9 Ways to Decide If a Freelance Career is Right for You

By Adrianne Bibby

There are many definitions of what it means to be a freelancer, but wherever you might aspire to be on the freelance spectrum, it’s worth your while to figure out whether the freelance life is for you. If you jump in, you’ll be part of the growing “nation of freelancers,” comprised of some one-third of all U.S. workers. But before you embark on your search for freelance jobs, a little self-assessment may be in order. Consider the following.

You Prefer to Manage Yourself

Freedom means different things to different people. Some workers prefer to be “managed” by others, as a way to free themselves up for the tasks they enjoy. But if your preference is the independence that comes with managing yourself, you stand a greater chance of being a successful freelancer.

You Look for Improvement

If you’re constantly visualizing how to improve processes and products, being a freelancer might give you the opportunity to put your brainstorming ideas into action. As a freelancer, there’ll be no need to take your ideas up the “chain of command,” because there’s only one person in charge: you.

You Have Expertise

Putting your interests and expertise to use can bring you a real feeling a sense of self-worth in your career pursuits. Freelance work is great for that purpose—especially if you can capitalize on your skills by meeting the demands of an under-served market.

You Take on Side Projects

While freelance work can be a great primary source of income, it can also be a fantastic side revenue stream if you’re looking for supplemental income. You can take things a step farther on the freelance path by working to turn your “side interest” into a full-blown freelance career.

You’re a Good Negotiator

Negotiating is an inevitable part of being a freelancer, and is key to getting paid fairly for your work. Of course, being good at negotiating is a learned skill, so never fear if you’re still learning the ropes. Negotiating freelance rates requires a somewhat different approach than negotiating salary and benefits for a traditional job, so study up!

You’re Adept at Self-Promotion and Marketing Your Skills

If you’re not shy about talking up your accomplishments, that bodes well for your success freelancing. Of course, striking the right balance between shining a light on your achievements on the one hand, and bragging about them on the other, is key to successful self-promotion.

You Set Boundaries and Manage Expectations

As a freelancer, it’s up to you to know when to say yes, and when to understand that your plate is full. That applies both to your home life and to making smart freelance career choices. Achieving health life-career balance in your freelance career can help you avoid burnout.

You Have Endurance and Persistence to Drum up Steady Freelance Work

Many freelance jobs are contract positions with a definite end point. You’ll need to be vigilant to keep your income flowing! Learn to be a constant job seeker by using your network, keeping your resume updated, attending events for professionals in your industry, and maintaining job-related skills.

You Like to Control Your Goals, Schedules, and Finances

Besides being perfectly OK with working alone on a regular basis, to be a successful freelancer means being comfortable running your own show—your budget, taxes, client management, long-term financial goals, and decisions about when and how often you work are largely within your control. And that’s a good thing!

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