Are you an expert in something that not everyone is? Do you have a hobby or passion that could be monetized? If so, freelancing may just be the way to go. Whether it’s writing, editing, designing, coding or something else entirely, freelancing is a great way to make some money from your skills.
It can also serve as a great way to break into a new industry and get your foot in the door for future career opportunities. However, with so many people choosing to freelance these days, it can also be quite difficult to stand out as a freelancer among all the competition.
The good news is there are plenty of ways you can make money through freelancing and succeed. Here are some tips and tricks on how you can do just that!
Set your price point and stick to it
Freelance rates can vary wildly, depending on your field, how long you’ve been freelancing, how many years of experience you have, and other factors. That said, it is still important to set a price point for your services that you feel comfortable with and can live with.
It’s also important to stand by that price and not let yourself be swayed into lowering it, even if you desperately need the work.
Whether you’re pitching potential clients or negotiating with an existing one, it’s important to have a price in mind from the get-go. You’ll want to make sure to present your price in a way that makes it seem like a bargain, but don’t be afraid to stick to your guns if the client tries to negotiate a lower price.
If the client truly wants to work with you, they’ll likely be willing to pay what you ask for.
Be selective about who you work with
One of the best ways to ensure you’re only working with clients you want to work with is to only work with people who pay upfront. While a small percentage of clients pay all the money upfront, most will pay a little bit at a time throughout the project.
This can be problematic because, while you may be able to trust some clients to pay you, others may never actually pay you in full or at all.
While you can always report the client to an agency like Upwork and have them banned, this is an annoying and time-consuming process that may not see results for a long time. Instead, it may be best to only work with clients who pay upfront so you know you’re likely to get paid for your work.
Offer something unique or exclusive to help stand out
One way to set yourself apart from the thousands of other freelancers out there is to offer something unique or exclusive for clients. As a writer for example, you may want to offer a lifetime guarantee on your work.
This means that if anything written by you is reported as incorrect or not meeting the client’s expectations, you will make the corrections free of charge. This could be something like offering an extended amount of time to finish a project or a certain guarantee on the quality of your work. It’s important to make sure you can keep these promises, so make sure you’re able to keep up with a promise like this!
Network, network, network
One of the best ways to find work as a freelancer is to network. This could mean getting involved in groups online like on Reddit, Facebook or other forums. You can also join your local Chamber of Commerce and attend meetings or other events to network with local businesses looking for freelancers.
You may also want to consider getting a membership at a co-working space. These spaces are often filled with freelancers, entrepreneurs and the like, so you can network with others in your field and potentially get some work from them.
Even if you don’t find work right away, networking can allow you to form relationships that can lead to future work opportunities.
Start your own personal blog or website
By writing content for your own blog, you have complete control over what you post and when you post it. You can start a blog about any topic you’re interested in and meet like-minded people in the comment section or through social media.
Blogs and websites are excellent sources of passive income if you have them set up correctly. The most popular blogs make money through advertisements and affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is when you partner with a company or vendor to promote their products and earn a commission when someone purchases something.
Write an eBook and use it as your portfolio
Another great way to set yourself apart as a freelancer is to create an eBook that showcases your skills and helps your future clients understand how you could help them.
While this may not be super useful if you are just starting out and don’t have any real experience, it can be a great way to set yourself apart from the more established freelancers who have a lot of experience and don’t really need this as a portfolio item. While you don’t have to write an entire book, you do want to make sure it’s long enough to be helpful and includes examples of your work and skill set.
Bottom line
Freelancing is a great way to make money from your existing skills and is a great way to break into a new industry.
The best way to make money through freelancing is to set your price point and stick to it, be selective about which clients you work with, offer something unique or exclusive to help stand out and network, network, network.
It’s also important to create an eBook and use it as your portfolio to set yourself apart from the competition and make it easier for prospective clients to understand how you could help them.
