Have you been thinking about trying to start a career as a freelancer? Maybe you know someone who works as a freelancer, and the idea appeals to you. Or maybe you’re just tired of your current job, and you want to go out and do something on your own. Whatever the reason, becoming a freelancer is an enticing option for many people. However, not everyone is cut out to work the freelance life. There are a few qualities that you should possess, and a few circumstances that you need to find yourself in. If you’re wondering about becoming a freelancer, here are 4 signs that you should consider it.

 

You’re a Self Starter

When you work as a freelancer, you really don’t have someone telling you what to do. There’s no manager watching over your shoulder ensuring that you get your work done on time, or that you always have something to do. You need to be able to motivate yourself to not only find more work, but to get all of your work done on time. If you’re the type of person who needs more of a structured atmosphere, and someone assigning you tasks, then freelancing might not be for you. If, on the other hand, you can get yourself started and motivate yourself, freelancing might work out.

You Like Freedom and Independence

One of the main reasons people turn to freelance is that they want more independence. They like the idea of choosing their own clients, what they work on, where they get to work, and when they get to work. The thought of each day being entirely up to them is appealing, and freelance offers the best opportunity to do this. If you feel like you wouldn’t fit into a more structured environment, or if you’ve tried it and don’t like it, then consider working for yourself as a freelancer.

You Like to Learn

In order to make it as a freelancer, you need to have a passion for learning. As a freelancer you need to wear a lot of different hats, and in order to perform these tasks properly, you need to learn. For instance, if you’re a freelance artist, you might also need to learn how to market yourself, how to manage your expenses, and how to network. If you don’t have a passion for learning new things, not only will you struggle with certain aspects of working for yourself, but you also won’t improve within your own field.

Your Ideal Role Doesn’t Exist

Finally, if there’s a job you want to do, and it doesn’t exist, you might want to create that job for yourself. There’s a first time for every job, and jobs that exist now were likely once started by someone going out on there own. If there’s something you’re good at, or if you see a hole in the marketplace, fill it yourself by becoming a freelancer. Since you’ll be the only one offering this particular service you’re likely to find plenty of work, that is of course until others start to copy you.

 

How to Get Started as a Freelancer

If the above items sound like they apply to you, then perhaps it’s time that you became a freelancer. Keep in mind that becoming a freelancer isn’t always easy, and you may have some tough months or years ahead. You really have to have passion about what you’re doing, and be willing to sacrifice in some other areas of your life until you make it. But if you’re willing to do this, here are a few things you can do to get started as a freelancer.

First, start getting your name out there. Look into building a website for small businesses, and get yourself some business cards. Reach out to your friends and family and ask them to spread your name as well. Attracting clients is the hardest part of becoming a freelancer when you first start out, so focus a lot of your attention here. After you get a few clients, work on putting together a portfolio. This will help you to gain more clients in the future by showing them some samples of your best work.

There’s a lot that you need to do in order to make it as a freelancer. You might face some lean years, or struggle to get your freelancing career off the ground. But if you have the right traits, you’re willing to work hard and you put the time in, you can make it happen.