How to Start a Successful Freelance Career

 

To start off a successful freelance career, I believe like all things you need to just do something about it. Reading articles like this one, watching tutorials and perusing books are all well and good, but the thing that will do the trick would be to just take action. As someone who has tried out freelancing, I can tell you without doubt that tutorial hell is for real and it is difficult to get out of it. The thing about tutorial hell is that you get caught up in it and go in circles, reading and watching content without actually learning and most importantly putting what you learn into action. Action beats studying any day when it comes to freelancing. It’s best if you can do both, but if you choose to do one, then choose to act. Without further ado let’s dive into the article.

1. Start Where You Are

Just like I mentioned at the start of this article, I would like to restate, reemphasize, reiterate and repeat (add all the relevant and related synonyms here) of the importance of getting started. As someone who has done many things and tried out many methods related to earning money online, when it comes to freelancing the best thing is to do something about it. For example, you can start by creating a profile for yourself on freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Upwork and Freelancer. All you have to do is to sign up for free onto these platforms. When you do, you will get an idea about how to go about it, as their platforms have blogs and relevant resources to make the best on those platforms. 

2. Keep Going

There will come a time when you feel like you might be going nowhere, like you are walking on a treadmill(if you are like me and hate going to the gym and walking on treadmills feeling like a hamster running on a wheel, well I have news for you - that is what it feels like to freelance sometimes). While you might feel that you are making no progress, holding on to the belief that you are going to make it and doing everything in your power to become a better seller or freelancer will help you get more orders. When I don’t get orders I focus on creating content (like this one), promoting my services on social media platforms and honing my skills.

3. Keep Learning

Moving on from the previous point, you need to focus on getting better. You might think you are the best, but there is always room for improvement, even if you are (factually the best in your field). Just like there is no limit to how much you can earn, there is no limit to how good you can get, only you alone will set that limit. The sky or beyond is the limit when it comes to getting better at something and earning money from freelancing if it’s done strategically, with a proper plan.

4. Learn Digital Marketing

If you want to stand out as a freelance writer or anyone offering a freelance service, you need to learn digital marketing. You don’t need to know advanced skills if you don’t want to but if you like the field or grow to like it like I did, then you might want to check out the free courses available online on digital marketing. All you have to do is take these courses and learn them. Simply put, all you need to earn money as a freelancer is an internet connection, laptop or mobile device (laptop is best though), and discipline. Learning digital marketing will take time, but you can do it, if you try. Also, you don’t need to learn how to code necessarily, and that makes it accessible for those who don’t have high-flown IT skills. 

5. Create Content on Free Platforms

There is nothing to lose and a lot to gain from creating content on free platforms like social media sites (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn) Substack and Medium. Take a look at all the awesome sites that allow you to share content and share content on these platforms. You have a lot you can do on these platforms. Now with AI like ChaptGPT, you really can’t blame yourself for the lack of ideas. 

6. Create a Portfolio

A CV won’t cut it when it comes to freelancing, and you know what, I love the fact that it doesn’t. This means anyone can go out and try to become a freelancer without having a fancy degree from a reputed or disputed institute of higher education. Sure, you could blame it on not having a degree in the past, but with freelancing you have no excuse and you really can’t blame it on the lack of a degree. All you need to do is use a tool like Canva which offers a free limited package and then you can go check out this tool and search for portfolio templates. Canva allows you to share your portfolio with others as a sharable link. Only you stand in the way of you becoming a successful freelancer.

7. Try Cold Pitching

I must tell you I haven’t had much success with this, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be so for you. Just try it. There are plenty of articles and videos online about reaching out to potential clients via social media or email and trying to pitch them your services. Just take the time and effort to craft a personalized pitch that is customised and tailored uniquely to your clients. All you need to do is take the time and necessary effort to research your clients inside out and find out what makes your target clients tick. Just do a bit of digging around and find out what your target clients' pain points might be and try to tailor your cold pitch which is a fancy name for cold or out of the blue message or pitch to your clients.