When you ’ re single , even thinking about moving into full-time freelance work can be rather daunting , especially if you are currently enjoying a weekly paycheck and benefits from your current employer .

Making the leap takes guts , pure and simple . But there are ways to prepare for a soft landing : build your knowledge base , network and reputation ; put away some savings and talk with other freelancers to find out what makes them successful . Here are a few things I have learned over the last 18 months since launching my fulltime freelance business , Gardener Sue ’ s News .

NETWORK , NETWORK , NETWORK

A freelancer ’ s network of friends , colleagues and potential clients is worth its weight in gold , and is absolutely worth your investment of time . Over the past 18 years working in various aspects of the business of horticulture , I have made a concerted effort to build my network through memberships in organizations , such as GWA and Perennial Plant Association , attendance at trade shows and symposiums , speaking engagements and through my past position as marketing director for a large grower . My network helps me find paths for my written and spoken messages to be delivered to trade and consumer audiences .

Once you have worked in the green industry for a while , you realize that people move around a lot in this business . You may see the same people every year at Cultivate , but they may be wearing a different company ’ s logo on their shirts this year . Bring business cards everywhere you go and be gracious to everyone you meet . You never know where your next client will come from . If a job offer isn ’ t a good fit for you , you ’ ll have plenty of colleagues to recommend .

BE OPEN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

I have found that one of the most exciting , albeit nerve wracking , things about being a freelancer is that new days bring new opportu-

nities to collaborate with new people on a wide range of assignments . Opening that first email from a potential new client is exhilarating .

If you are going to be a freelancer , you must be flexible and willing to accept work that might be a little out of your comfort zone — as long as you are confident that you can accomplish it well . Know your limits , but be willing to take reasonable risks . Follow up on every opportunity that comes your way , even if the answer is no .

MANAGE YOUR FINANCES If you are moving away from a job where you were paid regularly , adjusting to the pay of freelance work can be a big challenge , literally and mentally . I have found that I am personally more comfortable working with one or two large clients who pay regularly while making myself available to other clients for smaller or less frequent jobs . I charge the same rates for all clients ( with rare exceptions for friends and charities ), which makes quoting and billing simple to manage . Understand that not everyone will be able to afford you , and that is OK .

If managing your finances isn ’ t your forte , hire an accountant . I consider mine to be a valuable partner in my business . She helped me set financial goals based on what I need to make annually to afford my lifestyle , and consequentially , I understand how much I need to make per day to meet those goals . Don ’ t risk financial hardship by not having insurance . You could be one illness , home or car repair away from debt . Managing your finances and insurance is critical to your success as a full-time freelancer .

FINDING BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND HOME

Someone once joked that the nice thing about being a full-time freelancer is that you get to choose which 18 hours a day you work . Finding the work-home balance can be a huge adjustment when you begin your full-time freelance career . Every book you read about freelancing will tell you that you must set strict business hours . You should close your office door at the end of the day and not check your email outside of those hours . Personally , I ’ m not sure if I will ever be able to master those rules .

What has worked for me is that I have let my body find its natural rhythm and I work when I am most efficient . I ’ ve come to understand that in this business , I will work like crazy from January through August , but get a break come fall . That is when I recharge my batteries by taking a trip or just unplugging for a week to unwind and find balance again . And in between , I garden . I find deadheading incredibly relaxing , don ’ t you ?

Susan Martin is a freelance horticultural marketer , writer and speaker , and Region III Director of GWA . Drawing on her 18 years of experience in the business of horticulture , including garden design , wholesale and retail sales , new plant development and marketing , she launched her freelance business in late 2014 . She can be reached by email at gardenersuesnews @ gmail . com or find her on Facebook at Gardener Sue ’ s News .

THINKSTOCKPHOTOS . COM / TCMAKE _ PHOTO

17