The world is divided between independent workers and office workers. While the vast majority of people indeed have an office job and are looking forward to a promotion, freelancers get to enjoy flexibility while also having to deal with labor and financial instability. In today’s post, we would like to give you some useful tips on how to excel at freelancing.
Keys to becoming a successful freelancer
Create a network of contacts
If you are looking for some ways to make money at home, start by telling the people closest to you what you are doing and make it clear that you are available to those who may need your help. Little by little, expand your circle and reach more people.
Make new friends
It is important to meet independent workers who can advise or support you in any situation. Although they may be competing against you, chances are they can become a good source of information. Search through professional social networks such as LinkedIn and attend conferences and meetings that take place in your area. In today’s world, it is almost not feasible for one to work in isolation. When you have a stable flow of customers, it may be a good idea to rent an office in a coworking space and become a self-made business person.
Set your fee
Your network of contacts can help you figure out how much you should charge for the services you provide. You can ask your fellow independent workers for market rates to determine yours. Do not make the mistake of making just enough to cover your basic expenses. However, it is perfectly normal to set a rather low price for your work at first while looking for more clients. Over time, by gaining experience, you will be able to set much higher rates.
Find a good accountant
To manage your taxes, your pension contributions, earnings etc., it is always a good idea to have a trusted accountant nearby to advise you.
Take care of legal issues
Make sure you have someone to turn for help to if you need legal advice. One of the biggest difficulties that freelance workers deal with is not being paid for their work. Therefore, it is advisable to draw up contracts with your customers every time you receive an order.
Have your documentation in order
It is recommended that independent workers have a business card and a logo to differentiate their business. It is also a good idea to come up with your own invoice template, which you will submit to your customers for payment. If you need help with crafting your CV, you can always hire some professional cv writing services online.
Spread the word
As a freelancer, you ought to have a social media account on LinkedIn, Facebook or your personal website, as it makes it clear that you are looking for employment opportunities. In addition, it will be beneficial for you to converse with people at various events and be active in online communities.
Figure out how much work you can handle
Freelancers sometimes make the mistake of accepting too much work. From the very beginning, you need to make sure you have some spare time in your calendar to network or learn new things to become a better professional. Do not be tempted to accept all jobs, especially when you are not able to perform at least one of them. Be aware of what you are qualified to do.
Be prepared for no-work periods
Independent professionals have a variable income, so you always have to be ready to go through periods with little or no salary income.
Below, as a summary, we present the most significant points of what you should and should not do when freelancing.
Dos:
- Let your closest professional and personal contacts know what kind of work you are looking for;
- Make sure you have a network of fellow freelancers;
- Find an accountant who can help you set up your finances and make the tax return easier.
Don’ts:
- Get discouraged when you need time to build a regular flow of work;
- Base your taxes on your expenses. Instead, find out what the market offers and calculate the equivalent of your salary;
- Keep your paperwork out of order. On the contrary, you need to have a contract ready along with invoices to be sent to your potential client.
Some more tips on how to “make it” in freelancing
- Listen to your client to identify the problem they are trying to solve;
- Make sure you are clear on the deadline;
- Ask the customer how much they are willing to pay for your service;
- Mention the name of the client while conversing with them because people tend to pay more attention to their own name;
- Mention something positive and unique about your services so that the client remembers you.
