When you work in a creative field, it’s natural that you might want to consider freelancing. It’s not going to be for everybody, of course. But it is something that many people might be incredibly curious about. After all, working for yourself is the dream, isn’t it? When you’re a writer, marketer, designer, or anything else, you may have a bit of a plan in your mind of how things are going to go. And maybe that involves propelling your career to new heights? Or launching your own business? Yet, when you’ve never done it before, you may feel as if you have no idea what you’re doing, or that you’re not going to be able to have the success you want. But you can.
Whether you start to freelance on the side, or you dive right in because you’ve been made redundant or laid off, you can learn to make this work in a few very simple ways. When you’re able to manage your schedule more, change the way you approach work, and implement a few very simple tactics, you’ll find that it’s easy for you to start growing and taking your freelance work to the next level. And to do that, you may need to land your very first client, and more from there. It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new or you’ve been at it for a while, you can use these tips to help you. So let’s dive in.
Create A Website
The first thing you need to do, is have a website for yourself. You can create this yourself with WordPress of another form of website builder using free designs to get you started. It’s essential for you to have this to showcase what you do, your work, and generate interest in your services. A fabulous example of this is J for Jen, Jen combines her blog and client portfolio in one cohesive, easy to navigate website.
Spruce Your LinkedIn
Another thing that’s going to help you here, is your LinkedIn profile. Many people may want to check out what you’re doing, and look for your experience. Others may find you solely on LinkedIn and you could land your first client this way. Either way, your LinkedIn page needs to be up to date and seen as a sales tool – so make sure that you’re able to sell yourself well here.
Find Your Social Media Platforms Of Choice
From here, you then need to make sure that you’re active on social media. And this means that you’re going to want to find the platforms that will work best for you. Don’t feel pressured to be on everything – just choose one or two and build up from there.
Pitch
Now, you need to pitch. You just cannot get around it. However, this doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, pitching can be really easy. You just need to get into the swing of it! Find a way of writing emails that suit you, and send out as many personalised introductions or ideas as you can, then see what comes back.
Market
But that’s not all you need to do. Yes, social media and pitching helps, but you do need to have a marketing plan in place. For this, you’ll want to think about SEO and Adwords, as well as using a new way of automating Google Ads to help you. You may even want to try paid social, or writing on forums or online listings. It may help you to become an authority in your field. So work out how you want to market, and see what pays off for you.
Network
From here, as scared of it as you may be, you’re then going to want to make sure that you are networking as a freelancer too. Because most of your work is going to come through relationship building. It’s tough cold pitching all of the time, but when you can get to know editors or businesses and what they need, you’ll find that you’re able to remedy that with the work that you do. And then, it becomes fun.
Continue To Push What Works For You
Finally, you’re then going to want to think about continuing on with what works for you. And remember, as much as you may find that you read up online and take advice from others, the tactics that get the best results for you are going to be personal. So as you’re finding things that don’t work, you’ll want to put less time on them, and allocate more time and attention into the things that are getting you traction and clients. And before you know it, you’re an experienced freelancer.
Believe in your heart that you’re meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic and miracles.” ― The Light in the Heart
Stay fabulous
Christine
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