People who freelance make the same amount, if not more than they did when working full-time. According to a report by Upwork, a popular freelance job portal. Freelancers supplied 1.2 trillion dollars to the US economy even during the COVID-19 pandemic and a global recession. That’s a 22% rise from the previous year. At the same time, more people are realizing the benefits of being self-employed professionals. It gives the independent contractor in terms of work-life balance.
Freelancing provides a living for 36% of Americans, and that number is continually rising.
It is more vital than ever to ensure you’re doing everything you can. To grab your fair share of all the profitable freelance work available. Whether you’ve been a freelancer for a few months or a few years, If you’re a seasoned freelancer looking to expand your small business, there are some practical steps you can take to acquire work and make the most of your time and effort.
Some may necessitate more work and planning today, but this investment will pay off in higher future profits for your company.
Make the most of every opportunity:
Keeping your eyes out for new opportunities to boost your profits is a good idea. Client budgets fluctuate, loyal contacts may move, and, as we all know, an unforeseen incident, such as a global epidemic, can occur. In a flash, you can have an impact on your small business. But other projects may pay better and are more intriguing. As a result, make it a habit always to take up a solid employment lead or a referral from a client or coworker.
Always reach out to introduce yourself and learn more about any potential freelance opportunities.
You may discover that the project will not begin for another month. Even if the scheduling doesn’t work, it lets the client learn about your freelance past and keep you in mind for the next fantastic assignment. Of course, saying it is easier than doing it. When you’re completely buried in freelance work, switching gears and following up on leads is challenging. You can make a positive first impression on a promising, well-paying future freelance customer.
Create a portfolio of your most extraordinary work quickly:
Creating a portfolio of your best work requires time and thought, which you don’t have if juggling many freelancing projects. Set aside some time to assemble your best work and make it available to clients via an online link or PDF, or keep a supply of pre. Also, make sure your portfolio can be rapidly updated with your most recent jobs and personalized to each client’s demands.
Basics of a portfolio:
- State your area of expertise or specialization: Instead of “Freelance Writer” or “Freelancing,” be more specific to attract the clients and work you wish to perform.
Use “speechwriter” or “internal communications specialist” in job descriptions.
- Samples of related work: This is your chance to show off your most outstanding work, the services you offer, and a brief description of how you help your clients achieve successful results.
- Short one- or two-sentence testimonials: Previous employer’s and clients’ statements demonstrate that you are a reliable collaborator who does good work.
Contact information:
So that clients may quickly locate you for all of their future projects!
Update your resume regularly:
If you’ve been freelancing for a while, you might not think you need one. After all, your freelance reputation and experience speak for themselves. However, some firms and clients require a resume as part of their employment procedures. Or they may have advertised the job online and had many responses, and they don’t have the time or resources to review everyone’s portfolio. A current CV provides a brief overview of your freelance experience and qualifications, allowing you to get to the top of the pile.
Maintain a database of case studies:
Potential clients may want to know more about you than just what you did.
They’re curious as to how you achieved it.
The strategic thinking, concepts, and know-how that went into doing your work When you finish a project get into the practice of creating a quick case study.
You can choose from a library of excellent case studies when new opportunities arise.
To demonstrate to potential clients how you can satisfy their specific requirements.
Your case studies don’t have to take up a lot of time.
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Keeping them short and sweet is better so they can immediately tell you’re the right person for the job.
- Describe the problem, for example, creating packaging for a new product aimed at teenagers.
- State the services you offered and the solution you created.
- Show the procedure.
- Share the successful outcome, such as a landmark product launch or a satisfied client.
Make your present clients more valuable:
It’s often easier to start with what you have.
So, before you go freelancing, seek new clients to boost your income.
Look at your current ones and see what else you can do for them.
After all, they already know how wonderful you are and how well you know your industry.
Demonstrate the added value you can deliver.
For instance, if you’ve been producing external business speeches and know they want to increase their company messaging to employees.
Request references:
For every freelancer or self-employed professional, referrals are gold!
Ask any electrician or plumber who has created a thriving small business based on satisfied customer referrals.
However, requesting clients for referrals is normal freelance behavior.
Many clients are flattered when they are requested to refer others.
It demonstrates that you value their perspective and believe that their proposal has the potential to influence others.
However, make sure you’re asking the appropriate individual.
