Freelancing is when you source your own clients and complete the project completely by yourself (unless hiring a photographer or extra help). There are a large number of freelancers on the web so standing out can become an issue. There are also a number of web developers out there who freelance on the side for some extra income. This is why building a good network is vital, if people who know who you are and know your reliable are in your network there is a higher chance they will take you on for their project than out sourcing a stranger.
To be a freelancer it is vital you have a portfolio out there on the web to allow potential clients to see what you are capable of. Building a portfolio can be helped by taking on some free jobs to start with (especially when you are still in education) it could be creating a web page for a friends business or even just a personal project of an interest to help build your list of works.
Here is a video from Brad at Traversy Media explaining his own experiences of freelancing:
Pros and Cons of Freelancing:
- Being your own boss
- Work from home (most of us are now anyway)
- Pick and choose your work times (Very handy when childcare is an issue)
- Getting to pick what projects are suitable for you
- Good work to pay ratio
- Working on your own (potentially a con)
- No benefits (pension schemes etc..)
- Self-Motivation can be an issue
- No guarantee of work
- Lack of work community (getting to bounce ideas off work colleagues)
- Client payment issues (More chance of a bad client refusing to pay you than a company)
- Managing personal and work life
- Working alone
Starting out
Learn the basics to the best you can (HTML,CSS and JavaScript) these skills are the spine to any web development project. Set up a portfolio and have it on as many platforms as you can to widen your net. Even having it on your Facebook page that you build websites, friends and family are the best sources of spreading your work to people. An uncle could have a friend with his own gardening business and is in need of a website. Be motivated, this can be hard especially if you are not used to being your own boss or working on your own. Meet the deadlines you have agreed on with your client by giving them and yourself realistic times to get the job done. Always learn and upskill this helps you stay up to date with modern trends and stand out from any other generic web pages on the web.
Summary
Freelancing is not for everyone and could even take some time to get used to. Without a guaranteed income that can also be difficult for people who have their own homes and families to feed. I would recommend gaining some industry experience first and when in a stable job trying some side projects to give you a taste for it.
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