When the going gets tough...

First ask yourself why you became a freelancer? Was it, in the case of many mothers, to be there for your kids, to attend school events, take them to doctors' appointments etc.? Or perhaps the very thought of another 'day at the office' sent you spiralling into immediate depression?

Whatever the reason was at the time, you need to ask yourself: do you still feel the same?

Freelancing is definitely not for the faint hearted. Before you take this giant leap of faith there are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
1. Is it just you or do you have a partner with a second income?
2. Are they prepared to step in when you're having a bad month?
3. Have you got enough to sustain yourself for a couple of months whilst you get going?
4. How much do you need to earn each month to come out even?
5. How much do you want to earn to make a good living?

Now for the next steps

If after honestly answering these questions you still want to go solo, then what are your next steps? Well, firstly you need to see if you can find an 'anchor tenant'. A client who will guarantee you enough regular work to cover or partly cover your monthly basic expenses. Offer them a fair retainer and then most importantly deliver - on time.

Even with social networking the most powerful recommendation and chance of real growth is word of mouth. Yes, this could be on Facebook or Twitter but then it may just miss the right person. And actually having a walking, talking advert is the best you can do.

A webpage and social media goes without saying, as does keeping these up to date.

Above all your work ethic is perhaps your top priority. The dreams you had of working from home, strolling into your kitchen whenever you felt like a cup of coffee and perhaps a lunchtime snooze in front of the television (yes, that does happen occasionally...) sounds idyllic but if that's your reason for freelancing, best you think again.

Other issues to think about are:

• No built-in benefits - medical aid, car allowance etc.
• Variable salary - one month great, the next not so much...
• Weird hours - often working weekends
• Doing your own administration
• Schmoozing clients
• No bonuses
• Putting money aside for tax - keeping records

One of the hardest things to overcome (especially for freelance writers) is waiting for editors to come back to you after you've pitched a story. You're sitting at home thinking, should I offer this to another publication? But what if they go for it - how would that look?

And then getting your money in - a real pain but part of freelancing!

Most importantly don't sit on your bum waiting for work to come to you - get out there and network. Try and find out where the work is and go after it. Utilise every talent you have, whether it's to teach or add value to a client's business in some way. You have to make sure you meet your monthly budget.

The best freelancer is definitely a hungry one!