Becoming a Freelancer
If you are currently working full-time, and are considering transitioning to a freelance career there are some ways you can do this without total disruption of your lifestyle. One of the easiest ways, is to start your freelancing part-time, and build up a base. You can do this by searching for small "one time" jobs that fit your current skill set. Once you have built up a small client base, you may consider cutting your full-time employment down to part-time. This will allow you more time to focus on obtaining new clients.
Rather than give up your job entirely, working your way into your freelance career, will allow you to maintain a steady income, as well as building your skills, promoting yourself, and establishing a solid client base. Done properly, you should be able to successfully transition from full-time employment to full-time freelancing. One thing to be certain of, is before you give up your full-time position, is that you have established not only a steady base of clients, but that you have made a sufficient name for yourself to ensure ongoing work.
One of the biggest challenges that you will face, is the change from "paid" benefits to "unpaid" benefits. This includes medical insurance, life insurance, and a host of other "small" expenses that you may not have considered. Before you make the leap from full-time employee to freelancer, make sure you have carefully evaluated these expenses.
For the freelancer, as much as many people would like to think (and will tell you) you do still have a boss! Although you may not be working the standard 9-to-5 job, and reporting to one supervisor, you will be reporting to your clients. These clients will expect you to adhere to deadlines, provide high quality work, and respond when they contact you. Anyone who tells you that you are your own boss, is overlooking the fact that you are accountable not only to yourself, but to your clients.
Once you have established a base, done all your research, and are comfortable in the knowledge that you can earn a living as a freelancer, the transition should come fairly simply. Initial steps should include moving your health and life insurance, providing a sufficient notice to your current employer, and advising your freelance clients that you will be available for different assignments should they need to. Becoming a freelancer can be a scary experience. It can also be a lonely existence. Make sure as you are transitioning from full-time employee to freelancer, that you have taken all of the potential pitfalls into account.
Summary
Transitioning to a freelance career is a very exciting prospect. Soon, you will join the droves of others who have decided that no more will they be beholden to corporate America, but instead, will forge their own way ahead. Remember, small businesses are the biggest employer in the United States. With careful planning, the right research, and understanding the challenges you are about to face, you will be able to successfully transition to a freelance career.
