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Checklist

Considering Freelancing

Some key things to consider before you make the decision to start freelancing.

Introduction Tasks Discuss Mark Complete

Before you make the decision to start freelancing, it's important to understand the risks and reality of self-employment.

Whilst it can be a hugely rewarding way of working, there are also challenges when you're starting and running a business, which you might not have yet considered.

The first stage of the Flightplan contains a number of critical and recommended actions to take, before you commit a decision about going freelance.

Tasks

Work your way through the tasks for this stage, and jump into the community to get further support from your fellows

Task Unread
Ask yourself why you want to freelance
It can be useful to reflect on what is prompting you to explore freelancing - so you can challenge yourself on whether it could work for you
recommended 6-12 hours medium
Task Unread
Bust some myths about freelancing
Do some reading around the myths (good and bad) to better understand the reality of freelancing
recommended 1-2 hours easy
Task Unread
Understand the risks
It's important to understand the risks of self-employment and freelancing - so you can make a decision whether its right for you.
critical 5-6 hours medium
Task Unread
Understand affordability
Spend some time understanding whether you're able to afford freelancing, by considering your income, outgoings and the uncertainty of income which freelancing brings.
critical 3-4 days medium
Task Unread
Start to build your emergency funds
It's never too early to start putting away some money to build up an emergency fund, even if you never go freelance.
critical 3-12 months hard
Task Unread
Understand the mindset shift required to starting business
Freelancing isn't just doing what you love, it's starting a business - and recognising what that means is important.
recommended 1-2 hours easy
Task Unread
Consider part-time freelancing
Explore options which give you a taste of freelancing before leaving full-time employment
recommended 3-6 months hard
Task Unread
Speak to other freelancers to ask questions
Spend time with freelancers to get their experiences and input, ask lots of questions, and understand the reality.
recommended 3-4 hours easy

Discuss

Jump into the freelancing.support community to discuss this stage, ask questions, share your experiences, and get support from other freelancers.

Open Community Space

Mark complete

Once you've completed all the tasks for this stage, you can mark the stage as complete to move on to the next one.

Mark Complete Next Stage