According to some stats, over one billion people are freelancing worldwide. Not all of them are doing this as a full-time job, of course, but more than 60 million people do this full-time in the US alone. If you’re thinking about switching positions or careers, and you’re thinking about freelancing, you need to know how to do it right.
Just like every other job, freelancing also has its pros and cons. No job only has positive sides. Some people will find this way of working to be the perfect fit for them, while others will struggle and look for a way back in the office where a boss will dictate their obligations.
If you want to be a freelancer, we prepared six steps to do it right. You need to know what it takes to be one and how to do it right. Follow up if you want to know the essential things to know to become a successful freelancer.
1. Make sure you’re skilled in a particular field
Not all jobs are suitable for freelancing. You can’t be an independent police officer working part-time, obviously. However, you can be a social media manager, content writer, contractor, designer, etc. It’s essential to know what you’re capable of and dedicate yourself to this industry entirely.
Knowledge is what gets you ahead in this competitive field. To be picked out from the freelance talent pool, you should show everything you can do for your employer. Constantly developing your expertise will catch the eye of every company in need of your services!
Even if you think you’re skilled enough, you should always try to additionally educate yourself. Spending some time on the internet listening to courses about a particular job is always smart. Be as skilled as possible, and know everything about a particular industry before applying for jobs.
2. Get yourself top-notch equipment to do the job
To work as a freelancer, you need the right equipment. If you’re working as a contractor, you need the right tools and machines, and if you’re working in the digital field, you need the right computer. Depending on what you’re aiming for, you’ll need a more or less powerful one.
As a freelancer, it’s wise to opt for a laptop. You never know where you’ll want to go and work. You can do it at home, in the park, or on the train going to a friend’s place in another city. If you don’t know what to choose, pick the HP EliteBook x360, a laptop that is a state-of-the-art technology that won’t disappoint you.
3. Invest in finding the right clients
When you’re first starting, it’s tough to break through. You can list all the skills you have, but no one will be interested in you. Choosing the right network for finding clients is the first step when building your career. Some of these networks may ask for an investment to put you in the top tier of clients, and if this helps, be sure to do it.
Getting clients when you’re new is not easy, so do everything to get your first client. Once you do this, everything will be easier from thereon. Of course, that means if you manage to get the job done flawlessly and get the much-needed recommendation.
4. Start small and grow
It doesn’t matter how skilled and experienced you are; you’re a rookie when you’re starting your freelancing life. Start small and build your career. Ask for lower rates, and do a lot of the work for almost free just to get the best reviews from your clients.
Client after client, you’ll find yourself growing on the platform of choice. Once you become big there, you can move to other platforms and search for higher-paying clients and do less work for better rates. Grow your business and your career.
5. Always go the extra mile for your clients
It’s crucial to always go the extra mile for your clients. Working for a company in an office may often go unnoticed no matter how much or little you try to get a great job done. In the freelancing world, it’s entirely different. You work for a single client, and their review at the end of the contract means growing or not.
Do everything in your power to make your clients satisfied. Deliver the work before the deadline, double-check for errors before sending it, and always be polite and professional in your conversation. Doing this means getting excellent reviews, which means thriving as a freelancer.
6. Explore the opportunities to pay your insurance
When you’re a freelancer, you lack most of the benefits a company paying taxes for you will provide. You need to do everything yourself, from paying taxes to paying health insurance to invest in the pension fund.
Explore your options and find the best freelancing insurance companies that will provide these benefits for you. Every freelancer needs health insurance, so make sure you earn enough to cover the bills and pay for the insurance. No one else will do this for you.