PART 3 - Freelancing, contracting or both? Moving away from permanent work as a Learning and Development professional
You can change your mind based on what suits you, your circumstances and needs at any specific time.
Welcome to the final part of my 3-part blog series on freelancing and contracting.
In this last instalment we will explore what may influence your decision on which path is best for you.
We’ve explored the positives, negatives and things to consider with both ways of working and I think it’s good to preface this part by saying that your decisions don’t have to be final.
As I mentioned in the previous blog posts, I started off my self-employed career via contracting and it was a fantastic way to buy me a bit of time to build a freelance client base, whilst earning a steady income.
As the year progressed, I then began to distance myself from contracting and was fortunate enough to be able to go full-time freelance. A decision I made based on what worked for me and my goals.
But, this doesn’t mean I won’t go on to do more contract work, or that my balance between freelance and contract won’t change.
In a nutshell you can change your mind based on what suits you, your circumstances and needs at any specific time.
I also want to point out that you have not failed if you need to, or decide to, go back into permanent employment. Some people try out contracting / freelancing and after a while find it’s not right for them, whether that be for financial reasons, the work itself, or due to changes in circumstances.
I think it’s fantastic that as a learning and development professional we have all these options for how we wish to work, so use them to your advantage! There is no right or wrong way and success in our careers will look different to each of us.
Okay so back to it…
There can be multiple reasons why someone will want to leave permanent employment, and for some of us the decision will have been made for us, for example due to redundancy or lay-offs.
If you find yourself in a position where you are at a crossroads with where you go next, consider the following questions. Select the plus icons to learn more.
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If you’re looking for other permanent roles, what kind of roles are out there? What are the salaries like? Do your skills meet their requirements? If you feel that the permanent job market is a bit sleepy, contracting could be a good stop gap until things pick back up.
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If you’re thinking of going freelance, it is best to be as prepared as possible. This means deciding on a personal brand and not just from an aesthetic point of view. Your personal brand includes your tone of voice, how you will communicate with your clients, how you present yourself. Do you have a website or portfolio ready to share?
If you’re thinking about contracting, you will need an up-to-date CV and it’s always good to give your LinkedIn a refresh too. Ideally you would want these things ready before taking the leap out of permanent employment.
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Have you ever heard the phrase ‘it’s not what you know but who you know’? If you’re considering freelancing, then start to identify some connections in the industry. This could be people you used to work with for example. You can reach out to them and let them know you will be freelancing and offering your services soon.
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Ask yourself why it is permanent employment isn’t working for you anymore. It could be that you need a better work life balance. That you want to reduce your hours. That it has always been a dream of yours to be your own boss. That you want to build your CV without it being seen as ‘job hopping’. There can be a whole number of reasons. But start to identify what specifically is important to you and consider which path best meets these expectations or needs.
For example, I wanted complete flexibility over my working hours. I have young kids and an ADHD brain, so I often do my best work between 10AM and 2PM and after 7PM. Therefore, whilst I do pick up a contract work every now and again, freelancing is the more ideal route for me.
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This is kind of linked to ‘what is important to me’, but it’s important to consider how you like to work. If you like structure and routine and need the collaborative atmosphere of a work environment, then contracting might be a better fit for you. If you are more independent and crave flexibility, freelancing could be more suited.
This also includes thinking about how much control you want over your work. Remember, contracting means you are allocated projects by the specific organisation you are working with and often you may not know much about this project until beginning your contract. With freelancing however, you have more freedom to pick and choose the work you do.
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Us Brits always avoid the money chat, but you need to be realistic. If you’re going to jump straight into freelance, do you have any savings to keep you afloat for a bit if things are quiet to begin with? Do you have the money to foot upfront costs for any software, or websites? Whilst it is fairly inexpensive to set up as an L&D freelancer, you’re going to want to make sure it’s not eating into the money you have to pay your bills etc.
If you have very little backup savings, it might be worth contracting for a bit first, whilst you grow as a freelancer.
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Not from a financial perspective but mentally and emotionally. Jumping out of permanent employment is a big step, regardless of the route you go down and it’s definitely not always sunshine and rainbows. Freelancing can be incredibly stressful and it’s likely you will have times where the self-doubt will creep in. Consider who you have in your corner to be there as a sounding board and your cheerleader, motivating you to keep going when things are feeling tough.
As I mentioned in my previous posts, I gained a small group of fellow instructional designer friends, and we have formed the nicest support system for each other. Sharing advice, celebrating the wins and helping each other through the tough parts.
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This seems like an obvious one but do your research. If you’re thinking of contracting begin researching agencies and reach out to them with your CV and details. If you’re going to freelance, consider the approach you’re going to take. For example, you may want to email companies direct with your portfolio and details of your services. Or you may market yourself via social media. If possible, link in with other freelancers and ask very nicely if you can pick their brains on how they approach it!
But what if I’ve considered those questions and I’m still not sure!?
Have a read of the following profiles and identify which one resonates with you the most.
Profile 1:
I like to collaborate with others and enjoy having a team of people to work with and bounce ideas off of.
I need routine and don’t mind working traditional office hours.
I like stability and require a consistent monthly income.
I’m looking to build depth and breadth to my CV.
I’m happy for work to be assigned to me.
I do well in interviews and have an up-to-date CV.
I want to try new ways of working and strengthen my skillset.
Profile 2:
I need / want flexibility over how and when I work.
I have a sound knowledge of social media and understand marketing techniques.
I want the freedom to choose who I work with and the projects I work on.
I’m okay with having inconsistencies or gaps in my income.
I am seeking a better work life balance.
I enjoy networking and talking to new people.
I’m happy to dedicate time to seeking out new work and spend part of my week marketing myself.
I’m looking to develop my portfolio and potentially specialise in a specific skillset or industry.
Profile 3:
I want to trial working away from permanent employment.
I need a stable income but would like the flexibility of choosing how and when I work.
I have a CV ready but would need support in developing a brand identity.
I want to add to my CV whilst building a portfolio of work.
I enjoy collaborating with people, but also work well independently.
I’m not ready to take the leap into full time freelancing.
I’m looking to gain experience and strengthen my skills.
Which profile did you resonate with?
If you chose profile 1…
Contracting may be the best fit for you. It can offer a stable income from anywhere between 6 weeks to years, you will have a consistent routine and work with others within a team or collaborative environment.
If you chose profile 2…
Freelancing is the path for you as it can provide you with the level of flexibility you seek. You will have complete control over what you work on and are happy to dedicate a portion of your week to networking, social media and marketing.
If you chose profile 3…
It sounds like you still may be undecided so a blended approach might be best. A couple of short-term contracts could suit you, during which you can develop your identity as a freelancer without any financial pressures. You could try a part-time contract and use the extra days to dedicate to freelance projects.
The beauty of freelancing and contracting is that you can chop and change as you please, so don’t be surprised if you switch between the two.
Before concluding this blog series, I wanted to highlight that if you find yourself making this decision unexpectedly, for example you have just been made redundant, or left your job due to unexpected circumstances, then don’t panic!
When I first went self-employed after being made redundant, I had nothing ready. No up-to-date CV, no brand identity, no portfolio, nada.
I very quickly had to whip together these things to begin my first contract.
So, if you find in your first few months of freelancing or contracting that your CV is looking a little empty, or your portfolio a bit bare or rough around the edges, it’s okay! These things will develop through time, work with what you’ve got and highlight the key skills you are bringing to the table, over a fancy logo or complicated website. Prioritise what you need to be able to secure the first few months work.
Oh and let this be a good nudge to go and update that CV in the next few weeks!
And remember, the beauty of freelancing and contracting is that you can chop and change as you please, so don’t be surprised if you switch between the two. I know of people who have been contracting for over 8 years, so it is definitely a sustainable way to earn a living. On the flip side, there are many people like me who dip in and out of contracting as they please. And whilst I would never sugar coat the hard work and uncertainty that can come with self-employment, it is possible to make a successful living from freelancing. So don’t be put off, if this is the path that suits you best and with a bit of grit and determination you will get there.
And so concludes this 3-part blog. If you’ve missed part 1 or 2, then why not jump back to my blog menu and have a read of those to explore the pros, cons and considerations for both freelancing and contracting.
Happy reading!
