Comments on: Question From A Reader – Amount Of Available Work

By: A week in blogging Dec 07 - 15

A week in blogging Dec 07 - 15 — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:41:00 +0000

[...] designed websites of 2007. Jon from Freelance Folder has an interesting article where he has some practical tips to freelancers on managing money while getting work and [...]

By: Links: 2007-12-14

Links: 2007-12-14 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:30:03 +0000

[...] Advice to the wanna-be freelancer before quitting the day job: As always, Freelance Folder produces another top-notch article for freelancers. Even those already enjoying the full-time freelance life will benefit. [...]

By: Steven Finch

Steven Finch — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:51:15 +0000

Freelance work is always a risk, but it can so pay off in the long run!

Additionally, if anyone is looking for a web 2.0 consultant, im always available via my website.

By: Mike Smith

Mike Smith — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:06:24 +0000

I’ve been freelancing for a while now designing and just took the plunge. No money saved, no backup plan. In my case, I think it was the best method. If I had a backup plan or some form of safety net, I don’t think I would have worked as hard as I did, and still am. I am getting ‘ahead’ now, and by the first couple months of the new year, if things keep building like this, I’ll definitely be living happily, and at a slower pace.

Freelancing is great though, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My advice to people that seem to ‘relax’ more when you know you have some form of padding in your bank account is to just jump right in full time and don’t give yourself another way out. You’ll push that much harder to make it work.

Mike Smith

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:43:20 +0000

Thanks a lot everyone for sharing your stories and giving advices, I’m sure ‘Bob’ will appreciate this, I myself really do :)

What? I forgot to add IttyBiz, ok wait a sec it definitely has to be on the blogroll, will add it right away, Thanks Reid!

By: Reid

Reid — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:30:01 +0000

I left my full time job 2 months ago for the wild world of freelancing. I can say the most valuable resource that I’ve had to date is blogs like this one. If I’m not actively working on a project, I’m learning from people who know more than I do. The friends blog roll on this website has been a great starting point (though you have to add ittybiz.com to the list).

The only piece I would add… Put yourself out there. Don’t wait until you have ever “i” dotted or “t” crossed. I wasted a lot of time with ‘fear of launch’ syndrome.

Thanks for a good post.

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:23:34 +0000

I think that sounds like a good idea, LornaJane, especially if your job lets you reduce hours. Not everyone has that option. :)

By: Soni

Soni — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:56:08 +0000

One thing I would suggest is looking into getting health insurance. I’ve heard several stories of people who after making the transition got into serious car accidents or some other unforeseeable event happen that came a hefty medical bill.

You can join an professional organization, such as ACM (Association for Computer Machinery), which offers health, dental, etc to its members.
There are also programs such as COBRA that let you keep your employer’s health insurance for up to 18 months after you quit at group rates, but note that the costs are significantly higher than what you pay as an employee.

By: Tim Bornholtz

Tim Bornholtz — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:43:04 +0000

I second the business plan. Be comfortable with how you’re going to get work and who you’re marketing to. I’m in a very specialized niche and I wouldn’t do it any other way. I spend a lot of time just being friends with the other people in the industry. It reminds my customers that I’m out here but even more so it is great working with people I like and those that I consider friends.

Once you’ve got a market the jobs will come. It does take continued work, but if you like the people in your target market then it is pretty fun to get more work.

By: LornaJane

LornaJane — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:43:59 +0000

I would like to go freelance but I have all the worries that you list above. I am taking on a few small pieces of work in my free time but not really finding enough time to do anything of note. I am considering reducing my hours at my day job to allow me to expand the freelancing side of things, does anyone have experience of making the transition in a similar way?