8 savvy tips to become a successful freelancer

Willing to quit your office job and start working for yourself? It doesn’t automatically mean that you have to start your own business, find money for the startup budget and worry about financial risks. You may become a freelancer and earn a substantial income while being a flexible, versatile self-employed professional.

Without a doubt, freelancing is an attractive alternative for many people who don’t want to be stuck in the office limitations and are willing to take a full responsibility for their careers. While the choice becomes increasingly popular among the working population, it carries certain challenges, which are sometimes quite difficult to overcome. These tips will help you reach success in your freelancing undertaking and avoid most common pitfalls.

Tips to become a successful freelancer

1. Build a network

Gaining customers is probably the most difficult part about operating as a freelancer, especially when you haven’t gained enough exposure in the freelancing world yet. That’s when reaching out to people you worked with during your previous jobs, friends and family members for support is rather important. There’s a high chance that at least a couple of people you know will need the services you provide at some point (who doesn’t need a plumber, or a hairdresser, or an interior designer anyway?). So, why won’t they hire you instead of a person they don’t really know or trust?

In addition to that, expand your horizons by connecting with new clients and other professionals operating in the related spheres – joint promotional efforts work like magic and cost less. Consider each meeting with a new person as a business opportunity and build meaningful connections with everyone you get acquainted with. A bit of shameless self-promo won’t harm – hand over your business card, ask for an e-mail address and follow up with an e-mail linking to your website, discuss possible partnerships with people who also work as freelancers or won a business, etc.

2. Go beyond your comfort zone

In order to be successful as a freelancer, you need to become a versatile professional, who’s able to take up all sorts of tasks. Don’t be afraid to accept job offers that scare you a bit due to the ‘unknown factor’. Learn in the process, obtain new skills and try to operate in different fields to find interesting projects that bring good money.

3. Register on websites for freelancers

Online platforms for freelancers are great places to ensure your presence at, as clients find professionals they need and post job offers there. You don’t even have to do anything to gain exposure and encounter new projects – customers will contact you directly and pitch a task you’re qualified to perform or they will just post a task on a website and you have a chance to pick it up (if you win the competition with other freelancers applying for that task, of course). The membership if often free, but sometimes a small fee may be charged.

Another valuable source of job offers and leads for freelancers is contractor referral platforms. These are particularly great for freelance plumbers, electricians, roofing contractors, landscapers, designers, tutors and other self-employed service providers.

4. Promote yourself online

Online promotion is priceless for freelance, as they get in touch with their customers and seek jobs almost exclusively online. So, getting noticed in the free web and advertising your services there is something you should take quite seriously. Take advantage of free/inexpensive online promotion means (social media, mutual advertising, freelancer websites mentioned above), but have a fund for paid promotions as well.

5. Get acquainted with the legal issues

As a freelancer, you need to be quite cautious when it comes to the legal aspects of your operation to ensure that you remain within the legal field. You certainly don’t need a lawyer observing your activities all the time, but having contact information of a reliable professional is a must. Get familiar with the laws and regulations you need to abide by, various aspects of agreements you may have to sign (for instance, an independent contractor agreement or nondisclosure agreement). This will help you avoid major legal pitfalls, nonpayment risks and problems with taxes.

6. Create your own website

Reputable freelancers should have their own mini website to present their portfolios, describe their experience, showcase pricing policies and generally promote their services. A direct contact line for customers will be a huge plus. A personal website will add to your online exposure, increase the odds of getting noticed by an interested customer and make you look more professional and invested in your activities.

7. Build your brand

An impressive portfolio and great testimonials from clients are the things that prove freelancer’s professionalism and reliability, especially in the modern market conditions, where most of the work freelancers find is being posted online. Therefore, in order to present yourself in the most flattering way to your potential customers and showcase your qualification, develop a well-structured portfolio showcasing your education, experience and impressive achievements.

Convince your potentials customers that you’re worth hiring to execute their projects and help them make a positive decision by proving that your previous clients were more than satisfied with your performance. Real customer testimonials and reviews work best for that matter, so make sure to ask your customers for a detailed testimonial after you complete the entrusted task.

8. Have a backup plan for dry spells

Freelancers unavoidably experience dry spells from time to time. It’s just a part of their operation. Knowing that, you need to make sure that you have a backup plan for ‘difficult times’ - a part-time job, a side project you may take up, a savings account you replenish each month and don’t allow yourself to touch unless the ‘dry spell’ arrives, or all in one.