Should I build a team or stay a solo freelancer?
Deciding whether to build a team or remain a solo freelancer is one of those crossroads many freelancers find themselves at. Both paths have unique advantages and challenges.
As a solo freelancer, you have full control over your work and can enjoy the flexibility of setting your own schedule and choosing your projects. But, there's also the potential for burnout when you're responsible for everything—delivery, marketing, administration.
On the other hand, building a team can exponentially grow your capacity, allowing you to take on larger projects and potentially increase your income. However, this shift means stepping into a leadership role, managing others, and sometimes a lot more oversight and structure than freelancing alone.
Here's a way to think through your decision using my framework:
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Capture: Evaluate your current workload and projects. Are you consistently turning down work because you don't have the capacity, or is your current load sustainable? Capture any frustrations or desires that you notice about your work routine.
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Develop: Consider how expanding or maintaining your current setup aligns with your broader life and career goals. Develop scenarios for each option. As someone who’s worked both solo and with teams, my pivot point was when I felt more excited about the possibilities collaboration could bring rather than anxious about the added responsibility.
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Expose: Test out working with a team on a trial basis. Perhaps start by hiring a virtual assistant or collaborating with another freelancer on a project. This allows you to expose yourself to the benefits and challenges of having a team without making a permanent commitment.
Ultimately, the decision should align with what you truly want from your career and lifestyle. If autonomy and minimal responsibility are your priorities, staying solo might be the right path. If you're looking to scale and are excited about mentorship and leadership, building a team could be your next big step. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, and sometimes the best approach is starting small and iterating as you go.