The idea of becoming a freelancer – be it a blogger or a marketer, being your own boss and working from home, or wherever you want to work from, sounds amazing. However, not everybody is cut out to be a freelancer and before you quit your regular job, it is important that you know what you are letting yourself in for. If you want to know what it takes to be a freelancer, here are some valuable pointers in what you will need to succeed.
A skill that is in demand
The most important factor in becoming successful as a freelancer is to have a skill that people want to hire. The general types of freelance jobs that people can make a living from include graphic design, photography, writing, web development, and marketing roles. However, more companies are turning to freelance contractors for other work such as cybersecurity, legal advice, and recruitment.
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Take a look at some of the major freelancer website job boards to see how many opportunities are coming up that match your skills. You should also check the amount you can charge for your services to see whether it will be enough to live on. It’s a good idea to do some research on the highest paying freelance jobs to get an idea.
Good time management skills
If you are going to go freelance and become your own boss then you will need to have self-discipline and good time management skills. Remember, you won’t be getting paid for any hours that you are not working, so you need to make your working hours as productive as possible. If you struggle with keeping focused, you might want to enroll the help of time management apps or use productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Technique. It is great having the freedom of not answering to any manager, but you have to be able to effectively manage yourself and your time, which can be harder than it sounds.
Knowledge about your legal and other responsibilities
Setting up as a freelancer comes with a set of responsibilities, such as registering as a company, complying with your tax commitments, and lots of other administrative requirements. Insurance is another important aspect of setting up a business and you will need to take out general liability insurance to protect yourself and your company from potentially damaging claims. When it comes to taking out insurance, it is better to be safe than sorry and it will give you peace of mind that you are protected if something goes wrong.
Equipment and internet connection
You will also need to have the relevant equipment, software, and any other items to help you to deliver the freelance service of your choice. You will probably need as a minimum; a laptop, phone, internet connection, desk, and chair. However, if you are doing photography or graphic design then you will require specialist software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator etc. Make sure that you cost up all of your equipment when you are considering whether your freelance venture will be profitable enough to generate the salary you need to earn to pay your dues.
These are some of the key things you will need if you are going to succeed in the world of freelancing, so calculate your overheads, find out what your legal requirements are, and be prepared for a few setbacks along the way.
