How To Win At Being A Freelancer

Becoming a freelancer is an increasingly popular choice of work. Rather than being employed by someone else, you work for yourself and set your own hours etc. But how do you stand out from the crowd? How do you get your clients to return? If any of these have run through your head, please continue reading.

Write A Business Plan

Do you know where you want to be in 5 years? Would you like to set up an agency in your specific industry? Write a business plan and  clearly define your goals as well as setting SMART objectives. This quick guide from Brent Galloway will help you write you write it, and he even has a template.

Prepare Your Rates

What are you willing to work for? Define your ideal hourly rate and also your lowest accepted hourly rate. Having this set out ahead of time can stop inconsistencies and you confusing yourself, and will also help you get the payment you deserve. Don’t forget to take into account things like administrative costs, office supplies, internet or electric etc as you are running a business. Here’s a simple calculator that takes into account your cost of living. It is in dollars, but I just used it as if it were in pound sterling.

Regulate Your Working Hours

Instead of working willynilly, set out a time when you want to work, whether it’s 9-5 or 12-8. This will make you more productive and then your clients will know when you are available if they do have some last minute work available. This means no more cheeky Nando’s in the middle of the day, unless it is a quiet day.

Create an elevator pitch for each skill

Have you thought about treating your freelancing as a business, like you should be doing? Then make sure you have an elevator pitch! Saying something like “I’m a freelance fashion photographer” just won’t cut it. Go into detail about why you do it and what problem you solve, ie what benefits are there for your client. Keep it under 30 seconds where possible and practise, practise, practise.

Be On Time

This one should go without saying, but make sure you deliver you work on time. By being reliable, you look more professional and clients will be more likely to return to you. If you do experience a kerfuffle that stops you delivering on time, warn your client as soon as possible.

Work To Your Brief

Make sure you always work to the brief you are given, if it’s unclear then ask! There’s no need to feel embarrassed. Try to send all questions in an email and get a written response, that way you can always refer back to it and it stops any misunderstandings between you and your client.

Treat Your Client Like There’s Nobody Else

Think of your client like a partner (not like that!) and make them feel like they are your only client and your attention is on them.

Be Transparent

When working on a project, be transparent with your client. Let them know how far into it you are at regular intervals, but be sure not to bombard them once an hour with how much you’ve done. This will build trust with your client as they will know you are getting on with the work.

Use Your Initiative

Use your own brain sometimes instead of needing to be molly-coddled by your clients. Your clients have their own jobs to worry about which is why they outsourced you. Unless there is something you’re really not sure about or needs clarification, don’t pester your clients.

Add Some Golden Nuggets

This doesn’t mean send your clients a box of cereal, not at all. If a client asks for a logo design for instance, why not throw in a basic business card design? Little touches like this will keep you in your clients memories and can make them more likely to return to you.

Get A Website

Another one that goes with out saying, get a website! Even if it’s a basic WordPress site with a template, as long as it looks good and shows off you and your skills that’s all that matters. Display your portfolio on your website, or at least snippets of your work so potential clients know what to expect. Keep it updated regularly, and try to blog too!

Harness The Omnipotent Power Of Social Media

This is a huuuuge one that so many freelancers miss out on. There are thousands, even millions of businesses on Social Media, and thousands are looking for skilled freelancers. Your Social Media accounts are like the Beacons of Gondor, they are a platform for getting your message out there and showing people how amazing you are. Don’t just show yourself off, connect with potential clients and start conversations.

Join Online Communities

There are hundreds of groups, forums and even subreddits for pretty much every skill out there all with advice from your peers. Join in with the conversation and get to know other freelancers, you never know what opportunities could arise from just saying hello.

Learn When To Say No

Sometimes you need to learn to say no to work. Sometimes this can be because the client won’t pay your rates and wants a discount or when you already have a mountain of work. If you’re rushed off your feet, don’t take on more work and instead focus on making your existing clients happy. If you overwork yourself your productivity not only goes down but you can also make yourself ill. Read more about productivity and making the most of your break here.

Always Try To Improve

Whether this is by asking for feedback from your clients or using spare time to do online courses, both are a must. More and more people are becoming freelancers, even the most talented of them all so competition is fierce. Try using Udemy or Alison to improve your skills, there are free courses and also paid courses available (PS – Udemy regularly reduced courses to just £9, so keep your eyes peeled!)