Freelancing Without a Net

You Don't Need a Nest Egg to Go Solo

Don't let the business books scare you away. Contrary to popular belief, you can launch a freelance career tomorrow -- no nest egg or business plan needed.

Sure, having six months' living expenses squirreled away would be nice. Then again, so would having a fairy godmother. Fact is, most beginning freelancers can't afford the luxury of a beefy savings account; we have our living expenses, school loans, and car payments to thank for that. And while business plans make for great bathroom reading, they certainly aren't going to pay the grocery bills.

I've been freelancing for almost a decade. Although I wouldn't wish my tainted credit history on my worst client, I have managed to finance my freelance life without filing Chapter 11 or robbing a Wells Fargo branch. I quickly realized all you need to sustain a freelance writing career (besides a healthy dose of sadism) is a steady, reliable source of backup income.

During my first few years as a freelancer, I tried more ways than I care to mention to supplement my income. I'll talk about the most effective and least soul-crushing ones here.

I know you probably don't want to hear this, especially if you're already itching to sow your self-employed oats. But believe me, you can stave off a lot of credit card debt and Ramen dinners if you hang onto that solid paycheck for as long as possible.

During your first six months as a freelancer, work is often sporadic at best. So while you're still on the payroll of Uncle Bill or your CEO of choice, start researching the companies, publications, and Web sites you'd like to acquire as potential clients.

Landing your first freelance assignment could take anywhere from two days to two months, depending on how much time you devote to client hunting. If you have trouble landing work due to lack of clips or experience, line up a couple of pro bono gigs to jumpstart your portfolio.

Remember that cheesy show with Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd? They were moonlighting, and so should you -- because you're not going to quit your job just yet, right?

You'll start working lunch hours, evenings, and even some weekends. Your social calendar will wane, but your checking account will flourish. And all the while, you'll be building a reputation as a freelancer, growing your client base, and testing the freelance waters. Conveniently, if you decide you loathe working solo, you'll still have a 9-to-5 job waiting for you.

When you can't remember what your eyes looked like without the bags that invariably accompany them, it's time to let your full-time job go -- and to line up some part-time work. Yes, I do mean get another J-O-B, only an easier, less time-consuming one. Unless you're in such high demand as a freelancer that your calendar is booked for the next three months, you'll need that backup income I mentioned earlier.

Consider asking your manager at your 9-to-5 to cut back your hours and turn your current position into a part-time one. Or suggest your boss give you up as an employee but hire you as a freelancer. If neither of these options works, get the highest-paying part-time job you can find. I still give thanks each fourth Thursday of November to the half dozen overextended freelancers who hired me way back when to manage their offices three mornings a week.

If you can't bear to commit to 15-20 predetermined hours a week, temping might be a more flexible alternative. Spend a couple hours taking the typing and computer proficiency tests, and voila! -- you get a call on Monday offering you $15-20 an hour to answer phones or enter data. It's that easy. And if you're lucky, you'll land an extra-mindless assignment that lets you do your freelance work on the job.

I'd be hard pressed to name the most bizarre job I've taken or the most hair-brained thing I've done to finance my freelance business. I've been a part-time nanny, dog walker, house sitter, typist, receptionist, valet parker, and telemarketer. I've proofread programming manuals for 24 hours straight, edited everything from self-help to Wiccan porn, and written copy about mousetraps, casserole dishes, and vacuum cleaners.

If I've learned anything about freelancing (besides the fact that it's incredibly easy to rack up $25,000 of credit card debt), it's that lining up a stable source of backup income is a must. When you don't have to worry about making your rent or mortgage, you can spend more time enjoying the freelance life and honing your craft. Whether you moonlight, temp, take the part-time route, or hold onto your 9-to-5 job a little while longer, you'll breathe easier knowing you've got some money coming in at the end of the week -- and you'll be more likely to stay in the freelance game.

Michelle Goodman discovered the wonders of telecommuting in 1992 and has been a freelance writer and editor ever since. Lately, she's been writing articles about the freelance life and Seattle culture for such websites as Guru.com, ICplanet.com, Seattle24x7.com, and Rouze.com. She recently adapted her book-in-progress, In the Driver's Seat: A Roadmap for Freelancers, into an interactive workshop, available at youachieve.com.