The ultimate guide to freelance jobs

 

Freelancing is a kind of self-employment that involves individuals offering their skills and services to clients who they are not directly employed by. One of the key benefits of being a freelancer is that it gives you the chance to choose your own working hours, the projects you want to work on and the clients you want to work with. Freelancers work in a wide range of industries.  These include marketing, consulting, graphic design, programming and more. 

How can I become a freelancer?

The first steps to becoming a freelancer are to think about what your skills are and find a niche. If you are able to offer services that not a lot of other people can, this can reduce the amount of competition you’ll face when you’re interested in specific roles. For instance, if you are a copywriter but you have expert knowledge of a field like motoring, this can give you an edge over someone who covers a broader range of areas.

Build a portfolio

Once you have chosen your niche and identified skills that you can sell to clients, the next thing to do is to build a portfolio. This doesn’t have to only include work that you have done for other people. You could include examples of work that you haven’t been paid for in your portfolio as long as they showcase your skills and prove that you have the creativity clients are looking for. It can be helpful to include a diverse variety of examples in your profile to showcase your skills.

Set your rates

You will also need to set your rates. It can be best to start small in order to acquire your first few clients but try not to sell yourself too short. Once you have successfully completed a few projects and received positive reviews for them, it may be worth upping your rates. Try to find out what the going rate for your kind of work is to avoid being paid less than you deserve. When bidding for a project, consider how long it will take you and how complex it is. The more experience you gain and the more accomplished you become, the more you should charge for your skills.

Build an online presence

You will then need to create an online presence so you can be found online and showcase your work. It’s wise to not only create a professional website but to also build profiles on freelance sites like People Per Hour, Freelancer and Fiverr. These are sites that clients often head to first when they’re looking for suitable freelancers. You may also wish to create business pages on social media platforms like Facebook so clients can find you. You’ll also need to register as self-employed and set up systems for managing your finances and dealing with invoices.

How to find work as a freelancer

Create profiles on various freelance sites. Once you have built your profile pages and added portfolios, you can start bidding on projects which are suitable for your skills and interests.

It’s a wise move to attend industry events if you can as there is a good chance you will meet potential clients there. You may also meet fellow freelancers who you can collaborate with at these events.

Use social media to your advantage. Once you have created profiles on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram, you should update these regularly. Engage with your audience by asking questions and posting engaging content which generates likes, shares and comments.

Make sure your brand website is optimised for search engines. Add keywords that people are likely to search for when they require services like yours. Don’t forget to include links to your freelance platform pages as well as your social media feeds.

Referrals

Once work starts coming in and you have completed a few projects successfully, make sure your clients leave feedback. This should be displayed on your freelance platform pages, but you can also talk about it elsewhere. The more positive feedback you have, the easier it should be to attract new clients so you can spend less time looking for work and more time doing it. Encourage satisfied clients to refer your services to others. Some freelancers offer incentives for successful referrals. 

What are the pros and cons of freelancing?

Freelancing has a host of advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to be aware of the drawbacks as well as the benefits if you’re considering becoming a freelancer.

Pros of freelancing

Freelancing often allows you to set your own schedule and work hours that suit you. You also have the chance to choose projects that you are interested in and can work on a wide range of projects for clients from various industries.

Cons of freelancing

Some freelancers experience challenges with inconsistent income, which can make it hard to budget. Some months can be much tougher than others, and your workload can fluctuate dramatically. It can be a constant battle to keep work coming in, and you may regularly find yourself in a ‘feast or famine’ cycle where you either have too much work or not enough. It’s not uncommon for some freelancers to feel isolated due to spending so much time working alone, away from a traditional office. Nonetheless, many freelancers say the pros outweigh the cons.

Why are freelance workers so popular?

Freelance workers are popular with various companies for a number of reasons. It’s possible for businesses to hire freelancers for specific projects whilst avoiding the costs linked to taking on a full-time employee. The internet has also made it easier for companies to tap into a global pool of talent and take on skilled freelancers from around the world. Freelancers are also noted for their flexibility and help businesses to acquire the skills that they need quickly.

When is a good time to consider a freelance career?

You may want to start a freelance career if you have found yourself craving independence and control over your work. Moving into freelancing could also be wise if you have specialised skills that are in great demand. It’s common for people to start freelancing because they have grown tired of traditional employment and they crave the freedom to work from anywhere whilst choosing their own hours. Freelancing may also appeal to you if you’re in the process of relocating but still need to make a living from your skills.

The how and why of becoming a freelancer

Becoming a freelancer can be simpler and more straightforward than you think. Once you have created an online presence and successfully completed your first project, work from other clients can start flooding in rather quickly.

Reasons you should consider becoming a freelancer include the ability to set your own hours and work from anywhere. Freelancing can also make it easier for you to work on projects which align with your passions and interests. It can also provide continuous learning opportunities. Working with clients from various industries can be great for your personal development as well as your knowledge. Your earning potential should also grow as your skills and reputation do.

Being a Freelancer vs. an Employee:

Freelancer

Pros: Freelancing can give you flexibility, autonomy and a diverse range of projects to work on.

Cons: Freelance income can vary wildly, marketing your skills can be stressful and you may experience social isolation. It can also be difficult to keep up with your tax and national insurance obligations when your income fluctuates as a freelancer. For this reason, it’s wise to enlist the services of an account as soon as possible if you suspect this would be beneficial.

Being an employee:

Pros: Working as a direct employee can give you stability, benefits beyond your salary and a sense of belonging.

Cons: Being an employee can mean accepting limited autonomy, a fixed schedule and a less diverse range of projects.

What are the advantages of working as a freelancer? 

• Work-life balance
• Professional growth
• Choice of clients
• Global opportunities

 Where to find freelance projects?

Popular sites for finding freelance work include: 

• People Per Hour
• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Fiverr
• LinkedIn
• Toptal

 You should also have a personal website and consider attending networking events.

Ten steps to becoming a successful freelancer 

•   Identify your niche
•    Create a portfolio
•    Set your rates
•    Establish an online presence
•    Register as self-employed
•    Market yourself
•  Join freelance platforms
•   Network online and offline
•   Use social media
•  Ask for referrals from satisfied clients to keep work coming in.

 Conclusion

Freelancing can be very rewarding as long as you’re happy to put the work in. It can give you a great deal of independence, a wide range of interesting projects to work on and the ability to work from anywhere you like, at times that suit you. Just make sure you are aware of the pitfalls as well as the advantages if you are considering starting a freelance career. By following the steps outlined above, you can start an exciting journey that’s aligned with your skills, goals and aspirations. If you’re already an established freelancer seeking to relaunch your brand and win more clients, these tips can help you breathe new life into your enterprise.