For many people, working freelance is the absolute dream. Not only can you control your own hours and time and be your own boss, but let’s face it – no commute is ever going to beat rolling out of bed and into your office chair in your spare bedroom at home. Here are some tips on breaking away from your office and going freelance…

Work With What You Know

First of all, one way to go broke very quickly is by plunging yourself straight into a business that you know very little about. It might feel nice to quit your banking job to run a small cafe, but unless you have extensive experience in an arena then chances are it’ll take you a long time to get going and find success and make a decent profit. If you work in finance, try freelance consulting or accounting for small businesses. If you work at a magazine, try freelance writing. Stick in an area that you’re familiar with, at least initially, and it will be easier to make money.

Build Your Business Up Slowly

One way to make your clients instantly lose faith in you is to be unable to deliver what you promised inside the timeframe that you said you would, which means that you need to be certain that you aren’t taking on too much work too quickly. Start small and expand from there when you’re certain of what your boundaries are.

Create A Perfect Home Office

A lot of people who work freelance tend to work from home – unless you find a cafe that you enjoy sitting at that doesn’t mind you asking for endless coffee refills all day! That means that you need to create a comfortable home office for yourself. First of all make sure that it isn’t in your bedroom or any other room that you need to relax in. Then make sure that your desk is comfortable – purchase an ergonomic chair with a memory foam cushion that supports your back well. If you don’t want to give out your home address to people, use a service like physicaladdress so that your mail can be sent to you from there.

Learn How To Manage Your Time

When you’re working freelance or running your own business it can be extremely easy to let yourself burn out. Make sure that you give yourself a few hours of free time every night and that you keep up with leisure activities like cooking, keeping fit by going to the gym, meeting up with friends, and spending some time with family. You’ll be thankful for it in the end – being mentally and physically healthy will help you keep your business going.

Keep Making Contacts

Finally, networking is the best way to be successful as a freelancer. Remember that everyone is someone that you could potentially work with – make sure that you go to freelancing events and that you actually talk to people while you’re there instead of standing awkwardly by the canapes table.

About the Author: Garlak Theodorakis

My name is Garlak Theodorakis, I am graphic designer with almost 10 year experience in the field. Founded Tooft.com in january 2010 with idea to share my knowledge with the world.