Suppose you are doing a full time job and even though you are trying to start a freelance business it’s very important for you to know what will happen. You have to know the pros and cons even you have to learn how it works actually. I must tell you that you have to set a goal actually how much you want to make from your freelancing business and it will help you to move forward. So before you start your journey I will tell you to read these 10 steps and then you can easily start with your monotony. Before You Quit Your Job Read This Article Here.
Table of Contents
1. Define Your Goals for Freelance Business
Without defining the goal you will be unable to go forward even if you don’t have a target which measure you have to move? So defining the goal is one of the most 1st step you should take.
Are you taking freelancing for your part time income?
Are you taking freelancing business as your full time income?
Or you are taking freelancing as to move with another goal?
So before you step forward you have to get clear idea or target on which way you will go. You have to set the goal very clearly so that you can become a successful person in your category. Even every successful entrepreneur have the crystal clear goal and they have got success because of their goal settled.
So after you have chosen the reason or target of your freelancing business I must tell you that you have to choose your desired skills. There are lots of skills out there like freelance writer, freelance designer, freelancer marketer or SEO etc. You have to choose your desired skills so that you can start your career as a perfect freelancer.
Even you have to choose how many hours you are targeting to work daily, which country buyer you will target even how much you want to make from your service. If you want to work as a self-employed freelancer? or not.
Before you reach to specific income you should not get out yourself from your regular job. Suppose you are living with your parents or family you have some house expenses, you have car issues to pay, you have kids to pay for their school and lots of expenses etc. if you are adopting the freelance business and quitting the job it will make damage to your family. You will be unable to feed them properly and also you will be unable to make any financial decision wisely. This is the reason you have to readh your goal and then its up to whether you want to quit your job or not. But for this you should have a sustainable income first.
2. Find Yourself a Profitable and Desired Niche for Freelance Business
Suppose you are a website designer with WordPress skills or you have html CSS skill to create website. You are charging 200 usd per website you are making. But you have to make in mind that there are lots of website designers who are charging only 100 usd even some of the website designers are charging only 80 usd or 50 usd per website. Your living standard and others living standards are not the same for sure. So you have to choose your niche wisely and you have to make sure that you will get enough profit from your niche. If you open fiver you can see huge competition on your niche and you have to find the right solution for it.
I will tell you not to compete with the freelancers who are working in fiver , Upwork or other marketplaces. Even I will tell you that you should avoid freelancing platforms to list your service in cheap price. Because in those places you have to put huge effort and time to get jobs and they will pay you very less amount. This is the reason you have to find a niche where your clients will find the perfect value of skills not base on price. And this is the reason you should take a little bit time to find out the perfect niche so that your wait will be over. You will do the work upon your value and skill not upon your gig price. You will be competing on value not price at all.
Suppose a graphic design project came upon you and you are interested to do that one but I will tell you to create infographic design for the startup blogs so that you will increase your creativity.
You should write some eBooks for the entrepeniou business and choose the area that will really make you happy. You can slowly increase your price base and after few months you will start delivering the projects to the big companies and you will be able to provide them the premium value. Once you become invaluable in your niche you can direct your freelance business to the direction you want.
3. You Have to Identify Your Target Clients for Your Freelance Business
As it is hard to find the perfect niche for your business it is very important to find out the clients you want to work with. You have to choose which type of clients you want and according to your choice you have to submit the proposal to them. Clients have the different behavior because they know what freelance business owners can do. Even most of the time they don’t want to pay the business too much. Their ego , their attitude comes first.
I will tell you because you are new in this freelancing business you should work with some clients first I mean if some client approach you then work for them. Then you will identify the clients nature and you can slowly pick your client or target your clients. Ryan Robinson said that when he was taking his freelance business to new level he honed the client profile over time o matching only two very specific types of businesses , High-growth tech startups and business influencers with well-established personal brands.
The primary reasons I’ve narrowed down the focus of my freelance business this far, is because I work best these types of (very similar) clients, and they both run in similar circles that lead to frequent referrals. I’m building my reputation within my niche.
He also said that it was a difficult decision because at first you might throw out some clients by not working for them but after few time you will feel the sweetness. You have to put all the efforts to deliver your client the best work and you have to become their favorite company. Once you give them your best work you will become their sale force. You have to find out their portfolio in marketplaces whether it is Upwork or fiver. You can see how much they are paying, how they are giving the feedback. By noticing those you can really find out your dream client.
To determine the best type of target clients as you start a freelance business, ask yourself these three questions:
Which businesses will find my services useful?
Which businesses can afford to pay the prices I’ll need to charge, in order to get to my income goal?
Who are the decision makers within these businesses, and what can I learn about their demographics & interests?
Can I find a way to connect with them on a personal level? When you have all of this information, you’ll be well-positioned to craft a cold email that cuts straight to the core of what these clients need from you—you’ll be able to connect with them and offer immediate value.
4. Price of Your Services for Your Freelance Business
It is very much important to set your price for your freelance business. Even before you find clients you have to make sure how much you will charge for your service. Even you have to make sure whether you will charge per project or you will charge hourly system. Even you have to clear about your service price system like upfront or payment after work.
You have to calculate the price because within your price you have to reach your goal and you have to maintain your family and office expenses. These are the important part. But you have to keep in mind something exceptional. You have to set price of your gig upon your service but not according to the rivals gig price. Don’t allow anyone else to dictate the terms by which you define your value. That’s not what starting a freelancing business is about.
You might have heard about the neil patel who is a biggest SEO master in the world. He said that most of the time “One of the most prominent lessons that stuck out to me, is that the more you charge, the less clients complain. Because he very astutely selected target clients that have big budgets, he knows that they’re much more willing to spend money—in order to make that money back through investing in your services”.
Smaller clients, on the other hand, often don’t have as much money to play with, and thus can’t sustain much in terms of losses when projects don’t deliver big returns.
So if your work is delivering the best output you should charge good so that you can live according to your goal.
5. Build Your Portfolio Website with Too Much Time and Quality
Portfolio is one of the best part or first part of getting clients. I am huge fan of creating high quality business websites. This is the reason I will tell you to create high quality functional portfolio website for your freelance business. This portfolio website will attract the clients for sure and they will pay huge attention to your work.
So why you should create your portfolio website ? it is the first thing client will look after your business. They will see the style of your work, your working process , your activity , your price ,your clients etc. you have to list the clients photo with their phone nymber and the project you have done for them beautifully. These will give youyr future clients the best impression.
Your freelance portfolio needs to do the following, in order to be truly effective at selling your services:
Communicate your specialty & display examples of your work.
List your contact information & show off your personality.
Highlight your relevant skills, education, and accomplishments.
Display testimonials (even if they’re from coworkers or former bosses when you’re just getting started).
Have regular updates that show your evolution, new clients, and updated sample work.
6. Create the Example of What You can Deliver Actually
Your portfolio website will be your landing page of client where they can see how much experience you have. In your portfolio website you have to add regular posts, images, videos and your work samples so that client can know that you can do their work perfectly. Once you get the point what exactly your client want you can really make that happen and you can start doing according to your client needs.
This will be the best way to show your clients that they have found the perfect Person to increase their business sales. Your website will talk and client will hear. When you will have the relevant projects in your library your clients will be happy and they will point to those works and will ask you to do the same. This is the reason Ryan Robinson said “My website is a living example of this. When I set out to start a freelance business, I decided early on that at least once per month, I was going to make it a point to publish a very thorough 4,000+ word blog post on topics that fall under teaching my readers how to start and grow a profitable side business, the theme of everything on my site and something I have intimate experience with.”
7. Seriously Choose Your 1st Client for Your Freelance Business
Because you have very less time to reach your goal I will tell you to get your 1st client with some serious points. I mean you have to focus on creating your portfolio through the clients. Because the more client will give you work the more portfolio you will get to showcase in your website.
If its necessary you can choose some of your 1st clients with a average price base. Suppose you can deliver the work with 5000 usd but one of your client or 1st client want to charge you or give you 2500 bucks. You should not deny the work and you should do the task immediately because this work will increase your value over them and will improve your portfolio.
8. You can Mention Your Potential Clients in Your Content
It is not easy to become the top freelancer in your category. It needs huge hardwork, dedication , time and also needs too much attention and skills. Once you climb up the tree you will become a brand.
This is the reason when I used to create contents I do not forget to mention the company owner, company brand name and their necessaries. These usually increase my motivation. Even when your dream companies will talk with you it will be the dream come true. I have worked with Andrew Halliday who is from Australia and we have ranked their 50 keywords in Australian local places. Whenever we used to talk about SEO I used to take his name because his project helped me to move forward. By doing these you can retain your clients for sure.
9. Learn How to Pitch Yourself with Your Freelance Business
If you want to start freelancing, you need to know how to pitch yourself—it’s an asset that’ll be worth it’s weight in gold for years to come.
No matter how skilled you are at your craft, if you want to turn your skills into starting a freelance business, you need to be able to communicate those strengths and convert your conversations into paying clients.
Learning How to Start a Freelance Business While Working Full Time
My entire (now closed) course on Winning Freelance Clients is dedicated to the topic of how to find, convince, and convert new clients for your freelance business—by using carefully strategized proposals and reach out tactics. And on top of that, we talk a bit about how to drive traffic to your website that stands a chance of converting into paying clients.
Here are the basics of crafting an effective freelance proposal that lands you clients:
Make a strong entrance with an elevator pitch email that already provides immense value & shows you’ve done your homework.
Sell your strengths.
Anticipate and answer any questions that may come up.
Lean on relevant work samples and past projects to demonstrate your expertise.
Use a visually appealing layout for your proposal.
Head over here where you can pick up a free downloadable copy of my freelance proposal template.
10. Don’t Mix Your Day Job Priorities with Freelance Business
Above all else, it’s important to remember that your day job (and sole source of reliable income) is your number one priority.
Don’t do anything to jeopardize your full-time employment, as you still need it to sustain you while you grow your freelance business on the side. My in-depth post on how to avoid getting fired (and sued) when starting a side business is definitely worth a read as you get started with your freelance career.
There are a lot of no-no’s you’ll need to avoid, including:
Breaching any contracts or agreements you’ve signed with your employer.
Working on your freelance business during company time (seriously do NOT do this).
Using company resources, computers, or paid for blogging tools within your freelance projects.
And much more.
Now that you’ve got an understanding of how to start a freelance business, here’s why I believe everyone (especially millennials) should be freelancing on the side. It’s been one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made, and it’s been by far my most consistent side business to-date.
I strongly recommend that anyone considering starting a freelance business or transitioning into being a consultant, begin first with freelancing on the side while still working full-time.
11. How to Start a Freelancing Business on Upwork and Attract Clients
Starting a freelancing business on Upwork can be a rewarding way to leverage your skills and earn a substantial income. Upwork is one of the largest and most popular platforms for freelancers, connecting millions of professionals with clients worldwide. To launch your freelancing business on Upwork and attract clients effectively, follow these detailed steps:
1. Create a Comprehensive and Professional Profile
Your Upwork profile serves as your resume and is the first impression potential clients will have of you. It’s essential to make it as comprehensive and professional as possible:
- Profile Picture: Use a high-quality, professional photo where you are clearly visible. This helps build trust and credibility.
- Headline: Craft a clear and concise headline that summarizes your skills and expertise. For example, “Expert Graphic Designer | Logos, Branding, and Web Design.”
- Overview: Write a detailed overview that highlights your skills, experience, and what you can offer to clients. Focus on how you can solve their problems and add value to their projects.
- Skills: List relevant skills that match the type of work you want to attract. Upwork allows you to list multiple skills, so be thorough but relevant.
- Portfolio: Showcase your best work samples in the portfolio section. This could include documents, images, links, or any other evidence of your expertise. A strong portfolio can significantly boost your credibility.
- Employment History and Certifications: Fill out your employment history with relevant positions and include any certifications that are pertinent to your field. This adds to your professional credibility.
2. Tailor Your Proposals to Each Job Posting
When applying for jobs, a generic proposal won’t stand out. Tailoring your proposals to the specific job posting is crucial:
- Read the Job Description Carefully: Understand the client’s needs, the scope of the project, and any specific requirements they have mentioned.
- Personalize Your Opening: Address the client by name if possible, and reference specific details from the job posting to show you’ve read it thoroughly.
- Showcase Relevant Experience: Highlight your experience that is most relevant to the job. Provide examples of past work that align closely with the client’s requirements.
- Offer a Solution: Explain how you plan to tackle the project and why your approach is effective. Be clear about the value you bring and how you can meet or exceed their expectations.
- Provide a Reasonable Timeline and Budget: Be realistic about how long the project will take and what it will cost. Clients appreciate clear and upfront communication regarding timelines and budgets.
- Include a Call to Action: Encourage the client to take the next step, such as inviting you for a chat or interview to discuss the project further.
3. Build Your Reputation with Excellent Service
On Upwork, your reputation is everything. Positive reviews and a high job success score can significantly increase your chances of attracting more clients:
- Deliver Quality Work: Always strive to deliver high-quality work that meets or exceeds client expectations. Paying attention to detail and going the extra mile can lead to positive feedback and repeat business.
- Communicate Effectively: Keep the client updated on your progress and respond to messages promptly. Good communication helps build trust and ensures that the project stays on track.
- Meet Deadlines: Deliver your work on or before the agreed deadline. If there are any delays, communicate them early and propose a new timeline.
- Be Open to Feedback: Constructive criticism can help you improve. Listen to client feedback and make necessary adjustments to your work or processes.
- Request Reviews: After completing a project successfully, politely ask your client to leave a review. Positive reviews are crucial for building your reputation on Upwork.
4. Optimize Your Visibility on Upwork
To attract more clients, you need to ensure your profile and services are easily discoverable:
- Use Relevant Keywords: Include relevant keywords in your profile, skills, and job proposals. This helps Upwork’s search algorithm match your profile with job postings that fit your expertise.
- Stay Active: Regularly log in to your Upwork account, apply for jobs, and update your profile. Active freelancers are often more visible in Upwork’s search results.
- Specialize in Niches: Specializing in a specific niche can make you more attractive to clients looking for experts in that area. Define your niche clearly in your profile and proposals.
- Utilize Upwork’s Tools: Take advantage of Upwork’s tools such as the Rising Talent program and badges like Top Rated or Expert Vetted. These can boost your profile’s visibility and credibility.
5. Expand Your Network and Seek Long-Term Clients
Networking and building long-term relationships with clients can provide a steady stream of work:
- Follow Up on Proposals: If you haven’t heard back from a client, a polite follow-up message can keep you on their radar and show your enthusiasm for the project.
- Build Relationships: Focus on building lasting relationships with clients rather than just completing a project and moving on. Long-term clients provide ongoing work and are often more willing to pay higher rates.
- Ask for Referrals: Satisfied clients can be a great source of new business. Don’t hesitate to ask them if they can refer you to others who might need your services.
- Network with Other Freelancers: Joining Upwork groups or forums can help you connect with other freelancers who might refer clients to you or collaborate on projects.
Starting a freelancing business on Upwork and attracting clients requires dedication, strategic planning, and continuous effort. By creating a compelling profile, tailoring your proposals, delivering excellent service, optimizing your visibility, and building strong client relationships, you can establish a successful freelancing career on Upwork and enjoy sustained growth and opportunities.
12. How to Start a Freelancing Business on Fiverr and Attract Clients
Fiverr is a dynamic online marketplace where freelancers, known as “sellers,” offer services across a wide range of categories, from graphic design and digital marketing to writing and programming. With a unique pricing model starting at $5 per gig, Fiverr makes it easy for freelancers to get started and attract clients. This article guides you through the steps to launch a successful freelancing business on Fiverr and strategies to draw in clients effectively.
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Freelancing Business on Fiverr
1. Sign Up and Set Up Your Profile
Creating a compelling and professional profile is the first step to starting your freelancing journey on Fiverr. Your profile acts as your business card and gives potential clients their first impression of you.
Steps to Set Up Your Profile:
- Sign Up: Go to Fiverr’s website and sign up for an account. You can use your email, Google account, or Facebook to register.
- Complete Your Profile: Fill out your profile with detailed and accurate information. This includes a professional profile picture, a descriptive bio, and your skills and experiences. Make sure to highlight your expertise and what makes you unique.
- Add Languages: Specify the languages you are fluent in. This can help you attract a broader range of clients, especially if you offer services in multiple languages.
2. Create and Optimize Your Gigs
On Fiverr, services are sold through “gigs.” Each gig represents a specific service you offer. Creating well-defined and attractive gigs is crucial to attracting clients.
Steps to Create and Optimize Your Gigs:
- Define Your Services: Identify what services you can offer. Be specific and clear about what you are providing. For example, instead of “Graphic Design,” specify “Logo Design for Startups.”
- Title and Description: Craft a compelling gig title that clearly states what you offer. In the gig description, provide detailed information about your service, including what is included, how long it will take, and why clients should choose you. Use keywords that potential clients might search for.
- Set Your Pricing: Fiverr allows you to create different pricing packages (Basic, Standard, and Premium). Structure your pricing to offer value at different levels, encouraging clients to opt for higher packages.
- Gig Extras: Offer additional services or “extras” that clients can purchase along with your gig. This could be faster delivery, additional revisions, or extended services.
- Add High-Quality Images and Videos: Use visually appealing images and videos to showcase your work and attract attention. Fiverr gigs with videos tend to perform better as they give clients a more engaging overview of your services.
- SEO Optimization: Optimize your gig titles and descriptions with relevant keywords to improve your gig’s visibility in Fiverr’s search results. Research popular keywords in your category to include in your gigs.
3. Deliver Exceptional Service
Providing high-quality service is key to building a successful freelancing business on Fiverr. Excellent service leads to positive reviews, repeat business, and referrals.
Steps to Deliver Exceptional Service:
- Communicate Clearly: Maintain open and clear communication with your clients. Ensure you understand their requirements and keep them updated on the progress of their project.
- Meet Deadlines: Deliver your work on time or earlier. Meeting deadlines builds trust and enhances your reputation.
- Quality Over Quantity: Focus on delivering high-quality work that meets or exceeds client expectations. Pay attention to detail and ensure your deliverables are polished and professional.
- Be Open to Feedback: Accept constructive feedback gracefully and be willing to make necessary revisions to satisfy your clients.
4. Promote Your Gigs
To attract clients, you need to actively promote your gigs. While Fiverr provides a marketplace, taking additional steps to market your services can significantly boost your visibility and sales.
Steps to Promote Your Gigs:
- Share on Social Media: Promote your gigs on your social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share links to your gigs and showcase your completed projects.
- Leverage Your Network: Inform your professional and personal network about your Fiverr services. Ask for referrals and recommendations.
- Join Relevant Online Communities: Participate in forums and online communities related to your niche. Offer valuable insights and subtly promote your services when appropriate.
- Use Fiverr’s Promotional Tools: Utilize Fiverr’s built-in promotional tools, such as the “Promote Gigs” feature, to enhance the visibility of your gigs within the platform.
- Create a Blog or Website: Establish a blog or website to showcase your portfolio and link back to your Fiverr gigs. This can help attract clients through search engines and establish your online presence.
5. Build Your Reputation and Client Base
Your reputation on Fiverr is crucial for attracting and retaining clients. Positive reviews, high ratings, and a strong portfolio are vital components of your reputation.
Steps to Build Your Reputation:
- Encourage Reviews: After successfully completing a project, politely ask your clients to leave a review. Positive reviews enhance your credibility and attract more clients.
- Provide Consistent Quality: Consistently deliver high-quality work to build a track record of satisfied clients and positive feedback.
- Offer Exceptional Customer Service: Be responsive, professional, and accommodating to your clients’ needs. Excellent customer service can lead to repeat business and referrals.
- Expand Your Services: As you gain experience and confidence, consider expanding your services or creating new gigs to attract a wider range of clients.
- Participate in Fiverr’s Seller Levels: Work towards achieving higher seller levels on Fiverr by meeting performance criteria such as response time, order completion rate, and maintaining a high rating. Higher levels can increase your visibility and credibility on the platform.
6. Analyze and Improve
Regularly reviewing your performance and making improvements is essential for ongoing success on Fiverr.
Steps to Analyze and Improve:
- Monitor Your Analytics: Use Fiverr’s analytics tools to track your gig performance, including views, clicks, and conversion rates. This data can help you understand what’s working and where you need to improve.
- Solicit Client Feedback: Ask your clients for feedback on how you can improve your services. Use their insights to refine your offerings.
- Stay Updated on Trends: Keep an eye on industry trends and changes in Fiverr’s marketplace to adapt your services and remain competitive.
- Refine Your Gigs: Based on your performance analysis, make necessary adjustments to your gig descriptions, pricing, and promotional strategies to enhance your appeal to potential clients.
Final Words
Starting a freelancing business on Fiverr and attracting clients requires a blend of strategy, persistence, and quality service. By creating a comprehensive profile, crafting detailed and attractive gigs, delivering exceptional service, actively promoting your offerings, and continuously refining your approach, you can build a successful freelancing business on Fiverr. The platform offers a vast array of opportunities, and with dedication and the right strategies, you can carve out a thriving space in the Fiverr marketplace, achieving sustained growth and success.
