One common misconception about freelancing is that you basically get paid to lounge around the house. Unfortunately, very little lounging happens. Freelancing requires a lot of hustling and it almost never stops – especially in the beginning. Finding work is one of those endless pursuits and as a beginner freelancer it’s even more difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.

 

Check out our tips on how to get work as a freelancer:

1.      List your services on FreelancElf

Freelancing platforms, such as FreelancElf, are a great way to reach people who are specifically looking for freelancers. Listing your services on FreelancElf will also help you reach clients beyond your local area. The best part: Unlike other freelancing platforms, FreelancElf lets you keep 100% of your profits (yes, 100%!). Create an account today and watch your business grow.

2.      Refine your brand

Your brand is a reflection of who you are. If you’re looking to attract a specific audience, make sure you brand appeals to them. An easy to remember or catchy business name will help you stand out while a well-designed logo will tell people you mean business because, after all, you do mean business. Make sure your website and business cards display your logo and business name and look cohesive.

3.      Every door direct mail (EDDM)

Every door direct mail means sending postcards or brochures to the mailboxes of everyone in your local area. This is especially helpful if you offer in-person services such as landscaping or house painting. Make sure to include a call to action and maybe throw in a discount for new customers. You can even include a QR code for easy access to your website. Check out FreelancElf’s QR code generator.

4.      Contact every person you know

When you’re first starting out as a freelancer, the people you personally know are your best bet at getting work. Perhaps they’ll want to support you or maybe they know someone who needs the services you offer. Either way, contacting everyone in your personal network will get you three things:

·         Experience ­– helping out a family member may not feel like freelancing, but hey, experience is experience and it’s everything in the freelance world.

·         Contacts – If you do good work for a family friend, they might just put you in touch with a friend of a friend who may be interested in your services – and that’s how your contact book will grow.

·         References/Testimonials – Clients are more likely to take the word of your previous clients over your salesy website copy. Not many people are willing to hand off their projects to a complete stranger, but they may be more lenient if they know other people have and had great experiences. 

5.      Collect emails on your site

Emails are an invaluable resource as you can contact new, old, and potential clients whenever work is slow. The best way to collect emails is to give people a reason to give you their email – a newsletter does just that! Open an account with MailChimp or Constant Contact and send out a newsletter with updates, sales, coupons, etc. This is a great way to remind clients that you’re there for them.

6.      Give back

Establishing yourself as a knowledgeable person in your field will attract more clients. By starting a blog or YouTube channel, you can share tips, advice, and explain terms or how things work for other freelancers or curious clients. Blogs and video content are also really helpful in boosting your SEO, which ensures clients find you before they find your competitors. Be careful though, you don’t want to give away all your best secrets.

7.      Increase your exposure

Yeah, a website is okay, but social media is even better. You want to be findable in every corner of the internet. Being active on social media is the best way to do this. Here’s what we suggest:

·         LinkedIn – For professional use only. Share your experience, accomplishments, and build your network.

·         Twitter – Keep up with trends and your competitors.

·         Facebook ­– A mix of professional accomplishments and updates about your services.

·         Quora – Establish yourself as an expert by answering questions about your field.

8.      Create a stellar business plan
A well-thought out and written business plan is the key to success and it only has to be one page. As a freelancer this will be more of a blueprint for you, to keep you on track and never lose sight of your goals.

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