How to Win at Freelancing

With all the good things you hear about freelancing, it would seem that it’s everything you would wish for in a career. You may have even observed your freelancing friends work whenever and wherever they like, and do anything they want, all while earning a hefty sum that allows them to live a relaxed and comfy life. Kind of makes you want to try freelancing yourself, doesn’t it?

If you’ve made the decision to dip your toes into the freelancing world, here’s a bit of advice from resume writing services online Resumeble on how to boost your chances of success and win at the game.

Know your strengths

Identify what you’re good at because it will be key to finding the freelancing niche that you want to get into. Do you plan to be a writer? Marketer? Contractor? What’s your skill level for your chosen field? You need to develop a high sense of self-awareness and realistic expectations about your abilities, because freelancing tends to be a one-man-show, and more often than not, you’ll only have yourself to fall back on. Aside from your strengths, it’s also important to know the areas where you fall short, so you’ll know which skills and talents need to be developed to further your freelancing career. Also, you can read more about how to get a job without a degree, as one of your directions.

Nurture your network

Your network is going to be your link to the jobs that fuel your freelancing endeavor. As such, you need to create opportunities where you can let people know that you are a freelancer and are looking for projects to work on. At parties and gatherings, when people start talking about their jobs, say something like, “I’m actually a freelancer looking for my next project, and would love it if you can recommend me,” then nurture that contact by keeping in touch. As your relationship with your network contacts deepen, they won’t mind if you ask or remind them from time to time that you are a freelancer looking for projects to work on.

Market yourself online

Depending on your line of work, you may also seek out clients online. Build a solid online presence—make sure it portrays you as a reputable professional in your field and allows potential clients to contact you with ease. Use your online profiles to advertise your specialties and expertise, and use social media to establish contacts and build rapport with existing and future clients. You may consider optimizing your online platforms for search engines or utilizing paid ads to get your name out there and reach your target audience. Put effort into marketing yourself if you want to be successful.

Seek multiple freelancing works

Freelance work comes and goes, so if you want to maximize and maintain a steady flow of earnings, you need to diversify your client base and work on multiple projects at a time. This way, you protect your income in case one client ceases to be a source of revenue. Additionally, a diverse client base helps you gain new skills and know-how, which is important if you really want to do freelancing in the long term.

Be disciplined and persistent

Self-control and self-regulation are going to be crucial in your freelancing career. As mentioned, you’ll be a one-man-show most of the time, which means nobody else is going to tell you to get rid of distractions, get to work, and finish your projects promptly and efficiently. Suffice to say, you need to make time management your best talent if you want to be a successful freelancer. Avoid getting overwhelmed by a project’s size and scope by breaking it down into a list of small tasks. As you tick off your list of tasks one by one, you can ensure that your project is on track to be completed on time.

Price your services right

The amount you charge your clients will depend on your skill level, experience and availability. To know the right price to charge, talk to people in your industry. Also, when discussing projects with clients, always ask for their budgets before you name your price. You may find that they have more to spend than what you were planning to charge in the first place. As a rule of thumb, avoid charging by the hour, because it can be detrimental as you gain more experience and expertise. Focus instead on charging per project, as this puts the emphasis on the value of your work rather than the amount of time it took to complete it.

Monitor your spending and earning

Budget planning is one of the many hats that you’ll wear as a freelancer, so take the time to go through your expenses and profits at regular intervals. You may do this weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on your workload. You want to ensure that your freelancing work is actually bringing in the money that allows you to sustain your operations. If you are spending more than you make, you will need to make adjustments to your budget and spending habits. Also, look into bringing in more clients or charging more for your services.

Keep learning

You’re aware that companies regularly train their employees to ensure their knowledge and skills are up-to-date, right? You need to develop the same way. Aside from learning from the job, you must also learn from your peers, and do pay attention to trends and innovations in your industry. Realize that freelancing is more than just the work itself—it’s also about running a business. Make an effort to invest in yourself and upgrade your capabilities in all areas of business, because it can only pay off in the long run.

Delegate

Turning projects down can be a career killer. When you’re overburdened by your current workload, instead of saying no, ask your client to hold off until you can accommodate them. Alternatively, you can outsource to the job to your fellow freelancers. The benefit of outsourcing is two-fold—you maintain your client’s trust in your capacity to do the job, and you also invite those in your freelancing network to return the favor someday by passing some of their projects to you.

Should your freelancing efforts fail to take off, there’s always the 9-to-5 to turn to. Let our professional writers update your resume into a document that employers will notice.