There are few other career paths that give you as much flexibility as freelancing. For as long as there are popular media, products, and marketing, there will always be a demand for content. From blog posts and technical writing to apps, graphic design, voice acting, and affiliate sales, there are tons of ways to make money online. We’ll be taking you through a look at ten top tips for freelancers to maximize your success and earnings regardless of what type of great work you do.
1. Determine attainable goals
There is no better way to stay on track and motivated than to blueprint your vision of success. Set attainable goals with fixed deadlines to keep you accountable. If you don’t chart your strategy marking milestones with finite goals, focus scatters, and work satisfaction can become fleeting. With a clear plan laid out, you’ll always know what the next best step is to improve your business.
2. Work productivity as you would any other skill
Time management is of the utmost importance to anyone who knows the value of the hours in their day. As a freelancer, you may feel that you have far more time on your hands than you actually do. Once you allocate reasonable work hours to each task involved in running a freelance business, you’ll quickly see just how much money your minutes are worth. This is why it is crucial for all freelancers to hone their productivity as a primary concern.
3. Focus and specialize
As one becomes more experienced in running a freelance business, various approaches and niche skills are learned that supplement your current earning potential. Most of these lateral connections between professions, talents, and skills become a vital part of the service itself. Look for areas with your own range and focus on those that strike the right balance between realistic earning potential, satisfaction, and alignment to your goals.
4. Refine and attract the right clients
Once you’ve established the right bracket for your freelance services, and have managed to get a feel for the type of clientele you encounter, you’ll know your market much better. Compare your ideal freelance work to the preferred customer profile that you find most sought after. Slowly refine your client base and portfolio, stepping closer to your goals and increasing your earnings.
5. Keep pricing competitive and current
Your talents and practiced skills are valuable, but you’re not the only one providing them. Freelancing is highly competitive, which means that you need to stay on top of current pricing. Many freelancers stick to one rate for years without factoring in natural inflation. Similarly, no matter how good you are, worth must be proven, and this typically takes time.
6. Never stop growing your portfolio
Your portfolio is a living testament to your abilities, insight, and professional character. You are your brand. Select works that exhibit not only your skills but the direct value and innovation that you provide. Generic examples and references won’t make the cut, and no matter how good your portfolio may be, it must always become better.
7. Always evolve your abilities
Your skill, reputation, reliability, and communication define you in the world of freelancing. Names pass quickly, but great work persists and calls for more. If you’re already doing well, then all this means is that you need to work harder at evolving the things that you already do. You’ve set the bar high, and customers now expect cutting-edge services. Success itself drives an urge to grow. Consequently, this is also the route for making more money – good news for all freelancers!
8. Set up your finances for stability
Jumping into a full-time freelance career isn’t a good idea even if you feel exceptionally inspired. As a general rule of thumb, save at least three month’s worth of income to support your career transition. A freelance business can be extremely lucrative, but at the same time, earnings are often unstable.
9. Your brand and reputation are everything
As difficult as a clash of opinions may be, creative differences exist for a reason. You aren’t always right, and neither is the customer. Just as much as this may be true in contrasting situations, there is nothing more important in the world of freelancing than maintaining a professional, highly reputable profile. Difficult client? Endless production steps requested for a video? Push on. Stay polite. Receive your well-earned feedback, and move on to greener pastures.
10. Learn how to say “No”
This is a lesson that extends to all areas of life. “No” is one of the most powerful answers that you can make, and a response that’ll earn you respect while guiding your freelancing away from potential pitfalls. There are few people who will stop using your services if you refuse an offer, provided a fair reason. Those who do are customers that you don’t want anyway.
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