Tag Archives: Freelancers

How do you know when to go freelance full time

March 18, 2018 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , , , , 24 Comments

Let me take you all down memory lane of how I shuffled between my 9-to-5 and my freelance business. At first it started off as an avenue to make extra money doing what I love. With a lot of hard work and dedication, I turned my freelance business into my main source of income and said goodbye to my structured life.

 

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Just like me, you’re probably juggling freelance projects with the work you have to do at your office. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell when is the right time to finally leave your 9-to-5 job and pursue what you love full-time. Here are a few pointers that can help you make the decision to leave your 9-to-5.

 

Do you have enough saved up for living expenses that will last you for some months?

 Starting a business is a journey of uncertainties. In a 9-to-5 you know that you’re entitled to a specific fixed salary. But when you go freelancing full-time your income can vary from month to month. To cushion any downtime, it’s good to know you have enough saved up just in case.

If you have enough saved up to sustain you and your family for a couple of months then this is a sign you can go freelancing full-time.

 

Do you have a steady client-base?

 Clients are what keep the business going. As a freelancer, its important to make sure that you have steady number of clients coming in before you can make the leap into pursuing your freelance career full-time.

Don’t leave your 9-to-5 job because you’re booked solid for the month. Make sure you have clients coming in every month such that you can almost bank on it. If your freelance business hasn’t gotten to that stage yet then focus on building your client base and getting steady retainers.

 

Are you earning more in your freelance business than you do in your 9-to-5?

While you’re saving up to venture into full-time freelancing, a good indicator that it’s time to dive full-time as a freelancer is if you’re earning more than you do at your 9-to-5.

If you weren’t freelancing you would have lived on your salary. It would have covered your monthly expenses. So if you want to go in full-time as a freelancer you need to ensure you earn the same amount consistently for a couple of months.

 

Are you willing to do all it takes to make your freelance career a success?

To be successful as a freelancer, you need to have your mindset fixed on succeeding. It takes work to grow a business. Are you determined to remain committed to putting in the work no matter what happens? You will experience ups and downs but if you push through then you will succeed.

Many freelancers fail not because they were not talented but because they were not ready to face all the challenges head on and persist till the end. Successful freelancers constantly build their network, develop products, sell their expertise and they are consistent at it.

If you’re not ready to stomach the challenges but still desire to go into freelancing full-time then work on your mindset daily. Position yourself as an entrepreneur in your mind. Sooner or later you’ll know you’re ready.

 

Are you running your own business full-time? How did you take the bold step?

 

Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made

February 7, 2018 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 51 Comments

For as long as I can remember, the question of whether successful entrepreneurs are born or made has been a subject of debate. I thought I’d give my own two cents to this debate from my own perspective.

Many people go into entrepreneurship for many reasons. Some want to really experience the freedom-based lifestyle that goes a long with entrepreneurship. Others are in just for the fringe benefits that come along with tagging the word “entrepreneur” in their bios.

Whatever may be the reason for diving into entrepreneurship, the end speaks for itself. The true entrepreneurs remain resilient until the very end, while those who are not cut out for it are easily weeded out.

 

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But what makes the real entrepreneurs who they are? Is entrepreneurship something they pick up and train themselves in or are they just born with all the skills, character and talent to be entrepreneurs?

Let’s look it from both sides:

 

Entrepreneurs are born

It could be a gene in their DNA but some entrepreneurs are gifted with the skills that give them an edge in their business. While some have to train for years before they can perfect the art. Born entrepreneurs have natural instincts geared to making their businesses work.

Take for example, having a natural gift in creating quality relationships that always result into sales. It’s not that such a person was trained to be a good communicator. It’s something that flows naturally.  They never have to force themselves to shine in their area of competence. They are excellent at what they do.

Born entrepreneurs are those who recognize that they have a gift and they exploit it; they leverage on it.

 

Entrepreneurs are made

Made entrepreneurs are those who develop the skills needed in order for them to be successful. They know that there is a gap and in order to make their business flourish they have to fill in their lapses. As a result they get retrained, they hire coaches, they read books, but most of all they practice, practice, practice.

The truth is that this is where majority of entrepreneurs find themselves at a point in time. Their success is attributed to the work they put in themselves and as a result their business became a success.

 

If you want to be an entrepreneur and fail to see your lapses or you’re not ready to learn and practice then you will not be successful in your business. You need to be willing to make an effort. Developing yourself takes time and a lot of humility. You need to be humble enough to acknowledge that there is a lot to learn and actually put in the work and take the time to practice.

 

So are entrepreneurs born or made? I believe some are born but most are made. Being born with the right skills and business mindset is all well and good but you need to continue to develop those skills to be a success story.

 

Do you agree? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

 

To Freelance is the Future

December 12, 2017 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , , 29 Comments

The number of freelancers is on the rise in different countries. And as I delve deeper into freelancing, the reasons for this increase are getting clearer by the day. In fact, the potential for freelancers is immense and I’m really glad that people, especially the creatives, are taking advantage of it. If you’re reading this, you’re probably a freelancer or you intend to freelance. Maybe you have even hired a couple to help you out in your business. You’ll see that they are proving themselves to be an indispensible part of the industry.

 

 

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Here are some of the reasons why freelancing is the future of work.

 

Search for better income

This is where most freelancers start. The desire to find a way to augment their income pushes them to find “side hustles” they can engage in after their 9-to-5 jobs. The reason is simple: their salaries are not enough to cater for their needs or the needs of their family.

Those who turn to freelancing have been able to raise their income level even higher than what they were earning in their 9-to-5. Well known freelancers have been able to rake in millions every year through freelancing alone. That is something they could never have imagined they could achieve through their 9-to-5 jobs.

 

Freelancers take up gigs that reflect their passions

The gigs freelancers go for reflect their interests and hobbies. Doing something they love makes them enjoy the work they do. Thus, their side hustles turn to their passion project and a means to escape their dreadful jobs. This means that they are more productive and deliver quality services.  They carry this passion and enjoyment with them even after they leave their 9-to-5 to dedicate more time to build a business on what they love doing the most.

 

Freelance to experience a life of freedom

Freelancing gives people the opportunity to quit their jobs and start off as owners of their own businesses.  As business owners, these freelancers get to enjoy unlimited freedom in their lives. No need to wake up early to rush to work. Having to endure hours of long commute or crazy weather conditions would be a thing of the past. No need to deal with office politics. They are in charge of their own time, the clients they work with and how much money they can make.

 

 

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Freelance gives job security

The immergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has been giving a lot of workers concerns. Many believe that the presence of AI means that they are faced with the threat of losing their jobs.

The good news is that freelancers are not at risk of the presence of AI. Freelancers don’t only offer services, they build business relationships and influence in their niche. This is something that AI can’t achieve.

 

Assurance of quality service

Most people working in offices today are doing those jobs mainly out of necessity and not many of them enjoy the work that they do. Freelancers on the other hand love their job. Their love for what they do shows in the quality of their work.

Their passion drives them to ensure that their clients are given the best. Freelancers work faster, smarter and are more resourceful and innovative than those working in a 9-to-5. They believe in ensuring maximum satisfaction and not merely living from paycheck to paycheck.

 

Do you freelance? How are you finding it?

 

 

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