Do you have a creative type of job? Or maybe you are an ace developer who knows the language of code like the back of your hand explains Vito Proietti. Either way, one thing they probably both have in common is that they work as freelancers. Being self-employed means having more freedom than others but it also has its drawbacks, especially if you’re not really that good at it.
This is why we’re going to show you how to be a successful freelancer and make more money than what you already do. So, if this sounds like something you want to accomplish in 2017, check our tips below.
Also, don’t forget to bookmark this article so you can come back anytime and follow these steps we laid out for your career’s sake!
1 – Determine What You Are Good At
The first thing you need to do as a freelancer is find out what exactly the things are that you’re good at. Even though everyone has their own talents and abilities, there are those specific skills that will set apart those who excel from those who don’t even have a clue where they are headed. For example, if you are an ace at graphic design then that’s probably what you should focus on with your freelancing career. Other skills that pay well are being a great writer or being good at digital marketing. If you’re also skilled in all of these areas then you have the potential to rake in some serious cash.
2 – Do Market Research
Every successful business owners know how important it is to conduct market research before they commence their campaigns and activities for the year. The same thing applies with being self-employed because it is also crucial for your long term financial success too. It will allow you to plan ahead for the things you need so by the time 2017 comes around, there won’t be any surprises along the way says Vito Proietti.
3 – Set Goals for Yourself
Don’t forget to set goals on top of your market research. How are you going to achieve what you really want if you have no long-term plans? Even just a simple goal like being able to afford that house or car that you’ve always wanted by the end of the year is good enough already. It will give you something to look forward on what you should accomplish with your freelancing career. But, of course, it doesn’t mean that having one small goal is not enough because it can be complete right off the bat too. Just make sure that whatever goal it is, it’s achievable and realistic at the same time so there won’t be any disappointments along the way later on.
4 – Make Sure to Market Yourself
Not only should you market your skills, but you should also be marketing yourself. If you don’t know what “marketing yourself” means, it is basically promoting the good qualities that can make employers see why they should hire you in their company. No matter how good your skills are if no one knows about them then chances are it won’t pay off at all. So, do not be shy and promote yourself out there! It’s just like applying for a new job anyway so treat it that way already!
5 – You Need a Website or Portfolio
Aside from promoting yourself on social media sites or industry forums, having a website or portfolio is another effective way of doing your freelance business because these are the things that potential clients will look at first before they hire you says Vito Proietti. This is also why it is important to include your skills and experience on your website or portfolio. However, it doesn’t matter what type of medium is use for this purpose as long as it looks visually appealing and contains all relevant details about yourself and your freelancing career.
6 – Don’t Underestimate Your Skills
Some people think that their skills are not good enough to become a successful freelancer which then turns out into them working with those who have less experience than them says Vito Proietti. While it can be true that others might possess better talents than you do, don’t underestimate your own abilities too much because there’s always room for improvement even with those master level professionals already. So, if you truly believe that your skills are good enough then don’t be discourage by others who are better than you.
7 – Don’t Give Up Easily
Lastly, this is the most important thing to remember when it comes to freelancing because not everything will turn out the way you want it to be all of the time. There might be times when things won’t work out for you or sometimes there can also be incidents that affect your current situation. However, this doesn’t mean that you should give up easily too because nothing worthwhile comes without any struggle at all.
Conclusion:
So, what are some of the things you should make sure to do when starting your freelancing career? If you’re not yet familiar with them then maybe these tips can help you out in your journey.