How to go freelance (and stay that way)
Ready to fly by the seat of your pants and make your own work rules? Yay! As a fully paid-up member of the not-at-all secret society of freelance designers, I can tell you that fewer things are more fun and fulfilling (workwise). The flip side is there’s often something scary lurking in the corner, ready to leap out and knock you off balance.
With that in mind, here are a few ways you can make sure your path to self-employment runs as smoothly as possible…
Find a mentor - Having someone you trust and who knows what it takes to be successful as a freelancer in your corner is a must. They can be someone you already know, but you can also find them through local startup and creative network hubs. I found mine (a lovely man called Owen O’Leary) through Creative Edinburgh.
Make a plan - Whoever your mentor is, they should also help you organise your aspirations into a tangible plan complete with milestones and tasks. Owen’s input was invaluable and gave me that push I needed. We met four times a month, and by the second session I'd handed in my notice and I haven’t looked back.
Don’t wait to build your client base - You can do this while you’re still working your 9-5. Think about the types of people/organisations you want to work with. Make a list, and then use your evenings and weekends to seek them out, introduce yourself and ask if they need a helping hand. Be polite and to the point (as ever).
Figure out how much work (i.e. cash) you need - Work out your day rate (here’s a handy guide), and from there, how many days’ work you need per month to pay your bills and survive. I promise it'll be reassuringly low (compared to a standard 9-5). Bonus points if you can save up a little to help you through the transition. Admittedly I didn't do this, but if minor corrections-only time travel existed, fixing this would be top of the list. Sadly I prioritised buying a chair from IKEA.
Leave the numbers to an expert - Hiring an accountant to do a simple sole trader tax return won’t cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, their insight on how to avoid paying unnecessary taxes means they practically pay for themselves. They’re absolute geniuses.
The main thing is to enjoy the ride. You’ll inevitably wake up a few times feeling terrified and sweaty - it’s totally normal, and you’re not alone. There are plenty of people who’ve been where you are - ready to reassure you. On the plus side, you’ll experience tons of highs, great and small as you conquer fears, leap (sometimes stagger) over hurdles you never imagined you could, and see your self-created universe get a little bigger day by day. Hooray.
