Freelancing can be an amazing way to showcase your skills while earning extra income, but it is vital that you devise an action plan when starting out on your freelance journey.
One of the greatest advantages of freelancing is having control over your work schedule, but this also requires taking responsibility for paying taxes and managing yourself properly in order to remain productive.
1. Determine Your Niche
Self-motivation and determination are necessary components of running any freelance business successfully, but to truly make your venture profitable and lead to financial freedom, make sure that it takes advantage of an ideal niche market.
Begin by listing all of the skills you possess and assessing where your strengths lie. Write down everything that excites and inspires you; focus on areas of passion. Once this list has been created, try matching these strengths up with potential career paths based on long-term vision.
Research the market to assess if there is demand for your idea. You can do this by visiting relevant websites or online communities and asking others for feedback on it. Similarly, business fairs are an ideal opportunity to present and receive feedback on ideas that you are considering for launch - this way you'll get a feel for how the marketplace and potential for profitability work together.
2. Develop a Website
As a freelancer, your brand is your business. In order to establish yourself as an industry professional and showcase your work effectively online, a website is key in order to showcase this. Plus it gives potential clients an easy way to stay up-to-date with any projects you may be undertaking!
Building a website doesn't need to be complex or time-consuming; there are plenty of website-building platforms that can assist in the process. When creating your customized and professional site, include contact information and social media accounts as well as images or descriptions of relevant work you have done as well as testimonials, awards or certifications on it.
Network with other freelancers. Networking may lead to clients being introduced, or they could recommend you when they require extra freelance support - particularly if the freelancer offers similar services; for instance, web designers might know of graphic design freelancers they could turn to when their workload becomes overwhelming.
3. Find Clients
One of the biggest mistakes new freelancers can make is seeking clients in all the wrong places - job boards in particular are an obvious place to look, but try reaching out instead to your network instead: family, friends and former colleagues all may have contacts who would benefit from your services.
Get the word out that you are available for freelance work through websites, in-person networking events and emails. When asking current clients for testimonials and recommendations to build up your reputation and attract quality prospects. Your hairdresser may need assistance editing her blog while your plumber may need a new website built.
Are You Thinking Outside the Box When it Comes to Marketing Your Services? Don't be intimidated by trying something outside the norm, such as speaking at a business conference or participating in an online webinar. These events may introduce you to potential clients that had no idea that freelancers could help their company until now; unfortunately many freelancers miss out because they fail to market themselves properly.
4. Get Paid
Paying yourself is one of the cornerstones of freelancing; without payment coming in, projects won't continue and new work won't come your way. Therefore, setting up payment systems that both you and your clients find easy is key for ongoing projects.
Freelance writers often turn to platforms such as PayPal for invoicing their clients, as this makes the process efficient and provides both parties with a safe space in which to work together.
Other freelancers may discover success through networking groups and trade associations, where they can meet potential clients while learning from others who have found success as freelancers.
As a freelancer, it's critical that you are self-motivated and possess all of the necessary skills for success - such as time management, project planning and communication - in order to thrive. Furthermore, negotiation rates must also be handled effectively while paying taxes (freelancers often save up money from each invoice paid and file an IRS Form 1099 at year-end).
