
Introduction:
- Since freelancing a little over a year ago, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with many clients, including a dozen fast-growing companies and many top experts. To add insult to injury, I have never had to negotiate the high rates I charge for my content marketing services.
- So, even if you’re a complete beginner, I’d want to provide tips on getting started freelancing and making money doing it. Nonetheless, that didn’t happen overnight. I worked hard and positioned myself well to succeed rapidly as a freelancer.
- If you’re ready to take freelancing seriously and raise your self-employed income, here are my tips for growing your earnings during your first year. Making money with your smartphone is also possible.
- After establishing my value propositions, building my brand as an industry leader, and promoting my freelance writing to new audiences, I now have a waiting list of clients and projects lasting anywhere from three to six months.
Read Also: Improve Your Self-Employed Income by Taking Freelancing Seriously
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Find Your Place
When starting as a freelancer, you might be eager to take any paid job, regardless of whether it’s posted on Fiverr or Upwork. As your freelancing career develops, you’ll need to be pickier about your clients and the assignments you accept.
One might question how I might boost my freelancing income by choosing projects carefully. If you specialize, you may charge more for your services (there are expert and pro categories on Upwork and Fiverr too).
It’s debated whether a new freelancer should start as a generalist or a specialist (opens in a new tab). Neither alternative is realistic, though.
Suppose you needed someone to repair your email marketing so more people sign up, make convincing ads, or update your website. Would you rather hire a jack-of-all-trades or a specialist? I trust experts.
My freelancing firm is more successful when I focus on content marketing consulting rather than digital marketing overall.
Since you’re alone, work hard. Prospective clientele, evergreen content ideas, job ambitions, and effective industry strategies may be learned through research.
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Create a Website for Your Resume or Portfolio
One of the best ways to cabinet your technical skills is with your excellent portfolio site(opens in a new tab). To be taken seriously as a new freelancer, you need a website like this.
- It serves as proof of your expertise.
- Identifies you by calling attention to formative experiences from your past.
- Don’t forget to provide your contact information so potential clients can quickly contact you.
- A solid portfolio might be a tremendous advantage if you don’t have a lot of job experience or referrals to back you up. (For more, check out 11 Entry-Level Tech Jobs with High Pay.)
- Your portfolio should educate potential clients, arouse their interest, and convince them to hire you to meet their technical needs. It is essential to spend some time planning the contents of your portfolio and how you will show it before actively seeking new employment.
- Once your online portfolio is ready, promote it by including links in your online profiles and correspondence.
Read Also: How Can I Use LinkedIn For Recruiting The Best Candidates?
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Acquire Better Abilities
Why do you think it’s necessary to raise hourly rates so significantly? Be sure you have exceptional skills that are in high demand.
To practice your new talents, develop tasks you’d want to work on. WordPress websites, mobile apps, or distinctive graphic design, copywriting, etc.—the more you can stand out with side projects and samples, the better.
Highly skilled freelancers may earn more, but you don’t need a computer science degree to get started. A Front End Development course from Skillcrush may help you take ownership of your education.
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Construct A Website
A portfolio website is essential for any self-employ professional. An online portfolio is crucial for helping potential clients understand your skills.
Rowan Made founder Breanna Rose suggests looking at website templates if you’re constructing a website yourself but don’t have the funds to employ a designer. This will ensure that your final product will still be of high quality.
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Get Your Hands On The Best Equipment You Can Afford
With the rise of the freelance economy, the software has become increasingly crucial for independent workers. According to Upwork, by 2025, remote workers will make up 22 percent of the U.S. workforce. You’ll need to invest in your own equipment as a freelancer to complete the occupation. You’ll need to pick your instruments wisely to stay within your budget.
If you’re starting and can’t purchase the best software, make do with what you have. For example, WordPress is a cheap and reliable website host. Use it for six months to a year before investing in a custom website designed around your freelance profession.
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Figure Out a Price
This information is crucial to your professional development and future success as a freelancer. How you charge will vary by field of expertise, but you might generally charge by the hour or the project. Payments can also break into smaller chunks corresponding to certain project milestones.
A freelance writer, for instance, may do all these things and, more yet still, a charge per word. There isn’t just one approach to determining how much to charge clients. You may find a detailed guide that could be of use here.
Micromanagement is another major issue that arises with hourly pay. It’s more common to favor an hourly rate over a fixed fee.