With the ever-shifting economic landscape, now may be the optimal time to embark upon an independent freelance career. As businesses increasingly seek specialised expertise on a project basis without the long-term commitments of permanent hires, they are turning to freelance contractors to provide skills and talents on an ‘as-needs’ basis. For those individuals possessing in-demand skills, freelancing offers an unparalleled opportunity to maximise their talents and take control of their careers. However, in order to effectively promote yourself as a skilled freelancer and secure that crucial first client contract, it is imperative to implement a focused strategy based on establishing your value, expanding visibility, networking diligently, and actively pursuing opportunities.
Dave Chaplin is CEO and founder of contracting authority ContractorCalculator, and the author of The Contractors’ Handbook – Third Edition, which provides essential guidance to freelancers and contractors, whether they are new to freelancing or experienced old hands. Here, he shares his advice on setting a contract rate, marketing yourself and finding work.
Determine a competitive rate
When initially determining competitive pricing for your services, it is wise to aim for rates that deliver fair compensation without limiting client interest or deterring potential opportunities. While online salary surveys may provide general ballpark figures, they often do not account for niche skillsets and extensive breadth of experience.
A helpful starting point can be to create a baseline hourly rate at 1.5-2 times your previous full-time salary; this allows you to incrementally increase your earnings versus traditional employment. Next, thoroughly research industry trends, typical freelancer day rates, and current job postings to gauge what clients in your field presently pay for the required abilities you offer.
Discreetly consult colleagues, connections, and fellow contractors to learn what rates they charge for comparable work. Avoid inadvertently pricing yourself out of contention, but do not undervalue hard-won specialised expertise. As you gain proficiency and your reputation grows, regularly reassess your rates to ensure you are earning what you deserve.
Optimise your online presence
Your CV and LinkedIn profile serve as 24/7 sales platforms to get noticed by recruiters, hiring managers, and prospective clients, so ensure they are polished and portray you in the best possible light. Approach them as elevator pitches, emphasising achievements most relevant to the types of freelance assignments you want to take on.
Recognise that hirers may only briefly glance at an online profile when vetting candidates. Quantify past accomplishments and demonstrate your unique ability to add value to an organisation and update your credentials frequently as you gain more impressive experience.
A professional, results-driven online presence will give you a distinct advantage against the competition when it comes to attracting clients.
Build your network
Networking plays an invaluable role in providing exposure to unadvertised freelance opportunities. Connect in person or online with former co-workers, colleagues in your industry, staffing agencies, fellow freelancers in your field, and professional associations to discover insider tips and potential openings.
Attend conferences and industry meetups when possible, to organically develop promising contacts and relationships. Follow companies you aspire to work with on social media and interact with their posts to get noticed.
The greater your network, the more referrals and recommendations you are likely to receive and nurture these relationships to build a steady pipeline of freelance work.
Leverage online job boards
While social media expands your options, online job boards remain an essential resource for identifying available contract roles. Regularly check industry-specific sites and hiring platforms like Indeed, Monster and Dice for relevant postings.
Create alerts to receive notifications when new positions matching your skills are advertised and maintain a meticulous tracking log to avoid accidentally submitting duplicate applications. Be prepared to promptly jump on opportunities that interest you to get your materials noticed, as popular listings often receive hundreds of applicants within the first few days.
Consistently monitoring high-traffic sites and applying to open freelance contracts quickly will increase your prospects of securing your first role.
Implement a consistent routine
Treat your freelance job search like a full-time endeavour and maintain a focused daily routine: follow up on existing applications, actively network online, directly contact prospective clients about roles you have applied to, and continually search for newly posted jobs to submit applications to.
While admittedly tedious, approaching your search with military-like discipline and persistence will increase your odds of landing that crucial client contract.
The Key Steps:
- Establish a competitive rate that reflects your expertise and experience. Continually reassess.
- Craft an online presence that convinces potential clients you are the best fit.
- Expand your network at every opportunity to open doors.
- Vigilantly monitor online job postings and apply promptly.
- Pursue the search process consistently with military-like discipline.
Freelancing allows you to maximise your talent on your terms. By implementing these marketing tips – determining your value, creating versatile online profiles, networking diligently, mastering job boards, and applying a focused routine – you can win clients and build a thriving independent career. Establish yourself as an authority in your field, and the contracts will follow.
