9 Essential Questions To Ask Before Freelancing
Must-ask questions before you quit 9–5 forever.
When I first started freelancing, I was thrilled.
I’m in charge of my own career. I’m the boss of myself. I work anytime and anywhere!
I dove right in, ready to take on the world.
But now that I’ve been doing it full-time for a while, and without any prior experience working a traditional job, I see that there were a lot of things I wish I had known before I began.
Freelancing is not everyone. There are millions of people that are genuinely happy with their 9–5 job.
So, before you hand over those “I quit” papers, let me knock some sense into you (or nonsense if you’re already 100% about to dive into freelancing, no questions asked)
1 — How will you stand out from other freelancers in your field?
I’ll say it again: the gig economy is booming.
As a freelancer, competition can be fierce and exhausting. It’s important to have a plan to differentiate yourself from others in your industry.
Consider these:
- your unique skills
- your personal & professional experiences
- your perspective on growth as a freelancer
- your selling factor that makes you different from the rest
2 — Do you have a personal brand?
The key is building in public.
Building a personal brand can help you attract clients and establish credibility as a freelancer.
Your brand should represent:
- your personal & professional values
- your talents & skills
- your personality
Personal branding with a strong brand message will be effective only if you stay consistent.
Create a portfolio that showcases your work and highlights your brand message. This will help potential clients get to know you and take a chance on you.
3 — Do you have a website to showcase your work and services?
Open a new tab and start building one now.
A website is an essential tool for freelancers. It serves as your online storefront and allows potential clients to learn more about your services and view your portfolio.
People will stay and read your content it your website is:
- professional
- easy to navigate
- visually appealing
Your first website can be a simple landing page. Use it to get personal, showcase your work, and provide contact information for potential clients.
4 — Are you active on LinkedIn?
If you think LinkedIn is too professional, maybe you’re not ready yet.
Professional networking sites like LinkedIn are valuable platforms for freelancers. LinkedIn provides you opportunities to right in front of your screen.
I started being active on LinkedIn this 2023 and ‘slow and steady’ growth is my mantra.
If I’m gonna be completely honest: growing on LinkedIn is harder than growing on Twitter.
Make sure to:
- show up on LinkedIn as much as you can
- provide valuable comments (none of that “great tips thanks” comments)
- repost content with your thoughts and add some personal insight
- post your own content regularly to bring other thought leaders into your space
There’s no better time than today to connect with potential clients, network with growing freelancers, and showcase your expertise in your profile.
5 — Do you specialize in a specific area?
You’re either a specialist or a generalist.
Specializing in a specific area or problem can help you stand out in your industry and attract clients with specific needs.
First, identify your strengths.
Second, plan on how you can develop your strengths further.
Third, think of ways on how your strength can help solve specific problems.
Fourth, consistently show up to attract clients who will pay for your strength to solve their problems.
This is one method to differentiate yourself from generalists.
6 — Have you saved enough money to cover expenses?
You can start freelancing with no money but the bills still need to get paid.
Freelancing can come with income and workload uncertainties, so it’s important to have a financial cushion to fall back on while you build your personal brand and, eventually, your client base.
Before you go proclaiming to the world about quitting your 9–5, make sure you have enough savings.
The future is uncertain. So is freelancing.
You should have enough to cover your living expenses, business costs, and taxes during the early stages of your freelancing career.
7 — Have you researched the demand for your services?
Money won’t compound if you’re only solving one man’s problem.
It’s crucial to research the market demand for your services and identify potential clients or industries to target. This will help you customize your marketing efforts and target the right audience.
Look for gaps in the market or emerging trends in your industry to identify opportunities for growth.
Here’s an example:
You are a graphic designer.
You noticed that there’s a growing demand for designs that incorporate sustainability or eco-friendliness.
Your solution? To capitalize on this trend by developing your skills in sustainable design. You can begin marketing yourself as a sustainable design expert.
8 — Are you comfortable with change?
Freelancing is the strangest, most gut-wrenching rollercoaster in the park.
Today you land a $1k research gig, tomorrow your ghostwriting client wants 300 revisions done in 3 hours.
Freelancing comes with a level of uncertainty and unpredictability.
Expect fluctuating income and workload changes.
It’s important to be comfortable with this the freelance lifestyle before pursuing it full-time.
If you can’t handle change, it would be high time to surround yourself with a loving support system who can help you navigate life through rough times.
9 — Have you found mentors to help you succeed as a freelancer?
That could be me, though there are thousands of other rockstars out there.
Finding mentors or resources is the key to building a system that works for you.
There are so many creators who can provide guidance and support as you build your career. You don’t even have to know them personally to learn from them!
Join online communities or attend industry events to network and learn from others. This will help you stay up-to-date about industry trends and best practices, and will increase your chances of success as a freelancer.
Freelancing is not for everyone.
It’s important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks before diving in.
Starting a freelance career requires a lot of planning, hard work, and dedication. You should be prepared to differentiate yourself from others in your industry, build a personal brand, create a website, network on LinkedIn, specialize in a specific area, save enough money to cover expenses, research the demand for your services, be comfortable with change, and find mentors who can help you succeed.
Though it requires a lot of planning, you don’t have to wait for a year to start.
Build in public and start today.
If you’re ready to take on these challenges, freelancing can be a fulfilling and rewarding career choice. However, if you’re not sure if freelancing is right for you, it’s always better to think twice before handing over those “I quit” papers.
If you enjoyed this, I’d recommend an earlier story I published, Hard Truth: Freelancers From Third World Countries Get The Short End Of The Stick. It’s a light and straightforward read that I’m sure you can relate to if you’re reading this from the developing parts of our world. Otherwise, still a great read for a little punch of perspective.
