3 Steps to Become an Independent Professional Services Provider

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Whether you're a lawyer, accountant, marketer, salesperson or anything else, using your education and expertise to earn a living can be extremely rewarding. However, to become a pro at what you do, you've probably spent a lot of time and money developing your craft. You also probably paid your dues as a full-time employee somewhere, working in-house or as part of a larger company or agency. And if that's where you are today, you've probably considered breaking free from the machine and going it alone.

Perhaps you're happy where things are professionally, and you don't want a change. It's perfectly fine. But if you're thinking of jumping ship and going on your own, you're not alone. According to Statista, "It is projected that in 2027, 86.5 million people will be freelancing in the United States, representing 50.9% of the total American workforce."

The rise of the independent professional

The reason why so many professionals decide to leave 9 to 5 and start their own business is complex and varied. But some of the most commonly cited reasons are the desire for more flexibility, independence and growth potential. In most cases, becoming an independent service provider allows professionals to have a say in where they work, how they work and when they work. Independent professionals can also choose whether potential projects are suitable or not. They can also learn new skills when and how they want.

But one of the main advantages of becoming a freelance professional is that of earning potential. As a salaried employee, unless you have a great bonus structure, your deal is what you get. It doesn't matter if you work 40 or 80 hours, or if the company earns 1 or 100 million dollars. Better performance could equal better job security. However, this rarely means more money.

However, employees aren't the only ones who think freelancing is a good idea. A recent Upwork survey found that as a result of the pandemic, 53% of companies say it has increased their willingness to hire gig professionals. And 71% of hiring managers said they plan to maintain or increase their use of freelancers. As such, it looks like the upcoming supply of freelance professionals will meet growing demand.

The point of all of this is that there's no better time than the present to chart your journey as a freelance professional. And to help you get started, here are the first three steps to follow:

Related: The Career Change from Employee to Freelance

Step 1: Start networking and building your brand

The best time to start your journey as a self-employed professional is while you still have an income. Join professional groups, attend business meetings and conferences, and strive to get your name out there. Let people know you're an expert in your field by writing think pieces, speaking at events, or being a guest on podcasts. At the very least, leverage to post your thoughts and ideas. And once you get some traction, join networks like the Entrepreneur Leadership Network.

You need to change your mindset and start thinking of yourself as a brand. Make it clear to others who you are and who you are not. Don't inflate your qualifications, but don't underestimate them either. Determine where you fit in the industry and the niche of your expertise. Then stay visible to your . Express your brand on all communication mediums: accounts, personal website, blogs, articles, etc.

Related: 5 Steps to Take Before Quitting Your Job to Become an Entrepreneur

Step 2: Get your technology in order

You need to invest in technology early. As your firm grows, technology will play a key role in managing and scaling that growth by streamlining workflows and improving your business processes. And with the...