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.
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