Steps to a Successful Freelance Career

Current economic conditions are tough. Companies are downsizing, workers who have dedicated decades of loyalty to one company are being laid off, and unemployment rates are creeping upward. A logical solution for many displaced professionals is to become an independent contractor, an independent consultant, or offer services to companies on a freelance basis.

There are a few typical challenges associated with this lifestyle that might be holding you back from making the leap. While nothing beats living the freelance lifestyle, doing what you love and being your own boss, it can be a scary move to make if you’re used to the consistency, benefits, and seeming security of working for a large company. Here are a few of the questions that might be weighing on your mind, and some possible solutions for each:

How will I find clients?
This is difficult if selling isn’t part of your nature, or if you’ve never had to sell anything before. This is where networking comes in handy. Still to this day, nothing beats word-of-mouth marketing. Stop being humble, and let all your friends, colleagues, and acquaintances know that you’re now in business for yourself and looking for potential clients.

Set yourself up with some nice business cards and a professional-looking website. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but you do need a presence on the web to appear credible in today’s marketplace. Costs can vary greatly, but you can find designers who can do a great job at an affordable cost. You can also network with friends and find out if you know someone who has a secret hidden talent, like yours.

Start a blog. If you’re shy about selling, this will be the best thing you ever did. It’s far easier to toot your own horn via the web than it is in person. Offer helpful advice that your clients will find interesting. It will position you as an expert, and you’ll be top-of-mind when they need someone with your expertise.

I need a consistent, steady paycheck.
Yikes. We all love consistent, steady paychecks, but that’s not typical in the freelance lifestyle. You’ll need to learn to budget well, and don’t get too excited during those stellar months. Sock that money away for a rainy day, or a slow month – and don’t forget to save some extra for tax time.

Try to have six months or so of living expenses saved before you make the full leap into freelancing. That way, you won’t be completely discouraged into taking the next nine-to-five offer that comes your way, and giving up on your dreams. It takes patience, but over time, you will become confident about your ability to bring in enough business to meet your needs consistently.

I don’t know anything about running a business.
That’s the beauty. You don’t have to start your own business or set up a corporation. If managing taxes as an independent contractor isn’t your thing, help is available. There are companies that act as a portable W-2 employer of record for independent consultants, just like you and me, and handle all that administrative stuff that’s associated with running your own business, so we don’t have to. Usually, they only take a small percentage of your gross billings as payment, and they can handle billing your clients for you, offer you a way to keep track of your expenses, help you with taxes, and sometimes even offer access to group benefits, just like a regular corporate job. It’s like outsourcing your busy work. The company I use is MBO Partners, and they’re fantastic. They give freelancers like us the chance to really focus on what we’re good at, and leaves us with no excuse not to make the leap!