5to9: Freelancing While Employed

Metadata

Summary

  • Check with your employer before you start
  • Determine why you want to freelance
  • Find your unique niche
  • Use your network to identify clients
  • Test prices with every client. Keep going up
  • Only add tools that you need right now

"Entrepreneurship is an accelerant for personal development."

...While Employed

  • Review your contract to ensure you can freelance before investing effort
  • Consider asking manager for exception
  • Get it in writing

Determine why you want to freelance

  • Extra cash, creative outlet, learn new skill, etc.
  • Be true to yourself. Don't start because you feel like you should.
  • It's okay not to.

More than design

  • Don't limit yourself just to design work
  • Each can teach different skills and move you in a new direction:
    • Consult
    • Sell
    • Teach

Identify your niche

How to get your first client

  • Contact your circle (former employers, friends, colleagues, etc.)
  • Cold contact emails/messages to potential best-fit clients
  • Search slack + twitter
    • Can set up keyword watches

Setting your rates

  • Ask other (similar) freelancers what they charge
  • Determine your personal 'happy price'
    • You might not be in this for the cash
  • Test your rates with every client.
    • Every new client, bump up your rate. See what happens.

Establish a toolkit

  • Start with only what you need, can expand later
  • Website
  • Invoicing
  • Booking
  • Documentation
  • Taxes
  • Project Management
  • Etc.

Other tips

  • You only have to register a business if required by law/client
  • Be sure to claim income + write-offs with taxes
  • It's okay to decide not to continue
  • You don't have to go on to freelance full-time
  • If you do want to start freelancing full time, get 6 months expenses in your savings