You’ve heard about it. You’ve read about it. Now you want to become one. Your dream can become a reality and you’re only a few steps away from taking the big leap into the freelancing world.
Two years ago I was in your position. Should I or shouldn’t I venture out in freelancing? There were tons of positives: set your rate, create a flexible schedule and choose the clients you want to work with. It sounds awesome and after 2 years I can tell you it can be, but it is also a lot of hard work.
This post will focus on what I do, content marketing, because it is what I know best, but some of the information relates to other areas.
Create a Portfolio
If you have the ability to continue working while stepping into the freelancing pool, I recommend you do. Find time at night and on the weekend putting together a portfolio. Depending on your field, take examples across different industries to showcase your versatility.
Now you may not have a portfolio and perhaps you are considering entering a new profession. In that case, take the necessary courses and create examples for your portfolio. If you are interested in copywriting or graphic design, offer your services to friends and family pro bono. Chances are you have someone in your network who could use your newly developed skills to rewrite a website, create new social content or redesign a logo.
Do Your Research
I cannot stress it enough: read, read, read. I spend a portion of my week/weekend on LinkedIn, freelancer community boards and Facebook freelance groups. I’m interested in the latest and greatest about content marketing and how I can get more anchor clients (clients who give you a steady flow of work).
About 6 months ago I discovered various Facebook groups. I'm an avid member of Freelancing Females and The Freelance Content Marketing Writer. The Freelance Content Marketing Writer is led by freelance content writing guru, Jennifer Goforth Gregory who has a thought-provoking blog and a must-read book.
On LinkedIn I follow the Content Marketing Institute, Content Marketing 360, and Content Marketing Group. Here I find information about upcoming conferences, courses, and read insightful discussions about content.
Not only do I learn from these smart groups of experienced freelancers, but it is also where clients post work and freelancers post opportunities on behalf of their clients. Take advantage of these free resources.
Know The Lingo
Freelancing comes with its own language. Besides from knowing the software - Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and G Suite (Google Docs, Sheets and Slides) and tools (Grammarly, Hemingway, Moz), there is a bunch of terms you need to know:
LOI (Letter of Introduction): this is your first interaction with a potential client or a proposal. Its goal is to introduce who you are, what you specialize in and how you can help them succeed.
Anchor client: mentioned above as a client you have a long-term relationship with
Fixed-price: A flat rate you charge for the project
Hourly rate: If you are not charging a fixed rate, you charge by the hour
Price per word: Usually for long-form content and ranges from $.01 for entry-level writers to $1 or even $2 for more experienced writers
Scope creep: When a client tries to get you to do more work without offering to pay you for it. The client is asking for something beyond the project scope.
PITA (Pain in the A$$): Clients who haggle, scope creep and are a nightmare to work with.
There are many others so do your due diligence and know the terms associated with your area of work ASAP.
Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket
You’ll hear this from all experienced freelancers. While you may get ongoing work on freelancer platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Flexjobs, The Mom Project and Cloudpeeps, don’t focus all of your efforts on one single site. You never know when terms change, the price to bid on jobs change or worse, the site folds.
Instead set up accounts on ALL of these platforms. Apply for jobs on LinkedIn and Indeed. Spread the word about your new business to friends and family on your own social handles like Facebook and Instagram. You never know where you will land your next anchor client.
Be Positive And Keep At It!
As a consistent Top Solutions author on Upwork’s community, I respond to “new to Upwork” and “freelancer” forum posts daily. Many ask “community gurus” like myself to review their profile and give them advice on how to land their first gig. I may be brutally honest with my reply, but I always end on a positive note.
In the freelancing world of uncertainty, it is best to be optimistic about the future. If you are not winning proposals or no one has responded to your LOI, change your approach. Don’t throw in the towel, just keep submitting.
Soon enough you’ll become a freelance rockstar!