Freelance and side gigs have existed for decades, but the last couple of years have accelerated the popularization of these types of jobs. The rise of stable internet connections and…
Freelance and side gigs have existed for decades, but the last couple of years have accelerated the popularization of these types of jobs. The rise of stable internet connections and powerful computers have enabled us to switch to hybrid working conditions — or to even work entirely from home. Nowadays, there are many ways to earn money by freelancing online and, thus, make a living.
In fact, according to a study performed in 2020 , nearly 41% of the American workforce dabbles in freelancing.
With all this in mind, we want to shed some light on strategies that can help you: Make it as a freelancer,
Increase your profits,
Set up a steady income, and
Save money for retirement.
How to make it as a freelancer
No matter what line of work you’re in, making it as a freelancer usually entails a couple of generalized steps: Mastering your craft,
Valuing your work,
Marketing your skills,
Acquiring high-profile clients, and
Doing the best job you can.
Master your craft
Let’s say you wish to succeed as a freelance graphic designer or a copywriter — the first thing you’ll have to do is put in the hours and master your craft .
There are many online courses on websites such as Skillshare or YouTube that can help you with the introductory steps of mastering your craft. The next steps would be to: Immerse yourself in research,
Do the necessary work, and
Ask for help when you need it.
Many successful entrepreneurs have talked about the difficulties of starting out and learning a new craft, let alone mastering it. That’s why it’s essential to be persistent, as well as consistent. Never undersell After you’ve mastered your craft, you’ll have to learn the importance of valuing your work . Many have tried and failed due to a lack of self-confidence and ended up underselling their work.A good way to start valuing yourself and your work is to keep track of the metrics that will help you get a clear picture of how much effort you put into work. Some of the metrics to track, regardless of your field of work, could include the following: Research time, Working time, Revision time, Editing/touching up time, Time spent on communication with your client, and Marketing time (e.g. social media). Advertise your services and products via social media Apart from various freelancing platforms, the easiest way to get noticed is through social media. You could even find an influencer to promote your brand.In fact, according to Statista research , the number of brand-sponsored influencer posts on Instagram in 2020 amounted to 6.12 million , and the number will keep growing in 2022 .A similar growing metric goes for Twitter and Facebook — if you want to make a name for yourself, it’s not a bad idea to invest in brand-sponsored posts.However, you don’t want to drift away by investing in influencer marketing that has no direct connection to your line of work — e.g. you don’t want to work with fitness influencers if you need to market your line of children’s toys.Just find people in your own field who are willing to do brand-sponsored marketing — and take it from there. Acquire high-profile clients Getting in contact with high-profile clients is no easy task, and it usually requires perfecting the previous step, i.e. marketing your work and skills.A good marketing campaign will undoubtedly help you attract clients organically — but there are ways you can speed up the process and find great clients with ease. Firstly , when sending professional emails, it might be a good idea to personalize the text with subtle information about the potential client. For example, you could throw in information regarding their latest projects, endeavors, or campaigns to show them you’ve made an effort and done your research before reaching out. Secondly , establish credibility by showcasing your previous work in a portfolio. If a potential client sees the work you’ve put into designing a logo, writing a text, or developing a website, it might make them more likely to look into what you have to offer. Thirdly , establish a social presence among the people in your line of work. Try to network with as many people as you can — including beginners, intermediates, and professionals.Not only will […]
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