Journey to Becoming a Freelancer: Things No One Tells You About

Becoming a freelancer takes a lot of dedication, and it isn’t always as fun as it seems.

Before I started working as a full-time freelance writer, I only knew that it was about working from my bed in yoga pants. Most people, I believe, have this impression of freelancing, that it's all slippers, slow mornings with large mugs of coffee and dreamily, blissfully rejecting office life. What the challenges are, as well as the non-traditional benefits, how the financial system works, as well as how the tax system works doesn't really matter. But the main challenge is how to keep your sanity when you may not speak to anyone for up to eight hours. Here are just a few things people might not know about having a freelancing job.

It is a Hard Fall Back

You'll probably have one or two clients who help you get by when you initially quit your full-time job to start your own business. These are your "blue chip" clients, according to Sara Horowitz, founder of the Freelancers Union. They are the ones on which you build your financial portfolio. You require these customers. Expansion outside those clientele, on the other hand, can be difficult and time-consuming. Know that when you see very successful colleagues with large lists of former clients, it took them months or years to make those connections. Expect your first few months as a freelancer to be pretty lean.

You'll Need Start-Up Capital

It's a good thing when you are able to save money while you're in college because freelancing is a death by a thousand cheques once you start building a customer list. While this isn't shocking to freelancers, it may be surprising to those who are just starting out. Working for yourself can feel like a game of gathering, where you're constantly scrambling for money to pay rent and buy supplies with limited amounts of money or worse, no money to spend at all. There will be months when business is slow, and months when unexpected expenses arise. You'll have to rely on your money and credit cards to do so. This is a reality of being self-employed, and you must be prepared. That's why I advocate starting freelancing while you're still working a full-time job, so you can build up your side income as quickly as possible before quitting your day job.

The Use of Calendars and Lists is Critical

Have at least three calendars and make sure they are well organized. Keep them to yourself because while missing one customer deadline may be excusable, developing a reputation for providing late, inaccurate, or otherwise poor work will be difficult to overcome. Your calendar acts as a virtual brain, storing not only deadlines but also vital information such as who to email and what type of file they prefer. Google Calendar, Wunderlist, and Sunrise are some of your best friends.

Courage is a Valuable Asset

Landing in your dream remote job is not a walk in the park. Self-marketing takes time and effort, and can range from tweeting your most recent work to approaching people you want to collaborate with and asking if they have anything for you. Begin by making a list of all the greatest freelancing jobs that are currently accessible, and add to it as you go. The difference between successful self-employed persons and others who “work” while sitting at home in their jammies is timidity.

You Have to Be Resourceful

Even though it feels like it, no freelancer is an island. Connect with successful freelancers who are where you want to be in the future and learn from their successes and failures. The Freelancers Union and your local Chamber of Commerce, for example, are resources that can provide you with support and community. They have answers when you have questions.

Coworking is a Viable Option

Coworking facilities, such as WeWork, are springing up all over the country, where you may rent a tiny space or work in a large common area with access to the internet, phones, printers, and other business requirements. Many creatives find them useful for staying focused and bouncing ideas off other people. They can stand in for typical office amenities like having a community and social engagement throughout the day. On the other hand, co-working places can be prohibitively expensive; if the concept of paying a second rent is too much for your present budget, consider reaching out to other friends or coworkers who work from home and suggesting a coffee shop coworking “date.” Working with pals can provide essential creative feedback while also breaking up the bed-to-desk pattern of working from home.

Physical Well Being is at Risk

It's easy to fall into a pattern that ignores your physical health when you're not walking to work (or, really, beyond your own apartment). That's bad, because most freelancers and self-employed people have far more flexible schedules than regular employees, allowing them to go to the gym at odd hours. Take advantage of your gym's 11 a.m. Power Yoga session, or go for a jog around the neighborhood while the streets are mostly vacant. Even going for a long stroll will help you stay healthy while also increasing your creativity.

These are just a few of the several things that people might not know about being a freelancer. One thing is for sure, it's a tough but fulfilling job and you can just do everything while earning.