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Freelance means you are working solo, with no affiliations except the agencies or businesses that hired you on a monthly retainer or in the short-term.
Freelance word has been there since the 1800s, used for a medieval mercenary who would fight for whichever nation or the person who had the highest bid or paid them the most.
Freelance doesn't mean zero or cheap. It means you act independently without the authorization of any organization. You work on your terms and at your own pace.
A few find it inappropriate to market yourself as freelancers; they look at freelancers as free hires. I beg to disagree.
In this world, perspective is everything. When someone looks down at you because you work freelance, it's not your problem. Probably, they are not your best clients or your potential customers.
Those who value themselves positively would see your value, too.
Those who are also trying to fit in will surely tell you; you are not worth it.
These noobs are struggling too. No full vessel can create that big bag; it is always the empty one that's noisy.
But hey you! Stand tall! You are doing great. Baby steps are progress, nonetheless.
My sole regret for choosing to freelance over a corporate job that gave me an assured paycheck every two weeks is, I procrastinated shifting gears.
Freelancing was there in 2016 when I first turned my back from corporate, a multi-national German company. I knew a little that was why I dust it off. I was not interested, period.
But I really hope I knew better.
Counting off to the current date, I could have made it big. I am probably one of the influencers by now.
A freelance is an excellent option when you are looking for more challenging but fulfilling work.
But do not jump ship if you do not have a paddle to steer your craft.
Here are tips on freelancing for beginners
1) You have to make a solid plan on why and how you are doing it.
Create a SMART plan: long term, midterm, and short term.
SMART refers to S- specific, M – measurable, A – attainable, R – reasonable, and T – time-bound.It would be best if you were mindful of all this, combine this with your why, and you can start.
Decide what niche you are going to offer. From the interest, background, and experience you already have, what is the best digital marketing equivalent to those passion you have. For example, you love designing; it's your passion. So you can start with graphic designs.
Think of what industry or clients you will offer your services to. Example, you can provide graphic designs for small business who needs logo or authors needing book cover.
2) You have to invest in your gadget or internet provider
Sure, you can start with your mobile, there are mobile-friendly apps, and you can start with that. But if you are serious about freelancing, you should allocate some resources as your 'capital.' Treat this freelance work as your business. Any business needs investment and money.
Find a laptop or desktop capable of online and designs, meaning you have to have at least 8gb DDR and 500gb HDD. Some sellers offer quality second-hand desktop if your budget is limited. Do not buy Celeron; it cannot support even a mere writing work. The processor is very slow and outdated.
Find the most efficient internet provider though you can go prepaid at first but add broadband to your investment later.
3) Enroll in some online courses
There are free resources online, but the meaty part is being sold most often than not. My interest was piqued by a copywriting ad when I was in the US. It was so compelling and persuasive that I had subscribed to their newsletter. They offered a promising freelance writing career, but the catch, I have to pay some thousands of Dollars, and sad I couldn't afford it.
What's good with showing your interest in a specific topic or industry and searching them in Google is actually linked to other search engines or social media apps. So my feeds started filling with copywriting ads until I came across AWAI (American Writers and Artists Institute). AWAI offered promo prices repeatedly, and I had the chance to buy a course for $27. I got in, so I have all the resources I need.
You can check them or sign up for their newsletter and feel the rush from there. They're perfect, I tell you, and they house those big names in the industry. Only, while you waltz inside, there are many courses they offer, as low as $1 and as high as $2500. Often, courses are ludicrously expensive for my bank account. I just opted for some shorter price courses or if I am fortunate enough to catch a price-slash.
I knew the basics, but what's next? I didn't know where to start. I was still with my corporate work at that time, but I worked from home due to the pandemic. In other words, I felt lost. I was confused.
So, take advantage of the resources you have on hand. They are available to enhance your skills. Though, freelancing is quite perplexing, especially if you are planning to jump ship. Imposter syndrome is at its peak.
I came across the ad of Demi Bernice Eslit, and she talked about freelancing. Imagine a woman in her 20s empowering fellow Filipinas to go freelancing. I needed the course, so I saved up enrolling for her Create Rise Academy batch Echo. The system was around $116, and you get lifetime access to the modules plus the updates.
Age was never an issue to start freelance. As Simon Sinek put it, "Always have a student mindset." You don't have to stop learning just because you are not in school anymore.
By the way, CRA modules are more on freelancing 101. Since Demi Eslit is an expert on graphic designs, she often gives graphic design as her example. It doesn't mean CRA is about graphic design freelance only.
Try Youtube for tutorials or SkillShare; both have valuable resources for your journey.
Those are the most relevant though I have other courses in my vault.
My niche is content writing, and I want to be mentored by an expert; I enrolled with Elna Cain's Write Your Way to Your First 1k for $149. I was collecting gold nuggets from the modules. It's not just about writing but freelance writing, per se.
Moreover, a book by Joice Carrera entitled Content Writing 101 is like a swipe file to me. The author shared relevant and necessary information. It's at $.99 on Amazon.
4) You need to shift your mindset
Along your journey, you will be battling with yourself. Self-doubt creeps in, and that will debilitate you for awhile. Go back to your goals and focus on the result. Where are you going? You know how already, so your why is your target. Lock it! Work for it! You have come this far.
You have the idea of what you want, and there is still room for improvement, work for it. Go on! Do you know how to drive any vehicle? Whether yes or no, the analogy is, you learn the skill through practice. Practice makes permanent, so be consistent about it.
Stop telling yourself you can't because you can! Challenge yourself just like you learn how to ride a bicycle when you were 5.
Honestly, I came to the point just 3 months on a freelance, I was on the verge of giving up, but I came across this article: https://due.com/blog/consider-before-give-up-on-freelancing/.
Read on self-development, accept you need help, and join forums and groups that offer free mentorship on mindset.
5) Have an accountability buddy
Whether it's your best friend, a colleague with the same interest, or your significant other.
It's good to work solo but better to have somebody who knows your goal. You will learn to be more accountable. The best part, you will persevere to excel because somebody expects from you.
6) Tell your family and friends of your plan
The truth is, some of them will recoil from the idea, especially if they do not understand how it works.
Tell them why you need the shift, they won't get it, but the best part, you will be determined to show them the result you aim for yourself.
It would be best if you had all the support you can gather.
You do not have to explain yourself when the going gets tough, brace yourself, and move forward even how challenging it may seem.
7) Keep an affirmation journal
Freelancing is not for the faint-hearted. Mostly you will be working alone unstructured. You will be building your business from the ground up, so you need to be cheerful always. Start your day with positive affirmations and carry that as a mantra for the whole day or week.
Samples of mantras I use:
If you want to get a free printable copy of an affirmation worksheet, click here; the resource is attached at the blog post's bottom.
8) Practice gratitude
As you start your day with affirmation, end it with gratitude.
Be grateful for every little progress you are making. For the people, you get the influence from and for your self who is willing to learn.
You can add gratitude to your journal.
Get a free printable worksheet from this blog if you want to start one.
9) Forge a relationship with fellow freelancers and exchange insights with them
Not all are receptive, though, but be a positive force instead. Give more than you take.
10) Be mindful
There is a riot out there. The competition is steep and stiff; focus on your goal and always live at the present moment. Best if you start meditation.
Conclusion
Whatever they say about the FREELANCE work, you are not working for free, you are working solo, and you know your worth. You can call yourself a freelancer, small business owner, solopreneur, noobprenuer; however, someone perceives you should not bother you at all.
Time will come that a client will low-ball you and even challenge you. Just understand that you are a service provider, giving the utmost respect and excellent customer service. There are plenty of ways to turn down a client who sees a freelancer's value in his business but not giving you respect as a person who provides service.
I regret the most for not going freelance is not starting much earlier.
The more you stay in freelancing or solopreneurship and persevere, the more you find those people who will see your worth as a person and as a service provider.
You gain solid confidence, learn the trade, and mentor those who also wanted to maneuver their way towards the gig economy.
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