If you are reading this article, you are probably thinking of becoming a freelancer. Good choice, but there is a lot more to this than a decision. This means that you’re ready to quit that boring job and accept your first assignment, right?
Wrong. It is not how freelancing works.
One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to freelancing is to just sit at home and wait for work to come to you. This will never happen (unless you are very skilled, experienced and have worked in this field for a few years). In this case, clients will be asking for your services all the time. The reality is, you have to fight for it. The competition is huge, so you have to put a lot of effort into it.
Why Do You Need a Mentor?
Freelancing, or working without a boss, office or work contract, arises as a response to an ineffective and inhuman capitalist attitude of employers towards workers. Nowadays, the goal of doing business is not to achieve the best results with high-quality work and satisfied workers, but to exploit workers for the purpose of profit.
I hate to say this to you, but freelance working is really working. A lot. Sometimes even up to 12 to 15 hours a day. Depending on the type of job that you do. Unlike your workplace schedule from 9 am to 5 pm, freelancing is not easy, it’s not stable until you make it stable with your own effort.
But, there are some simple secrets when it comes to successful freelancing and you need someone experienced to share them with you. If you made a decision and want to start working as a freelancer you will need a mentor who will guide you through the process and help you learn how to become a successful freelancer.
Once you find a mentor, finding the first true client will be a lot easier. The best advice you can really find helpful is the one by Anna Minns, freelance writer at Uk BestEssays :
“Do not underestimate the importance of connections between different people.”
If you are a freelancer, you should read this sentence in capital letters, as this is definitely something you must take seriously. Every contact is important, and in the name of your reputation, not connecting with the right people in your industry is the most detrimental error you can make.
Also, do not be a sycophant because nobody likes them. Even when you quit your job, you will need the help from your ex-employer more than ever before, because, let’s face it: your current or ex-employer is your strongest link to your first freelance job. If your business is in any way related to what you intend to do, they can themselves be your first clients.
How to find a mentor?
If you have a boss who knows everything about his/ her own company, this is your best starting point. Make sure to show your plan of action proving that you can work as a competition.
In the end, you must be able to convince your mentor that you are worth his/ her time and effort and be sure that after only a few weeks you will get your first client. And, boom! Before you know it, you will officially become a freelancer, with schedule and earnings.
Whether it’s a boss, a mentor, a professor, an uncle, a driver, or a homeless person with good advice, the people you see every day are definitely those who have the greatest impact on your life. So be proactive, grateful and willing to work more than ever to get one of the opportunities you are looking for.
Finding a mentor is the first and probably the most important step. A mentor can be considered someone from your industry who does everything in his or her power to push you forward. Someone who is always behind you in every situation and is always willing to take a break from his or her job to help you. This person is at the same time your life coach, someone who cheers you up, corrects your mistakes and makes sure you do not repeat them again.
So, what happens when you finally find such incredible people? Well, it can be a little awkward, but you have to ask them. Find the ideal person to be your mentor and then send them an email asking them to grab a coffee and talk about freelancing. When this person accepts a call or even agrees to mentoring, grab that opportunity with all your strength. Show the mentor that you have invested a lot in yourself and they will invest in you as well. The best mentors are not afraid to share their knowledge. In fact, they are happy to share their experience and everything that they learned.