The Secret of Successful Freelancing

Do you wake in the morning and inwardly groan at the thought of another rush-hour commute to your workplace and another day in the office? Perhaps it’s time you considered going it alone as a freelancer.

Many of us entertain the idea of breaking free from our employers and working for ourselves as freelancers but very few actually make that break. But is the freelance life as flexible as we imagine or is it a life of long hours, problematic clients and financial stress?

You may already know some freelancers who like to boast of their flexible working lives that allow them to work the hours that they want without any office politics or demanding bosses. But is this the complete picture? If you do know anyone who has worked as a freelancer for any prolonged period ask them to tell you about the problems they have experienced and the negative aspects of freelancing. You’re likely to learn a lot more from hearing how they overcame adversity than from hearing of how successful they are. Before you draft your resignation letter it’s a good idea to research all of the potential disadvantages as well as the advantages of the freelance life.

Freelancing is not for everyone. Flexible working hours is one of the factors that attracts many to the freelancing life as this can enable them to fulfill other commitments such as part-time study or parental responsibilities. But flexible working hours can also mean responding to clients and prospective clients at all hours.

Another key reason that many people take up the freelance life is the ability to work from home. But, for some, this can be impractical. It can then become necessary to secure some affordable work space outside the home which can be costly. Another option is to go totally mobile, working from internet cafes that provide free wireless connectivity or maybe from shared work spaces.
Being your own boss is another key reason many opt for the freelance life. But you need to be honest with yourself regarding your self-discipline. If you are someone who will spend an extra hour in bed if you don’t have a demanding boss to please then maybe freelancing isn’t for you.

One of the key disadvantages of freelancing is financial insecurity. Working in a salaried position provides that security but freelancing can bring serious financial anxiety. The unpredictable nature of cash flow is the key reason that many freelancers return to regular, full time employment. It’s important for any freelancer to be well prepared for ‘lean’ times when work dries up or invoices are not being paid on time.

Another key disadvantage that is often overlooked by many who embark upon freelance employment is loneliness. Working as a freelancer you can easily go for days without actually speaking to anybody. Its important to maintain contact with people, perhaps by joining a local freelancer organization, and taking time to socialize with friends and family, regardless of how busy you are.
Another key disadvantage is that, as a freelancer, you need to perform every function that would be performed in the office. You need to be your own boss, financial director, office manager and sales-person as well as being an expert in your field. You will need to anticipate your own training needs and ensure that you keep up-to-date with your industry. Wearing so many different hats can be too much for many people.

Successful freelancers are generally people who have a clear understanding of their skills, abilities and their personalities. They also know their weaknesses. While you may be confident in your technical skills you may also know that you are not good at financial planning or record keeping. Self-knowledge like this is invaluable.

If you are seriously considering a freelancing career it is worthwhile taking some time to evaluate and quantify your skills in four key areas: technical skills, business skills, organizational skills and interpersonal skills. You need to be brutally honest with yourself, which can be hard. This can be aided by some honest feedback from others including workmates and friends.

It’s also a good idea to take time to talk to as many freelancers as possible. Find a local freelancers group and go along to one of their meetings. Ask as many questions as you can and find out if you have the same level of ambition, motivation, maturity and self-confidence as those who are successfully freelancing.

So, the secret of successful freelancing is that there is no secret. It boils down to knowing yourself, your skills, capabilities and weaknesses as well as the market into which you will be selling your services. If there is one key attribute that I would rank higher than any other it would be resilience. The ability to withstand whatever the world throws at you is key to the success of many freelancers.

Freelancing can change your working life for the better. But it isn't for everyone. Research things thoroughly, be honest with yourself, make sure you're seeing the wood for the trees and you should avoid the worst pitfalls.