Earlier this week we talked about the steps I took to decide if I could support myself full time. Today we’re going to expand on that topic so you can also decide if you can go full time self employed.
The Development Stage
After I wrote my list of income streams, such as Etsy and freelance writing, I turned them into individual headings and under each heading I wrote a plan to determine the best possible return from each income stream. This brainstorm lists all the things I can do to to improve and get my name out to more people.
Estimate Your Income
I made an educated estimate of how much I thought I could make from each income stream by working full time. To achieve this I considered the following factors:
// What I earn over a typical year, taking into account crazy sales periods like Christmas.
// The obstacles that were currently in my way, such as not being able to make enough stock while working a second job and boosted my proposed income accordingly.
// Be honest with yourself on what you can make, not what you’d like to make.
The numbers I came to fell short at first. Where some streams didn’t work out as well as I hoped, others surpassed my expectations and made up the short fall.
The Big Question
Now you’re looking for your income stream total to match or surpass your outgoings total. Does it? If it does, you’re golden! You might have to cut back and really nail that monthly budget, but things should start to fall into place after a while.
If Not, Don’t Panic! You Have Options
// You could wait a few months and in the meantime implement some of things you came up with in the development stage. Monitor the growth in your business and redo this project at a set date.
// Alternatively you could inquire at your job if you would be able to go part time or job share. If this isn’t possible, you could always apply for different part time jobs to subsidise your income. It doesn’t have to be something along the same lines of your day job, if you really want to be a writer you could work in a book shop, or if you’re a crafty soul it could be weekends at a hobby or fabric shop.
The Back Up Plan
Whether your totals match or not, it is essential to have a back up plan for if things get awry!
// Have some savings to fall back on when you don’t quite hit your targets. I had three months worth of my monthly outgoings, but I spent a huge chunk of this on new products and supplies to get me started, so bear that in mind.
// Can your partner support you for a while?
// Can you do some temping work? Even if it’s scanning your technophobe neighbour’s family albums onto Flickr!
// Can you sell some unwanted items and equipment? Clear out your closet, do a car boot sale.
// Also remember those little extras I didn’t have to cancel to begin with (Netflix etc)? You still have the option of letting those go to reduce your monthly outgoings.
Weekly Finances
Since I made the decision to be fully self employed I have also kept a weekly plan of my income. I list each income stream and then add up a total for the week. At the end of the month I add up a total for the month. This is a great way to see at a glance which areas aren’t pulling their weight and perhaps taking up too much of your time. It’s also good to be able to estimate for the rest of the month, quarter or year – especially if you’re thinking of saving up for a holiday or a huge business expense!
It’s scary (I’m terrified!!) and it always will be a leap of faith, there will never be a time you’ll be 100% sure you can make it, but at least with the numbers to back you up you can spend less time worrying and more time working your ass off to achieve your dream lifestyle!
Now back to work!! Loves x xx
posted by onetenzeroseven in
Business and have
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