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If you have thought about becoming a freelancer then there are a few things you will need to know before taking the plunge. Becoming a freelancer is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do and you will enjoy a host of benefits, but it is important you know just what you are getting into before you do it. Here are a few things you should think about before becoming a freelancer…
What Is Freelance Work?
Freelance is when you are effectively self-employed. You will work with companies on jobs such as writing, photography or marketing usually on an ad hoc basis. They will hire you for a job at a set budget and you will be in charge of your own tax and national insurance. You could either be employed on a set budget for a project or paid an hourly rate.
Learn To Manage Your Time
When working for yourself you will need to be able to manage your time efficiently. There is no one there to manage your time for you, so it’s up to you to be organised. There are ways you can manage your time such as setting up a to do list and using a time management software system such as Clockify. Try to make a weekly schedule and work on your biggest tasks first so these are out the way.
Don’t Quit Your Job Straight Away
While it might be tempting to quit your job as soon as you want to be freelance, this is not always a good idea. You will want to ensure you have clients and jobs in the pipeline so you don’t end up with no earnings coming in. It is a good idea to look at sites such as People Per Hour or various Facebook groups that post jobs for freelancers to apply for. Once you have a steady line of jobs coming in that you know you can keep up, then you could think about dropping your hours to suit your freelance work.
Get Networking
If you want to be a freelancer then it is a good idea to get networking. The more people you meet then the more people you have the potential to collaborate with. You never know unless you talk to people who might need your services such as writing or photography. You could join networking groups or use social media to try and reach a wider audience.
Know Your Rights
As a freelancer it is important that you know your rights and don’t let companies take advantage of you. If you find that you have issues with something at your job while freelancing on the site, it is a good idea to get in touch with an employment lawyer who can fight your case. They will know your rights and can help get you out of any situation.
These are just a few of the things that you need to think about before becoming a freelancer. As said above, it is one of the best things you will ever do, but it is a big career change so you want to make sure you are ready.
If you are thinking about working abroad take a look at our 7 Tips for Translating Your CV from English/French.
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