If you’ve ever thought about going it alone, you’ll know that at some point, it’s all you can think about. Because there’s nothing quite as alluring as becoming your own boss. Whether you’re unhappy in your job, or you’ve always wanted to freelance or start your own business, it can be something that you’re unable to get out of your mind. However, it’s never as simple as handing in your notice, leaving your job and start up. If you’re going to see success, it’s important that you’re really ready for it. So let’s take a look at how you can make sure.

Have A Plan

To start with, you have to have a plan. It’s not enough just to want to start a business or be a freelancer and just go for it. You have to be prepared. So, you need to start seriously thinking about what you want to do and how you’re going to make it work. But don’t just think about it, write it all down. Because when you have it in writing, you have something to refer to and refine over time. And you should find that you’ll start to feel more and more ready to get started.

Start Saving

Next, you’re going to need to think finance. Because all new businesses need money. Even if you’re freelancing, or starting a digital business that will require no capital, you need to have some savings behind you. So consider popular online financial calculators and start working out your figures. You need to make sure that you have money behind you for backup, and that you can make some real money out on your own, before you leave your job.

Network

You may also want to think about the people that you will need for your business to work. But don’t immediately think about staff or the notion that you don’t need any employees, think more about customers and clients. Networking can help you here. Finding clients isn’t always easy, but you should start to do this before you make the leap. Before starting your company or becoming a full-time freelancer, it’s imperative that you know you will have customers that can keep you in business.

Promote Yourself

Then, you’re going to want to start selling yourself or your business. It’s important that you’re able to start drumming up some interest in your freelance services, or your business. One of the best ways to do this to start is on social media. So if you want to ensure that you can land yourself some business when you first launch, start sowing the seeds now.

Land Your First Client

Then, all that’s left for you to do is to land that first client or customer. You may feel as if you’re unable to do this until you start, but that’s not true. There’s no reason why you can start out with a side hustle while you’re still working, and then leave your jobs when things really get going. It’s important that you don’t leave your job without knowing that you can make your new venture work. And landing a client or customer now is a great way to do that.