Starting a Freelancing Business

Freelancing isn't going away any time soon. Freelancing is growing in popularity and becoming the new way of working. People are starting their own businesses from home and getting paid doing something they love. Sure, freelancing can seem scary at first, but it can be a very rewarding experience. John Song Potomac MD is a freelancer from Baltimore and he'll be sharing how he got started in the freelancing world.

1. Find your thing

John Song Potomac MD is a writer. That's his thing. What's your thing? This step is about finding what you are good at or what you love doing and turning it into a profitable business. First, you should write down a list of your skills and/or passions. Then see which ones are in need. Some skills are more in demand than others and this list can help you find which skill to focus on for your freelancing career.

2. Create your brand 

This part can be really fun. In this step you come up with a business name and create your own personal logo. You can start telling people about your business and creating social media profiles. John Song Potomac MD even created his own website and business cards. If you aren't the creative type, you can get help in this step. Fiverr is a great resource for creative workers at an affordable price.

3. Make a portfolio 

Pick your best work to show to potential clients. John Song Potomac MD recommends choosing one or two things of each style. For example, if you are a graphic designer, choose a few logos, a few posters and a few website. Showing every single thing you worked on will make your portfolio seem endless and cluttered. If you don't have much work yet, you should put extra time into this step. Create your own little projects that you can include in your portfolio and show off your skills.

4. The financial part

The goal of starting your own business is to make money, meaning you need to be prepared for the financial part. First, set up a price chart. Find out how much people are charging for this service as a guideline. Next you should look into how your clients will pay you. If you plan on running your business online you will need to open up a PayPal account.

5. Get clients 

Get out there and find your first clients! Start off by networking through friends and family. Then check out your online resources - there are tons. There are several networks you can sign up for to find clients and build your business.

The Perks of Working a Freelance Job

1. You're the boss. 
One of my favourite things about being a freelancer is being my own boss. Nobody is there watching my every step or telling me how I should do things. I enjoy the freedom of making all the decisions on my own.

2. Work wherever you want.
If you're the type of person who hates sitting in an office all day, then you will absolutely love this perk. As a freelancer, you can work wherever you please. Feel like getting some fresh air? Take your work outside. Want to have a nice coffee? Get some work done at your favourite cafe. You can choose where you work best.

3. No more uncomfortable suits.
Frankly, I've never been a suit guy. I just can't work comfortably while wearing a suit. Freelancing means I can wear whatever I want while I do my work. However, this doesn't mean you can show up to meet a client in your pyjamas (seriously, don't).

4. Learning new things.
When you work as a freelancer, you are always learning new things. You're exposed to new ideas every time you take on a project. It's great being able to find new passions and interests through your work.

5. It feels great.
I feel accomplished. It feels good to know I am surviving on my own while doing something I love.

"It's up to me to dream it and then make it happen"
                                        -Jackie Johnstone

About John Song Potomac
John Song Potomac works as a freelance writer in Baltimore, Maryland. John Song Potomac helps companies write their content to ensure their websites are SEO-friendly. He's written about several topics ranging from computer science, to organizational behaviour. John Song Potomac discovered his passion for writing at a young age, and now he is making a living out of it.