Essential Tips for New Freelancers: Building Your Freelance Foundation

Is Freelancing calling your name? It called mine too! The freedom, flexibility, and the chance to work only on the projects you want, who can say no to that?.

That all sounds great, but how do we get started? That’s what I am going to tell you today!

By understanding the essentials – from finding your niche and building a portfolio to marketing yourself and managing your finances – you’ll be all set for success.

What does it mean when someone says Freelance?

Freelancing is basically working for yourself without committing to one employer. You work on a project to project basis with different companies in a non traditional workspace. It basically means that you are self-employed.

You can work full time or part time, it’s totally up to you.

Freelancers come from different backgrounds and fields and have various skills and specializations.

Why is it called Freelance?

According to Merriam-Webster, “When freelance first came into English in the early 1800s, it was used to refer to a medieval mercenary who would fight for whichever nation or person paid them the most.”

What are the benefits of Freelancing?

There are many benefits in becoming a freelancer, some of them include:

• Flexibility
• Independence
• Choice of projects
• Control over workload
• Control over rates
• Opportunity for remote work
• Building a personal brand
• No office politics
• Be your own boss

My biggest three reasons for becoming a freelancer is the flexibility, being my own boss and the freedom.

What are the drawbacks of Freelancing?

As with anything, there are also some drawbacks as well. You should think about if your pros outweighs the cons when figuring out what you want.

Some of the cons of freelancing includes:

• Unpredictable income
• Loneliness without colleagues
• Lack of benefits
• Burnout
• Self-Employment taxes
• Finding your own clients
• Inconsistent workflow
• Responsible for everything

Common Freelance Fields

What are some jobs that Freelancers do? Here are just some examples:

• Web Designer: Web designers are responsible for the overall layout of websites, including color schemes, fonts, user friendly, and responsive design.
• Content Writer: Content writers create written materials for various platforms that are engaging and valuable. They research topics, write, optimize it for SEO, and proofread.
• Virtual Assistant: Virtual assistants (VAs) are like remote helpers who take care of all sorts of tasks, whether it’s admin stuff, tech support, or creative projects. They work from wherever and handle things like managing emails, scheduling, travel planning, social media, and more. Handy for anyone who needs help getting things done.
• Business Consultant: Business consultants are like expert problem-solvers for companies. They look at what’s going on, figure out what’s not working, and suggest ways to improve the overall performance. They do market research to see what customers want, analyze finances to help with budgeting, and even train employees on new skills.
• Videographer: Videographers shoot footage, edit, add sounds and graphics. They are all about capturing stories through video and making sure they look and sound great.
• Computer Support Specialist: Computer support specialist troubleshoot and keep the systems running smoothly. This can include installation, maintenance, data recovery, training, and network setup.
• Project Manager: Project managers oversee projects from start to finish, ensuring everything runs smoothly, stays within the budget, and meets deadlines. They plan, coordinate, solve problems, and communicate with client and team members

Getting Started: The Basics for New Freelancers

1. Figure out your skills

What can you offer? What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Know your strength.

After you figure this out, consider the problems that your client has and how your skills can help resolve their issues.

Come up with a brief description of what you can, how you do it, and what types of businesses it helps.

2. Find your target audience

Start by identifying the type of clients that will be a good fit for your service. Some questions to think about – What’s their gender? How old are they? Where are they located? What’s their education level? How much do they make? Are they in a specific industry?

It’s hard to market to everyone, if you know which type of industry or specific avatars you want to work with then it makes it easier.

3. Build your portfolio

Creating a solid portfolio is an important step to becoming a successful freelancer. Your portfolio shows your skill and quality of work, so make sure you choose your best projects.

You can showcase your portfolio on your website or create a PDF file in Canva. Make sure you keep the portfolio up to date!

4. Set your rates

There are different ways to figure out your rates, what you would like to make or figuring out your expenses, then adding a certain amount on top of that. You can even research what others in your field are charging for similar services and set your rate accordingly.

Keep these things in mind when setting your rate:

• Your Experience
• Your Education
• Demand for your Skills
• The Industry
• Your Location
• Duration of the Project
• Project Complexity
• Pricing in your Industry
• Urgency

Finding Clients

1. Use Freelance platforms

There are many platforms that you can use to get started. Here are a few to check out:

• Upwork: A marketplace for freelancers across various fields.
• Fiverr: Offer your services starting at $5 (and go up from there!).
• Freelancer: Similar to Upwork, with tons of job listings.
• Github: Development Jobs
• Toptal: A bit more exclusive, but great for top-tier freelancers.
• ProBlogger Job Board: Writing Jobs

Make sure your profile stands out!

2. Market yourself

You need to get the word out there about what you do. The saying build and they will come, does NOT work here.

You have to get in front of where your clients are.

• Create a Website: Include info about your services, a portfolio, and ways to contact you. If a website is not for you, then you can create a portfolio in Canva.
• Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram, Threads, Twitter, or Facebook to showcase your work and engage with potential clients.
• Content Marketing: Start a blog! Share your insights and tips, and you’ll attract people who are looking for what you offer.
• Cold Email: Sending cold emails might not be for everyone, but it’s a good way to pitch your services. Do a Google search or look in social media to identify clients in your industry. Pitch your email to the right person and make it personalized. Research what the company is looking for and how your services can help them.

3. Network like crazy

You might not be fond of networking, but it’s a must. I have issues with this one as well. Start off with telling family, friends, past coworkers. You can even attend online workshops or join Facebook groups to meet new people.

Social media is also a good place to connect. My recent favorite is Threads!

It’s also great to network with other freelancers. This will give you an opportunity to learn from other freelancers and refer jobs back and forth.

4. Create a relationship with your client

As a freelancer, your clients are your business. While it may seem obvious, it’s important to develop a positive working relationship with your clients. Successful freelancers establish relationships with clients rather than thinking of the work as a one-and-done deal.

Building a long-term partnership can lead to repeat business and new client referrals. Keep these key points in mind when creating a relationship with your clients:

• Do excellent work: High-quality work is necessary for client satisfaction. You need to provide value and solve the client’s problem to have a chance to build a long-term relationship with the client.  
• Build trust through consistency: By consistently completing your work on time and providing accurate deliverables, you can build trust and show that your client can depend on you in the future.
• Find opportunities to provide more value: By showing initiative, identifying new solutions, and taking on additional responsibilities, you demonstrate your potential value to the client and open up new ways to work together.

5. Ask for referrals

Once you land a few clients, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. If they love your work, they’ll likely be happy to recommend you to others. Most clients will be happy to give you a testimonial, but very few will do so if you don’t ask.

You can even offer discounts on future projects as a thank-you for their referrals.

According to the Pareto Principle, a good relationship with 20% of your clients will help you find 80% of new work through their referrals. Each new 20 referrals increase your chances of getting new projects by 80%.

Managing Your Freelance Business

1. Stay organized

If you have multiple clients, then organization is key. There are a lot of software like Asana, Trello and Monday.com to keep track of your tasks and deadlines.

2. Communicate clearly

Good communication can make or break a freelance relationship. Be upfront and clear about your availability, project timelines, and any issues you run into.

Keep clients updated on progress and be open to feedback.

Effective client communication creates a stronger business relationship and encourages clients to continue to work with you on new projects.

3. Manage your finances

Freelancers often deal with fluctuating income, so managing your finances is important.

• Set Aside Money for Taxes: Since clients don’t withhold taxes, set aside a percentage of your income for tax time.
• Create a Budget: Track your income and expenses to create a budget.
• Consider a Separate Bank Account: Keeping your business finances separate from personal ones makes accounting way easier.

Keep Learning and Growing

Freelancing isn’t just about doing the work; it’s also about continually growing and adapting.

1. Stay updated

Things change quickly in every industry, so it’s essential to stay informed and keep up with the current trends. Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow thought leaders on social media, and keep up with appropriate blogs and books.

Learn something new everyday!

2. Invest in professional development

Freelancers are hired for the service and skills that they offer to their clients. As a result, it’s crucial for freelancers to consistently improve their skills, adapt to changes, and expand their knowledge.

Consider taking courses or attending workshops to improve your skills. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, YouTube and LinkedIn Learning offer options that can help you level up.

3. Seek feedback

Constructive criticism helps you grow and refine your approach. Ask for feedback!

4. Set goals

Having clear goals gives you something to strive for. Set short-term and long-term goals for your freelance career, whether it’s increasing your rates, expanding your client base, or developing new skills.

Final Thoughts

Remember, freelancing is a journey. There will be ups and downs, but with patience and perseverance, you’ll carve out your niche and enjoy all the freedom that comes with it.

Surround yourself with supportive people who can lift you up when you’re feeling down.

Celebrate your small wins, keep learning, and most importantly, have fun with it!