While freelancing has held appeal for many years, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed it onto the center stage. With the workforce becoming more remote across industries, freelancing has become the answer for many. The independent workforce brought in $1.2 trillion in 2020, with 1 in 3 people in the U.S. workforce engaging in some type of freelance work.
A growing percentage of these independent professionals are also electing to leave their day jobs and freelance full time. Nearly 4 in 10 put their skills to work as exclusively independent professionals, an 8% increase over the rate of freelancers in 2019.
While the draw of becoming an independent professional can certainly be clear, a complete career change can feel intimidating. Many emerging independent professionals find themselves wondering how they can start a successful freelance career so that they can leave behind their full-time job for good.
Regardless of whether someone is interested in supplementing their traditional job or they want to run a freelance business full time, we’ve compiled seven tips to help guide independent professionals to achieve the freelance success they desire.
Employment independence: Advantages and anxieties of freelance work
Independent professionals are drawn to the freelance world for a variety of reasons. The lifestyle offers immense benefits, starting with independence. Those working for themselves and on their own schedule can work at the times that work best for them. Night owls can work into the late-night hours and let themselves sleep in the next day. Similarly, early risers can get major projects done over their first cup of coffee.
As a growing number of professionals face an increase of competing responsibilities during the pandemic—such as supervising distance learning for children attending school from home—this level of flexibility can make it much easier to maintain a critical work-life balance. For many professionals, the ability to work from home or anywhere else they feel comfortable can provide a strong draw.
Other professionals appreciate the potential to build stability for themselves. With many businesses forced to change their workforces in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of stability has never been so clear. With a freelance career, professionals can accept projects for a variety of clients. This can enhance stability for many, as the loss of one client doesn’t equate to the loss of their entire income.
Of course, building a freelance career can present many challenges that make some professionals feel uncertain. After all, they have to find their own clients. They must also compete with other professionals for projects and make themselves stand out from the competition on every project they want to win.
Fortunately, there are strategies that independent professionals can use to find clients and build their workstream so that they can confidently move forward and seize the benefits of this career choice.
7 tips to achieve freelance success
With the growing number of independent professionals interested in building their client lists, we’ve compiled a list of seven tips. These ideas will help freelancers with all levels of experience to build their careers and carve out a niche where they can thrive.
1. Define your expertise and what you want to offer
When clients seek a professional to hire, they want a freelancer who has experience working in their specific industry. Although any freelance writer might be able to write about plumbing, for example, one who has written extensively on the topic will have the background needed to produce a higher-quality piece, and thus, someone businesses want to hire for their marketing campaigns.
Consider the type of freelance business you want to run. Know where you have completed work in the past. Consider the experiences and expertise you have and how that can help shape and mold your freelance career. Background knowledge or expertise in particular subjects, experience working with clients or companies in particular industries, or even certifications can make you an appealing professional.
If there are specific areas where you’d like to work, but you don’t have any formal experience or training, looking for certifications or learning experiences to add to your resume can also be beneficial.
2. Set your prices competitively and adjust as needed
It can be tempting for many new freelancers to undersell themselves when they first start, thinking it’ll help them build their client base. In actuality, you want to price yourself competitively based on your qualifications.
Remember that clients want to work with professionals that they can trust to manage the project confidently and with a high level of skill. Pricing yourself too low can hinder the confidence of potential clients in your skills. It can also set a low bar for professional rates with your clients.
Instead, look at your professional experience and expertise in the industry. Consider the types of similar jobs you’ve completed, the results you’ve produced, and the typical rates in your industry. Price yourself honestly when you bid on jobs or reach out to clients for work. When considering an hourly rate, look at what others make in your industry. If you need to set a rate for the overall project, calculate how many hours it will likely take you, including some time for revisions or communication with the client about the project.
As you move through your freelance career, remember that your experience will continue to improve. Therefore, you want to adjust your rates accordingly. As you build your portfolio and continue to prove yourself to clients, you can use this confidence in your skills to adjust your prices and ensure that you’re compensated fairly for your work.
3. Build your digital presence
In the modern world, so much is done online. Businesses post jobs online, and clients look for independent professionals online. Various digital platforms also make it easy to create a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and expertise for those interested in hiring freelancers in your niche. For example, on Upwork, professionals can create personal pages that highlight their past work and allow clients to browse available professionals and find those with the skills matching their needs.
You can create a strong digital presence on multiple platforms. In addition to building a portfolio on Upwork, you can also use social media to let people know about your freelance business. Build your LinkedIn presence and use it as an opportunity to connect with everyone, from your best friend to past professional connections.
Nurturing a strong network can provide you with leads for prospective clients and opportunities to let your professional experience shine. On LinkedIn, you can highlight your experience and expertise while also cultivating reviews that help you present a strong professional face.
You must be logged in to post a comment.