If we’re to mention one lesson this pandemic has taught us, the answer would be using your time smartly. In this current wave of unemployment and dwindling economies, the main thing a freelancer should do is to survive (and thrive) by knowing what’s in-demand. What skills potential clients are looking for, and what you can learn to support yourself in the long run.
Now when the Northern Hemisphere is all cold, what’s better than working from the comfort of your bed or home desk (if you’re a nerd)? If you hate your office cubicle and the efforts you put into a 9-5 job to make someone else rich, starting your freelance career is your best bet.
If you’re good at your job, endless opportunities are awaiting you out there. From photographers to designers and writers to programmers, online freelancing is for everyone; the central idea is to be self-employed, no matter the profession.
But, before you think about quitting your old job to work as a freelancer, remember that there’s no such thing as easy money. You have to work smart and hone your skills for a better future.
Also, you may want to check out our list of the best online freelancing platforms out there. Or you may want to explore the trusted methods to earn money online.
Check out our tips to succeed as a freelancer.
How to Succeed as a Freelancer
To help you succeed as a freelancer, we’ve put together the top 7 rules that’ll help you grow big and nail your freelancing goals. Keep reading and take note of these secrets of successful freelancers:
1. Persuasion Skills
No matter how badass of a video editor you are, if you cannot convey yourself professionally, you cannot sell your skill; there, I said it. Effective communication is the backbone of any business, and when it comes to a service-based business, the seller better has to be real good at persuasion.
When you understand a client’s requirements, and they understand your offer without any ambiguity, the whole freelance gig can sail smoothly. To be a successful freelancer, be sure to start with mastering professional communication.
It would be best if you kept a client in the loop while you’re busy completing his project because that develops a trust level between you two. A good communicator can sell his skills at better rates because he knows the words’ power. If you’re already confident about your goals and plans, fair enough. But, if you’re struggling with conveying your point of view, learn it, pal!
2. Fair Play
Freelancing revolves around your reputation, and you should maintain it at any cost. When a potential client contacts you, ask as many questions about his gig as possible, and analyze your skills before deciding. For example, if a client asks for a blog post with a few catchy graphics, and you’re not good at graphic designing, your client must know that. Instead of being a jack of all trades, be the master of one and rock it.
Another thing that puts clients off is you not valuing their time. People who approach freelancers for small (or even big) gigs are often short on time and need quick fixes to their problems. As such, never commit to an undoable deadline. Tell the approximate time you need for a project and stick to it. I live by this rule, and it has immensely helped me in my content marketing journey.
3. Smart Work
This is the thing about being self-employed; you choose your hustle instead of being obliged to it. Once you’re confident about your skillset and it’s in-demand, you can work smart. Keep the best-paying gigs and filter out those that drain your energy and time like anything.
If you’re an absolute beginner at freelancing, you may come across those soul-sucking clients that demand top-notch services at horribly low costs. But once you’re out of that learning (I’d rather call it sacrificing) curve, you’ll get to pick your clients. Therefore, I’d recommend you work hard at the start but jump to smart work at the first chance you get.
4. Determination
Some people keep freelancing as a side-hustle and don’t stress much about their reputation or worth. But to be the next big Joanna Wiebe or Brian Clark, throw all that procrastination out of your window. In-demand soft skills keep changing, and it takes determination to keep up with the trend.
Set realistic goals for yourself and never overlook them. Whether you’re starting freelancing to pay your bills or save for the future, don’t think it’s easy money. Anyone who makes 5 or 6 figures from freelancing invests his time and energy in honing his skills.
5. Self-Realization
The only person who can make or break it for you in freelancing is you. If you’re under-confident about your skills or don’t try to level up, you’re missing out. Sure, some things seem daunting initially, but that doesn’t mean we give up on them.
If you’re confused about your potential or don’t know if there’re enough opportunities for you to grow, have faith. We all start somewhere, and with time, we grow big in our respective fields. The same holds for freelancing. Whether you’re beginning as a freelance copywriter or a game developer, your interest and determination will walk you through this journey.
6. Flexibility
Successful freelancers are always open to criticism and ready for failures because they know that no one has it the easy way. You might have to deal with some annoying clients or some opportunities that drain your energy, but these are parts of the process.
Treat your freelancing career as your business; it takes time, resources, and experiments to meet your goals. But be mindful that flexibility doesn’t mean you undervalue yourself. Charge according to your skillset and pass the clients that don’t agree to your quotes changes, simple as that.
7. Goal Setting
It’s hard to complete a journey without a clear goal. Whether you’re going freelance for the time being or see yourself as self-employed some ten years from now, goal setting and persistence is the key. If you consider freelancing your life-long career, be open to investing your time and resources while building yourself. But, if you need a productive gig to kill your free time and make a few bucks, you can be more experimental and carefree.
Final Thoughts
Work from home is the new normal, and you must not overlook its importance. If you’re good at writing, creative designing, web development, editing, or any other soft skill, you can make a successful freelancing career out of it. Follow the rules we’ve explained above and start exploring your options right away. You’ll soon find your direction and a few hacks to go by!
