You can start freelancing alongside your desk job. Sometimes, it’s called a “side hustle.” Many people do this to earn extra money, explore different types of work, or slowly build their freelance business.

Part-time self-employment has many advantages:

• A regular income from your job gives you the security to try a new freelance venture or side hustle without taking financial risks.
• It allows you to dip your toe in the water and see if you enjoy self-employment.
• You will be your own boss, setting your working hours and rates.
• You can follow your passion and, as a byproduct, earn money.

Being self-employed requires a lot of discipline, including bookkeeping, time management, and the ability to self-motivate. Love alone isn’t enough, so it’s a great idea to try it out before fully committing.

However, there are two main problems with freelancing while working full-time:

– Freelancing before or “after hours”—and you should really only do it after or before the hours your employer expects you to work—means you’ll be working long hours! Never underestimate the potential for burnout.
– If your employer finds out that you are doing freelance jobs as a side income source, then maybe they won’t be happy with you!

Here’s the roadmap to get started:

Check Your Skills and Interests:

At the very beginning, you have to identify your skill, interest, or passion. These skills can be anything like web design, programming, SEO, digital marketing, etc. It’s very important to follow your passion or interest; otherwise, you will suffer in the long run. Side income sources should be fun, which is why you have to be selective.

Set Your Goals:

While setting your goals, define what you want to attain through freelancing. Is it to earn a certain amount of money every month, gain experience in a new area, or eventually transition to full-time freelancing? This will guide your efforts.

Find Your Niche:

Define a specific area or niche where you can provide value. Focusing on a niche can help you stand out and attract clients who need your specific skills. Ask yourself which tasks you enjoy. Is it related to programming, designing, writing, promoting, or something else? Following your happiness is mandatory.

For instance, if you are good at writing and you love it, you should find earning ways related to writing skills. You can be a content writer, publish blogs on your website, write and sell newsletters, and more. Firstly, you have to follow your passion and then your second task will be to research the market.

Build a Strong Portfolio:

A portfolio always plays a vital role in getting freelance projects. You can showcase your work and projects relevant to the services you offer through a portfolio. It will demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential clients. A client doesn’t know you or the quality of your services, so they will ask for a portfolio. Create an amazing and attractive portfolio to get more projects.

Establish a Schedule:

This is the most important part for you because you have a fixed job with fixed hours. Decide how much time you can realistically dedicate to freelancing every week without compromising your performance at your day job. Set aside certain times of the day for working evenings, weekends, or freelancing.

Market Yourself:

To find potential clients, market yourself using online platforms like Upwork, LinkedIn, or freelance marketplaces. Connect with potential clients by networking through social media and industry events. You can also do passive marketing. For instance, uploading content on a specific topic for years will attract a relevant audience. Over time, you can sell your services to this audience.

Manage Your Time Effectively:

Balancing freelancing with your desk job requires excellent time management skills. Prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and maintain clear communication with clients to ensure that you’re delivering high-quality work on time.

Learn and Adapt:

Digital platforms and technologies are continuously changing. Always be open to learning new skills and adapting to client feedback. Continuous learning and improvement will help you to grow your freelancing career day by day.

Conclusion:

Part-time freelancing is a great opportunity to test a new business idea without taking too much financial risk and to see if freelance work suits you. Once you’ve established yourself as a freelancer and created a system that works for you, you can decide whether to take it to the next level or keep your freelance work on the side. Starting freelancing alongside your desk job can be a satisfying way to explore new opportunities and expand your income. With careful planning and dedication, you can successfully manage both roles and achieve your freelancing goals.