Transitioning into freelancing was one the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. I exchanged my 9-5 for a life of freedom where I can earn and still be there for my family. I’m not limited to space and I work anywhere I want to, whenever I want to.
With a 9-5 job, I was dependent on my boss for how much I take home every month. But freelancing empowered me to determine my income. Thanks to freelancing I am my own boss. Many freelancers get to this point and coast. However, there are greater opportunities freelancing can give you when you push the bar.
Even though I’ve been really successful as a freelancer, I know there’s so much more for me. There is so much more I can achieve and want to achieve. And that should be your mindset if you want to succeed as a freelancer.
Here are 10 tips you can use to raise the bar and very a successful freelancer.
Treat freelancing like a real business
Just because you work from home doesn’t make freelancing less than a business. You need to plan, strategize and track your progress. Your freelance business is a business and you need to treat it as one. Wake up early. Do the work. Make the calls. Send the emails. Do your taxes. Invest and budget for the next month. Until you take your work seriously, no one will take you seriously.
Maintain good relationship work your clients
It’s so much easier to get your current clients to keep coming back than it is for you to get new clients. So whenever a client wants to hire your service, keep it at the back of your mind that it has be on the long term. Be polite and helpful at all times. Keeping in touch with your clients and asking of their welfare is a great way to go about it.
Put your work out there
Don’t slow down your efforts of showcasing your work. Use social media as a means of letting your audience know about your latest projects. That way you are increasing publicity. Word of mouth is a powerful means of marketing. So the more you put your work out there for people to appreciate your talent the more people will know and want to hire you.
Continuously improve your skills
There is a lot of competition and one of the best ways to stand out is to have outstanding skills. Invest in courses or programmes when you can learn about the latest techniques and develop yourself at your craft. You need to always stay on top of your game.
Pitch, pitch, pitch
I am the pitch QUEEN! I am forever sending a pitch. Waiting for clients doesn’t make the clients come knocking on your door. You have to go out there and take your business to them. Search for potential clients and pitch your services to them. Pitch from the angle of adding value or solving a problem and not with a desperate tone of “Please hire me”. Always maintain the upper hand.
Network
You’re not an island of knowledge. Attend meet-ups, masterminds or conferences if you can. Join Facebook groups and Twitter chats. Socialize and meet with people in your industry. Learn from them. Rub minds together. Share your problems. This will give you a fresh perspective in your freelancing business.
Set up systems to simplify your work
Automation is the order of the day. With automation tools you get to do more in less time. Since time is your biggest investment you need to. Find a way to save as much time as you can. Schedule your social media posts, email sequences and batch up content where you have to.
Move towards generating passive income
Raise your income through programs, packages, ebooks and courses. Passive income allows you to make money even in your sleep. It is an avenue to diversify your income and move from only being a service-based entrepreneur to a product-based entrepreneur. Let’s be realistic, you can only handle a certain number of people at a time.
Hire extra hands
If you want to be successful as a freelancer then you need to have the mindset of expansion. As more people get to know you and want to hire you, you’ll have so much work on your plate. Hire people who can join your team. That way you can accept more jobs and still be able to deliver on time with good quality intact.
Give value in your community
There are so many people looking for solution to problems that you can solve. Although it’s great to be paid as a problem-solver, it’s also good to share your expertise with people who desire to learn. Don’t ever think that this will reduce your workload or patronage. This is one of the most effective ways of showing people in your community that you’re an expert and a go to person in your niche.
Do you have any freelance tips to share?
thanks for the post…
i do realize lately the income should be there with the blogging…
regards
Thanks for reading.
My aim is to freelance and these tips really are part of my plan. I understand the challenges, but you don’t get anywhere without hard work and determination and, like you say, putting yourself out there. You’re a great inspiration for how to be successful at it and all the while raising children! 😉x
Kat
Thanks Kat. It is hard work but it is possible.
I see the work you put in and it shows! 😉x
Great blog post. You definitely need to treat it like a business to be one. I think too many people are under the illusion that it’s easy. I’m now a full time blogger & homeworker and many people seem to think I just make money doing nothing. They’re always surprised when I say I work 40+ hours a week – well, duuuuh, that’s why I’m classed as a full time blogger, because I work full time on it! I treat it like any other full time job and the hours must be put in 🙂
Exactly. Thank you..
such an inspiring post! <3
Thank you.
These are great tips for those who are already freelancers and those who are planning to be one. It’s just motivating to see that there’s more to being a freelancer. I hope this post will reach freelancer aspirants.
I hope so too. Thanks.
Great post!
Thank you.
Great tips, these! One note though, you don’t really need to pitch. I’ve never pitched and I’ve had more than enough work to keep me busy. If you create quality content the clients will find you!
My pitching is more for my other freelance jobs than for blogging but I still believe bloggers should pitch if they are not as busy as you for example. Thanks Elizabeth.
Great tips i definitely need to network and start generating passive income.
Thanks Joanna.
Wow these tips are SO helpful! What was your favorite company to work with?
I have worked with so many great brands. It is so hard to pick one.
Kind of silly to ask, but I’m a kind of new follower of your — what kind of freelancing things do you do? I’ve been thinking about trying something like this, maybe starting my own business… and the’re things I’m good at that I can help other people with… I guess my doubt is that there’s someone better at it. Also I don’t think I know how to market myself.
I do blogger outreach and copy writing for some websites. There is always room for more in any business, as long as you are good at it. I had to learn how to market myself too and I am still learning.
Such a great blog post! I really need to up my freelance game and reading your advice has really helped. Thank you!
Thanking you.
Another brilliant blog post! I love the freelancing life, I’m trying to get back into it. Thanks for the fab and concise tip!
Thank you.
These are great tips, I work freelance part time and I am planning on working full time in the next year as my children get bigger xx
Oh nice xx
It’s great you’ve figured out how to make it work for you. I’m sure it will help others too.
I hope so. Thanks Jenni.
The only thing that I don’t like about freelance is chasing invoices – it infuriates me when people cannot pay on time
Yea me too! I have to deal with that most times. So frustrating.
Treating it like a business is probably the only way to do it. You are always very professional though and make it look much easier than it is!
Yes it is. Thank you.
really enjoyed reading this post. Im not a freelancer well yet anyway but its something I have thought about in the future.
Glad you did Lisa.
I really want to get into freelancing and the idea of pitching and networking terrifies me but I know it’s a must. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Thanks for reading Debbie.
Well, I was on the fence about freelancing, but now you’ve convinced me. I’ll be coming back to this post (and your blog) frequently.
Thank you for posting this 🙂
Oh nice. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m not a freelancer, only a blogger but feel these tips apply to me too 🙂 I hate pitching as I’m shy and don’t lie putting myself forward but I have to if I want my blog to succeed
Yes. I think pitching is needed especially when you are new in the game.
These are such fantastic tips. I am a self employed blogger and dip into a little freelancing work. Kaz
Oh nice. Thanks Kaz x
Thank you for these very useful tps.I like the idea to build a team to help you, I think I will give it a try:)
Thanks.
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This was supper helpful and informative! I love how you summed up a lot of my questions without making seem overly complicated ♥️
Thanks Rosalinda.
Hi Thank for you for sharing. I am new to the blogging world and happened to stumble upon your page and am glad I did:)Its very nice well put together.had a question do you have to have a hosting company or you just purchase a domain and one of the Premium upgrades on WordPress,?cause I already have a dominant was wondering if I should just purchase one of the word press upgrades😬
I purchased a domain and a premium upgrade on WordPress. It makes my life easier than self-hosting.
Omg you responded!Thank you for your response😊🤗
Hi 🙂,I have one more question did you use wordpress.org or word press.com?Am being told wordpress.org is far much better now am just 😐.I would appreciate your response thank you
I use WordPress.com. Works well for me.
Okay thank much!all the best
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Yes, I agree with you. Every freelancer should treat freelancing like that office job. If you used to go on vacation when you had your 9-5 job, then take a break once in a while. Have some time with your family and have fun. Just because you are in control of everything, it doesn’t mean overworking yourself. Enjoy your freelance
Thanks Ludiah.
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