How To Start A Freelancing Career
It’s quite tempting to start a freelancing career, especially if your passion is writing, graphic design or something else. However, it might be quite difficult and confusing when you are not really sure where and how to start pursuing your dreams. This is why I created a guide to help you start a freelancing career of your own!
1. Set your goals
When you want to start a freelancing career it is important to know what your goals are and what you are trying to achieve through it. Ask yourself some questions. Why do you want to start a freelancing career? Will it be your side job to increase your income or are you planning to do it full time? When that is clear you can then go onto setting smaller goals that will lead to success.
2. See if it is really for you
The idea of being your own boss is really tempting, but you need to make sure you are able to do it. Not everyone can motivate themselves to work and without set hours they tend to forget about work altogether. Try doing some research and read how it looks like from various perspectives, especially if it is something you want to do full time in the future.
3. Find your niche
It is important to find out what you want to do exactly and stick with it. Especially at the beginning, it is tempting to take on any work you can. However, don’t do it unless you truly need the money. Try becoming an expert in your niche because that will be more profitable in the long run.
4. Build a portfolio website and update it regularly
No matter if it’s writing or designing, in order to start your freelancing career you need a portfolio to showcase all your work to your next clients. However, don’t just make a blog and call it a day. Work on it, make it look professional and resemble who you really are. If your website looks sloppy some of your potential clients won’t want to risk working with you.
5. Create your business social media
Nowadays, social media has a lot of power and you should try using it as much as you can to reach out to potential clients. Make sure your profile looks professional and refrain from posting selfies with the dog filter on (unless it is somehow relevant to what you’re doing). Update it regularly, especially if you are working on a new project.
6. Identify what your target clients are
In order to become an expert in your niche, you need to attract the right type of clients. Right after you start a freelancing career it might be quite difficult to know who you want to work with exactly, so chose anyone who fits your interests. After a while, you will find out for sure who you want to work with next.
7. Create samples
This step is important especially if you don’t have much experience or no at all. You want to fill your portfolio with something that will attract your first clients. By creating samples you can showcase what you can do and specify what your niche is!
