Solo Professionals Ideas

There are freelancers out there making more than a hundred thousand dollars a year without ever leaving home. (According to the Editorial Freelancers Association and the AWAI - American Writers & Artists, Inc.)

And as always the big question is: How do you get in on the action?

1. You do an assessment of your skills.

2. You determine if your skills can earn you a good income -- if not, then you have to buckle down and learn a new skills that, a) are needed in today's market b) that will pay you a good income and c) that you enjoy doing.

3. Once you feel comfortable with your skills level, then its time to search out freelance jobs. It would be a good idea to search out the jobs, before you invest in learning new skills. See what corporate America and the small business owners are paying for the service that you would like to provide. Adjust your skill level to what is needed and it will be easier to cross over from 9 to 5 to self-employment.

If you select a skill that you already do at your work place -- you may be able to convince the company you work for to use your skills on an Independent Contracting bases.

4. Now its time to register yourself with 5 or 6 or sometimes even more freelance web sites. Some sites charge freelancers to register, others do not. Some sites provide an escrow account from which freelancers are paid and a percentage of the payment is collected for administrative cost.

When first starting out, you want an escrow account. You want to get to know your clients under a supervised environment, so to speak. Remember you will be dealing with clients from all over the world.

5. Bid on projects that you qualify for. Bid on as many jobs as possible -- so you can make up for the jobs that you don't get. (Secret - read the project description over and over again, until you mentally touch bases with the person who wrote the description. Read the description word for word -- and know exactly what the client is asking for. If you have questions, ask. The freelance web sites usually will provide a discussion board for each project.

6. Develop an online portfolio of your skills

7. Work very hard at developing good feedback when you win a contract. Also almost always leave a good feedback for the Employer, even if they were a jerk. If the person you worked for was unprofessional -- be very careful about how you write your feedback. Chances are he/she was a jerk with other freelancers as well -- look and see what they wrote and write the exact same words! Don't bad mouth the Employer in the feedback.

8. Delivery your work in a timely manner and provide more then what is expected of you.

9. Keep your day job until you build your clientele, stay focused, stay positive, plan your actions, work your plan.

10. Write down the details of your goals -- read your goals everyday.

Complete each of the above 10 steps in the order that is most comfortable for you. It is highly recommended that you complete step #3 before you complete step #2.

It can be done, it takes time, belief in yourself and positive reinforcement from yourself (that's why you read your goals each day) Go for it, you can do it!