I have started freelancing in July 2009. It was a shocking change from the advantages or having a fulltime job as a radio DJ and then being fired. Unemployment wasn’t an option for me, getting back in the media business meant having to accept a very very low wage. I wasn’t interested in this so I tried my hand in freelancing.

Even if any decent theory would advise you to start it as a side job and then move full time on it, when you get to a decent revenue, I was forced to take the bull by the horns and start fulltime freelancing. No money in my savings account, was able to pay for my bills for 1 month and a half. And then …

Since I was able to gather some experience in this and survive the entire “game”, I thought it might be useful to you to get some ideas from these months I have spent surviving financially. Here is what you have to expect, if you’re thinking about this.

1. STRESS. There’s nothing more stressful than knowing you’re not getting a new “gig” and still the bills are piling up. You will be more relaxed once your savings account starts looking “decent”, but still, you might have the occasional panic attack. It’s OK to feel this, just don’t let this overwhelm you. Make sure you do save money and are prepared for a “dry spell”. Then it’s all better.

2. WORK. Let me tell you something: I have never worked in MY LIFE as I have worked the past 5 months. NEVER. And I wasn’t a slacker, and was never accused of not doing my job. But freelancing kills you alive, at least till you’re getting to a decent portfolio and that savings account that lets you maybe take a vacation. My biggest enemy now is my urge to work as much as I can. My resolution for 2010 is to actually learn HOW TO RELAX.

3. MONEY or LACK OF IT. You have to understand there are good and bad months. This is why many advise you to keep a normal job and freelance in the spare time, till you get a portfolio up and some constant work. And MONEY SAVED. Then make the move. I wasn’t fortunate to be able to develop this way and I had to work like a madman to recover from getting fired. It can be done. It’s stressful (see point no.1) and takes effort (see no.2), still it can be done. You can prepare for those bad weeks (let’s hope it’s not months) by saving money. I need new sport shoes. I still postpone this for few more weeks. Now I have the money, but I’d rather save. 2-3 more months and I think I can go to a healthy shopping spree.

4. LOW RATES. It is possible to have to drop your rates. I had to lower mine A LOT so that I can grow my portfolio and earn the every-day life money. I could keep my high rates and get a “gig” every 2 months or lower them and have 5-6 projects a month. Yes, I am making quite some money this way. And people still say I need to raise my rates and I am constantly doing this. My portfolio got fat, I have collected a lot of raving reviews from the freelance job sites I work on and get contacted by people who see my work there and want me to create their site. If you are not starting from zero as I had and don’t rely entirely on the freelancing revenue, then you are not forced to decrease your rates. But, if you need that money, it’s a compromise till you’re getting back on your feet. Then you increase them gradually and get to work for the price you’d like to work for.

5. A KICK IN YOUR PRIDE. Yes, being a freelancer is seen by some as a “meager” job. Yes, you’ll have friends laughing at you for not being able to get a “decent” job (they still think being employed is the next best thing), clients giving you hell, and you’ll have to breathe in, breathe out and take their crap since you know you’re also taking their money. With work and experience you’ll receive a better “deal” in time. People will be impressed with your skills and want you to create their presence online, your friends see you’re earning a decent living, with all the freelancing perks (work from home or Puerto Rico, if you want to, set your own schedule, less expenses, more freedom etc.) .. this is the moment the initial “kick in your pride” is paying off.

I don’t want you to be scared. I don’t want you to NOT consider freelancing since it has been THE BEST THING I HAVE DONE IN MY LIFE. I just wanted to share some of the things I wasn’t really prepared for (the negative ones) so that you know what might happen. The first months are the hardest. You are stressed, you work a lot, learn a lot, have to make financial decisions that will shape your freelancing future. But, my god, it’s worth it

Filed under: freelancing by ramona