Thinking about becoming a freelancer? 5 things you should consider



Freelance work definitely has its perks when compared to the office - you can set your own schedule, there’s no boss to report to, and you can work in your PJs if you want (though as a freelancer I personally don't recommend getting into that habit!) But before you make the leap, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

Know your Niche 
Who are your target audience? What exactly is it that you will provide them with? You must know both of these things before you go into freelancing full-time. Just as with any other business, you must have clear goals and a clear strategy before you begin. This means a lot of planning and research! Have a look around online, as there are many guides that can show you how to find out who your target audience are.
Create a Presence 
Get the word out. No-one will hire you if they don’t know you’re there! This means everything from social media to search engine optimisation. If you’re not savvy with the marketing side of things, you will have to find space in your budget to hire someone to do it for you. There are lots of guides online that can give you a good starting point when it comes to boosting your presence online. In addition to this, you need to build up a network. Tell everyone and their mother what you are doing and how they can find you - someone always knows someone who needs the kind of work you do.

Protect Yourself With Professional Liability Insurance 
This is an absolute must for all freelancers and not just new startups. This type of insurance will cover you if the worst happens and a client suffers a professional or financial loss as a direct result of failures in your work. Companies like One Sure, at onesureinsurance.co.uk, can offer you some great deals on professional liability insurance, and make sure that you are covered in any event. They offer motor, home, and many other kinds of insurance, and can often offer discounts as well.

Build a Business, Not a Lifestyle 
A good work/life balance is important, and this article can give you a few pointers in that direction. But while keeping that in mind, it’s important to go about freelancing the right way. Build your business as a business, otherwise it will be too easy for for things like housework and other little chores to end up taking priority. Just as with any other job, you need to put in a certain number of hours in order to make a success of it. 

Find Clients Before You Make a Move 
This will usually mean working a full time job, and then pursuing your side hustle in the evenings until you can build up enough of a client base to go solo. If that sounds like too much work, then freelancing is not for you! The more clients you can build up, the easier it will be to make the leap.