Freelance Career Necessities: What You need to Freelance

While most consider freelancing to be something that they would do for some extra cash, for some it is a serious professional decision to get into the world of freelancing. And frankly speaking, there are so many freelancers all around today that it is quite possible that you would disappear without a trace. To make sure that you survive in the world of freelancing, here are some of the most important aspects that you should have:

An Online Portfolio: 

As a freelancer, employee and now a prospective employer, I find it extremely funny and absurd that a person looking for a job, any job, be it freelancing or a traditional job, does not have a profile or a portfolio. Having a portfolio has so many advantages that I might have to write another article on the importance of having a portfolio, both online as well as offline. The portfolio should be created in such a manner that the most important projects you have worked on should be listed first, followed by the interesting assignments that you have worked on. Basically an online portfolio is your quickest chance to showcase your talents and abilities to the client. 

Your Website/Blog:

If you are a freelancer, you would already be knowing that you are the only one who cares about your career. Therefore, it is upto you to showcase your talent, and show your enthusiasm to work. The best way to do this in a professional manner is to make your own website or blog, which showcases your work and talents. 

Making a website is not as difficult as it was ten years ago, and chances are that you would not need any programming or graphic knowledge to set up a good enough website today.  Or to make it more simpler, you could even set up a website through the famous blog services like WordPress or Blogspot. 

Visiting Cards, Letter Heads, Et Al: 

How many times have you been in the awkward situation where you introduce yourself to a client, and the client flicks you his or her visiting card, while you grin and answer his sheepishly that 'The visiting cards are being printed?" Believe me, that is the lamest line any business person can tell to anyone, be it a business contact or a personal contact.  Therefore, you have to keep in mind that your visiting cards and other collateral is printed before you begin networking for work. 

A Network:

Whether you have never worked in your life, or have had some job or the other,  you must be know at least some people who can help you in getting work, or better still give you work themselves. without a good, solid network, you will find yourself looking for work more than you actually work. 

These are some of the most important aspects that you should have before you even think about getting in a freelancing profession