With the rising prices of commodities, it is not surprising that people are looking for other ways to earn money. Extra work is no longer an exception but a rule, especially in cities where the cost of living can be high. Now, people hold two or three jobs just to pay their bills. And this is not just a trend for students, but also for people who have established careers. Nowadays, everyone has an extra job to earn extra income.

One of the most popular sources of extra money is freelancing. Unlike part-time jobs, like babysitting on weekends or doing some hours at the local movie house after work, freelancing allows you to practice your profession. This way, you are able to use what you are already doing in your regular job.

Freelancing also affords the person more free time compared to other side jobs. This is because freelancing does not require the person to render a specific number of hours. Jobs are often per project basis. The schedule is given at the start of the contract. It is up to the freelancer to manage or budget his time so that he can finish the job on or before the deadline. This is actually a benefit to freelancing. The job is finished when the person is finished with it.

Another benefit about freelancing is that you can freelance without being physically present. The World Wide Web and the speedy transfer of data allow people to telecommute. Although they would still be doing the job, they don't have to be in the same area or location as the company they are working for. They can do the transactions over the Internet. You can even live in Europe and freelance for a company based here in the United States.

But of course, not all things are as easy as it seems. Like everything in this world, freelance work can also be hard, especially if you are not used to doing it.

An excellent resource to learn about launching a freelance career is Andy Anderson's book or audio book, ?How to Make Money from Home as a Freelancer,? published by www.PaydayPublishing.com.

To freelance successfully, consider these points:

Build A Reputation

Many established freelancers who earn steady income build their freelance careers by referrals and repeat job orders. Unlike your regular job, which has a fixed income and hours of work, freelance assignments will largely depend on orders from repeat clients and prospective clients who have heard about your services via word of mouth or referrals.

The freelance industry is quite small, when you think about it. It is important to make sure you do your job well. Guard your reputation, especially your work ethics and attitude, as this will help your freelance career.

Avoid Conflicts

Although there is no law against freelancing while being employed by a company (unless it is stipulated in the contract you had signed when you were hired), it is still important to consider ethical points before accepting a freelance job.

One of the things to look into is the conflict with your company and the freelancing assignments that you are hired to do by another company. It is ethical to refuse freelance assignments from companies that directly compete with the company you are working for as an employee.

Freelancing for the first time can be daunting, especially if you lack experience. Freelancing is not a career that everybody can take on without sufficient experience and contacts. If you have to do it, make it your sideline job first and then gradually ease out of your regular job if the pay is enough to support your monthly expenses.

Establish Your Contacts

The number one thing you have to do when starting to freelance is to establish contacts with potential clients who are in your industry. Establishing contacts not only means to get their contact information, but you also have to make sure they remember you by establishing good rapport with them.

Build A Solid Reputation

Make sure you do every job well. Remember that freelancing is a job that relies on the assignments given to you by others. Unlike a regular job where you have a steady income and a fixed number of hours, with freelancing, the work is anything but stable! You have to compete for every job. For this, you need a solid reputation to see you through.

Start Small

Freelancing does not mean you have to leave your work and be a full-time freelancer. You can actually do freelance work on the side while still earning a steady income with your regular job. Of course, you have to make sure freelancing on the side is acceptable with the company you are working for. This is where the personal ethics will come into play.

In doing freelance work while still holding a regular job, you have to make sure you are not doing jobs for companies or people who are direct competitors of your company. As much as possible, stay out of the industry that you are in and only accept jobs that are for a different industry. This way, there will be no conflict with your work.