Some people argue that there are great differences between being a freelancer and being an entrepreneur. Some say freelancers are only concerned with the short-term while entrepreneurs are looking at the bigger picture.

However, speaking with my entrepreneurial hat on, I feel that working for yourself or going freelance share similar results, and as such the results are driven by similar characteristics in a person.

The Characteristics Of A Freelancer

I was interviewed recently about my business, one of the questions asking me to define what characteristics are evident in me as a person when it comes to business, and what characteristics are needed when you decide to work for yourself. These represent the characteristics of an entrepreneur, but on a whole I think they can be mirrored by those of a freelancer.

• You are a risk taker
  An entrepreneur will often take risks and must take risks in order to advance in business. These risks are often calculated. Working as a freelancer you are taking risks on clients (particularly new ones) and risking the uncertainty of future income. You must be able to take that risk in order to make the first step.
• You are passionate and enthusiastic
  I’ve met more people and have more friends who are “bored” with their jobs, working 9-5, five days a week, for some random large company. The happier of the bunch are those doing things for themselves. They’ve found something they love and are enthusiastic about and they’re making their living from it - designers, writers, film makers, advertisers, marketeers. Being both passionate and enthusiastic about the work you are doing is what gets you out of bed in the morning. If you can’t find those two vital ingredients then perhaps you need a change in direction.
• You are determined
  If you are freelancing part time I will make the bold assumption that you are balancing your income with another job or source of finance. If you are freelancing full time then determination plays a big factor - determined to succeed, determined to make your mark, determined to seek new work, determined to develop your skills and keep yourself on the top of your game.
• You are organised
  Organisation is a skill earned through practice. Organisation as a characteristic of one’s nature is also vital when working freelance. You are now responsible for setting and meeting deadlines, client appointments, paying the bills, paying the relevant taxes and juggling your self-employed workload. You need to be organised.
• You are a decision maker
  I’ve got a post in the pipeline titled ‘Procrastination Is A Freelancer’s Nightmare’. You need to be a decision maker and some times you’re going to need to make those ‘edge of the knife’ type decisions. It’s part of the entrepreneurial mindset and it is part of the freelancing mindset.
• You have a vision
  An entrepreneur without a vision is one without a path on which to travel (you can quote me on that one as well). Working for yourself isn’t just about going job to job, client to client trying to make ends meet. You’ve got to have a vision both for yourself now and where you want to be. Is your end goal to turn into a fulltime freelancer? To use freelancing as a means of getting a high-paid job at a big firm? Are you looking to eventually develop a small business of your own, a large company of your own?

  The vision is the key, it is what takes the drive and determination, the passion and enthusiasm and combines them into one, helping you to succeed at what you do best.

Would you agree with me? Have you got long term plans in your freelancing career or are you looking at a stop-gap between jobs, something to bring an extra few dollars or euro on the side? If you are looking at things on a full-time scale, then what characteristic do YOU feel best represent the freelancer in you?

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