in, before telling yourself to relax while exhaling. You could always personalise it by using your own mantra. Though it may sound simple, it can be powerful to alleviate symptoms of stress. For more tips on handling stress in a work environment, look to trusted sources like Mind. You could always ask fellow freelancers for their advice on this, too. 

5. Embracing mistakes 

While it may not be fun at the time, making mistakes can help us to grow, whether it’s in a personal or professional capacity. And as almost any successful freelancer will argue, it’s usually a fundamental part of going solo. You’ve likely accepted this likelihood anyway, – but how about fully embracing it? Mistakes will occur, so you may as well enjoy the learning opportunity that they bring. Look forward to the rich and varied adventure that lies ahead! 

Going freelance is all about using your skillset to your advantage. Now that you know how, you’ll be able to plan your solo career venture with complete confidence. 

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