People regularly ask me for tips on how to best start as a freelancer. Do they immediately take the plunge as a full-time self-employed person? Or do you opt for safety in addition to a (part-time) job? I started as a self-employed person in 2009, after I quit my job. A brave decision, but one that I regretted afterwards. Now I work part-time as a freelancer and I like it much better. Of course, the choice is different for everyone, but below are the most important advantages and disadvantages for me, including a number of tips.
Benefits of full-time freelancing The biggest advantage of being a full-time freelancer is of course that you are your own boss. No one tells you what to do and when to do it. Because that is the second advantage: you can organize your time yourself. For example, an acquaintance of mine rarely starts her practice before 10 am, “because she is simply not a morning person”. By the way, she is not the only one... As long as your customers are not early birds, this works fine of course. Another advantage is that you can accept all types of assignments: from small assignments to long-term projects where you work for a client a fixed number of days a week. As a part-time freelancer, this is probably not possible to combine with your job. Finally, full-time freelancers are entitled to the self-employed deduction through the tax authorities (for this you must work at least 1,225 hours per year). Disadvantages of full-time freelancing Naturally, there are also disadvantages to full-time entrepreneurship. In the financial field, how do you get through the start-up phase or periods with few assignments? Therefore, make sure you have a good buffer. The biggest disadvantage for me, however, was that I had no colleagues. You have no one to spar with, miss the gossip at the coffee machine and usually cannot build a long-term bond with anyone. Tips for when you want to start as a full-time freelancer As mentioned above: make sure you have a buffer on hand, so that you can also get through the periods in which your turnover is low. It is also important to have a good business plan at hand. Most banks and the Chamber of Commerce offer good (free) formats. Try to be as realistic as possible and take developments in the market into account. For example, I did not see the credit crisis coming in 2008 and therefore made overly optimistic financial planning. I have now gained a lot of experience and have helped several starters write their plans. That's my next tip: have your plan read by someone who knows it. By the way, you don't have to be completely alone. By joining a (freelancer) association, networking club or an intervision group in your field, you still have a bit of a 'colleague feeling'. You can join to make new contacts, ask tips from fellow entrepreneurs or benefit from other benefits. For example in the field of purchasing. I know someone who has joined forces with other freelancers in a kind of purchasing combination, which allows them to negotiate discounts from suppliers. Finally, a tip regarding sales: spread your sales activities. Do (cold) acquisition, use your own network, ask satisfied clients for leads, use social media and use self-employed marketplaces. My previous blog contains more tips about this. Benefits of part-time freelancing As I indicated in my introduction, part-time freelancing is the most ideal form for me. This way I am always assured of a stable (basic) income. That feels so safe with a child and a mortgage behind my name. Even if you want to buy a house, having a job is an advantage, because many banks are critical of granting a mortgage to a self-employed person. Furthermore, you can be picky about the assignments you take on. This means I only do assignments that I enjoy or that allow me to expand my expertise. This makes freelancing feel more like a hobby to me and I don't have to spend much time on things that I enjoy less, such as sales. Disadvantages of part-time freelancing The time factor is the biggest disadvantage when you work as a freelancer in addition to a job. It is often difficult to find a good balance between working for my boss, my work as a freelancer and my private life. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I always get the most offers when I'm very busy with my regular job. At those moments, private life sometimes takes a back seat. A disadvantage in the financial field is that you have fewer tax benefits and almost the same expenses. Tips for when you want to start as a part-time freelancer Almost all the tips I gave in the section on full-time freelancing also apply if you want to start as a part-time freelancer. In addition, it is important that you think carefully in advance about how to divide your time. Make agreements with the home front and arrange for a flexible babysitter if you have children. Perhaps an 'open door', but no less important: keep the work for the boss and the work for yourself separate. A quick phone call in between is of course fine, but keep it within limits. Also inform your employer that you are starting your own business. And before you do that, check whether you cannot get into trouble, for example if you are dealing with a non-competition clause. Hopefully the above tips will help you with your choice. One last tip: talk to other freelancers about how they got started. In any case: good luck with your start as a freelancer!
By: Manon Koster www.manonkoster.com
Manon thinks communication is the best subject there is! That is why she has developed into a real all-rounder. Whether it concerns copywriting, writing communication plans, (strategic) communication advice or providing training: she is at home in all markets.
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