Buzz
Starting your freelance journey is an excellent way to become your own boss. You have the flexibility to work with several clients simultaneously, refine various valuable skills, and determine how much or how little you work. Even if you’ve never freelanced before, you can secure projects if you know how to promote your skills and where to find opportunities!
Process
Getting Ready to Freelance
Evaluate your marketable abilities. Whether you’re a writer, photographer, mathematician, web designer, marketing expert, illustrator, scientist, or even an underwater basket weaver, there’s likely a freelance opportunity for you. What activities do you enjoy? What are your strengths? Make a list of everything you could potentially turn into a paid service.
- Don’t disregard any of your talents or interests. Write down everything you think you’re good at, whether or not you've seen anyone else freelance in that area. Don’t limit your options before you even begin.
Evaluate the demand for your skills. While nearly any skill can be monetized, it’s important to think about who specifically needs your abilities. If you’re aiming to make freelancing your primary income, you might want to choose a skill that has widespread demand or at least be open to a variety of opportunities. Do a bit of market research before diving in.
- For instance, academic writers may have more opportunities than someone specializing in 15th century German footwear. Think about how many people will be interested in your offering and decide if you can expand your services.
Prepare the necessary tools. Be ready to jump into action. If you're seeking freelance writing positions, ensure you have a dependable computer and internet access. Photographers should have a quality camera, and freelance statisticians must be equipped with the software commonly used in the field. Don’t expect to land a job if you aren’t ready to start right away.
- Be prepared to invest in your freelancing venture. Remember the adage: “You have to spend money to make money.”
PRO TIP
Alena Le Blanc
Personal Stylist
Personal Stylist
Invest in tools that streamline client management. As a stylist, I use styling platforms to create mood boards and plan outfits. I also rely on CRM software to handle client details, appointments, and communications seamlessly. Experiment with various tools until you discover the best fit for your business and industry.
Set a strategy. Determine a reasonable hourly rate. What are your competitors charging? Keep in mind that as you gain experience, you’ll be able to increase your rate. Decide on how many hours you want (or need) to work. Once you start freelancing, you’ll develop a clearer understanding of how quickly you work, how long certain projects take, and how many projects you can realistically juggle. Having a plan before you start will help prevent stress over money or time in the early stages of your career.
Seek out a mentor. The most effective way to get familiar with a new industry is by speaking with someone who has been in it for a while. There are many ways to find a mentor: ask your family, friends, colleagues, or teachers if they know any freelancers. You can also search for people online whose work aligns with what you want to do. Consider attending networking events in your area. The key is to put yourself out there!
- A mentor can guide you on setting your rates, offer valuable advice, and ideally, introduce you to key contacts to kickstart your career.
- Be prepared to show your mentor that you’re dedicated to the process. Do your research and gather your tools before reaching out to someone.
- Remember, they’re helping you as a favor. Treat them with gratitude and respect, and work hard to prove you’re a committed mentee.
Marketing Yourself
Build your personal brand. As a freelancer, you are your business, and you need to promote yourself to sell your services. Consider what sets you apart from others. Are you known for your wit? Are you exceptionally efficient? Do you have an impressive academic background? Whatever your strengths are, use them to your advantage.
- Your personal brand should be evident in your résumé, your online profiles, your business cards, and your communication with both potential and current clients.
Seize every opportunity. In the early stages, you likely won’t have much past work to showcase. To build a portfolio or résumé, take advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate your skills. Offer to do freelance work at a low rate or even for free. This experience will help you learn and provide valuable references for the future. Remember, most freelancers begin with humble beginnings and need to earn their stripes.
Promote your business online. Establish an online presence with a website, LinkedIn, Twitter, blog, Facebook, Instagram, whatever! The easier it is for people to find you, the better. When applying for jobs and submitting résumés, include links to your social media profiles. This gives employers quick access to your past work.
- This is why taking any opportunity that comes your way in the beginning is so crucial. Even if you're not raking in the big money, every job helps you build your online profile.
Be aggressive in your job search. Freelancing requires resourcefulness, perseverance, and a competitive spirit. Just because you’ve built a website and personal brand doesn’t mean employers will start rushing to hire you. Apply, apply, and apply some more. Actively pursue the jobs you want.
Putting in the Effort
Find your first project either locally or online. Don’t get discouraged when trying to land your first client—it may take some time! Be inventive in your search and stay open to all kinds of projects. Building a portfolio, gaining experience, and eventually securing better-paying jobs requires getting work any way you can. Reach out to local businesses to explain how your services could help them. Send your résumé and cover letter to websites you admire. Use Google to find job postings in your field—there are countless job boards for freelancers.
- Platforms like Upwork, Toptal, Elance, iFreelance, Craigslist, Project4hire, Demand Media, and many more post new job opportunities daily. The internet is a goldmine! Check these sites regularly to stay ahead of the game.
Recognize the worth of smaller gigs. In the early stages of your freelance career, smaller, lower-paying tasks can actually be your best option. More seasoned freelancers might overlook these opportunities, giving you the chance to grab them. Write a personalized cover letter and demonstrate a genuine interest in the job, no matter how minor it seems. By completing these early projects, you can start collecting positive references and build your portfolio.
Keep working, even when you don’t have a project. It’s easy to want to relax when you’re between jobs or feeling discouraged, but this is actually the time to show what you’re capable of. Work on your website, attend networking events, volunteer for pro bono projects, or create content—just keep producing, seeking clients, and marketing yourself. Don’t rest on your achievements, as doing so might cause you to miss out on new clients or let your skills fade.
Establish a routine. Freelancing gives you the freedom to choose your own hours, but it also makes it easy to procrastinate. Try to create and stick to a schedule! The best part is that you can design it to suit your personal working style. Whether you prefer short work sessions with regular breaks, or long, focused stretches at your desk, a plan is still essential.
- Factor in time for receiving feedback and making revisions from the client.
- While it’s tough to maintain a schedule when you're your own boss, it’s even tougher to rush through a project last-minute to meet a deadline. Proper time management will help you deliver high-quality work, which will lead to more opportunities.
Handle criticism with poise. As a freelancer, you’ll work with a variety of employers, meaning you’ll need to adjust your style to meet different requirements. This can lead to some bumps along the way. When you receive feedback, take it in stride. Remember, you were hired to complete the task in their way, so their instructions take precedence.
Maintain good relationships. In self-employment, networking and securing solid references are crucial. No matter what, don’t burn any bridges! While freelancing offers the freedom of being your own boss, you are also the face of your business. It will be hard to sell your services if you can’t sell yourself, and even harder if you have a poor reputation.
- Keeping employers satisfied will help ensure that work continues coming your way.
