Freelancing can be done in many industries. The most popular, of course, are computer programming, website design, writing, editing, IT services, contracting, and construction. The term 'freelance' basically means that you go from one project to the next, and only get paid for the work that you actually complete. When you choose to go freelance, you will be in charge of your own financial destiny. You need to be aware of what your services are really worth, and willing to tell people how much you charge without backing down or letting them tell you what they want to pay. A good freelancer will charge less than top dollar, because they will get more work that way.
You shouldn't expect to be an overnight millionaire when you get into freelancing. Starting out will be slow, and you won't likely make a lot of money until you establish a name and reputation for yourself. However, the harder you work, the more money you can make in this field, which is why many people turn to it as their way of working. As a freelancer, you have to be motivated to get the job done, driven to stick to deadlines and meet clients' needs, and you have to be able to manage your time well. If you're not capable of what the client wants, don't be afraid to extend the deadline. They want YOUR services after all, not the other way around.
When you get into any kind of freelancing that allows you to rely on the internet for finding work, you need to watch out for scams and people who are going to take advantage of you. A good practice to ensure the safety of everyone is to require half-payment up front and then the rest upon completion of the project. This will protect either party from getting ripped off in the end. Freelancing is a great industry to get involved in, but it takes a lot of commitment and dedication on your part if you actually want what you do to be both lucrative and successful.
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org/ ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.
