Hi there,
Yes, people are doing freelance business development for recruitment agencies and have carved successful careers out of it. But as there are always two sides of the coin, such an offer comes with its own potential benefits and risks.
Risk no. 1: What are your career goals? Do you want to continue with this arrangement throughout your career or do it part-time alongside your existing job? Full-time freelancing activities can be considered if you intend to start a small company with minimal investments and a team of 2-3 other freelancers. However, if you plan to join a firm later in your career full-time, I don't know how many takers will consider your freelancing experience.
Part-time activities provide an extra opportunity to increase your earnings, but it can be really taxing, and your employer may not approve.
Risk no. 2: The company you are working with may not be credible enough.
Try to gather as much information as you can about the company before entering into any business deal. Aim to meet the promoter or at least some other executive from the firm. Sketch out a clear business deal on paper, with all its terms and conditions in place, and then proceed. Remember, in business, if it's not documented on paper, it doesn't exist at all.
Risk No. 3: Your own expenses in marketing the products.
The least you should expect from such a business deal is that it covers your business expenses. Why do firms need freelancers? So that they can reduce pressure on their cost heads and save themselves from additional liabilities. If you intend to take up this job, be assured, it's not going to be easy. In other words, you will need a comprehensive marketing strategy. Work on your expenses, determine the break-even point, return on investments, and then assess whether you will be able to earn something from it or not.
Potential: I'm sure there are many potentials. I have seen young graduates starting small marketing firms around these kinds of arrangements. All you need is confidence that you can achieve the targets, like-minded executives who can work with you, and a business plan that works. Take up two or three such assignments for executives under you, give them a share for their efforts, and earn a profit.
You can then be your boss, run a company, and who knows, we may hear of an emerging marketing firm in the near future, taking up assignments from different firms. If that's not lucrative enough, what is?
All the best, and do well.
Vnte