Freelancing is an essential part of achieving your dream career in fashion, art, real estate, fitness, or any other type of business. However, not many people know how to go about the nitty-gritty involved.
As a newbie freelancer, I always asked myself: How
can I become a famous and widely known brand?
Over time, I have realized that in freelancing,
your success story does not really begin when you get clients or customers. It
actually begins the moment you start creating your brand and start selling
yourself to potential clients.
It is when your self-confidence skyrockets, and you
begin to see all the possibilities you could not see when working for someone
else.
Today, I bring you six tips on how you as a
freelancer can start building your unique brand, getting your work out there,
connecting with like-minded people, and finding the gigs you want (meeting
high-value clients).
1. Create Your Own
Website/Blog
As a freelancer, the first impression people get of
you is through your website.
Whether it’s how easy it is to find your sample
projects or connect with you for business purposes, how current your online
presence looks, or whether it inspires them.
Creating your own website/blog should be a priority
when building your unique brand as it is the simplest way that potential clients
can find you and gauge your competence.
NB: You can
always start with free website versions such as wordpress.com sites if you do not have the budget for a professional site, but
upgrade as soon as you can. The most important thing is that clients can
actually see samples of your work.
2. Own Your Work/Write
Articles for Your Blog
Freelancing today is a lifestyle, not just a
job.
Owning your work as a freelancer is empowering.
There’s no room for compromise on the quality of your work. When you have your
website with articles you have written, you become your own boss. You connect
better with potential clients since you already have a portfolio they can
review.
It’s time to be who you are anyway. So, own your work!
3. Write guest posts/Send Your
Articles for Guest Posting
Quality, viral guest blogging is a strategy that
gives freelancers leverage and promotes their brands
tremendously. Identify a famous website/blog that relates to your niche
and request for a chance to write guest posts for them.
A guest post is a great way to put your best work
in front of as many eyes as possible. And, as a freelancer, it enables you to
build your brand and expand your reach into new industries.
If you want to build your brand and earn a real
income from your blog, you might want to consider guest blogging.
4. Have A Strong Social Media
Presence
According to a recent survey by Avant Link, 52
percent of freelancers’ blog posts are viewed less than 20 times. In fact, 45
percent of freelancers are behind in blogging for at least one month.
Consequently, a major key factor in establishing
your freelancing brand is how you present yourself through your social media
platforms.
Choose the site that gets the most engagement
first. When you are ready to expand, start working on some other platforms.
LinkedIn and Facebook are great places to start building a strong social media
presence.
5. Network with Other
Freelancers
Networking is crucial for every freelancer. It is
the best way to get jobs.
You can network online on freelancing sites or meet
other freelancers in person. As a freelancer, you should also network with
peers in the same field since they may be able to refer clients to you, help
you out with projects, give you some advice, and more.
Connect with fellow freelancers on freelancers’
groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, Quora, Reddit, among other social sites, and get
engaged.
Networking with other freelancers can help you:
– Tap into a profitable industry
– Find new clients and
– Keep up to date with the latest events and news.
6. Be Consistent
As a professional freelancer, you must be
consistent if you want to thrive.
Consistency means setting and adhering to
deadlines, carrying out self-improvement, and continually learning new skills.
Furthermore, you should embrace it as a way of life in everything you do.
Being consistently reliable and always producing
high-quality work is key to making freelancing a dependable and lasting career
for you.
I know. Brand building is uncomfortable because its
long-term strategy requires a shift in perspective. However, utilizing these
strategies can give you the opportunities you want to start building your
unique brand, attract high-value clients, and achieve your dreams through this
coveted career.
Unlike traditional brands that are built around a consistent identity and identifiable look and feel, a freelancer’s brand should always be a work in progress.