Starting a freelance business can be a great way to take control of your career and earn a living doing what you love. 

If 2023 is the year of change (year of the rabbit often means year of change in Chinese New Year), then this year should be the year you step out of your comfort zone and go freelance.

However, going freelance can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure where to start. 

I thought I would go over the things I learned starting my own freelance business, with some key important steps to follow, to help you launch your own freelance business.

1. Identify your niche: Figure out what you’re good at and what you’re passionate about. This will help you to identify your niche, or the specific area of expertise you’ll be focusing on for your business. Popular niches for most freelancers who start out are, writing, graphic design, programming, and social media management.
2. Establish your brand: Once you’ve got your niche, now you can establish your brand. This can include creating a name, logo, and website for your business. Your brand should reflect your values and the personality of your business. Make sure you keep this consistent across all of your marketing channels.
3. Build your portfolio: Portfolios are a showcase of your skills and help to attract new clients. This can include samples of your writing, design work, or code. Be sure to include a mix of different types of projects, as well as information about the client and the scope of the work.
4. Network and market yourself: No matter how good your work is, it won’t get you very far if no one knows about it. It’s important to network and market yourself. And yes, this part can be scary. Attend networking events, join online communities, and reach out to potential clients on platforms such as Airtasker to let them know about your services.
5. Set your rates: One of the most challenging aspects of starting a freelance business is setting your rates. You want to charge enough to make a profit, but not so much that you scare away potential clients. One way to determine your rates is to research what other freelancers in your niche are charging, and then adjust accordingly. Airtasker is a great place to check this out, so you can see what other people in your field are offering for jobs.
6. Get organised: Freelancing can be a bit chaotic at times, so it’s important to stay organized. This means keeping track of your finances, setting up a schedule, and staying on top of deadlines and appointments.
7. Be prepared for the ups and downs: Like any business, freelancing has its ups and downs. There will be times when you’re swamped with work and other times when you’re struggling to find clients. It’s important to stay flexible and be prepared for whatever comes your way. I absolutely swear by airtasker. When work is slow, I hop opnline and look for any small jobs I can manage and propse my work. It;s also a great way to get more clients as well.
8. Word of mouth: Often the fastest way to get work is through word of mouth. Did you attend a family event, and yo overheard a family friend say they needed someone to manage their social media. Approach them with your busines card and let them know you can help them out, because that what you do.
   
   At a cafe and you see the menu is lacking personality, and you think you can create something better for that business? Ask for the manager and give them your business card. Let them know you can assist in creating a more presentable menu that’s more appealing to customer and for a good price.
   
   When you get these types of clients, they often refer you to others they know who need people like you. They then become referrals. Referrals are often the best client, as they are the ones that stick around for a long time.

Don’t get too overhwmed with starting your new freelance gig. We all go through it. With the approach, you can make it work.