Freelancing to Make It Happen

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We always wonder if we can make a living by freelancing, but what are the real answers? It seems that everyone is very “iffy” with their answers. We want real answers, don’t we? What I gather from doing this for the last few years through different sources of freelancing available to me, is that you need to find the right places to bring “your product,” it doesn’t become profitable until you “have a following,” and you need to have strong marketing skills. Can you make a living at this? I’d say that if you have “exceptional skills” as I’ve stated you may have a shot. We also need to define “making a living.” Each of our situations are going to be different as far as our need for cash. If you have little expenses, this can be a great way to make a little cash as it adds up by the end of the year. If you are looking to make a few thousand dollars per month, then you have A LOT of work to do constantly developing your “skills.” Here are some things to keep in mind as you strive to achieve a suitable income:

Things that don’t matter:

-How much experience you have. Don’t let anyone have you believe that experience matters, because their are so many avenues of freelancing that don’t take 50+ years of experience. I think that some doing this for a longtime want others to feel intimidated by their experience, but with experience I don’t give a hoot! We all have a perspective to share that is worth so much more than experience. What someone doing this for a few months has to say, I will give the same respect to as anyone else. Everyone deserves a shot!

-How much competition is out there. Everything in life will be meet with competition, but so what if the market for writers is flooded?! Your work will be discovered, loved and enjoyed by others, as long as you get your work out there.

-Negative influences. If you have a passion, don’t give up on it because of what other say, or think. Watch out for the nay sayers, especially those in the business that will try to discourage you, because they fear the competition, and perhaps will feel thrown from the helm. Don’t let the “show of greatness” fool you by/from anyone.

Things that do matter:

-Perfect your craft. Keep developing your skills as to what it is that you do, as well as the business end of it.

-That you learn from your mistakes. Take notice of what is not working, so that you can move on without wasting anymore time on it. Also, any general mistakes in the business end needs to be noted.

-That you explore new avenues. Never stop looking for new avenues to venture into that can become profitable.

-Finding your “target consumer. “If you find those that you can bring your product to, then your profitability goes way up. Email people(not spam), start an email list of those interested, pass out flyer’s, tell your friends and family what you are doing, and ask for feedback.

-That you remain persistent. Persistence pays off! Like everything in life, we often go through hard times, but we grow from there. When things don’t feel like they are going well, keep on the road anyway, but make adjustments. I never started on a project that didn’t constantly need changes along the way to begin to work as I’ve wanted.

Build upon what matters further, so that you have the best shot at reaching your goals. Good luck!