Advice for People Not Yet a Freelancer
Doing what you love makes work not a job, but a joy. To pursue one’s passions without being tied down by an employer is a goal of many people. Many professionals in interdependent fields have begun to pursue freelancing work full-time. Building your professional identity is exhilarating, but making a radical shift in your career path may feel overwhelming. Here is some advice for people wanting to be a freelancer and some expectations you need to be clear of before diving headfirst into the gig economy.
Know Basic Accounting
First, you need to have a firm grasp of accounting fundamentals before taking on any paid work. Maintaining an accurate record of your income and expenditures from the very beginning can make filing your quarterly taxes much less of a hassle in the future. Determine how much of a monthly budget you will require. The next step is to calculate how many projects must be finished. The spreadsheet program Excel is a decent starting point for budget tracking, but there are several free apps available as well.
Know Your Niche
The second tip is to focus on your area of expertise, as clients hiring professionals are looking for specialists in many fields. Choose certifications or useful courses and study them if you wish to work in a specific field but lack the necessary training or experience.
Know When To Let Go
The third tip is to learn to let go. Freelancing is difficult; that much is obvious. And you’ll start to yearn for the stability and security of a 9 to 5 job. You should try to balance your day employment with freelance work if possible. Despite the apparent bias in your findings, you can still get a feel for what it’s like to be your boss. Take the plunge into freelancing once you’ve learned more about the field and are confident in your abilities.
