There are some people who are better suited for freelancing work than others. Subsequently, you will need to figure out whether freelancing is for you or not, before attempting to establish a career as a freelancer. The best way to figure out whether freelancing is for you (or not) is by way of asking yourself some pertinent questions – and answering them honestly. The questions we are making reference to here include:
Can You Live With Uncertainty?
The nature of the typical freelancer’s life is such that there is a lot of uncertainty to be put up with. There are no long term contracts in this area of work. A client can bail out at a moment’s notice. In most cases, you will be working on a day by day basis without certainty that there will be work the next day. There are measures you can take to ensure that you don’t run out of work, but the possibility of running out of work remains. In most cases, you will be working on projects, without really being sure whether you will be paid or not. There are cases where you will have to work on projects without being certain whether what you are doing is exactly what your client wants or not… Simply put, there is a lot of uncertainty. If you are one of those folks who thrive in conditions of uncertainty, you will love it. If, on the other hand, you are one of those folks who can’t live with uncertainty, you will find the going extremely hard.
Are You Self-Motivated?
As a freelancer, you won’t have a supervisor to push you on a moment to moment basis. But you will still have to deliver clients’ projects on time, or otherwise risk having your profile ruined. If you are not self-motivated, chances are that you won’t survive.
Are You Disciplined?
To succeed as a freelancer, you will have to be a person who is capable of doing what needs to be done, at the time when it needs to be done, in the manner it needs to be done. You will also have to be disciplined to manage your finances and your time well.
Are You Willing To Commit Yourself to Continual Learning?
The freelancing business is very dynamic in nature. In most fields where freelancers’ services are needed, you will have to be committed to continual learning, or otherwise risk ending up being rendered redundant in a matter of days.
Do You Adapt Fast To Changing Situations?
The freelancing business is one where trends are always changing, and if you have difficulties adapting, you will definitely end up having difficulties.
Are You a Good Communicator?
To win projects, and to manage your relationships with clients successfully, you will need to be a good – nay, an excellent – communicator.
Can You Put Up With Unpleasant People?
Some of the clients you have to deal with as a freelancer will turn out to be unpleasant, unrealistic, demanding people. You have to somehow manage relationships with them, before finding an honorable way to bail out of their projects. Otherwise your profile will be messed up with negative feedback. If your fuse is way too short, you may not make it as a freelancer.
