In a stagnating job market and an era of corporate wage repression, it’s no surprise that many of today’s young professionals are becoming increasingly disenfranchised with the world of work.
Students are graduating with tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of debt yet still thousands find themselves languishing in low paid, low skilled non-graduate jobs in which the knowledge and skills they spent years and a small fortune developing are simply allowed to atrophy.
You may feel that your skills are better suited to the freelance market, and while this may certainly be true, remember that freelancing (like any form of entrepreneurship) has its inherent risks. Before you quit your day job, ask these questions of yourself to ensure that your bases are covered and the foundation is secure for a successful freelancing career…
Have I done my market research?
Like any entrepreneur, a freelancer needs to be able to ascertain a quantifiable demand for their skills. This means identifying a gap in the market that only they can fill. Scour the freelancing wanted ads and look for the kinds of skills and attributes prospective clients are looking for. Then take a look at the freelancers who will be your competitors. If you can come up with a reason why you can fulfil the client’s needs better than anyone else, you’re a shoe in.
Do I have some clients lined up?
Often, all it takes is a good working relationship with one or two key clients to get the ball rolling and provide you with a steady stream of work to keep the roof over your head. As your portfolio of work and skills develops you’ll be able to pull in better-paying clients. When you’re able to do less work for more money, you’re well on your way to achieving success as a freelancer.
Am I always working on my skills?
A good freelancer knows better than to rest on their laurels. They’re always looking for ways to develop their skills both to show clients that they know their onions and to keep abreast of the skills that are most in demand amongst clients. If you don’t know your HTML Heredity and Other Relations there are a range of ways in which you can develop your skills in your spare time. Online learning and night school can be a freelancer’s best friends.
What will my pitch be?
How will you stand out among legions of other freelancers with similar skills and experience and all the same desire to succeed as you? Working on your pitch is one of the most overlooked skills when it comes to freelancing but it can see you gain a steady stream of work from reliable clients.
Can I network without coming across as a salesman?
Finally, it’s essential that you attend networking events to develop a network of contacts who will be able to help you advance in your career. But beware the dangers of coming to networking events with a salesman’s mentality. You’re there to meet people and build relationships, not to hustle for work. Come on too strong and you’ll come across as desperate and a little annoying. Here are some great tips on how to handle yourself at networking events.
When you have all the bases covered, you’re primed for success… On your own terms!