Are you ready to start freelancing?


You have to take a lot of things into account when you want to start freelancing. You don’t want to be the clumsy, unprofessional “outsider.”

Here’s a checklist to get you started:

Expectations:

  • Write down what you expect from your new career (working for one client or multiple clients, working at home vs at the client, working in team or alone). This will allow you to make other decisions.
  • Create a career plan with clear goals.
  • Know yourself: in what environment do you thrive?

Legal:

  • Set up a legal structure.
  • Buy insurance (see for example Freelancers Union) and open a checking account.
  • Know how you will manage your legal documents (check Recurvoice for invoices).
  • Have an emergency fund.

Clients:

  • Find out how you can position yourself in the marketplace.
  • Determine what you expect from a client (wage, clear requirements, professional communication).
  • Find clients and find out what their working style is (e.g. casual or formal).
  • Determine how you will brand yourself (online and offline).
  • Set up your portfolio.
  • Get business cards.
  • Set up social media accounts (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Practicalities:

  • Know what tools you will use (e.g. to do list, cloud services, calendar)
  • Install the required software (e.g. Evernote, Photoshop)
  • Buy the required hardware (e.g. laptop, headphones, coffee machine, briefcase).
  • Find a distraction-free location (visit some coworking spaces).

Education:

  • Have a network that can support you (for example other designers, developers etc.). Get an overview of network events here.
  • Know where you can follow the trends in your industry (conferences, online media, social networks).
  • Find out what aspects you need to work on and read books about this subject.

Work-life balance:

  • Try to find out what you can outsource to a virtual assistant.
  • Set aside family time.
  • Set up a system to track your performance (time tracking).
Image via @Collative

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