So, you’re interested in freelancing? Great! I hope you like wearing 37 hats at once because that’s what you’re signing up for. Sure, talent is important, but if you think being an amazing photographer, designer, or writer is enough to build a business, I’ve got some news for you.
When I started my freelancing journey, three skills helped me keep my head above water:
- Knowing the ins and outs of the industry I wanted to work in
- A willingness to take risks (a.k.a. making scary business decisions and addressing uncomfortable situations )
- Learning how to think like a business owner, not just a creative
If you’re looking to turn your creative work into a business that actually makes money (instead of just a very time-consuming hobby), these skills and mindsets will save you a lot of frustration.
Industry Knowledge: A Key Ingredient
Before launching my freelance business, I spent nearly a decade working in the publishing industry. That gave me an advantage—I knew what publishers needed, what they struggled with, and where I could fit in. I also built relationships with industry professionals, which later became invaluable as I started securing my first clients.
Having industry knowledge allows you to:
- Understand what clients are looking for
- Identify gaps in the market and market your services effectively
- Build credibility and confidence when marketing yourself and skills
If you’re just starting out, take the time to really understand your industry. Stalk professionals (in a totally legal, non-creepy way), read industry blogs, attend events, and figure out what problems your target clients actually need solved. The more you know, the easier it is to position yourself as the solution they didn’t know they needed.
Take Risks: The Fun (and Terrifying) Part
Freelancing is basically one big exercise in controlled risk-taking. Quitting a steady paycheck to go full-time? Risk. Sending your first proposal? Risk. Pricing your work high enough that you can afford groceries and Wi-Fi? Big risk.
The thing is, if you play it too safe, you’ll stay stuck in the “maybe someday” phase forever. Every successful freelancer has had to make uncomfortable choices—pitching to clients, saying no to lowball offers, investing in tools or education before they felt ready. I know I did, and still do on what feels like an almost daily basis.
If you’re hesitant to take risks, start small. Reach out to someone you admire, raise your rates a little, or put yourself out there on social media. The more you push yourself, the easier it gets. Kind of like working out, except instead of sore muscles, you get paid.
If you are risk-averse or not in a position to take risks? Freelancing isn’t for you right now. It’s ok, the world needs all kinds, but save yourself some major stress and keep it as a side hustle.
Think Like a Business Owner (Yes, Even If You’re a Creative)
Here’s a hard truth: being insanely talented won’t save you if your business skills are a mess. If clients don’t know what they’re getting, if your process is chaotic, or if working with you feels like an unorganized scavenger hunt for information, they will find someone else—someone who may be less talented but way easier to work with.
That means:
- Clear communication – Clients shouldn’t have to guess where you are with their project or what they’re paying for.
- Organized workflows – Invoicing, contracts, payment schedules, expenses, saving receipts, client onboarding, project timelines. Yes, this can be boring, but its part of the game when you own a business. Things don’t have to be fancy (I keep my receipts in a wire basket) but they can’t be ignored.
- Boundaries – Just because you can answer client emails at 11 PM doesn’t mean you should.
If you treat your business like a business from the start, you’ll avoid 90% of the headaches that sink new freelancers. Start developing systems early, and look into tools like Trello to manage projects efficiently.
Conclusion: It’s Possible, but Do the Work
Freelancing is a long game, and no one has it all figured out on day one. But if you commit to learning, taking risks, and running your business like a pro, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success.
Look at how you currently handle business tasks. Is your client process clear? Are you communicating expectations well? Is your pricing structure easy to understand? If the answer to any of these is “uhhh, kinda?” then pick one thing to improve this week.
Now go forth, take risks, and try not to answer work emails at midnight.