There’s a real sense of pride and ambition that comes to mind when you first make the decision to go freelance, full-time. Not only are you afforded flexibility when you need it, but it’s invigorating to know you’ll be managing your own clients and developing a capable approach towards relationship building with commercial connections – because all of this comes from you and you alone!
It’s important to remember, however, that no freelancing journey is a cakewalk. Even if you luck out and collect many clients and have a heavy calendar workload, it’s important to never take this for granted. Moreover, it’s important to be realistic about your working abilities and what priorities you have in mind. Without a steadfast approach, it’s easy to be burned out.
Finally, if you’re working as a sole trader, it’s essential to be focused on your professional development and personal investment. You are the greatest asset you have, and for that reason, you deserve to invest in yourself. But what does this look like in practice? In this post, we’ll discuss that process and provide you with several options.
Without further ado, please consider:
Online Courses & Tutorials
It’s easy to think that as a freelancer, you should be ahead of the game and know everything. After all, why should a company come to you instead of many other established small firms? Well, it’s because your adaptable. Investing in skills development can be a worthwhile part of this.
For some, paying for a subscription to online courses that help them understand new compliance measures, adapt to new software packages, and understand various other aspects of your career can help you move forward more competently. For example, if Adobe releases a major update to their content suite, you can use a paid course to adapt to the new standards at the beginning of the week, allowing you to adapt your workflow more capably. These professional investments not only of money but time and skills growth can make a major difference to your capabilities going forward.
Networking Events & Workshops
When working alone or entirely remotely, it can be easy to feel isolated from the general advancement of your industry. Sure, you might not be an influential force within it anymore, but that doesn’t mean you have to disconnect entirety. In fact, it can be highly worthwhile to network where appropriate too, and attend industry events or workshops that help you develop skills as discussed above.
For example, an SEO festival year on year can help you attend new lectures, learn new insights, understand new philosophies based on how given firms are approaching things thanks to the recent Google update, and more. That’s not to mention the networking opportunities. Giving out your business card, talking to possible clients, or even just getting your name out there is worth your time.
Invest In Your Working Space – It Doesn’t Have To Be Modest
There’s a strange impression that freelancers, thanks to their portability, have to keep everything on one laptop forever. But of course, that’s hardly the case. You get to spread your wings as far as they’ll go and invest in whatever can provide you with more productivity, comfort, and capability.
That might involve investing in a wonderful workspace with industrial desks that look great and can store all of your paperwork and monitors as you maximize your screen real estate. You might invest in a lifetime warranty chair that provides fantastic lumbar support and can be adjusted at will, helping your spine health despite how many hours you sit at the desk.
Maybe you’ll implement beautiful lighting, purchase a fantastic new PC that can render 4k video within an hour compared to multiple hours, and move forward with that approach in mind.
Specialist Equipment As Needed
Of course, it’s clear that not all freelancers require the same equipment, but most will require some equipment. A freelance writer will be well-suited by investing in a helpful keyboard with clicky switches that can help soothe each keypress. If they suffer from hand tension, they can even opt for keyboards that allow for easy dual-hand interaction, allowing for quick and easy typing without constant repetitive strain.
If you’re a photographer, than investing in a home studio with appropriate three-point lighting, a green screen, and a neutral backdrop can be worthwhile. You may need to invest in your software suites also, such as the aforementioned Adobe Creative Suite, audio production utilities, video editing packages, or certain plugins that help you achieve the exact effects you’re looking for.
Over time, this kind of equipment will allow you to curate the best of your professional capability. Also don’t forget about the software suites you use to host and integrate your deliverables and track your workflow, be that Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a more dedicated option suitable for your field. Paying those subscription fees will be essential.
Web Design + Portfolio Hosting
There are many excellent template websites out there for your perusal, and many of them ask for a relatively small fee to host your content and showcase your portfolio. Of course, add a domain hosting cost (usually quite a small fee), a registered email domain, and you have most of what you need.
That being said, you may also benefit from using a professional web developer to implement a simple website to get the very best out of what you have to offer. There you could develop your own custom checkout approach, limit the costs and processing fees, and have more control over your web presence. This is the transition many professionals make after gaining some success in a freelance capacity, and you might opt for the same.
Outsourcing
That’s right, even freelancers outsource from time to time. You might not do so at the explicit level of a small business using an accountant to manage their books, but you could opt for the little things. An accountant that helps you review your tax contributions each year is always a good place to start, for example.
You might also outsource small aspects of your job from time to time to help a client. For example, a contractor might use a professional they rely on for installing certain panels in a home, or verifying electrical work and giving a second opinion or audit. Make sure to integrate these costs into the final quote and also make it clear you use these services where appropriate, as transparency is key. For example, perhaps you’re a professional photographer but you use a local printing firm to make your family portraits pop, this is a good means of outsourcing and can help you deliver the service your client is expecting.
Bonus: Unforeseen Budgeting
Unfortunately, life isn’t very predictable, and freelancing isn’t either. It might be that a professional who books your services, paying half upfront and half later, just doesn’t pay after the deliverable. Sourcing this individual and taking them to court is likely worth your time, but that doesn’t mean it won’t cost money to get there.
Budgeting for unforeseen events can really help your peace of mind during scenarios like this, which will unfortunately come sooner or later. With a little care and focus, you’ll no doubt find a worthwhile outcome. Just make sure to invest in yourself by taking breaks from your work and having a life outside of freelancing. It will keep you balanced.
With this advice, we hope you can go freelance in the best way and redefine your professional presence in the best possible sense. You’ll learn plenty of lessons, but they will only serve to make you stronger.
Header Card Credit: Pixabay/ Pexels
