More and more, it seems like people are kissing those cubicles and stuffy work environments goodbye in favor of the freelance life—a life where they can be their own bosses, work on their own schedules, and take charge of their own work.
In fact, according to Forbes, more than a third of U.S. workers consider themselves as freelancers now.
Yes, there seems to be a pretty major shift happening in the workforce. And, perhaps you’ve had dreams of jumping on that freelance bandwagon yourself. You’ve been longing for the day when you can bid your boss adieu, walk out that office door, and never look back.
But, if you’re like most people, there’s something that’s preventing you from actually doing so. What exactly is that? The fear and uncertainty of it all.
There’s no doubt that strolling out of your secure full-time job in order to roll the dice as a freelancer can be enough to have you shaking in your boots. But—take it from someone who has done that exact thing—it’s definitely doable.
How? Here’s what you need to know in order to transition away from your standard 9 to 5 and into a life as a freelancer.
1. Start Early
Unless you have piles and piles of cash stuffed under your mattress, chances are you aren’t going to be able to make a clean leap from your current gig without any sort of prior planning. Regardless of what your dreams or ambitions are, you still need a way to pay those pesky things called bills.
This means you should begin building up your freelance career before you ever jump ship from your full-time job—also known as building your side hustle. Take on some projects you can complete after work and on the weekends (ahem, never during your normal working hours!) to begin growing a client base and establishing your brand as a freelancer.
Yes, it’ll likely mean some long nights and weekends spent in front of your computer screen. But, it’s worth it to start building a steady foundation that you can grow your business from.
2. But, Remember to Check Your Contract
If you can begin building your freelance business while you still have the comfort of that steady paycheck, that’s great! However, you don’t want to skip this crucial step.
Quite a few companies have stipulations in their employment contracts that prevent employees from taking on any outside work that could in any way be competitive with their own business. So, before trying to grow your side hustle, you’ll want to comb through your contract again to make sure you aren’t going to be ruffling any feathers.
If you’re having a tough time wading your way through all of that legal mumbo jumbo, go ahead and set up an appointment when]re you can sit down and chat with HR. The important part is to make sure you’re informed—before you find yourself in hot water.
3. Network, Network, Network
You likely already have a solid understanding of the importance of networking. But, I’m here to drive the point home yet again.
When you’re starting your freelance business, the people you have in your web of contacts will be one of your greatest assets. They might have some work they could use you for, and also connect you with other professionals who could benefit from your services.
So, get out there in any way you possibly can. Attend networking events, conferences, and seminars. Join industry-relevant associations. Set up meetings and informational interviews with people and businesses that interest you. Send personalized LinkedIn notes. Or, send an “I’m freelancing!” announcement to some of your existing contacts.
Just put yourself out there—those connections will pay dividends when you’re really trying to grow your freelance business.
4. Take Care of Nuts and Bolts
When you think of freelancing, it’s all too easy to picture afternoons spent in a coffee shop with your laptop, sipping on a latte and working on projects that you’re passionate about. But, it’s important to remember that there are tons of not-so-fun, nitty gritty details that go into freelancing as well.
What am I talking about? Well, things like establishing your business identity (i.e. an LLC), finding an accounting system, opening a business bank account, and building your personal website.
They’re necessary steps you’ll need to take to get your business off the ground. But, the unfortunate part? You won’t get paid to do them—and, even worse, they take away from your billable hours.
This is why I always recommend that you do these things while you’re still employed full-time. No, they’re not the most fun or exciting tasks to get started with. But, they’re necessary—so, you might as well get them handled while you don’t need to be so concerned with meeting rent for the month.
5. Explore Your Options
No matter how much you’ve prepared, officially jumping ship from your full-time job can be nauseatingly scary. If you’re almost paralyzed with fear over the very idea, it might be worth taking a little bit of time to explore your options.
Perhaps your current employer will allow you to move into a part-time role. That way, you’ll still have some steady income while also having a little more time to work on your own business. Or, perhaps your employer likes you so much that they’d like to be your first freelance client.
The bottom line is, you never really know. So, don’t count anything out and make sure you’re considering all possibilities. It could make all the difference in the long-run!
6. Take the Leap
Eventually, you’ll reach a point when there just aren’t enough hours in the day. You no longer have the time to adequately commit yourself to your standard job and your freelance projects.
And, while that can undoubtedly be stressful, it’s also a good sign! It means you’ve built up a steady enough base that you can transition out of your full-time job without needing to be overcome with sheer panic.
So, when you feel ready (although, fair warning that you might never feel 100% ready to leap), it’s time to jump ship and start your new life.
Yes, it’s frightening. But, it’s also incredibly exhilarating! So, remember to take a deep breath and enjoy the process. You’ve earned it!
