Even after deciding to do this, it was still six months before I took any action. 

Why?

I needed to be sure that I could do it successfully.

If you’re going to do something, do it to the best of your ability and do everything you can to succeed.

 There are two categories which you will fall into when starting.

1.You are directly freelancing your existing job, in which you have a few years of experience and a network of previous colleagues to draw upon

 OR

2.You will be freelancing an existing skill set or passion you still need to put into practice. In this case, you must gather customer reviews quickly to establish yourself and utilise an internet platform to get your name and work out there

In the first option, getting started will be much easier so long as your present and past colleagues know you as someone who creates quality and reliable work.

In this instance, word of mouth and existing/past employers will be the route for your initial pieces of work.

Negotiate freelance work with your existing employer when you hand in your notice to get you started.

Often, there is a gap between your notice period ending and them finding a new employee, and you can fill that gap freelance.

With your first project sorted, the relationship is now between client and business owner rather than employer and employee.

Reading this now should excite you because the power dynamics will have shifted once this happens.

I would also check out the level of demand for your area of skillset.

A simple Google search or look on a job board on LinkedIn will tell you how much demand there is for your current work that you are considering freelancing.

If there are numerous job offers out for your current skill set, you’re onto a winner, and you’ll likely be able to pick and choose the projects you work on.

2 KEY QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF when considering starting your own freelance business.

1. Do you currently display a level of mastery/excellence in your current/chosen field? 
2. Will your current/past colleagues recommend you for future freelance work? / Will you be able to secure good client reviews on each of your first projects?

These are essential questions as freelancing and starting your own business isn't a way out of a poor skillset or less desirable work ethic. 

You need to already show excellence and mastery in what you do. 

The point I'm making here is to be self-aware enough to know your value. 

If you've only been working for one year in a new area and already want to freelance, you need more experience. 

As always, there are some exceptions to the rule, but if you want to turn colleagues into clients or find clients in general, then they need to believe in your experience level, and they need to believe in your ability to deliver quality work. 

There are a few other areas that you must consider when thinking about starting a freelancing business to make it a less risky activity. 

Of course, when starting a business, there is always a risk. 

However, there are certain things you can do to de-risk your new venture and certain elements you can have in place to ensure you make a running start.