Freelancing has gained significant traction as a viable work option in recent years, thanks largely to the expansion of digital platforms with numerous job opportunities available within a variety of industries and sectors around the globe. Freelance professionals can provide their services independently to clients all over the world; they have the ability to create flexible careers that do not require them to be tied to a traditional office setting.
Many individuals have turned to freelance work as either an initial career option or as a second source of income. Platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr have streamlined the ability for new freelancers to connect with clients from around the globe, while sites such as LinkedIn allow freelancers to highlight their skills and experiences in order to establish credibility and trust.
This article outlines a simplified, structured 30-day plan that streamlines the overall process for new freelancers looking to begin freelancing. The article will also provide necessary information and insight needed in order for new freelancers to build the foundation required to succeed in their new venture during the initial months of starting out as a freelancer.
Basics of Freelancing
Freelancers provide their services to their clients through contracts/projects vs. receiving a paycheck as a full-time employee. Freelancers offer a multitude of services, including but not limited to; writing, graphic design, programming, and digital marketing.
The Fundamentals of Freelancing
Freelancers use either an online outsourcing platform or create their own portfolio website to show their skills. Client companies post a freelance project or job and freelancers will provide the client with a proposal based on how qualified they feel for the work, as well as how available they are to do the work.
When a freelancer is awarded the project, they will then perform the work according to the agreed upon deadline. Most freelancers are compensated for their work based on the number of projects or by the hour.
Choosing a Skill to Freelance
Good starting skills for freelancing may include: Content Writing, Social Media Management, and Basic Graphic Design. Many sites, such as Coursera and Udemy offer beginner courses that will help you build a good foundation to your knowledge base.
When you first get started in freelancing, it is best to concentrate on building one primary skill, rather than trying to build several skills at the same time, because this will allow you to focus and improve at a faster rate. As you progress in your freelance career you can then start to add to your skill set to provide more opportunities.
Skill Development Strategy
- Select Your Skills Based on Interests & Demand
- Select One Skill to Focus on First
- Learn from Credible Online Sources
- Practice to Gain Enough Skill to Be Stress-Free
- Learn How the Market Determines Demand
Finding out what clients want before you develop your skills is key. Finding out what services are in demand and are typically available on a continual basis will give you the best chance to find clients.
Creating a Good Online Presence
A well-executed profile is directly related to visibility and trust in your skill set. Using the Upwork and Fiverr websites will enable you to create a detailed profile (services offered, skills, and existing samples of work created).
In addition to these two platforms, creating a professional LinkedIn profile creates credibility for you. To continue building your credibility and online presence, you must create a portfolio that illustrates examples of your past work and any sample project completed to show potential clients what you are proficient in.
Creating a Professional Profile
Having professional images and a structured approach to information creation can help provide a good first impression on clients when applying for freelance jobs as well as allow newer freelancers opportunities to gain visibility. Newer freelancers can build a portfolio from sample projects before they have secure clients.
Getting Your First Client
Acquiring the first client is typically the first challenge every new freelance professional. Beginners often feel like they are competing against too many people and are overly overwhelmed but successful applicants who will continue applying using simple/concise applications will demonstrate why this is important.
New freelancers should learn that consistency is vital and not expect to immediately receive gig results. Regularly applying through constant improvements to application methods can effectively increase the chances of successful outcomes.
Application Strategy
- Apply for relevant jobs and simple projects with concise, personal, customized proposals
- Appreciate what the client wants
- Be persistent
Providing Feedback for Proposal Development
The freelancer’s proposal details how a freelancer can complete your project. Proposals must be concise, informative, and relevant to your client’s original job postings.
Providing examples within each proposal will help new freelancers gain many times more confidence at being successful with clients. Trust is an essential component to having long-term relationships with freelance clients.
30-Day Freelancing Action Plan
Weekly Breakdown
- Week One: Learn and Practice a New Skill
- Week Two: Create Your Freelance Profile and Your Portfolio
You can adjust your freelancing strategies based on how you are progressing toward reaching your 30-Day Action Plan. By using a more flexible approach, beginners can develop their skills and have greater confidence in the use of those skills.
Managing Work and Corresponding to Clients
Effective management of work is necessary for a consistent freelancer. A new freelancer may have several tasks going at the same time; they may have one or more projects to complete, communicate with clients and learn.
A well-organized approach is necessary to maintain balance between those efforts to ensure there is no confusion.
Work Management Tips
- Communicate with clients as often as possible
- Keep work organized and in a set manner
- Only take on as many projects as you can effectively
Techniques to Manage Your Time
Time management will allow freelance workers to complete their job duties, while at the same time, not feel overwhelmed. Providing timely responses to clients as well as consistent updates will show the client that you can be relied upon, building trust and increasing the potential for repeat work with them over time.
Leveling Up Your Freelance Career
Development of a freelance career into something more than just basic assignments to an organized and stable workflow. As freelancers gain experience with their clients, they will begin to understand the expectations of their clients, understanding how pricing works, and managing time by the time they reach this level of their career.
The focus of this stage is to find ways to operate efficiently while still providing quality service/product. As people’s freelance careers develop, freelancers often move away from using very little and low paying type of work to the higher value type of work that they perform on a daily basis.
Areas to Work On
- High value skills
- Long-term client relationships
- Improve efficiency of workflow
- Consistent quality
Skills Improvement and Specialization
During the time of the freelancers’ continuing to grow their experience, focusing on one specific niche area will help the freelancer become more competitive in their freelance career. One way to balance a freelancer’s career is to find multiple sources of income.
By diversifying types of work that a freelancer does, they can reduce their dependency upon a single income-producing source, while at the same time create a greater degree of stability, and in time, create a basis for continued growth with respect to the professional opportunity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the freelance alternative is a relatively easy way for a beginning freelancer to build a successful career in a step-by-step manner. Establishing the basic knowledge, developing a high value area of expertise, and creating an excellent online presence as a foundation for long-term growth and opportunity.
Finally, having a structured thirty-day action plan to simplify the start of your career will allow you to have an increased focus on developing, implementing, and improving without feeling a tremendous amount of stress. Using clarity and consistency will help you to develop your confidence as you are building your freelance career.
As the freelance develops in freight experience, managing their job in a timely manner and improving the communication will be paramount to the growth of the freelance career. By developing your career through specialization and multiple income sources will improve the stability of the freelance career over time.
Having a structured and disciplined method of working will create a successful long-term career as a freelancer.
