So you want to be a freelancer. Now what?
In this digital age of increasing connectivity there are endless opportunities for people to capitalize and profit from their specialized skills. With the traditional 9 to 5 work structure becoming a thing of the past the number of people turning to freelancing increases year after year.
So, you to have decided to venture down the path of becoming a freelancer. Now what?
1. Create clearly defined goals for your freelance endeavour.
Like any successful business model planning is important. There are a myriad of questions you must ask yourself if you are considering entering the world of entrepreneurship, but the simplest, and most important is, why?
Regardless of your ideal outcome, the road to getting there will be difficult if you don’t have clear cut goals.
Whether you want to use your freelance gig as a side hustle to increase your income or are hoping to make that side hustle your full time employment, it’s important to clearly define your goals and why you are beginning down the path of freelancing in the first place. Once you can answer that question all the little things that need to happen in between now and the final outcome will become easier to plan for.
2. Build and maintain relationships.
Building a network of clients can be the most daunting of all steps in the process of becoming a freelancer. As the sole person steering your ship, it’s up to you to find the people who will pay you to do what you do best.
Even though advances in social media and other technological platforms provide ample opportunities to meet people they are not the lone avenue for fostering and strengthening relationships with potential clientele. The use of websites, Instagram, LinkedIn and other platforms are all part of a multi-faceted approach to marketing yourself, but remember, the most important piece in all of it is you.
With that in mind, make sure to start local. It’s much easier to connect with local businesses or clients who need your skills when they can put a face to the name. Sharing your experience and past work in a face to face professional setting can go a long way to securing new fish in your (hopefully) expanding pond of clients.
And when you do get that job make sure you nail it because there is no better way to expand your reach as an entrepreneur than through good old fashioned word of mouth. When clients have a good experience working with someone they want to share that with their friends, family, and colleagues. Earning that trust can go a long way in expanding your business and helping you establish a long list of loyal clients who prefer you over the competition.
3. Setting your price.
You’ve worked hard to build and perfect your skills and you should be equally compensated for them. You shouldn’t race yourself to the bottom of the pricing pole just in hopes of getting some work, especially if you’re planning on making this a long-term business venture. Take your time to look at what the competition is charging for similar experience level or industry and adjust your pricing accordingly. Ensuring you are fairly compensated not only puts more money in your wallet but it will also go a long way in finding more of the clientele you want.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Just like the old adage says there is no better way to learn than from our failures.
So when starting out in the world of freelancing and being your own boss, don’t leave any stone unturned. Reach out to any and all of your support team who you think could help. Whether that’s old colleagues, current colleagues, friends, family, or mentors, there are bound to be many people in your life that you can lean on for advice. People come from all different professional backgrounds and using their advice can go a long way in fuelling your long term success.
Share info about your business venture and the type of work you are looking to land. Ask about things you should be aware of or things to consider when being your own boss. Ask for fair criticism and use it in an effective way.
Just like your support team, Patchwork wants to be there to help. Patchwork can help you tap into local client markets and assist in putting you in contact with people who are looking for your wealth of experience and hard work ethic. If you’re struggling with establishing those first client connections let us help so that you can focus on what makes you stand out from the competition.
Patchwork helps you get your foot in the door. As for the rest, well, that’s up to you.
You’ve got creativity. We’ve got connections.
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