5 Tips for New Freelancers

Welcome to the wild and exciting world of freelance work. Now more than ever, there are plenty of people attempting to pay the bills and make a living off of freelancing. Luckily for them, there are now many options out there just waiting to be gobbled up by willing and hard-working freelance workers. 

And there are many tips and products out there looking to make freelance work easier. From sites devoted to posting and finding work to project management apps for freelancers to affordable laptops, teleconference programs, and more, freelancing has never been more accessible and profitable.

If you are new to freelancing, there is a lot to learn, but it won’t take long for you to soak it up and start along on your journey. Here are some of the many tips you should hold onto and remember in the days, weeks, and months ahead. 

Set Boundaries

Because you are probably working at home and because you may be able to make your own schedule, you might feel inclined to take on as much work as possible. Getting new clients and offers is an exciting feeling, and it’s one that might lead to you taking on a lot of positions, even ones you can’t keep up with.

Therefore, it is vital that you set strong and consistent boundaries for yourself right away. Remember, you need time off and you also need to be fair to yourself. So, have set rates that you won’t go below. Also have certain hours that are your off-hours, time for you to relax and rest and hang out with your family and friends. 

Think of it this way: if you are doing work and answering client emails at midnight, that is what will be expected of you. Yes, freelancing is exciting, but you need to set rules for yourself and for others and be sure you continue to treat yourself right, even if your schedule is unorthodox.

Don’t Undervalue Yourself

The number of freelancers has skyrocketed over the years. The coronavirus pandemic opened the doors for millions of people to try their hand at this special kind of work and they have kept doing it. In fact, it is now estimated that 64 million Americans, or 38% of the workforce in the country, are doing freelance work.

What does that mean? It means there are many options out there for you but it also means there is a ton of competition too. Because of that, some people might charge less than they deserve as a way to be attractive to potential clients. And while it is smart not to charge too much, you shouldn’t charge too little either. 

You should find a fair and reasonable amount for all the work you do. And once you have settled on it, do not go below it. Remember, this is a business, and clients are aware of that. They know you won’t do stuff for free, and there is nothing wrong with asking for an amount of money that is worth your work.

It doesn’t matter if you are just starting out or have been doing it for a long time. You need to be fair to yourself and not deviate from the rates that you have chosen.

Make A Schedule

If you are working for multiple clients, it is vital that you don’t get overwhelmed, confused, or cluttered. And a smart way to ensure that is to create a schedule for yourself. No, you’re not headed to an office and you’re not working a 9-5 job, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a schedule and a routine.

So, figure out what works best for you. Which job should you do in the morning, in the afternoon, and later in the day? What assignment is most pressing and due soon? Consider all of these things when you are building your schedule, and then stick to it.

It’s also vital that you still treat your freelance work like a real job because it truly is. That means treat your work day like a day at the office. What does that mean? It means you should take a shower, get dressed, make breakfast, and coffee. If you treat this work like an actual job, it’ll pay like one. Routines and schedules are always important, especially with freelance work. 

Market Yourself

Another thing you need to master when you’re new to the world of freelancing is marketing. Remember that you are the product; you are what is being sold. People will hire you based on your skills and your experience, and your personality, so find ways to make all of those shine brightly.

These days, there are plenty of websites and social media apps that are perfect for freelancers. One of the most popular is LinkedIn, which allows you to show the world what you are capable of. Through LinkedIn, you are able to put together profile pictures, posts, links to your work, portfolios, and more. Think of it as a business card for the modern age.

But it’s not just LinkedIn. You should find other sites and apps that will broadcast your talents to the world. When you are using these, you are setting yourself up for long-term success because you are getting your face - and your work - out into the world.

Freelancing Is Fun, But It Is Work

The freelancing world has never been so exciting, nor so enticing. There are many options for you, many jobs just waiting to be found. You can make a good sum of cash if you stick with it and treat this like a real job.

But always remember that this is work. This isn’t just a hobby you do on the side. Freelancing is what you make of it. So if you take it seriously and treat it like a job, it will act like one, and you may soon find that this is the way you make your income and there are more and more job offers flowing into your inbox.