In the current climate, how excellent is it that freelancing is a possibility?
Deciding to be a freelancer could be the most lucrative and liberating thing you ever do. You can get the work you need from clients and businesses who need your expertise, and you can work when you want, how you want and to the hours that you want.
You want to be a successful freelancer, and that requires a little dynamism and get up and go to happen. The big question that you need to ask yourself is what do you need to make a success of your freelance journey?
Let’s take a look at eight things you need to make your start as a freelancer the best one you could have!
A Great Business Model
As a freelancer, you need a business model and plan just as much as you would if you were running a fully operational company with fifty employees. You need funding to get your freelance business off the ground and in the faces of the right people, and for that you need a great business model and plan.
A Professional Brand
You may not be working from a large office in the centre of the city, but your clients don't have to know that. Looking at websites like www.virtualaddress.com.au, you can have a virtual address that looks as professional as they come to an outsider. Your brand needs to be consistent across your website, your social media and your location, so it’s important that you get the right virtual address and look professional to your clients.
Marketing & Sales Skills
As a freelancer, you're in charge of everything from marketing, to selling your idea and services to others. You have to have the right sales skills to ensure that you are able to get your new business out there into the world for people to learn about. Taking on training courses in marketing and sales is a smart business decision on your part. The more you know, the better you will do at marketing your new freelance business to others.
Technical Skill
There is every chance that you won’t immediately hire anyone to help you out, but that doesn't mean that you can’t learn technical skills to help your clients. If your niche is in building websites and other apps, then you need to make sure that you continue your learning. You need to invest yourself in self-development at all times, and that involves ensuring that your skills are up to scratch.
Know Your Marketing Channels
It’s so important that you know how to market yourself through a variety of channels. Once you’ve bought your own domain name, you need to think about the other marketing channels open to you. Social media and other methods of marketing can really help - so get on and learn how to use them to your advantage!
Know Your Worth
It’s so important that you don't set low rates and undercut yourself. It’s a common mistake made by all freelancers: they believe that they aren't worth the rates that they’d like to set, and so undercut themselves. It’s not a smart plan to win your customers over, so don't start by telling yourself that you don't deserve much when you do!
Don't Accept Every Contract
You are going to receive a lot of offers as a freelancer, but not every offer is a good one. You need to assess which projects are worth it for you and there are plenty of ways that you can do that. Look at the type of client you are working with and choose those that will allow you all the creative space you need to work well.
Room To Learn From Mistakes
You will not be right about everything at all times as a freelancer, and you need to ensure that you are learning from the mistakes that you make. The faster that you learn from your mistakes, the faster you’re going to get better as a freelancer. Give yourself space to learn and when you make mistakes, know where you can learn better!
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