Let me tell you a story about the first time I tried freelancing. I was young, ambitious, inexperienced, and completely fed up with my job. I believed I had what it took to make it as a freelancer, and so one day, I quit my day job. I went cold turkey.
I had no contracts, no leads on clients to speak of, and no real plan. I also had not much money in the bank.
It was a real “jump and trust that the parachute will appear” kind of moment for me. And guess what?
Reader, There was no parachute.
Those were the toughest few years of my life.
I mean, I survived. It didn’t kill me; it did make me stronger, and it made me a lot smarter. But I 100% do not recommend. I ended up struggling to make ends meet; eating noodles and rice day after day; unable to pay all my bills; wondering where the rent would come from at the end of the month. Few things are more stressful than poverty.
What did I do wrong?
I had no plan. I had no experience in the business and marketing side of freelancing, even though I probably had the talent and skill in my own subject matter.
I had no business network, no client leads, nothing.
It took me three years to get my business up to the point where I could say I was making a real living—three years I could have been spending more constructively.
So don’t quit your day job.
Here’s the plan (or at least the recommendation from me):
You’re going to start this freelance consulting business contract by contract. One gig at a time. While keeping your day job.
I know that sounds difficult; I know there aren’t enough minutes in your day as it is. But trust me, it’s better this way.
First, make your way through this set of online guides.
Start to build your professional network.
Set up your marketing materials, define your brand, define your service offer.
Get the word out there.
And lo and behold, before too long, you’re going to get an opportunity to sign a contract (and yes, it’s ok to do so alongside your day job as long as you’re not in conflict of interest.
Take your time. Learn the business.
Give yourself lots of time to get that contract right—to really learn as you go and make sure you’re fully comfortable with all aspects of the work, the admin, the bookkeeping, and the client relations.
Then, when your client has signed off on your great work and you’e got a cheque on the way, you’re going to take a little time to evaluate how it all went, and make notes about what you learned and what you’re going to improve on next time.
Then you’re going to take another contract. And another.
And little by little, you’re going to have confidence. You’re going to have a cushion of cash in the bank. You’re going to have a grown network of clients and leads.
And you’ll be on your way.
But trust me, don’t quit your day job. Not yet.