It’s fair to say that the term “freelance,” originating from the novel Ivanhoe to describe a combat mercenary who would fight for the highest bidder, is pretty indicative of what this style of job entails. Sure, a freelance graphic designer might not be putting their life on the line to sustain their living, but it can feel that way when work dries up before you have a large car or rental payment to make.
Of course, the “free” part of freelancing implies that you’re more open and unchained than ever in your working efforts and that it itself can be fantastic after years of working a tired 9-5. But the “lance” part, while not necessarily referring to a soldier wielding this weapon on their mighty steed, still refers to the hard work you have to put in to be functional.
Is there a way to ensure better security in this line of work, no matter what you do? We think so:
Keep A Solid Schedule
One of the best and worst things about freelancing is the flexibility, and while that sounds strange, you’ll notice it within a few months. It’s easy to put things off, wake up late, and tell yourself work will get done “eventually.” But without structure, work can become unpredictable, and suddenly, days or even weeks can build up to the point where you last-minute rush a project, and that’s not what your clients deserve. You have to be as effective and reliable as you would be when working a standard job. It doesn’t have to look like a regular 9-5, but keeping it consistent means you can trust yourself and forecast better, which ensures better security and balance.
Consider Baseline Funding
A financial cushion helps, because you never know when work is going to dry up, especially with AI development affecting fields like writing and illustration. Some freelancers put aside part of each paycheck for emergencies, or use finance services to help them out.
You might even have a small, steady side job just for some guaranteed income. Having long-term contracts instead of just one-off projects is worth bidding for, even if you have to curate a project plan to help pitch your services to newcomer clients.
Of course, this can also help you with life needs as well, such as paying taxes on your income based on saving a portion of your income.
Build Your Portfolio & Invest Into Client Relationships
Repeat clients are gold if you can earn them, which is why it’s so important to do the best you can and go the extra mile whenever booked anew. They already know the work is good, so there’s less back-and-forth, less proving yourself, and often a better paycheck if you can secure better and more longer-term work. Even when a project ends, keeping in touch makes it more likely they’ll come back when they need help again, especially if you always meet deadlines and are easy to work with.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily find the security you deserve as a freelancer. Over time, it’s sure to give you the confidence you need
