How to Turn Freelancing Into a Career – 8 Steps
There are people out there who consider freelancing as an impractical career choice. They say it’s not a means to have a stable income and grow as a professional. Well, they’re not entirely wrong. Freelancing does have risks and cons that can affect you badly. But what they may have failed to see is that there are benefits of freelance jobs we all can enjoy. In other words, freelancing also has its pros and not just cons.
How to Turn Freelancing Into a Career – 8 Steps
An analysis report by ReportLinker suggests that traditional workers are less happy and optimistic than freelancers. The finding indicates that freelancers are more satisfied with their jobs. As proof, ReportLinker stated that 84% of freelancers feel a sense of purpose being a part of the freelance economy. So if that convinces you to pursue freelancing, we strongly encourage you to do so. In this blog, we’ll show you the eight steps to help you make freelancing your full-time career.
Choose a Niche You’re Good At
The very first step is to select a niche that you’re adept at. Every freelancer must have a niche and focus on it. The reason why you need to choose a niche that suits your skills is to give yourself a fighting chance to excel in the freelance economy. Plus, this an opportunity for you to pursue your passion. If you love photography, then become a freelance photographer; if you have a knack in words, become a freelance writer. That is the beauty of freelancing; you have the absolute freedom to turn your passion into a source of livelihood. No wonder why 84% of freelancers say they feel a sense purpose.
Create a Business Plan
To ensure that you’ll put yourself in the right direction as a freelancer, you should create a business plan. It doesn’t need to be a long and complicated one, like starting a corporate company. Keep it simple and understandable for yourself. As long as your business plan contains your startup budget estimate, your checklist of resources, your possible work schedule, and your freelancing strategies, it’s good enough.
Set a Reasonable Rate
You have to be careful in setting your service fees as a newbie freelancer. The rate of your service fees must be on par with your current market value. Because you’re a newbie, your market value isn’t at a high level yet, so the rate of your fees should be minimum. To know your minimum rate, you need to research the industry of your niche. If having a low rate worries you, don’t let it be. Eventually, your market value as a freelancer will increase as you obtain experience and improve your skills. As your market value increases, you can increase your rate as well. Your freelance career is just like any other business; it has to start small.
If you set your rates too high as a startup freelancer, prospective clients might not consider hiring you. Consider the fact that clients are people who prefer a cheaper price quotation.
Let Yourself Be Known
Nothing is going to happen if you merely idle and wait for clients to send you an email containing a work proposal. You have to take the initiative to sell yourself in the freelance market. Freelance websites are online platforms where many clients are tracking for available freelancers. With that in mind, you should register your freelance profile and portfolio on such websites.
Today, everything is promoted in social media. Each company from around the globe built an online reputation in social media to reach their target market. Freelancers like you also do the same method to catch the attention of their target clients. So, you should follow suit. Execute as many social media strategies as you can. Establish your social media pages for the promotion of your freelance services. In social media, you have to post content every day to increase your followers. These followers could well become your clients soon.
Make a Good First Impression
Well, as the saying goes, “First impression lasts.” That phrase speaks volumes truly. If it’s your first time dining in a particular restaurant, and you didn’t know they have crappy service and sell bland food, would you go back there? No, of course. So as a newbie freelancer, you have to make a good first impression for your new clients. Show them that you can meet or exceed their expectations. In your first batch of projects, make sure to hit your productivity rate. If you can make a positive first impression, your new clients will likely hire you again for more work contracts the next time around.
Nurture Client Relationships
One of the things you must do to make freelancing a long-term career is to nurture relationships with your trusted clients. In doing so, you can earn a steady income from them because they hire you for every project. Not only will they be your regular clients, but they will also become your business partners. They might even give you referrals to expand your clientele. Ultimately, your strong client relationships will help you increase your income rate and stabilize your freelance career.
Be Ready to Face Challenges Independently
When you become a freelancer, you become a self-employed individual; you become your boss, and you’ll have no co-workers. In such a situation, whatever challenges you face as a freelancer, you need to be ready to face them independently. It’s essential to keep your composure in handling the difficulties of freelancing. Use whatever tools and resources you have to fix and overcome certain issues that stand in your way. In such times, your capability as a freelancer will be put to the test.
Stay Focused and Be Dedicated (Conclusion)
No matter how many tips for freelance careers you know, your chances of success in freelancing will be slim if you won’t stay committed. You have to motivate yourself all the time and remember that it’s your passion. Your passion will drive you to achieve your vision and mission as a freelancer. So, use it to keep your focus and dedication. Start preparing everything you need now and join the 84% of freelancers who are enjoying their profession.
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