With the growth of accessibility to the internet and an ever-increasing global interconnectedness, the potential to have an online career is multiplying greatly. From online tutors to mobile offices, individuals are making money without ever having to leave the comfort of their homes. Freelancing opportunities, too, are growing as a potential moneymaking venture for those looking for an unconventional or home based career.
While the plethora of options in freelancing—from writing to photography to personal assisting—are numerous, each one should not be gone into lightly or without care. If you are considering starting this as a career, it is important that you ask yourself the questions you need to really evaluate for a successful freelancing job. The following is a list of the 5 most important questions to consider.
1. Are You Good with Different Personalities?
When you work in a traditional office setting, there are usually a set number of individuals with whom you work, including your supervisor or boss. This environment allows you to know and understand the different personalities and adjust your behavior accordingly. There is, in essence, a sense of familiarity that is nice in professional settings. When it comes to freelancing (useful reference), however, personalities can vary across the board. One day you may be working with an individual who is time aware and very uptight and the next partner with whom you work could be very laid back and easy going. If you are not up for variety or change, then, this may not be the best avenue or position to take.
2. Are You Good at Time Management?
Freelancing is often a very independent endeavor. Deadlines will be set and you will have to meet them, yet, the constant oversight of a traditional job environment will not likely be present. For that reason, it is vital that an individual remain aware of their time constraints and be able to navigate them appropriately all while completing a task on time. If you are one that has trouble with time management, then, freelancing positions may not be the best to accept until you are better able to handle the time aspect of it.
3. Can You Stay Self-Motivated?
Motivation and motivation forces are different depending on the individual. While some may be encouraged and impassioned in a group setting, others tend to work and stay motivated better when they work alone. If you are considering a freelance career, it is important that you understand that you need to be able to motivate yourself many times. You will not have the direct human contact with fellow employees, your boss, or team members. If you can stay motivated on your own, though, this can be a great and lucrative career choice.
4. What Type of Freelancing Will You Choose to Do?
There are many different freelance careers and opportunities out there with positions that need filled. Before you begin looking or shortly after you explore the potential, it is important to understand just what exactly you will do in your freelance career. Will you write? Will data entry be your forte? Will graphic designing be the choice that you make? Having an idea of what you want to do will allow you to begin narrowing down the job prospects as well as will give you a jumping off point to start your lucrative job search. It will also help you when marketing those skills as well.
5. Do You Want the Help of a Company or To Do It All on Your Own?
When it comes to freelancing, you can choose two very divergent but equally beneficial paths. The first is that you can sign up or apply to be a part of an online freelancing company that will help you to get contracts and work. The second is to go the path alone and try to find your own projects on which to work. If you choose to work with a company, there are usually fees and a hiring process. However, especially in the beginning, you are likely to get more jobs and be monitored and helped to stay on task. If you go it alone, finding jobs can be a bit more difficult—though not impossible—and you may have to wait between projects. There can, however, be less fees and more of a financial gain as well as the joy of remaining independent.
About the Author
Jane Copland is a passionate PR manager at ThePensters.com – the community of freelance academic writers. She’s into writing, technology and psychology.
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Amos says
This article has reminded me when I started becoming a freelancer.Great post and thanks for sharing.
Amos recently posted…Modest Money’s FreshBooks Review – Invoicing, Bookkeeping, Accounting
karen fega says
I have been writing my entire life. I never thought about being a writer. Weird. I am thinking about it now. Where do I begin to get my articles seen..Thank you.
Eugene says
I decided to go at it alone from the first time, Yes it’s good but at times you wait for long before getting contracts or you get overwhelmed with contracts that has short deadlines thus you have to pass on some. Nice read at the perfect time. It has motivated me to pursue it even further and more strategically.