The United States currently has more than 73 million freelancers. This number is expected to reach 90.1 million by 2028.
The freelance life can be enticing if you enjoy being your own boss. Setting your own hours and working from home are two perks that make it an enticing career choice. However, having a freelance business isn’t always a walk in the park, and some months may be financially better than others. So, how do you improve your freelance career?
If this is a question that is plaguing you, keep reading. Here are eight great freelancing tips to get you more business in 2023.
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1. Embrace Longer Projects
One way to improve your freelance business is not to reject projects listed as three to six months in duration. Freelancing gigs are no longer only short-term, and companies are starting to look at working with freelancers more often.
Building a long-term relationship with a client can help your career in several ways. Avoid turning away projects with a longer contract, or you could miss out on a lot of repeat business.
2. Build a Portfolio Website
Another way to increase your freelance career is to create a website to showcase your portfolio. There are several platforms to choose from, each with its own features and requiring its own expertise to create.
User-friendly platforms like Squarespace are growing in popularity because they make creating a website simple. You want to include at least the following on your website:
- Samples of your work
- Your contact information
- A biography and photo
- Your work experience or resume
You want to use your website to promote yourself and highlight any areas in which you are skilled. Remember, you only want to showcase your best work – don’t upload everything!
For example, if you’re a content writer, your website should include at most three sample articles per subject (i.e., real estate, cryptocurrency, mental health, etc.).
3. Don’t Limit Yourself
Another tactic for improving your freelance business is not limiting yourself to local hiring companies. One of the best elements of freelancing is the ability to work remotely. This means you can find work from home for companies around the world.
This is especially helpful if you live in a small town with few freelancer work opportunities. You may be competing with many other applicants for the work, but you may have more valuable skill sets than someone geographically local.
4. Consider Freelancing Platforms
There are multiple options when comparing freelancing platforms where you can find work. Working with these sites will help you find work from reputable sources, and it reduces the risk of fraud and scams.
You want to choose platforms highlighting your skills to better connect with clients and land more jobs. Focusing on your profile on these platforms is essential as often it may be the only information the client sees about you.
Fill in your profile as accurately as possible, including any skills you’re proficient in. For example, logo design, web development, etc. The more successful jobs you complete, the more sought-after you’ll be on the platform.
5. Connect With Other Freelancers
Freelancing can be a lonely career path for some. Often there are no colleagues to work alongside, and it can sometimes feel isolating. You can circumvent this by reaching out and connecting with other freelancers. When you connect with your freelancing peers, you can build strong relationships.
These relationships can prove mutually beneficial when other freelancers can help you with finding work. Finding a coworking space is another way to connect with other freelancers. You can use a coworking space to work on your current projects and as a place for meeting clients.
6. Organized Schedule
A poorly organized work schedule means risking falling behind on deadlines or missing client meetings. Managing your time wisely is essential as a freelancer and good for improving your freelance business.
Freelancing often means determining your schedule, and it can be tempting to sleep in rather than get up for work. However, make it a priority to stick to a work schedule that will help you structure your day for the best efficiency.
7. Client Referrals
Another way of getting more business is through client referrals. If you have a good relationship with your clients and they’re happy with the quality of work you consistently provide, they’re much more likely to recommend you to people they know.
You can build good working relationships by improving your skills, paying attention to the project details, and communicating effectively with your clients. If you know you’ve done good work for a particular client, be bold and ask them to pass your name on as an available freelancer.
8. Keep Learning
The final in our list of freelancing tips is the most important: never stop learning. As a freelancer, your inflow of work will slow down at times. This can leave you much free time, and it may be very tempting to skip off to the beach for the day. Instead, you want to spend time furthering your existing skills or learning new ones.
So many online courses are available for free or for a nominal fee. These courses can help you learn new skills that can improve your services. For example, completing a course on SEO marketing can help if you’re a content writer.
Use These Freelancing Tips For Career Success
Working as a freelancer can be both incredibly rewarding and challenging. Spend time building good customer relationships, network with other freelancers, and never stop learning. If you’re not self-motivated, you may find it a challenging career to navigate. But, if you are a go-getter, by following these eight freelance tips, you can gain more business in 2023.
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