5 things I wish someone told me before starting freelance

Hey,

Congratulations if you have made the decision to pursue freelance graphic design. It’s a fantastic way to support yourself while doing something you enjoy. But before you go, there are five things I wish someone had told me before I took the plunge. They may be able to assist you in avoiding some common blunders and ease the transition. So keep reading and have fun on your adventure!

1. While freelancing can be a lucrative business, it is not always as glamorous as it appears.

While freelancing can be a lucrative business, it is not always as glamorous as it appears. This is due to the fact that you must complete a significant amount of work on your own without the benefit of a regular salary or benefits package.

Freelancing, on the other hand, can be a lucrative job if you’re self-motivated and enjoy working independently.

2. It’s possible that you’ll have to adjust your earnings expectations.

It’s crucial to set realistic expectations for how much money you’ll make as a freelancer when you’re first starting out. Depending on the type of work you do and how many clients you have, you might need to adjust your expectations.

Don’t get discouraged if your first few months’ earnings are lower than you expected; building a client base and earning a consistent income can take time. Keep in mind to be patient and to work diligently.

3. Building a client base and securing consistent work takes time.

You may be tempted to take any job that comes your way when you first start out but it’s critical to be selective and only work with clients you can truly serve well. Finding the right clients may take some time but it will be well worth the effort in the end.

4. Be ready for rejection; clients may decide that the final product isn’t what they wanted after all.

Everyone, including freelancers, is susceptible to rejection. Even if the final product has been approved multiple times by the client, they may decide they don’t want it after all. Prepare for the worst-case scenario and have a backup plan in place. Finding a new client is never fun, but it happens.

5. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t start making money right away; freelancing is a marathon, not a sprint!

Developing a client base and generating consistent income can take some time. You’ll see results if you stick with it and wait long enough. However, if you haven’t made any money by the end of your first year, it’s time to rethink how well you’ve run your company.

Although freelancing can be a very rewarding career choice, it’s not always as glamorous as it seems. There are a few things that I wish someone had told me before I made the jump into freelance work. That’s why I put together this list of five important points to keep in mind if you’re thinking about making the switch to freelancing.

If you want to learn more about what it takes to make a successful transition from employee to freelancer, don’t forget to check out my blog for tips and advice.

Thanks for reading!

—Gary

📚 What I’m reading right now

​Joe Pulizzi’s Content Inc. is a newly revised, second edition book developed for content creators and entrepreneurs who want to learn how to use content marketing to grow their business. The author has been a content entrepreneur for over 20 years and in this book, he explains why content marketing works so well, the dos and don’ts of this type of marketing campaign, and some startling statistics that demonstrate its efficacy.