How to Start a Freelance Side-Hustle
By Badassery member Carolyn Bothwell (she/her), founder of Freelance Founders, a freelance copywriter, brand strategist and dog-mom.
With remote work becoming so real, we’ve never had more time to take on that passion project. Supplementing your full-time job with a freelance side gig is an easy way to pursue your creative passions, make extra cash, and can even help propel you forward in your 9-to-5 (pending corporate approval). I started freelancing out of sheer boredom at work, and six months later, I quit my job to pursue it full-time. So, that just goes to show, there’s plenty of work out there waiting for you.
How do you get started? Let’s break it down.
1. Focus on your idea
Before you can find freelance work and get paid, you need to figure out what exactly it is that you have to offer. Chances are, you’ve already been paid professionally to do something. Are those skills transferable to services? The answer is yes. Whether you’ve scheduled meetings or led strategy, you can work in a freelance capacity. But, to get work you’re excited about, it’s helpful to niche down even more. Ask yourself: What is my goal? Who is my dream client? What am I truly passionate about?
2. Build up your online presence
Now that you have your idea, you need to have something to sell: your persona and your expertise. And, guess what? It’s never been easier to show off your unique skill sets and services. Simply start a Squarespace or an Instagram page to display some past projects or passions.
(True story: I began freelancing by DM’ing brands and agencies on Instagram asking if they needed help.)
3. Tap your professional network
Networking is an essential part of any job, but it’s particularly key when you’re doing something on your own. Ask other freelancers for advice or referrals, and tell past coworkers what you’re up to. Chances are, you already know your future clients. You can also check out job boards on sites like Freelance Founders (shameless plug!), I Love Creatives, Working Not Working, and more.
4. Find your flow
Once you find work, you’ll most likely get more work. And, soon, you’ll find yourself working a lot of hours in addition to your full-time job (like when I suddenly was working 80 hour weeks…). It’s important to set boundaries early to avoid burnout. Limit the number of projects you take on or set communication hours with clients right from the start.
5. Get savvy
Freelance rates are different from corporate salaries. (It’s not as simple as dividing your salary by 52 weeks and 40 hours to find your hourly rate.) And, it’s important to price yourself accordingly so you don’t undercut full-time freelancers who have to account for things like health insurance and admin time.
Here are some general pricing strategies:
Junior: $30 - $50 per hour
Mid-Level: $65 - $125 per hour
Veteran: $150+ per hour
Do you have money signs in your eyes? Don’t get too excited just yet. As a freelancer, you’ll be taxed as 1099-er, so be sure to set aside 30-35% of everything you make for taxes at the end of the year. For more tax tips, head over to Catch.
6. Be transparent
Be honest with your full-time employer. Make sure there aren’t any clauses in your contract that permit you from freelancing on the side. And, be honest with your clients as well. Let them know that you have a full-time job so that you can set realistic expectations and avoid awkward conversations later.
Want even more freelance tips? Follow Freelance Founders on Instagram.
About Carolyn Bothwell:
Carolyn is the founder of Freelance Founders™, a digital, members-only community that empowers creative and marketing freelancers to build financially viable careers. She is a seasoned creative with a background in brand strategy and copywriting. With a distinct knack for merging storytelling with strategy, she has worked on the branding and launches of many emerging DTC brands.
Check out more about Carolyn on her Badassery page and follow her on LinkedIn.