Freelance work has become more popular over the last few years, especially with the global pandemic and its impending aftermath. Freelance work can be any business done as an independent contractor or sole proprietor.
Being a freelancer allows you to gain independence and freedom from the chain of command, allows real-time interaction with your customers, and helps build your brand. Industry professionals have found it helpful in helping grow their portfolio of work as well as helping set them up for when they open their businesses.
There are many advantages to becoming a freelancer, and there are also a few pitfalls. If you are determined to become independent and begin work as a freelancer, you will be best served to understand both the advantages and disadvantages.
Here are the most critical areas of focus when contemplating becoming a freelancer.
It is a Business
Despite not answering anybody and having time for yourself, we recommend treating your freelancing career as your own business. Remember, your brand is everything when you apply for a job, a mortgage, or start a business.
Try to maintain your original work routine and keep the illusion alive. Wake up early in the morning, freshen up, and get dressed. Appearance is everything, even if it’s just for you sitting at home. As long as you maintain a strict routine where you dedicate your time to work, you’ll be able to find it easier to avoid distractions.
Freelancers working from home often complain that they get too easily distracted by other people in the house without office space or work area. It would be best to design a workspace in your home where you can comfortably dedicate your time to work.
You Need Boundaries
The problem with freelancing is that there doesn’t tend to be any regular work schedule. Therefore, you must work to maintain boundaries between your personal and professional life. Although you must dedicate time to work, you should also know when to give yourself a break and decompress.
People tend to reach the breaking point, burn out, and become so detached from their work that it’s hard to concentrate without a clear objective. Remember, with no supervisor to take responsibility. Your responsibility is to address all customer concerns and proofread your work before submission.
Branding
One of the biggest freelancing problems is that people seem to lack identity when approaching their business. Their inability to differentiate themselves from their work paints a confusing image, and it’s essential that you first design a profile of your body of work to prove who you are.
It is not enough to cite your resume as evidence of your expertise. It would be best if you also mentioned personal details so that others could understand who you are. Remember that anybody working with you might be with you long term.
To prevent misunderstandings or confusion, establish yourself and familiarize yourself with the client so that correspondence can be done smoothly and quickly. Your online reputation matters, and you should try to get as much feedback as you can from customers to see where there may be lines of improvement that you still need to work out.
Nobody is perfect, and don’t take it personally if some of the feedback may be too negative at first. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Thank them for their honest critique and strive to improve rather than hide behind what you’re comfortable with. To succeed, you’ll have to break out of your comfort zone and take more responsibility.
Conclusion
In summary, the rise of freelance work, particularly accelerated by the global pandemic, offers freedom and challenges to those pursuing independent careers. While freelancing provides autonomy, direct client interaction, and opportunities for brand building, it requires a disciplined approach and careful consideration of its inherent complexities. Treating freelancing as a business venture emphasizes maintaining routines, establishing boundaries, and prioritizing professionalism.
Effective branding and differentiation are crucial for success in a competitive landscape, requiring freelancers to articulate their identity and continuously strive for improvement based on client feedback. Ultimately, embracing the freelancing journey entails ongoing growth, adaptability, and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone to achieve long-term success in this dynamic field.
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