Freelancing: 8 Tips for Becoming a Successful Freelancer

No one ever said freelancing is easy because, well, it’s not. Being a freelancer often means being the employer and the employee and there’s no handbook to guide you through the journey as every freelancing business is different.

 

At FreelancElf, we want to help freelancers succeed. That’s why we comprised a list of eight tips for becoming a successful freelancer. Check them out below.

 

Tip #1: Build a proper website

As a freelancer, your website is the first place potential clients will look to for more information about your services, experience and portfolio. Inexpensive host websites such as WordPress and Squarespace are a great place to start. Choose from any one of their template options to serve as the bones of your website and customize it to your needs.

Tip #2: Create a clear contract

Yes, contracts are boring, we know. However, having a document that clearly states your terms and conditions will save you from a lot of trouble. Your contracts should clearly state the service you are providing, the cost, delivery date(s) and payment schedules. Having all of this information on one form will also avoid confusion on the client’s end.

The good news is you don’t necessarily need a lawyer to draft a contract. Check out these contract templates to get started.

Tip #3: Learn how to say no

Sometimes clients will have unreasonable demands (e.g. asking for a month’s worth of work to be delivered in only a week or an outrageously discounted price). In situations like this, you have to be comfortable telling people no. Taking on clients that don’t respect you or your skills is not worth your time.     

Tip #4: Be transparent

Although “fake it ‘til you make it” may be true, having some sense of transparency is equally important. Transparency is what will keep your clients coming back for more. Be truthful about who you are and your experience, and never lead a client to expect more than you can achieve.

Tip #5: Be Reachable

Let clients know how and when they can reach you. Set reasonable business hours in which clients can contact you and expect a response. Set up an email specifically for business inquiries to avoid having your personal inbox full of messages you won’t respond to outside of your operating hours.

Tip #6: Clearly define milestones

No one likes to work while clients breathe down your neck. Avoid clients constantly checking in on your progress by delivering your work in milestones. Set specific dates on which clients can expect progress reports and deliverables. Milestones are especially helpful for large and/or long-term projects.

Tip #7: Market yourself

Securing clients is half the job of being a freelancer. Make it less of a hassle by listing your services on FreelancElf where clients come to hire you and not the other way around. Make sure your website is search engine optimized and post about your services on social media.

Tip #8: Never stop learning

Continuously honing your skills and seeking inspiration will keep your mind sharp and your ideas fresh. Sites like Skillshare and Udemy offer endless courses in any field while Pinterest and Dribbble are meccas for inspiration.

Want more tips on freelancing? Check out our blog. How to price your freelance jobs