Are you considering freelancing as a career or a side hustle? You’re not alone.
In 2023, the United States had 64 million freelancers, representing 38% of the workforce. FinanceOnline forecasts there will be 90 million freelancers in the U.S. in 2028.
If true, freelancers will account for nearly 50% of the U.S. workforce.
Freelancers are entrepreneurs. They set up a freelancing business and assume financial risks to generate a profit.
However, like setting up a business, a freelancing career carries its share of risk.
Thus, while anyone can become a freelancer, not everyone becomes a success story.
Before creating your online profile, read this article. We’ll take you through our step-by-step guide to becoming a successful freelancer.
We’ll teach you how to maximize opportunities and mitigate the risks of a freelancing career.
15 Tips On How To Become A Successful Freelancer
As a freelancer, you have an opportunity to manage a professional career and achieve financial independence.
If you have a full-time job but still struggle to make ends meet, freelancing can provide you with an income to bridge financial shortfalls.
But here’s the harsh reality about becoming a freelancer…
Many freelancers struggle to secure their first client even months after setting up their online profiles. Some freelancers can’t sustain the momentum. The offers dry up within the first year of their freelancing career.
To become a successful freelancer, you have to set up a strong foundation for sustainable success.
That’s the keyword, “Sustainable success.”
Whether you intend freelancing to be a long-term career or a side hustle, approach the venture with the goal of sustaining success once you achieve it.
We’ve listed 15 tips on how to become a successful freelancer. To help you get a better understanding of these tips, we organized them into four stages:
- Stage 1: Build the Foundation for Success
- Stage 2: Create Your Online Presence
- Stage 3: Build Your Freelance Business
- Stage 4: Sustain Success
If your freelancing career encounters a setback, you’ll know which stage may have caused the issue.
Stage 1: Build the Foundation for Success
There’s a popular saying in business:
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish that matters.”
In freelancing, we’ll rewrite the quote to something more appropriate:
“It’s how you start that determines how you’ll finish.”
Entrepreneurs are risk-takers, but they’re not gamblers. You can’t dive head-on into the freelancing world and expect immediate success.
You must have a game plan, and it begins with building a solid foundation for success.
1. Identify the Service You Want to Offer
Forbes reported that website development was the most in-demand freelancing skill in 2024.
So did Upwork.
It’s a clear sign that many businesses recognize the importance of having a website.
Does this mean you should freelance as a web developer?
Only if you have the requisite skills, training, knowledge, and experience.
Freelancing isn’t limited to website development. There is demand for a variety of skills, including content writing, graphic design, SEO, media buyer, business consultant, accounting, social media management, and data analysis, to name a few.
List your skills, determine your core competence, and identify the service you want to offer.
It’s not just about skills. Experience is a plus because it’s proof you’ve had practical application of the skill.
As a freelancer, you must be completely confident in your ability to manage the project and fulfill the client’s expectations.
2. Conduct Research
Once you’ve identified the service you want to offer as a freelancer, research the job.
Start by visiting a freelance website, such as Upwork, Freelancer, or Guru.
- Identify the skills and competencies that clients commonly require.
- Identify the types of jobs that clients are listing for freelancers with your skills.
- Review and compare the fees charged by freelancers, particularly those who are new to the industry.
- Read the feedback given by clients to freelancers.
- Compare the payment systems of the freelance websites.
- Go to an experienced freelancer’s online profile. Analyze how it was written.
If a copy of the freelancer agreement is available, go through it. Verify if the platform offers protections for freelancers against non-payment and premature service termination.
3. Improve Your Skills
Your online profile serves as your online resume.
Clients will compare your profile with those of other freelancers.
Their eyes will be drawn to freelancers’ profiles that highlight certifications or licenses in specific skills.
Don’t get overlooked. Enhance your skills by enrolling in advanced courses.
Beyond the visual advantage of having a certificate posted on your online profile, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to provide the service to clients.
4. Add to Your Skillset
Are there skills in your niche that are in demand with clients, but you don’t possess?
Sign up for short courses and acquire these skills!
For example, ChatGPT and other forms of AI technology are in demand for clients looking for digital marketers, content writers, and SEO specialists.
Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning Academy, DeepLearning, and universities such as Vanderbilt and Harvard offer online certification courses on AI technology.
Get certified in AI technology, and keep on pace with the competition.
Stage 2: Create Your Online Presence
Clients won’t start and end their freelancer due diligence on your online profile. Many clients will conduct online research to learn more about the prospective freelancers they hire.
Here are four tips on how to flex your online presence.
5. Build a Website
A website says, “I’m 100% committed to my career.”
A website speaks louder than social media pages because it’s virtual proof that you’ve invested in your career.
It also gives you several distinct advantages over other freelancers.
- The attention is only on you. In social media, you’re sharing space with other competitors from the same industry.
- Create a portfolio page that functions as a virtual showroom for the work you’ve done.
- Include a blog page archived with articles that showcase your knowledge and expertise.
- Add client testimonials on the home page, which is the first stop for visitors.
- Blow up the About Us page. Write a compelling story on why you embarked on this career path and how you can help others.
- Include buttons to make it easy for clients to access your social media pages and other online platforms.
- Create an income stream selling e-books, manuals, white papers, modules, or merchandise. Earn money by becoming an affiliate marketer and selling products for businesses relevant to your profession.
Upwork, Guru, Freelancer, and other micro-labor platforms set limits on what freelancers can share.
With a personal website, you call the shots!
6. Enhance Your Social Media Presence
98% of employers perform online background research on applicants, and 90% of them will visit their social media pages.
Harvard has criticized this practice, considering it unethical; however, employers remain unperturbed.
They will continue to check the social media pages of applicants to answer one question:
“Do you fit our company culture?”
Here are our tips on how to enhance your social media presence:
- Open a LinkedIn account. Stay active on LinkedIn by blogging once a week, regularly engaging with the community, and participating in focus group discussions.
- Facebook shows your personal side, but don’t post controversial opinions, unflattering/inappropriate images, or comments about your employer or clients.
- If you have a website, share your blogs on your social media pages.
- If you have a social media business page, build the number of followers and regularly engage them.
Arguably, determining company culture fit is more important when qualifying freelancers because you’ll be working remotely.
Prospective employers/clients want to know if they can trust you with company information.
Likewise, they want to assess your knowledge and business acumen.
7. Choose 2 to 3 Online Microlabor Platforms
There are many micro-labor platforms online. However, you only need to join two to three of them when you’re starting. This will make it easier to manage your accounts.
Upwork, Freelancer, Guru, Toptal, PeoplePerHour, SimplyHired, Behance, We Work Remotely, Dribble, and Fiverr are micro-labor platforms that are frequently cited among the best choices for freelancers.
And you can open an account for free!
Choose the platform that fits your talent.
For example, Behance and Dribbble cater to web designers, graphic designers, and illustrators.
Also, check their fees.
Upwork is a popular site for freelancers, but you might find its variable service fee, which can hit 15% of your earnings, to be on the high side.
8. Create Your Online Profile
Now, it’s time to create your online profile!
Clients use online profiles to determine which freelancers to contact for an interview.
Therefore, the information contained in your online profile must be aligned with the requirements of the jobs you’re applying for.
Here are our six tips on how to create an online profile that gets you noticed:
- Upload a profile photo that presents you as a workplace professional.
- Use a compelling job title. Instead of “Content Writer,” describe yourself as a “Digital Wordsmith.”
- Write a job-relevant work experience section.
- Upload professional licenses and certifications.
- Highlight client testimonials.Include your rates.
- Review and edit your online profile. Ensure there are no spelling and grammatical errors.
Many freelance job sites will ask you to provide samples of your work. Clients would like to see samples of what you’ve delivered before deciding if you should be invited to an interview.
Providing samples is a key component of an effective online profile… BUT be careful. Your work might be used by dubious clients without your knowledge.
More on this in the next section.
Stage 3: Build Your Freelance Business
With your online profile complete, you’re ready to offer your services to prospective clients.
9. Look for Clients
Upwork has 841,000 clients who use the service to find talent among its 18 million registered freelancers.
Here are four tips to improve your chances of getting hired:
- Prepare a personalized cover letter. Make sure it contains all the information requested in the job post. Use conversational language and avoid using technical terms.
- Read job posts carefully! It might contain a built-in test to check your attention to detail. For example, in the middle of the job description, there might be an instruction that reads as follows:
“At the beginning of your cover letter, write the word ‘text.’ This confirms you read the job post in its entirety, and tells us you’re detail-oriented.” - Pay attention to details such as work duration, location of freelancers, and required experience. The client might need the service for only one month and prefers locally based, entry-level freelancers.
- Review your proposal and ensure there are no errors in grammar and spelling before sending it out.
However, not all of its clients are authentic. Like other online platforms, Upwork has its share of dubious clients or scammers.
These scammers can plagiarize your work samples or defraud you.
How can you avoid being scammed on freelancer sites?
- Apply to job posts from clients who have been verified by the platform.
Check the client’s history. Prioritize clients who have hired and paid freelancers. - Read comments posted by freelancers on the client’s page. Some comments are interesting!
- If the client invites you to an interview outside the platform, decline the offer.
- If a client sends you a link, don’t click it.
- If a client has received more than 50 proposals and hasn’t hired one freelancer or sent out interviews, move forward.
💡Pro Tip: The free version of these micro-labor platforms has limits on the number of jobs you can apply for.
Upwork gives freelancers 98 connects to start with. A job might require a specific number of connects.
For example, Job A might require 16 connects. If you apply to Job A, you’ll lose 16 connects. Your balance will be 82 connects.
Thus, be careful when looking for clients. You don’t want to run out of connects when you haven’t been hired.
10. Negotiate With an Open Mind
If the interview is a success, the client will move discussions toward a topic that could make or break your first contract.
Your fees.
The payout indicated in job posts can be misleading. A client might clarify that the payout is just an estimate and actual fees paid would be based on the freelancer’s experience.
Expect a client to offer a payout that’s lower than the fees indicated in your online profile.
Don’t be alarmed or put off. This is the negotiation process. A client wants to see if you’re someone flexible, reasonable, and a long-term fit.
If you’re charging $15 per hour, and the client requests a discount of 20% or $12, test the waters by bumping up the figure to $13.50. The $1.50 discount represents a 10% adjustment in rates, and the $0.50 gives additional elbow room.
A 20% discount is acceptable, especially if you’re looking for your first client. However, a 50% discount is an unprofessional request. A client who asks for a massive discount is commoditizing your skills.
Say, “Thank you for the opportunity and for considering my service,” and move on.
💡Pro Tip: If the client hires you, ensure that the arrangement is covered by a contract. Don’t accept the project if the client doesn’t provide a contract.
Freelance job sites like Upwork require all projects to be covered by their contract, which protects both parties.
11. Work to the Best of Your Ability
Getting hired isn’t just an opportunity to earn as a freelancer. It’s an opportunity to grow a freelancing business by maintaining a client.
- Commit to giving 100% to your client.
- Show professionalism by following the code of conduct and the provisions of the contract.
- Show respect by keeping your client updated.
- If you foresee a delay in deliverables, inform the client immediately.
- Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.As a freelancer, you’re hired to make life easier for the client. Hit your timetable, don’t be difficult to work with, and maintain a positive vibe.
Lastly, be proactive in the arrangement. If you know of ways to improve the final product, share your ideas with the client.
Stage 4: Sustain Success
Your first client was impressed with your performance. Time to shift your focus toward sustaining your success.
12. Ask for Referrals
After you’ve completed the project, ask for feedback.
Many clients will be honest when giving feedback. Take their advice to heart and know they’re intended to make you better.
If the feedback is good, ask the client if they would consider hiring you again. An affirmative answer opens the door for you to ask for referrals.
Don’t be embarrassed. If you did a good job, you deserve referrals.
A client who has your best interests in mind won’t be offended and will say “Yes.” The referrals might not happen right away. If this is the case, don’t pursue it.
It’s up to the client to decide when they could refer a client to you.
13. Keep Improving
You’ve hit your stride… don’t be complacent. Aim to get better at your job by working on your skills.
- Sign up for skill advancement courses.
- Learn new skills that are relevant to the job.
- Go for higher certifications.
- Update your professional license.
Don’t forget to update your online profile.
Ask your client for a testimonial. If the client agrees, highlight the testimonial on your online profile.
14. Practice Smart Money Management
It’s tradition for employees to spend the entire amount of their first paycheck.
You’re no longer an employee. You’re an entrepreneur – an owner of an enterprise that provides freelancing services.
As a freelancer, your monthly income isn’t guaranteed. You can have a client today, then six months later, the well could go dry.
Be smart about your earnings.
Pay your monthly bills on time, set aside money for daily needs, and save the rest.
You’ll need to build your finances to grow your business in the future.
Conclusion
We had a 15th tip: “Learn to Say ‘No’.”
If you are overwhelmed with new projects or job offers from clients, you may feel so accomplished that you say “Yes” to all of them.
There are limited hours in a day. If you accept more projects than you can handle, the quality of work will suffer.
However, there is a solution.
And here’s our revised tip #15:
Get help.
Start a team and delegate some of the tasks to them.
Do you know what it means when you’re building a team?
It means your freelancing business is GROWING!
The diversity in skill sets in your remote team might lead to opportunities to diversify your services.
Here are wise words from Sir Richard Branson:
“If someone offers you a wonderful opportunity and you don’t know how to do it, say ‘YES,’ and learn how to do it later.”
And if you’re growing an online business, you’ll need a website. You can outsource website design and development to us!
Contact us and let’s book time for a free 30-minute consultation.
