The Ultimate Guide to Freelance Job Hunting
Freelancing can be tough, especially for newbies. It requires self-discipline and the ability to work without distractions. But it’s also a great way to make money and avoid the stress of an employer-employee relationship.
Most companies that hire freelancers do so to fill a particular skill gap in their business, rather than as a full-time replacement for someone else. The key to landing a freelance job is being able to highlight the skills you have that fit the company’s needs, Pearson says.
While it’s possible to land freelance gigs through a traditional job board, you can also use LinkedIn and sales tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator to connect with prospective clients.
Find a person whose profile matches your ideal client, and send them a direct InMail message introducing yourself and offering your services. Then, tailor your pitch to address the specific pain points they mention in their response. For example, if they need help raising the number of visitors to their website or improve search engine rankings, explain how your experience in those areas would benefit them.
Getting hired for a freelance job requires more than just the right skills, though. It’s important to be able to deliver high-quality work on time, stay on top of deadlines and communicate effectively. And freelancers who have a reputation for excellence often get repeat business from the same clients, Pearson says.
The best ways to level up your skills as a freelancer depend on your career path and industry. But a good rule of thumb is to keep up with the latest trends in your field. You can do this by reading books, listening to podcasts and attending webinars. Keeping up with the latest developments in your industry will allow you to better position yourself as an expert and create more compelling pitches to prospective clients.
You can also use networking groups and trade associations to meet potential clients. In some cases, you might even be able to convince an employer to hire you as a full- time employee, which could come with benefits like healthcare and retirement options that aren’t available to freelancers.
A lot of freelancers work for themselves, but some opt to work on a team with one or more other people. This strategy can increase your exposure to more potential clients and also allows you to take on larger projects that would be out of the scope of your solo abilities. It can be difficult to find the right freelance partners, but once you do, you’ll see your retention rate increase significantly compared with those who don’t team up.
As with any job hunt, persistence is the key to finding and landing a freelance job. Don’t let rejection get you down, and focus on the positives: you may have to work for a few late-paying or non-paying clients at some point, but it’s an excellent opportunity to build your network. Just be sure to use the best accounting software to manage your cash flow and ensure that you’re paid on time.
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