With the ecosystem predicted to have grown 6 times larger than Salesforce itself by 2024, it’s no wonder that more people are considering a career in Salesforce. Freelancing allows for better autonomy, than perhaps a permanent role, when deciding what projects to work on, as well as the ability of increased flexibility in location.
Whether you are considering freelance work as a part-time way to make some extra money, or a full-time career change, we’ve highlighted some essential aspects to consider when becoming a freelancer in Salesforce.
1. Equipment
One of the most important things when becoming a Salesforce freelancer, and perhaps the easiest, is making sure you have the equipment for the job. That’s not to say that you need all the tools in the box.
As a freelancer, not only is it required that you have precise time management, you will also have to handle your own admin. This is not something to be taken lightly. Lucy Mazalon, Marketing Automation consultant at The Drip, recommends the following tools to support you in the pursuit of efficiency. For help with project management, Asana, Jira or Trello are all accessible. Crunch and Freshbooks are platforms that enable clear accounting. For platforms that permit e-signatures, why not check out: HelloSign, Sign Now, or Ever Sign. Finally, for a platform that will keep you on track with time management, have a look at Harvest.
2. Consultancy is Key
When building up your repertoire as a freelancer in Salesforce, it is fundamental to work for a consultancy first. Due to the competence in which consultants can find jobs for freelancers, this is perhaps a more frequent way that people get involved with a career in Salesforce. Not only will a consultancy firm enable you to rapidly evolve your technical knowledge as a result of working on a variety of different projects, consultancy firms can also teach you how to manage the client interaction aspect of freelancing.
3. Utilise Your Network
It might sound obvious, but your network is essentially the people who will help you to find jobs. That’s why it is essential to keep them updated and engaged. The more that you expand your network, the more opportunities will become available to you. As mentioned previously, to begin with many freelancers work through a consultancy in order to cultivate a steady workflow, having a healthy network will also help with this as people will refer you for jobs based on your experience.
Having considered these aspects, you are more than ready to become a freelancer in Salesforce. However, for those Salesforce professionals out there who want to make the transition a bit easier, get in touch with one of our specialised contract Salesforce consultants to help you source your freelance jobs.
