7 Reasons You Should Try Working Freelance For A Startup

After the “gig economy” boom 2 years ago, the trend towards freelance is still going strong. Whether you call them contractors, consultants or guns for hire, those working freelance are the unsung heroes of the startup ecosystem. There is an increasing trend among the most talented startup workers to take on interesting side projects in addition to their day jobs. If you are considering taking on a freelance project, but not sure whether it’s for you, read on.

Here are 7 reasons why everyone should try working freelance for a startup, even if they’re currently working full time:

#1 Work on interesting projects

If you’re motivated by solving interesting problems, doing some freelance work for other companies is a great way of seeing a wide variety of different problems that other businesses come up against. It can be incredibly intellectually stimulating, and you get to understand how different companies and industries work.

#2 Supplement your income

Working freelance is a very good way of making a bit of money on the side. As you’ll typically be paid an hourly/day rate, your earnings will depend on how much time you can commit. Freelance pay (on a pro-rata basis) is often > 50% more than your current salary, and so if you’re earning £50K at your current job, you could be making £300-500 a day when you freelance. If you manage to work an extra three days a month, that would be an extra £18K a year. Not bad for a side job!

#3 Meet interesting people

Expanding your network is always a good thing to do, and contracting for different companies is a fantastic way of doing this. Not only will you meet interesting people doing interesting things, but you’ll rapidly build up your network of startuppers. This will be sure to come in handy down the line, whatever your plans are.

#4 Work where and when you want

The great thing about doing freelance work is that you are often not required to work set hours, in an office. Work from the comfort of your favourite coffee shop, a hammock, or the classic kitchen table. If you’re an early bird, you can work at 5am. If you’re a night owl, that’s fine as well. Working freelance is about delivering results, and you aren’t typically physically restricted in the same way as you may be in your day job.

#5 Develop professionally

By working on lots of different projects (whether this is doing some consulting outside of hours, or working full time freelance) you’ll be developing far faster than you would be if you’re just working at one company. You’ll be juggling different projects, different industries, and different requirements. It’s hard, but you’ll end up a far more rounded individual. Whether your goal is to set up your own company or to join another company down the line, having done additional freelance projects will put you in a far better position to do so.

#6 Become a mini-entrepreneur

As a freelancer, even if it’s just for a few hours a month, you’ll quickly get a real understanding of the mechanics of running a small business. Invoices, tax, and your own business development are all some of the things you’ll quickly become familiar with. You basically become the CEO of your own mini company, and you get a real rounded appreciation for the ‘not-quite-so-sexy’ parts of running a business.

#7 Try out other things without committing

Moving company is a big decision. Doing some freelance work for another company isn’t. Part time freelancing is the perfect way to dip your feet into the water with another company. There is much less commitment, and you don’t have to leave your current job. You get all the benefit of being able to see the inner workings of a potentially interesting company, without the commitment of joining it full time. Don’t forget that it’s also a great way of the company testing you out – in many cases it just an extended job interview.

Final point – check with your employer first, as some contracts don’t allow you to take on ‘paid work’ by default. Normally a friendly chat with your boss will be all it takes to get round this, but it’s important to have that conversation.

By Alastair Budge, founder of Getconsulted and Startupconsultants

Consulted is a members-only network of startup talent, available on an hourly basis. It was founded in 2016 by Alastair Budge, with the aim of connecting small businesses with seasoned startup experts.

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