Starting a Freelance Career: The Essentials

What is Freelancing?

Freelancing is the practice of working for yourself as an independent contractor, often in a variety of short-term, contract-based jobs. It includes the provision of services to companies and individuals in areas such as web and app development, writing, copywriting, media production, design, translation, and many other professional and creative skills.

Freelancing offers many benefits including more flexible hours, increased autonomy, and the potential for generating higher income. But it also requires the establishment of certain professional practices and protocols.

Developing a Professional Profile

Creating a professional profile is the first and arguably most important step for any freelancer. A profile gives outside viewers a sense of your work and experience, and is often the first chance potential clients have to connect with you and gauge your worth. Your profile should contain a clear and concise description of your services, relevant experience, contact info, and links to any relevant websites or portfolios.

Your profile will also serve as a platform for networking, so think about how you can make yours stand out from the crowd. Share your personality, interests, and professional background to give clients an idea of who you are and what you can offer.

Creating a Business Model

As with any other business, freelance careers require a well thought-out business model. Decide what goals you want to achieve with your freelancing career, and develop strategies to help you reach them. Consider, for example, your pricing structure and what services you will offer.

Creating a sustainable business model takes time and research, so don't hurry it. You may choose to specialize in a particular area, create a service you’ll provide to clients, or offer a variety of services depending on your skills and experience.

Gathering the Right Equipment

Gathering the right equipment helps to run your freelance business more efficiently. Investing in the right tools and equipment will ensure you finish a job quickly and efficiently. Depending on the nature of your services, you may need a laptop, software programs, a room for recording, and any other tools applicable to the job. Consider the cost of acquiring these tools and figure out a budget for yourself.

Setting up Your Workspace

Setting up an appropriate workspace is a must for a productive job. An ergonomic workspace can help you be more efficient and organized, minimizing distractions and increasing your output. Think about the tools you'll be using and how you can set up your workspace to accommodate them. Establish an efficient filing system for your documents, and create a space that is conducive to your workflow in terms of lighting, noise, and temperature.

Organizing Your Schedule

Organizing your schedule is one of the biggest challenges in freelancing. Balancing client commitments with personal obligations, while still providing the best service you can, requires good planning and organization. Create daily, weekly, and monthly schedules to ensure that everything gets done on time. You could also use tools such as task management apps to help with this.

It is also important to create a system to manage payments and invoices. Create an organized database with the information of each client to ensure that all payments are received on time and all invoices are accounted for. This will help reduce the chances of confusion or disputes.

Finding and Keeping Clients

The cornerstone of a successful freelance career is networking and client acquisition. The best way to get started is by asking your existing contacts for leads, and by tapping into your professional networks. Join relevant Facebook groups, attend networking events and start connecting – you can never have too many contacts in the freelance world.

Finally, don't forget to nurture existing client contacts. Keeping a great rapport with your current clients helps ensure repeat business and referrals. Send regular updates about your work and services so they are constantly reminded of your value.