10 Tasks to Get Your Freelance Career Off the Ground
Working for oneself is a dream for many. But there’s a catch—when you work for yourself, there is no hand-holding. There’s no one else to take up the slack or blame for your failures. It’s all on you.
The good news is that if you’re willing to accept responsibility and work diligently, you can succeed as a freelancer or sole proprietor. I’ve been working as a freelancer for nearly a decade, and the following ten tasks have helped me grow. Each one is a digestible, actionable task that you can complete or at least start today.
Publish Your Resume
When you’re first starting, you don’t yet have a track record of pleased clients proffering word-of-mouth recommendations. Your initial clients will want solid proof that you can do what you say you can.
A resume combined with a portfolio is the best way to do this. Pull out your old resume and update it. Lend more “real estate”—space on the resume—to experiences and skills directly related to your freelance occupation. Use a resume strength checker to compare it to industry standards. Keep an electronic copy of your resume readily available to email to a potential client.
While you’re at it, use your updated resume to establish or update your LinkedIn profile. Don’t forget to link to or upload evidence of past projects. In this way, LinkedIn can serve as an easily accessible portfolio of your past work.
Establish an Online Presence
If you’ve completed Step 1, you’ve already got an active LinkedIn profile. That’s a great start. But you’ll want to do more. Why? First, you want to be easily found by clients searching for services like yours online. Second, your digital presence serves as proof of your legitimacy—clients can see that you’ve been around a while and you’re not running a scam.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are good ways of establishing that online presence, as are business listings on Google, Yelp, and similar platforms. Use the same handle, thumbnail, and logo across platforms so your clients can easily recognize you.
You may also consider building a personal website. Some people consider websites more legitimate than social profiles, especially if you purchase a personalized domain name. You can use platforms like Wix to get started for free, and add on paid options as your business grows.
Create a Stable Work Environment
Next, focus on your work environment. For me, that mostly consists of a home office. Try to establish a dedicated office space and keep it free of clutter and other distractions.
Depending on your line of work, you may need other spaces as well. I keep two well-lit rooms uncluttered and free of overly personal items so that I can use them to stage photos and videos. I also keep a laptop and accessories handy for work on the go.
My spouse, on the other hand, works in construction. His work environment consists of a garage, toolshed, and work vehicle. He likewise aims to maintain these as uncluttered, dedicated spaces.
Set a Schedule and Keep It
As a freelancer, you usually won’t be expected to clock in at a certain time. This freedom can cause unexpected challenges for the unwary. You might find yourself putting off work to do other things, then rushing to meet deadlines—or missing them entirely.
To avoid this, set a reasonable work schedule and stick to it. It doesn’t have to be identical every day, but there should be some level of consistency. Think about whether you’re most focused in the morning, afternoon, or even late at night. You might also try to set and maintain consistency in your personal life, including your sleep schedule, as this will help you be prepared to take on work at designated times.
Set a Budget and Stick to It
I was able to start my freelance career with little overhead—mostly a computer and internet access. Even so, every business costs something to run. Designate how much you will pay yourself and how much will go towards your business.
It may take some time before you’re earning the equivalent of a full-time salary. Set a household budget based on what you are able to make now (not on your goals for later), and stick to it.
Talk About It
Don’t be shy about letting your friends and colleagues know you’re freelancing. You might be surprised how often they’ll refer others to you.
Establish Physical Points of Contact
When you talk about your work, you need to be able to give interested parties a way of contacting you. Business cards are a must.
Diversify, Then Specialize
When I first started freelancing, I did a little bit of everything I knew how to do—writing, editing, photography, and graphic design. Over time, I found that I loved some tasks and hated others; some provided a better return on my time. Today, I’m more selective and specialized in the types of projects I take on.
Work Like Your Career Depended on It
As a freelancer, there’s no one to remind you of your deadlines or prod you to work harder. You need to be a self-starter and well-organized. Try out organizational tools until you discover what works for you. For example, I find a paper desk calendar to be more useful than an electronic one because it’s never out of sight.
Take Care of Self-Care
Running your own business can be stressful. When making out your schedule, include time for activities that maintain your health and give you joy. For me, that includes daily runs in the park and frequent homemade meals.
When you start applying these ten tips today, you’ll see your freelance career start to blossom, whatever your industry may be.
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