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Before you quit your full-time job to become a full-time freelancer, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of freelance work. The flexibility that comes with being your own boss is what drives many people down the path of self-employment, but that flexibility doesn’t come without responsibility. If you’re considering striking out on your own there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind when you make the change that will pave the way for freelance success.

Try it Before You Buy Into It
Before you draft your letter of resignation, try freelancing part time, on evenings and weekends. You want to be sure of two things: one, that there’s adequate work available and two, that you actually like doing it and are comfortable working without the structure a full-time job provides.

Take time to research freelance jobs boards online and the look at the number of listings out there in your area of expertise. You might do an Internet search for freelance associations or other organizations in your chosen field (graphic design, Web site programming, etc.) and talk with other freelancers to find if the market is healthy. Line up a few gigs and get a sense of how much money you might be able to make and whether you like the projects you’re finding.

Be honest with yourself about whether your personality is suited to freelancing—it can be lonely. When you freelance, you no longer have co-workers to chat with, a boss to direct or guide you and only yourself to make sure you’re getting your work done. Freelancing means that you’ll need to motivate yourself, discipline yourself and be your own good company.