Is working as a freelancer for you?

With the pandemic and popularization of alternative work arrangements, we have seen that you don’t always have to stick to a 9-5 job to earn money for your living. You have all the freedom in today’s world to work as a freelancer. You just need to take a look at freelancing opportunities and learn how to become a freelancer.Freelancing would not be considered a legitimate career path 15 years ago. However, time has changed everything and you will be able to find a large number of people who are working as freelancers to support themselves and their families. It has become one of the most desired career choices among individuals seeking autonomy in their careers and life.The best thing about freelancing is that any interested person can think about giving it a shot. You will be able to make money regardless of your age, gender or location. All you have to do is to use the skills that you have in order to provide a product or a service for people in need. In return, you will be paid.But before you start to work as a freelancer, it is extremely important to have a clear understanding of how to safely engage in freelance work. Then you will be able to receive the best results for the time you spend.

Should you really start working as a freelancer?

Even though the concept of freelancing is not something new to the world, most people fear it when they hear the word. That’s because they tend to take a look at the downsides associated with freelancing. After taking a look at the downsides, people think it is better to continue with their jobs and stay within their comfort zone.It can be intimidating to take the leap when you have had a steady full-time job for a while. But once you find the right niche, freelancing can open so many doors. Before you start working as a freelancer, it is better to spend some time getting a clear overview of how it would be to work as a freelancer. With that mindset, you can go ahead and start working.Here are a few points to consider before you go freelance:

       
• Do you have expertise/interest in a certain field? Do you need to invest in honing your skills?
       
• Are you prepared to face business crises (late payments, difficult clients, emergencies, etc.) on your own?
       
• How will you price your work and how much will you charge?
       
• What do you want your schedule to look like, and are you able to make it work?
       
• Are you familiar with invoicing and payment processes? Are you informed about tax requirements in your country of residence?

Finding the right niche for you

All the avenues available for you to follow in freelancing are excellent opportunities. But you will not be able to travel in all those avenues and end up with amazing results. That’s why you need to take a look at the skills that you have and select the right avenue to work as a freelancer.If you are already working for a specific industry, it would be a good idea to start working as a freelancer in the same industry. Then you will get the opportunity to take the maximum out of experiences accumulated throughout your career. For example, if you are working as a developer, you can pursue the same role solo. Then you will be able to cater to the needs of those looking for freelance coding specialists. To give it a try, you can take on small freelance projects that can be handled while working full-time.  On the other hand, you can select a freelancing path based on your interests and hobbies. For example, if you are a person interested in photography, you can become a freelance photographer. You can work for websites that accept stock photos.Most importantly, you need to select a field that you enjoy working in. Otherwise, you would give up after a short period of time. But when you are doing something you love, you would continue with it, regardless of the frustration that builds up with time.

Work as a freelancer on your terms

No matter which industry you decide to work in, and wherever in the world you are located, Ruul’s finance, compliance, and work solutions are here to facilitate your work cycle. Follow Ruul Blog and connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram for guides, best practices, and tools to help you along your solo journey.