Freelance workers have to handle different aspects of running and managing their businesses. Things get more challenging when you add growing their business to the equation. For this, they have to perform different functions that are not typically part of their day-to-day tasks. Having a plan and the right strategies can help, so let’s look at some that can help you grow your business if you want to live the freelance life.
Research Your Customers and Clients
Before doing anything else, understand who you want to sell your services to. Who are they, what are their pain points, what do they need, how can you help them, and what problems can you help them solve in addition to the services you provide? These are just some of the questions you must answer when getting started. It can seem overwhelming to answer them all, but you can use a tool like a customer journey map to help you with them.
This tool helps you understand your customers and how they interact with your business. Even though it focuses on things like their buyer’s journey and their goals and expectations, it can also be incredibly useful in helping you understand them much better. When used right, you can even create customer personas that you can use in your marketing later on.
Build Your Brand and Customer Base
You now know who your customers are, what they need, and how they interact with your business or are likely to. It is time to start building a brand. The most successful freelancers do one thing well for a single type of client. You can handle different services when starting out, but you should specialise in a specific area as you work with more clients. This will help you build a great reputation for being the person who provides that service well.
As you do this, you should also be building your portfolio in the background. It does not have to be complicated at the start, but it should include the best projects and a small write-up. Include who the client was (ask permission first), what they needed, and the solutions you provided. Ensure that each project in your portfolio demonstrates your skills and resonates with your ideal clients.
Start Networking
Freelancers who do not network often have a difficult time finding work and sustaining their businesses. The good news here is that networking has become much easier in the digital age. You can meet potential clients online, but attending in-person events to talk to people works best.
Check out different forums and research online to find out which industry events are happening in your area. Attend them to get a chance to meet potential clients and leverage your existing network for referrals. Remember, the key to success with this is building genuine relationships, not exaggerating your abilities so you are always able to deliver, and giving more than you get.
Understand How Deals and Contracts Work
At the end of the day, every freelancer wants to get paid. You do not want to give a client a rate that is too low, so research the market rates for your services and niche. While it is a good idea to be competitive on your pricing at the start, don’t undervalue your work by setting the price too low.
Next, learn to create proposals. Numerous online resources will help you create clear, compelling proposals that outline your services, deliverables, and pricing. Use them as a starting point and improve them as you gain more experience.
Always protect yourself and your business by signing contracts with all clients or customers you work with. If you do not know how to write a contract that covers everything, you can check out freelancer communities that can help. Alternatively, you can work with an online marketplace that protects you and your money.
Learn to Sell Yourself
Networking is great, but it is not always an opportunity to sell yourself. You need to know how to do this to grow your freelance business. Remember, selling yourself and closing deals is about demonstrating and communicating how much value you can bring.
If you do not know how to pitch your services, practice in front of a mirror. You need to be confident and convincing enough or else no one will take you seriously or want to work with you. Also, learn how to handle objections as you continue building your confidence in closing deals.
Building a successful freelance business takes time and dedication for most people, although some can grow theirs faster than others. Implementing the tips above gives you a great starting point, after which you can experiment with optimising your workflows, working with your finances, and getting into a growth period that will set you up for success.
