The hardest part of being a freelancer is the same as it is for any business; the startup. For this reason, most freelance tutorials and articles will suggest that you start freelancing on a part-time basis first, so that you can build up a client base and ensure a regular income before starting to do so full-time.
While it is usually wise to use existing contacts, whether they be ‘real world’ connections or people you know through your LinkedIn account or other social network, if you really want to grow your business you’ll need to be able to attract new clients that you don’t already know.
If you don’t do this successfully, you can find yourself back in your regular job very quickly indeed.
Improving Your Online Presence
The first step is making yourself visible online. How you approach this will be key, as freelancing in all industries is already very popular, and most of your potential clients will have a natural inclination to look for experienced freelancers.
Of course, if you present yourself well, then you can appear experienced by showing off your relevant skills to your target audience.
Look at your online presence as it stands now. Do you have a good Twitter following, for example, on a personal level? Could you transfer that to your freelancing activities? What do you need to do to improve?
The answers to the last question are what will attract new clients.
Your Website
A website is a must, and is even more important if you’re carrying out some sort of online service, such as website development or SEO.
A small business website is your biggest vehicle for attracting customers, and as such should be well designed, easy on the eye, and simple for clients to navigate and discover how to contact you. While you probably won’t have the finances to fund a full service SEO solution at this stage, you can still optimize your content as much as possible.
Show Off
Okay, so we’re not telling you to launch yourself into a marketing campaign filled with hyperbole, but you should be looking to produce an online portfolio that features your best work, links to your social profiles, and has some indications of who you are as a person and what you’re providing.
Yes, you’ll probably have something similar on your website, but having such a presence externally will help to build your credibility.
Connect Socially
The trick is to engage yourself with as many influencers as possible in your industry. If you’re an SEO expert, for example, a retweet or a like from Search Engine Land will show thousands of people that they consider you a valuable source of information.
Who are the key influencers in your industry? Ensure you’re following the top 200 names and companies in your industry, and try to connect with two or three each day, whether that is replying to their own content or asking them to read and endorse your own. If successful, you’ll quickly start to see work heading your way. If they use freelancers, these influencers might even start to work with you themselves!
Building a Freelancing Business
Making a success of freelancing isn’t easy, but by being smarter online, you’ll find that anything is possible. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, even if you’re new to it, and you’ll gradually start to build a name, and trust, and find that you’re soon swamped with clients that want to work with you.
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Robert is a digital marketing consultant who also works with freelancers to help them develop their portfolio and online reach. In his spare time, Robert enjoys visiting art galleries and museums.