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• Freelance work is an excellent choice for social media managers, tutors, computer programmers, and illustrators.
Writers, editors, and musicians also make great freelancers.
• Ultimately, the main things you need to get started are determination, self-motivation, and a marketable service.
• Keep in mind that when freelancing, time is money.
• Unlike many jobs where you clock in and out or work on salary or commission, freelancing requires that you
use deadlines to schedule and produce your tasks. After all, you need a way to ensure the work gets done.
So time management skills are vital to your success.
• The better you are at managing your time, the more money you'll make. Your goal is to deliver high-quality
services on time.
• Another important aspect of freelancing is customer service.
• You might think as a freelancer, that there's no one to answer to but yourself, but you’d be wrong. When you're
self-employed, your customers are your boss and customer service can make or break your freelancing business.
• Positive word of mouth and good reviews can often be your best way to generate new work. By cultivating
relationships with excellent customer service, you can start to develop an ongoing list of clients that will form a
strong foundation for your growing business.
• Ultimately, happy customers mean more business.
• Okay, so now maybe you're wondering, how much money can I make doing freelance work? or, how do I figure out
what to charge for my services?
• What you can charge will vary depending on your services, experience, and customers, but generally, freelancers
can charge anywhere between $10 - $75 per hour, and at times, even more.
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• There are many factors to consider when you're working on your own:
• 1. You’ll need to seriously consider your expenses since you'll be paying for all of the tools required
to deliver your services.
• For example, if you're a graphic designer, you'll probably need a subscription to Adobe Creative
Suite. Or if you're a filmmaker or photographer, you’ll need cameras, lighting equipment, as well as
editing tools and software.
• 2. When you are first starting out, you will also need to build a portfolio. This takes
time, and you might need to charge a lower rate on the first several projects you take
on.
• 3. Another import expense to consider is taxes. You are required to pay taxes on all revenue that
you generate, and as an independent contractor, your taxes are higher at
the end of the year than those of a regular office job.
• As you can see, there are many things to think about as you take your first steps into living the life
of a freelancer, but the good news is that you don't have to jump right into full-time self-
employment.
• People often do freelance work as a side gig when first starting out. That means you might work
with just a couple of customers as you start to figure it all out.
4. The Gig Economy
• These days there are numerous opportunities
for temporary and contract work. Not only
that, but the gig economy provides flexibility
when people need it most. For example,
temporary positions, contract work, and other
types of freelancing are excellent options for
people who have lost their jobs or are in
between jobs. A temp job might even be the
perfect solution for getting work when you
have little to no job history.
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• Monster conducted a survey in which 57% of respondents said they
would work a temporary gig while looking for something
permanent. Since freelance work is typically more flexible than
other types of employment, you can set your schedule to fit in with
your job search. What’s more, the pandemic changed how we
work, and as a result, there are more temporary positions available
than there were previously.
• To get started, first, make a list of your skills. Then, look for work
that fits your experience. You might consider using a platform for
freelancers, like Upwork or Fiverr, which will allow you to create an
account for free.
• You can also find many types of temporary freelance jobs simply
by searching "freelance and contract work". Keep in mind that
it will take time to build your network before you start
getting referrals.
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• There are a couple of other things to consider. While a
freelance worker is self-employed, an independent
contractor is a temporary employee who submits a
1099. Like freelancers, contract workers can work for
multiple companies.
• Another difference in temporary contract work is that
you might work in your clients’ office. There is also a
possibility that your client could offer you a position as
a permanent employee. A temporary contract work is
very often the first foot in the door.
