Top Reasons to Ditch the Desk and
Kickstart Your Freelance Career
On the surface, freelancing seems like the dream. You call your own shots, get to
work from wherever you want in the world and enjoy a flexibility that full-time jobs
can't match. But the reality of ditching the desk can be much more complicated than
it looks.
If you're thinking about taking the plunge into freelance work, there are a few things
to keep in mind to ensure your new career is off to a successful start.
While every freelancer's path will be different, it's common for new freelancers to
start their careers by bouncing around a bit in full-time roles, building up a portfolio
and establishing connections within their industry before striking out on their own.
The more you understand your field and the people who work within it, the better
chance you'll have of landing gigs that allow you to stretch your skills and grow in
areas where you might be a bit weaker.
It's important to set realistic expectations for your freelance career. Many
freelancers are able to make enough money to live comfortably, but it's important to
remember that there is a certain amount of time that goes into finding gigs,
pitching, bidding and doing the work once you get them. You'll need to factor this
time into your estimates for projects, so you don't over- or undersell yourself.
When you begin your freelance career, it may be helpful to develop a system for
tracking tasks and a schedule. One freelancer recommends using a toy frog on your
desk: the frog represents the most dreaded task of the day. Swallow that frog first,
then you can move on to more exciting projects.
Some people find that the lone-wolf nature of working as a freelancer can be difficult
to adjust to, especially if they're used to working in a team environment.
For those who are easily overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a business (think:
taxes, insurance, invoicing software), it can be helpful to focus on landing a few
anchor clients that allow you to shore up your income and workload consistency.
It's a good idea to take some time to think about your personal reasons for making
the switch to freelancer. Once you know why you're doing this, make sure to get
your word out to friends and colleagues who might be interested in booking you for
a project. The more word gets out, the faster your freelance career will kick into high
gear.
get my free email tips
Discover What I Use To Hire The Right Freelancer For The Job
My Recent Posts
Freelancing
Check out my recent post on hiring the best freelancers around the globe.
All-in-One Sales Automation Platform
Check out my recent post on all-in-one sales and marketing tools and what I think of it.
Sales Funnels
Check out my recent post on sales funnels and what I think about them. Are they still worth it?
The Same "about me" text you wrote on your about me page; you want to write it here or write an excerpt of it here. Just make sure it makes sense, and looks complete if you're going to write an excerpt. So delete this text and add yours on every article page.
Val Nwogu
©Copyright 2025 The List Grower
10412 China Spring Rd, Ste F PMB 1023
Waco, TX 76708