4 common misconceptions about succeeding as a development freelancer

Whether you're a consultant in the global development or humanitarian space or have a side gig, freelancing is a way to build a career that aligns with your values, expertise, and ambitions. Well, kind of. The reality is that creating a sustainable and thriving business is rarely straightforward. With that in mind, we spoke with careers expert and development consultant Jennifer Bangoura during our recent Devex career event. She provided a deep dive into the realities of being a freelancer, and what it takes to grow it into something that is fulfilling career-wise and also pays the bills. “It was a hustle to do all of these things on top of my other work,” she said. “I try to have a balance of what I share in that it's not always glamorous and it's not always easy, but I had very specific goals in mind with all of these [projects/roles], most of them financial, but also professional.” Keep reading for advice from someone with firsthand experience, as well as for some of the key misconceptions to consider if you’re thinking about launching or growing a freelance career in global development. It’s not always about going big “Start small. This is permaculture guidance, but sometimes you feel like you want to have this full freelance life … that was not my experience,” Bangoura said, adding that, “It took over a decade to build up to it.” So whether you’re a guest on someone's podcast, you host your own LinkedIn Live or start your own Substack, there are many things you can do on your own without being connected to an organization. “Don't feel like you need to start only by getting that six-month gig or contract,” she said. With CORE Africa, one of the organizations she works with, Bangoura began doing pro bono work and a few days of paid projects before securing a larger contract. “That was 10 years in the making.” Of course, not every small project will lead to something bigger, she said. It can be helpful to weigh the effort against potential future benefits. And while not every interaction needs to be strategic, she said, or thought of in terms of “is this going to lead to something in six months?” It could, “and you have to really think about what you're willing to do, and what crunch you're willing to put on yourself, if any, because it could pay off later,” she said. You don’t need to be an influencer, but personal branding matters When it comes to using social media platforms like LinkedIn, Bangoura said a foundational question to ask yourself is: “What is it that you want people to think of you for?” In other words, what do you want to be known for in your professional life? You don’t need to turn into an influencer or create a content calendar, but “when you're thinking about your own personal brand, you do need to be intentional about it,” she said — which means being authentic and being consistent. Bangoura recommended starting by identifying three to five key areas you care about, such as a specific industry, geography, or focus area (e.g., “career development,” “sub-Saharan Africa,” or “future of work”), which will then help create a loose theme for your online presence. “Think about what it is for you that you are getting excited about or a skill that you want to develop. And that's what guided me in those first three gigs.” And if you're wondering which skills you need, Bangoura recommended taking a look at full-time job descriptions in the areas that you’re interested in and looking at what skills they're asking for. "It’s [also] not about celebrating yourself at every turn," she explained, but rather sharing knowledge and experiences in a way that benefits others. “You have so much knowledge and experience wherever you are … and so please share it with other people so they can start collecting their own puzzle pieces for their life puzzle and take what works for them and adapt it for their own story.” A big fear for many people, which Bangoura said she also experienced earlier in her career is that you won't find work aligned with your interests. She recommended tackling them by focusing on your locus of control: And while you can’t change the job market or the opportunities available, you can change how you communicate what you’re looking for with other people. You can’t run a business without networking “If you're thinking about your gig career or your freelance work, you truly need to be on LinkedIn or whatever social media platform is relevant in your region,” Bangoura said. Most of her work comes through referral or people in the freelance and gig space, she said, and for that, “you need to know how to talk about what you're interested in, and also be listening and aware of what other people are interested in.” On the other hand, you don’t always have to be the knower. “You can ask for help, even in your own industry, that will attract people. People love vulnerability.” Ultimately, she reminded us that there is a lot of benevolence: “People want to help, but they don't know how to help you unless you tell them,” She sums up a good networking strategy trifecta as: give, ask, and connect. “I like Adam Grant's take on this, which is to be a giver and a taker. There's going to be times when you're one or the other, sometimes both,” she said. Her advice is that “no matter what project you're working on, there's an added value both ways. So any work that you're currently doing, [make] sure you're connecting with people on LinkedIn,” even if you’re not asking for anything related to a work opportunity, Bangoura said. It’s not always a solo endeavor Being self-employed is a privileged position and often relies on a strong support system. “We have a lot of privilege in my setup. So I don't want to gloss over that … and [it] has allowed me to take on a lot of unstable part-time work that in the end has amounted to a full-time role and income,” she said. She said these privileges, which includes a supportive partner, health insurance, stable housing, and her location, are reasons why she can have this gig life. She also said freelance hasn't always been enough. On the other hand, there are ways to be self-employed that can make it less isolating. Bangoura, who self-proclaimed as an extrovert during the event, said that if she continues on a path of more full-time freelance work, she would like to have two or three people with whom she can meet monthly and mentor. Whether a couple or even one hour a month, “that’s fine,” she said, because it can be helpful to share with other people — regardless of if you’re in the same industry — what's working for your business and what's not. Ready to stand out from the crowd and get noticed by the recruiters who matter most? Update your Devex profile and start connecting with top global development recruiters now.