If you have a boring but well-paid job you want to hang on to, don’t use that as a reason not to pursue your dream of becoming a freelancer.

There’s a common misconception about successful freelancers: they quit their jobs in a high-profile gesture, set up shop on their own and live happily ever after. The truth is, however, that most freelancers start doing freelance projects for clients at night, volunteer work, internships, and in between their 9-to-5 jobs. If you wanted to live a freelance life, here’s what you could do: Instead of living for a living, make your spare time the start of a new career without giving up a steady paycheck.

Freelancing in a recession

Amid the layoffs of the past few years, it’s tempting to feel a sense of relief that you’re still on the list of survivors. With unemployment so high, seeking a steady job may seem a bit comical. However, there must be a suitable one. Freelancers can lower a company’s costs compared to full-time employees, and unemployment waves often create other jobs to fill the gap.

A period of insecure freelance work can help you in several ways: first, it makes your income stream flexible. When you work part-time, you’re not dependent on a single source of income. If you do need to take a pay cut, the income will ease the pressure on your bank account. Second, freelancing for clients is the best way you can show potential employers what you can do. When you freelance, you go into a constant “interview” mode, hoping to be rehired or referred to another client. If you lose your job or decide to stay, you’ve basically been “interviewed” for your next gig.

The point is that even in a recession, freelancing isn’t out of reach — in fact, it can be the smart move.

Put yourself out on the market

The hardest part about being a freelancer, especially for introverts, is putting your name on the market and having to sell your services. No matter what job you do, becoming a freelancer means you must also become a salesperson.

You’re on your own to get yourself out there and show your work. If you’re not sure how to get started, meet some freelancers who are great in your field and see how they do it. Unsurprisingly, it’s safe to tell you that you’ll need a website, business card, profile or CV. Don’t go anywhere and get a free personal homepage for cheap. You should pay $20 for a domain name, even a one-page website that lists who you are, what services you offer, and contact information. If you’re a photographer, set up a rotation show to showcase your best work. As a programmer, make a list of the projects you’ve worked on; It’s a project manager. List the companies you’ve worked for. If you can’t be honest about what you’ve done, put together a list of qualifications, certifications, etc.

Don’t do anything silly like putting a personal AD in the newspaper or Craigslist. The best way to find opportunities is through friends you know or satisfied clients.

How to Find Business

Once you’re in the real world of freelancing, it’s time to find some clients. There is some truth in the old saying that you don’t know who you know as well as what you know. In my experience, friends’ introductions are often the best source of business opportunities. Let your friends, business associates, former colleagues, book club members, and even the person sitting next to you at the barber shop know that you can work part-time. Don’t be too intrusive, but don’t be too shy. People tend to be more inclined to hire people recommended by people they trust, so it depends on your professional network. As you do this, remember that other freelancers are not your competitors — they should be your friends. Getting to know others who do the same or similar work can broaden your own network and potential customer base. Allow yourself to be generous and occasionally recommend opportunities, and they will surely reciprocate.

When you’ve gone to great lengths to get referrals from people around you, try pitching your business more widely, but make sure you use the right channels. The key is to find your audience. For example, a freelance Web designer will have an easier time getting clients on Haystack than on Craigslist. Figure out where your ideal client is looking for contractors, and put yourself out there. If you’re just starting out and you need to upload your portfolio and activate potential referrals, consider doing some nonprofit or discounted unpaid work for good clients. I hate to advise my freelance friends to offer less than they are worth, but the reality is that sometimes you have to give up something to have a chance to prove yourself in order to get more opportunities. (In fact, I was in the right place at the right time to create Lifehacker because of a barely filling internship.)

Price yourself: Time is money

Even after seven years of freelancing, answering the question, “What’s your price?” is still a challenge. Your hourly rate will depend on the project, industry, market, region, economy, your experience, and how many clients you have… Deep pockets. Price negotiation is like a game of chicken. It requires courage, confidence and a strong sense of self-worth. As a general rule of thumb, when you’re quoting hourly rates, try to estimate the time and amount as high as possible.

When you’re just starting out, you tend to prefer a lower price because you really want to win the contract and you’re optimistic about how long the project will take. However, you forget to consider the time required for tax and administrative matters. As you get more experienced you’ll adjust your prices, learn to observe different types of customers and their likely budgets, and be confident enough to walk away from a bad deal. I like to do interesting work at a low price, but I will accept a high salary for boring and tedious work. I have a strange way of dealing with the bottom line in negotiations: offering a very high price while keeping a straight face. When planning your schedule, don’t forget that you’ll probably have to work nights and weekends, almost longer than you initially expected. Therefore, it is important to overestimate how long a project will take. It’s better to anticipate than to burn the midnight oil and barely break even.

By mastering your full-time job, you can start your freelance career right away without too much financial stress. You will truly understand what these words mean: build a client base, build a portfolio, put a price on your time. Are you also looking to earn some extra money as a freelancer? Which of these suggestions have been most useful to you? Share them with us in the comments!

Interview translated by early in the morning the night finishing the lifehacker.com/5436821/how…