If you’ve decided that you don’t want to work for someone else anymore, the obvious alternative is to become a freelancer. Each year, thousands of people quit their jobs and set up their own businesses, sometimes even in an entirely different niche or market!
The trouble is, many people are sadly under the illusion that they can just sit down at home and wait for the work to come rolling in! As you can appreciate, you have to do something to start having new customers and lucrative orders. In fact, there’s quite a lot of stuff you need to do, and you’ll probably have to work harder than you did in your old job.
However, the advantage of being a freelancer is that, in time, you could end up earning a higher wage than you did in your old job. Plus, you have the satisfaction of knowing that your “boss” is simply your customers. And if you don’t like them, just work with other clients instead!
So, with all that in mind, how is it possible to be a successful freelancer that can end up making a name for themselves in the industry? Believe it or not, you don’t need to invest six-figure sums to make yourself a marketable, attractive brand to your customers.
It turns out there are just a few simple things you need to action during your startup stages and as your business progresses. They are as follows:
Build a network of contacts
The first thing you must do is tell the world that you are available for hire! If you’ve recently quit your job, it’s likely that many of your contacts may not be aware of this fact.
So, your mission is to speak to everybody you know and tell them what you are now doing. Perhaps the obvious place to begin is with your family and friends.
Next, update your LinkedIn profile and contact people in your network that you know from there. While you’re there, make sure that your profile is up-to-date and rich in relevant keywords.
Let your website sell your brand online
It doesn’t matter that you are just a single person in your business. What is important is that you take the time to create a kick-ass website that helps you to sell yourself on the Web!
Your website needs to give clear and concise information about who you are, what you do, and why potential customers should spend their money with your brand. Look online at various landing page examples to see how the best brands entice customers online.
Create a business plan
You may think that business plans are only needed for companies wishing to secure capital from financial institutes. But, the primary reason to create one is to have a written record of your personal brand’s vision and how you wish to achieve your goals.
Your business plan should include information such as:
- What you wish to sell;
- How you’re going to sell it;
- How much you want to charge your clients;
- Sources for new business.
Now you know how to make it big as a freelancer, it’s time to put the work in so you can reap the benefits of working for yourself!
