By: Joanna Roberts (joannaroberts.ie) is a freelance journalist and copywriter specialising in writing about work and careers. She has written for The Guardian, the Irish Times, the Irish Daily Mail, Women Mean Business, The Dubliner and lifetracks.com.

Taking the plunge: starting out as a freelancer

The day I went freelance was the most exhilarating of my working life. I had total freedom: no boss, no colleagues, no set hours and no need to even get dressed any more should I choose not to. But it was also terrifying; like someone had removed the stabilisers from my career.

Most freelancers I know feel the same: exciting as it is to be in charge of your own destiny, there’s always a nagging feeling that it’s a fine line between freelancing and unemployment. And when you’re sitting there on the first day with no clients, no portfolio and no income, it’s difficult to see how on earth you’re ever going to earn a decent living doing what you love.
There are no rules to being freelance – making them up is half the fun. But if there were a handbook for new freelancers, these would be my top tips.

Get your name out there

Unless they already know your name, people will Google you. And they’ll expect to find something. Although it’s tempting to wait until your portfolio is suitably meaty, a website can add instant credibility, even if it’s just a one-page job. Beyond your own site, professional directories and public networks like LinkedIn are good (and often free) ways of advertising your services. At the very least, a professional online profile will increase the chance of a potential client finding work-related results and not dodgy Facebook photos.

Don’t be afraid of talking money

When you’re ruled by the feast and famine of a freelance lifestyle it’s easy to get so excited about a job that you forget (or don’t bother) to talk money. But you’re running a business now. It’s much easier to take a deep breath and tackle the fee up front than to leave it until you’re involved in the project.  Don’t sell yourself short; you deserve to earn a decent wage for your time, talents and experience and don’t be afraid to ask if there’s any room for manoeuvre. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Preserve your sanity

Working alone can do funny things to your mind. You may have shaken off the shackles of the office but you’ve also shaken off the support system that it provides: a boss, colleagues, handbooks that tell you exactly what to do in a particular situation. Professional online forums can be a lifesaver as they give you the perfect outlet for whinging about work and sounding out ideas but they’re no substitute for real people. Make sure you take time to meet friends for lunch and get out of the house when the walls are closing in.

Aim high

Finally, be brave and aim high. You’re as eligible as anyone to bid for decent work, even though it may not feel like it at first, so think twice about accepting low-paying (or no-paying) gigs just to build your portfolio. If it’s a cause about which you feel passionately or if there are other genuine benefits then fine. But my attitude is that getting work takes time and effort so you might as well direct your energy towards getting a decent client into your portfolio – it’ll boost both your credibility and your confidence.

About the Author

Joanna Roberts is a freelance journalist and copywriter and has written for The Guardian, the Irish Times, the Irish Daily Mail, Women Mean Business, The Dubliner and lifetracks.com. She also provides copywriting services for corporate and not-for-profit clients, including brochures, websites, direct mail and press releases. You can find out more by visiting her website: www.joannaroberts.ie