Before, freelancing was thought to be an unstable career choice where benefits aren’t guaranteed and the pay scale is lower compared to traditional office jobs. Things have changed as technology has made it more accessible for people to do work remotely, giving them not just an opportunity to earn extra income but also forge a full-time career without the limitations set by a traditional job. The market for freelancers has increased considerably as the number of available roles has broadened.
You may be new to freelancing, and you may be turned off by the slow pace of your growth as a professional. This is often the main challenge that beginners will have to face, but it’s important to know that minimal gains are temporary. So long as you know how to invest your time and resources wisely and make the most of the benefits that freelancing has to offer, you could build a successful gig that would be more than enough to set you up for a more stable future. Here’s how you can get started.
1. Set reachable and manageable goals
The first thing you will have to do is to set a direction for yourself.. Having goals is critical to knowing what you should do and how to use the resources you have, which could lead to the results you want in the end. As you do so, make sure that your targets are manageable.
You wouldn’t want to aim for your first million within just a year. Always align your goals with your current situation and, from there, determine what needs to be done so you can reach these goals.
2. Make time for acquiring new skills
You can never go far as a freelancer if you’re stuck with the only skills you have. The market is constantly evolving, and certain skills are becoming outdated quickly, so it’s important to be flexible and open enough to widen your skill set based on what’s in demand. If you’re a freelancer focusing on content marketing, generative AI could affect you significantly if you’re doing only content creation.
In dealing with this trend, take it as an opportunity to learn other skills such as project management and data analytics, which are becoming some of the most lucrative fields for freelancers. You just have to look for online courses and other training opportunities that will equip you with the necessary knowledge.
3. Get a good living space
Being a freelancer, you will have to deal with distractions, especially if you’re taking in mostly project-based jobs. For this reason, you need a dedicated space where you can easily explore your creativity and allow you to maximize the amount of output you can churn out. You may opt for changing your home environment by adding a home office that’s comfortable and far from noise sources.
If that’s not possible because you live in a neighborhood with lots of distractions around, consider transferring to more comfortable living spaces such as Investa Build to Rent properties, which are close to coworking spaces and other amenities. In any case, a much-needed change in environment can do wonders for your productivity.
4. Enhance your professional networks
Freelancing isn’t just about having the freedom to do the work you like and when you like. To truly succeed in the field, you need to learn how to harness your professional connections. The quality of your network could either make or break your gig.
It matters to keep in close contact with clients and fellow freelancers who can open new doors to more lucrative opportunities. Set aside time for networking and see if you could land projects and side jobs that could help improve your employability and enhance your freelancing gig’s growth potential.
Endnote
There’s a long way you should go to get the most out of your freelancing career, but success is guaranteed so long as you invest in areas that will give you more than just commissions and bonuses.
