Like everything in this world, freelancing can be hard, especially if you are not used to doing it. To freelance successfully, consider these points:Build A Reputation
Many established freelancers who earn steady income build their freelance careers by referrals and repeat job orders. Unlike your regular job, which has a fixed income and hours of work, freelance assignments will largely depend on orders from repeat clients and prospective clients who have heard about your services via word of mouth or referrals.
The freelance industry is quite small, when you think about it. It is important to make sure you do your job well. Guard your reputation, especially your work ethics and attitude, as this will help your freelance career.
Avoid Conflicts
Although there is no law against freelancing while being employed by a company (unless it is stipulated in the contract you had signed when you were hired), it is still important to consider ethical points before accepting a freelance job.
One of the things to look into is the conflict with your company and the freelancing assignments that you are hired to do by another company. It is ethical to refuse freelance assignments from companies that directly compete with the company you are working for as an employee.
Freelancing for the first time can be daunting, especially if you lack experience. Freelancing is not a career that everybody can take on without sufficient experience and contacts. If you have to do it, make it your sideline job first and then gradually ease out of your regular job if the pay is enough to support your monthly expenses.
Establish Your Contacts
The number one thing you have to do when starting to freelance is to establish contacts with potential clients who are in your industry. Establishing contacts not only means to get their contact information, but you also have to make sure they remember you by establishing good rapport with them.
Build A Solid Reputation
Make sure you do every job well. Remember that freelancing is a job that relies on the assignments given to you by others. Unlike a regular job where you have a steady income and a fixed number of hours, with freelancing, the work is anything but stable! You have to compete for every job. For this, you need a solid reputation to see you through.
Start Small
Freelancing does not mean you have to leave your work and be a full-time freelancer. You can actually do freelance work on the side while still earning a steady income with your regular job. Of course, you have to make sure freelancing on the side is acceptable with the company you are working for. This is where the personal ethics will come into play.
If you are freelancing while still holding a regular job, you have to make sure you are not doing jobs for companies or people who are direct competitors of your company. As much as possible, stay out of the industry you are in and only accept jobs in a different industry. This way, there will be no conflict with your work.
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