Freelance work can provide many great opportunities. But before you leave your regular job, make sure you can devote the time and dedication it will take to be successful.

Yes, there are plenty of people out there who’ve made a success of their lives, via getting into freelancing. And yes, you can do it too. It really isn’t quite like being the rocket scientist. Many millions of people in the United States alone have managed to run their homes, save money, and send their kids to school on the strength of their earnings via freelancing. So how do they do it?

Find a freelancing career that challenges you

Become a freelance journalist, or photographer, or adviser, or even tailor. You decide what it is that you want to do. This career must fulfill your needs and challenge your mind, or it won’t be giving you much satisfaction, and so you’ll want to opt out sooner or later.

Ensure that your selected career fills a void in the market

There’s really no point in getting into something, where the supply so far outstrips the demand, that there really is no value for your services. You won’t be making any sort of decent money in that field, and will eventually move over to fill another slot.

Work Hard, don’t dawdle

When there is work to be done, do not dawdle. Entry level freelancers have to work quite a lot, at relatively lower rates. Newbies do not command the same rates that experienced ones do, but for you to qualify as an experienced freelancer, you must have a portfolio. And that is only built by working at lower rates at the beginning of your career.

Gather a client base

As a freelancer, you’re earning money when you’re working. Right from the start, build up a base of clients so that you never run out of work. When you’re having two weeks off until your next assignment, why not send an email to all your clients and ask them for work? There’s plenty of work to be done, with many companies downsizing on personnel, but having the same or even higher targets to be met.

Be your own boss

Obviously, if you’re freelancing, you’re being your own boss. However, in this context, being your own boss means continuously criticizing and trying to perfect your work (without screaming at yourself). Also, if you’re your own boss, you’re working at what’s best for you! So go ahead, and be your own boss.

For more information about how to get started as a freelancer, visit FreelanceSprout.com.