How To Become A Successful Freelancer

The freedom that comes with being a freelancer is one of the biggest reasons the market is growing. There are many questions around how to start and become a successful one. We put together a game plan that you can use to make sure you don't drown in the sea of other freelancers.

What is a freelancer?

A freelancer is a person who works and earns money on a contract basis. This person is usually not an employee and is free to work with more than one company at a time. Freelancers typically work on a pre-determined fee, which can be per-hour or per-project.

How to get started

The first step to getting started as a freelancer is to identify which skills you have or can learn that are in high demand. A few examples are copyrighting, blog writing, graphic design and website building. Luckily, you can learn these skills online for free.

After you've identified your set of skills, it's time to pick a niche. A niche is a segment of a larger market in which you can specialize. When choosing a niche, you want to be specific enough to weed out the clients who necessarily wouldn't benefit from your services. For example, pet care is a large market filled with niches you can explore. You can filter it down to businesses selling vegan pet food online. This strategy can be used across many markets.

Building your portfolio

One of the challenges you will face starting out will be building a portfolio. It's tough to showcase your work if you have yet to be hired. One thing you can do is to start building projects you believe can be useful in your industry. Create some design, or brochures tailored for companies within your niche and place them on your portfolio. This can help generate some interests from companies looking for your skillset.

Getting Feedback

Getting feedback on your current work can help you get an idea of how good your work is. Ask specific questions to see if the user understands the purpose of the project. Watching someone go through your portfolio and hearing their thoughts helps you visualize the changes that can be made.

Some examples of questions you can ask are:

• Do the projects clearly show off my skills?
• Is my portfolio hard to read or go through?
• Does each project have a clear message and goal?
• Would you hire me to do this kind of work for you?

Finding a platform

Today, there are plenty of freelancing websites that allow you to connect with clients who need your services. Most of these sites operate on a contract basis. Every project you take is a contract, where both you and the client are required to adhere to the terms.

Choosing the right freelancing website is incredibly important. Here's a quick checklist to make sure you are choosing the right platform for you.

• Understand how the website works and make sure you read their terms and conditions to be sure you know what you are signing up for.
• Compare the commission fees. Many sites are known for having high fees, which can directly cut into your profit.
• Read the reviews and take the time to look at the feedback from other freelancers. Browse forums and judge if the site would be able to handle your issues in a reasonable amount of time.
• Review their customer support. This goes hand in hand with reading the reviews, but you want to see if they have a phone number or email you can reach out to in case you have an issue. When working with clients, there will be some misunderstandings and you may even come across some bad players. This will help you understand where the line of communication starts to get a resolution.

Put yourself out there

Finally, the last step is to market yourself. It can be helpful to join professional circles and network with others within your niche. You should also update your professional social media accounts with your current role and a link to your portfolio.

Good luck!