How do I start working for myself?
Working for yourself trades one set of problems for another. The work is usually the easy part; finding it and pricing it is the job.
- Session length
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Matched on
- Your field
Three things worth knowing.
Start before you leave, if you can. One or two clients while employed tells you whether demand exists at all.
Price on value and on your real costs, not on your old hourly salary. Unpaid time, tax, holiday and quiet months all come out of the same rate.
Treat finding work as a permanent part of the week, not something you do when the pipeline is empty.
A sequence that works.
- 01
Define one clear service
A specific problem for a specific type of client. Generalists are hard to refer.
- 02
Set a rate with the maths behind it
Target income, unbillable time, tax and quiet weeks, then divide.
- 03
Win the first three clients
Former employers, your network, and people who already know your work.
- 04
Put the admin in place
Contracts, invoicing, tax registration and money set aside from day one.
What to avoid.
Charging your old salary divided by working hours
Working without a written scope
Relying on one client for nearly all income
Spending nothing on finding the next piece of work
The things people ask first.
How much should I save first?
Enough to cover several months of essentials. Longer runway means better decisions about which work to take.
How do I handle late payers?
Clear terms up front, invoice immediately, and chase early and politely. Most late payment is process, not malice.
Do I need an accountant?
For tax rules where you live, professional advice pays for itself quickly. Rules differ by country.
Get this answered for your situation.
A mentor who does the job you are aiming at can tell you which of this applies to you.