1. Writing a business plan
Finally you have cut the knot: you are going to start as a freelancer! You immediately start looking for assignments and are just a few clicks away from having your own business page on Facebook.
Whoa, wait. We get your enthusiasm but don't run too fast. You know what they say about runners... Go back to basics and first concretely map out what you want to do as a self-employed person. What are your opportunities? Is there competition? How big is this competition? Who are potential clients? You describe the answers to these questions in a business plan.
Read the roadmap on this page and get started yourself.
What is in a business plan?
1. Plan summary
The reader of your business plan probably has little time. Therefore, start your business plan with a summary. Briefly describe your product or service, the market, potential customers, possible competition and how you will distinguish yourself from them. Include key figures from your financial plan. Make sure your summary is no longer than two pages.
2. Describe product or service
Start by writing about yourself. Who are you as an entrepreneur and what are your ambitions? Then explain what your product or service entails and what goal you have in mind. Why do you want to start as an independent entrepreneur and what need are you going to meet?
3. Market Research
Do research on the market and your target audience. Who do you want to reach with your product or service: who is your target market? Is there a need for your input in the market? Describe where your target market is, who your competitors are, and what the market trends are. By answering these questions, you do a customer, industry and development study. Based on your findings, you can create a SWOT analysis, evaluating your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
4. Set a fee
Did you know that the amount of your fee largely determines how seriously you are taken as a freelancer? So it is important to think about it carefully. This isn't easy. With too high a fee, you won't get assignments. With a fee too low, potential clients won't take you seriously. Moreover, it is difficult to make ends meet if you charge too little for your assignments. We give you 3 tips here for determining your fee.
5. Marketing plan
In the marketing plan, you explain how you will market yourself as an independent business owner. Keep the 4 P's in mind: Describe your Product (or service), what is the Price, in what Place are you going to offer this and how are you going to Promote it.
6. Financial plan
In this part of the business plan, you show in number that your plan has chance of succes. Include the following: an investment budget, financing budget, operating budget, liquidity budget and personal budget.
Do you have your business plan ready? Then you can begin on your next step: