Tips and Truths: Starting Your Freelancing Journey
Whether you’ve been at your current role for years or you’re thinking of making a career shift, there will probably be a time you’ll want to take on some freelance work. It’s a wonderful thing to have the flexibility to work on your own terms with clients that mean something to you.
My freelance journey started during a time of huge transition—and by huge, I mean literally halfway across the world. I decided to go abroad for an extended period of time for various reasons and needed the flexibility to do so. Thus: freelancing.
Freelancing has given me the chance to pursue other creative interests while getting paid for a skill I already possess. (If you’re reading this, you’ve probably guessed it’s writing.)
Three Hard Truths of Freelancing
From my experience, I’ve learned a few truths that took some getting used to:
You can work at 3am or 9pm, for three hours at a time, or simply 30 minutes. But that flexibility demands the need for discipline.
It will become lonely. You are usually working solo; cherish those moments of collaboration.
Everything you make should be tied to a contract, email or agreement of some form. The relationship can feel transactional and some clients would prefer it that way.
Tips for Novice Freelancers
It’s certainly not easy, but allow me to make it easier for you by sharing what I had to discover the hard way:
Make a schedule that works for you. If Mondays and Wednesdays are usually when you have deadlines - set time aside accordingly.
Find a community! Join Slack organizations, connect with other freelancers, find a Facebook or Instagram group for people like you. Think: traveling freelancers, designers for hire, etc.
Tune in for webinars, conferences or other virtual events to inspire you. You might just find your next gig that way.
Keep your finances straight. Invoice when you say you will and be crystal clear with what hours you’ve worked. I recommend Wave for invoinving any work, you have the option to turn online payments on/off and it connects to your bank account.
Always have a paper trail. If something requires extra hours, be completely transparent.
The IRS website is your new best friend.
Learn when to say ‘No.’ It’s a complete sentence.
Your time is your money. Last, but possibly the most important. Value yourself and your time, and your clients will follow suit.
These are just a few of the 1,001 things I’ve learned this year. I’m sure you’ll learn even more!
It’s a journey that will be unique to you, and you never know what might come of it. That person working next to you in a coffee shop might have a need for a copywriter. Your last client might refer you to a friend. You could stumble upon the perfect opportunity in the form of a Tweet or Facebook post.
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About the Contributor
Andrea Vargas is a freelance copywriter and content marketing specialist. She has a background in managing influencer product gifting campaigns and worked closely with Statusphere’s network of diverse and talented content creators. Based out of Orlando, FL, she has a passion for supporting small businesses and getting to know her community. When she’s not writing, you can find Andrea planning her next budget travel destination, making a Spotify playlist or practicing her calligraphy.
