Seven questions to ask yourself before sending a portfolio
There are many things that make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful portfolio, and there are some factors that are out of your ...
If you’re an app developer and tired of the normal Monday – Friday 9-5, thinking it’s time to become your own boss, or you’re jealous of friends who’ve stepped out into the world of freelance, then this post is for you.
The dream is real. You could earn more than you’re currently on, work from home, dictate your own projects and working hours, code in the technologies that you prefer, and answer only to yourself. What’s not to like?
But before you flip your desk, and walk out in a viral-esque manner, it’s important to understand what it means to start your own business. In this article we consider things you should do before diving into the world of freelance app development.
Is it right for you?
While there are clear advantages of starting your own app development business, you need to be completely aware of what this means. You won’t just leave your job and have a queue of clients waiting (if you do, please tell us how), so it’s important to ask these questions:
While there are many things worth considering, these three are a critical starting point. It’s okay if you say ‘No’ to the questions above, but you need to be willing to commit the time to learn the skills that make a successful business owner.
Building a client base
If you’re intent on stepping out of the corporate life, we salute you. But, instead of going cold-turkey, put a process in place that means when you do hand in your letter of resignation you’re ready to hit the ground running. To do this, you should:
There’s one thing missing from the list: Working for free. Free is a dirty word and you need to choose whether you do this or not. It helps build a portfolio and acquire testimonials but it can undervalue what you do. If you choose this option, limit the number of projects you do and really think about what work you choose to take on If it’s for a friend or charity then there’s no harm, but reputable companies should be paying you for your work.
The drawbacks
Despite the positives of running your own business, you need to consider the challenges being a freelancer can bring. Don’t see these as a barrier. By being aware of them you can find ways to minimise the effect and overcome them. The obvious concerns are:
It’s worth spending time doing a simple SWOT analysis. This will help you understand your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Awareness of these means you can plan to optimise the positives and manage the negatives. A little preparation can go a long way.
The first steps
Going freelance has its advantages and disadvantages. There’s no need to quit your job and start with a blank page. Find clients in the evenings and weekends and, if consistent work is available, the time might be right to become a fully-fledged freelancer.
Starting a business is a scary prospect but there are ways to manage this. Take some time to learn the basics and build on these. You don’t have to commit right away. Test the water and see if it’s for you. It might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
If this sounds like you, head over to our Virtual Office and send us your best work via an UnderPinned Portfolio. We want to hear from you!
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