How to Succeed as a Freelance Professional

While freelancing has been attractive for many years, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought it to the fore. With the workforce becoming increasingly remote across all industries, freelancing has become the answer for many. The freelance workforce brought in $1.2 trillion in 2020, with 1 in 3 people in the US workforce engaged in some form of self-employment.

A growing percentage of these freelancers are also choosing to quit day jobs and become full-time freelancers. Nearly 4 in 10 put their skills to use as a freelancer exclusively, an 8% increase from the freelance rate in 2019.

While the lure of going freelance can certainly be clear, a complete career change can seem daunting. Many emerging freelancers wonder how they can start a successful freelance career so they can quit their full-time job for good.

Whether someone is interested in supplementing their traditional job or wants to run a full-time freelance business, we've compiled seven tips to help freelancers achieve the success they desire.

Professional independence: benefits and anxieties of self-employment

Freelancers are attracted to the freelance world for a variety of reasons. The lifestyle offers immense benefits, starting with independence. Those who work for themselves and according to their own hours can work the hours that suit them best. Night owls can work late into the night and sleep the next day. Likewise, early risers can accomplish big things with their first cup of coffee.

As a growing number of professionals face heightened conflicting responsibilities during the pandemic, such as supervising remote learning for homeschooled children, this level of flexibility can make it easier to maintain a critical balance between work and life. For many professionals, the ability to work from home or anywhere else they feel comfortable can be a huge draw.

Other professionals appreciate the potential to generate stability for themselves. As many businesses are forced to shift workforces in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of stability has never been clearer. With a freelance career, professionals can take on projects for a variety of clients. This can improve stability for many, as losing a customer does not equate to losing all of your revenue.

Of course, building a career as a freelancer can present many challenges that make some professionals feel insecure. After all, they have to find their own customers. They must also compete with other professionals for projects and stand out from the competition in each project they want to win.

Fortunately, there are strategies freelancers can use to find clients and build their workflow so they can move forward with confidence and reap the rewards of this career choice.

7 tips for successful freelancing‍

With the growing number of freelancers interested in building their client list, we've compiled a list of seven tips. This information will help freelancers of all experience levels build their careers and create a niche in which they can thrive.

1. Define your experience and what you want to offer

When clients are looking for a professional to hire, they want a freelancer who has experience in their specific industry. Although any freelance writer can write about plumbing, for example, someone who has written extensively on the subject will have the experience to produce a higher quality article, and so companies will want to hire someone to their marketing campaigns.

Consider the type of freelance business you want to run. Know where you have done work in the past. Consider the experiences and knowledge you have and how it can help shape and shape your freelancing career. Prior knowledge or experience in particular subjects, experience working with clients or companies in particular industries, or even certifications can make you an attractive professional.

If there are specific areas you would like to work in, but don't have any formal training or experience, researching certifications or learning experiences to add to your resume can also be beneficial.

2. Set your prices competitively and adjust them as needed

It can be tempting for many new freelancers to underestimate themselves when first starting out, thinking this will help them grow their client base. In reality, you want to price yourself competitively based on your qualifications.

Remember that clients want to work with professionals they can trust to handle the project with confidence and at a high level of skill. Too low a price can prevent potential customers from trusting your abilities. You can also set a low standard for professional fees with your clients.

Instead, look at their professional experience and industry knowledge. Consider the types of similar jobs you've completed, the results you've produced, and typical fees in your industry. Give yourself an honest price when bidding on a job or contacting customers about a job. When considering an hourly rate, look at what others are earning in your industry. If you need to set a price for the entire project, estimate how many hours it will likely take you, including time for revisions or communicating with the client about the project.

As you progress in your freelance career, remember that your experience will continue to improve. You therefore wish to adjust your prices accordingly. As you build your portfolio and continue to prove yourself to your clients, you can use this confidence in your abilities to adjust your prices and ensure you are fairly compensated for your work.

3. Build your digital presence

In the modern world, a lot is done online. Companies post jobs online and customers search for freelancers online. Various digital platforms also make it easy to create a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and experience for those looking to hire freelancers in their niche. For example, on Upwork, professionals can create personal pages that showcase their past work and allow clients to search for available professionals and find those whose skills match their needs.

You can build a strong digital presence across multiple platforms. In addition to creating a portfolio on Upwork, you can also use social media to let people know about your freelance business. Build your presence on LinkedIn and use it as an opportunity to connect with everyone from your best friend to previous professional contacts.

Fostering a strong network can give you leads to potential clients and opportunities for your professional experience to shine. On LinkedIn, you can showcase your experience and expertise while cultivating reviews that help you put on a strong professional face.

4. Use online platforms to help you find clients

With an increase in the number of freelancers across industries, web platforms are helping to connect freelancers and clients. At the forefront of this industry is Upwork, which provides a job marketplace for thousands of freelancers to showcase their skills.

Customers who need freelancers also know that they can create accounts on these platforms to find the freelancers they need. This gives them the ability to easily collect offers from different freelancers in the right niche and easily view their portfolios and examples of past work.

However, for freelancers, the ability to access different clients looking for workers in their chosen fields and immediately bid on multiple jobs from one site is invaluable. Professionals can grow their client base and begin enjoying the tremendous benefits of independent living.

5. Use contracts to clarify expectations

When you win bids or get projects assigned by a new client, the contract you create can lower expectations and help get the job done in the best possible way. Communication plays an important role in freelancer and client satisfaction.

In the contract, consider including language that spells out the specific expectations of both parties. For example, if you're a freelance writer, think about how many edits you're willing to do before adding to the cost of your project. If the project is paid by the hour, be sure to set guidelines for how time will be tracked and reported to the client.

Details, such as how the two parties will coordinate and communicate, should also be noted and agreed upon. If you don't like having your workday interrupted by phone calls, but are good at responding to emails quickly, email communication requests can be included in the contract. Other stipulations, such as the ability to use the work in a portfolio, should also be discussed and defined. You can use a contract template to help you create an optimal contract. Make sure the final contract meets the needs of both parties before signing it.

6. Regularly update customers

Once a project starts, regularly update your clients on its progress. Pay attention to the guidelines outlined in your contract so you know if and when to expect key updates. For example, you may have written in the agreement that you will let them know when you reach important milestones.

Let them know immediately if anything changes with the project. If you find that you need to adjust the deadline or if other circumstances require you to reassess what you previously agreed to, keep the lines of communication open. Share the reasoning behind the change and how you can manage it for them.

When you deliver the project, continue to encourage open communication regarding your satisfaction. As a freelancer, you want to take advantage of all the opportunities available to you to develop your clientele and your network. Knowing how well you met their expectations can show that you care about the customer experience. This helps build your brand and reputation.

7. Do not hesitate to ask for references

When you start acquiring satisfied clients, be sure to ask for references at the end of a project. Let your clients know you want to build an exceptional business, and if they know of anyone else looking for a freelancer to help them with their work, you're here. Since these referrals are from clients who have shown appreciation for your work, the recommendation will carry more weight as well.

You can also ask for reviews from your customers. These reviews can be included in your portfolio, on a personal professional website, or even on social media sites like LinkedIn. Like any small business, showing that your brand is trustworthy can help you get noticed by others looking for the same services.

A platform to propel your freelancing success

As a freelancer, securing your first client can be very exciting. Knowing what freelance clients want to see and complying with it can help you take the first steps towards developing a successful business plan and freelance career.

It can feel a bit overwhelming or daunting to take your first steps towards a freelance career and move away from a traditional work setup. Whether you want to be a marketer, copywriter, programmer, or anything in between, knowing how to build your startup and nurture a steady flow of clients will help you get started.

To get started, consider setting up your profile on Upwork and see how you can establish your portfolio and credentials, and immediately start bidding on jobs that will jump-start your path as a freelancer. Keep these seven tips in mind and secure your reputation as a successful and trustworthy freelancer.