How To Find Freelance Jobs and Maintain a Steady Client Roster

Happy New Year, Freelancing Females! As we step into 2024, we're thrilled to revive our regular blog posts, starting with a focus on how to hunt for freelance gigs. In this edition, we'll explore effective strategies to land freelance jobs and decipher the legitimacy of potential gigs so that you can keep a steady flow of work coming into your business. Let's dive in!

Optimize Your Online Presence:

Create a professional website showcasing your skills, portfolio and relevant contact information. If you’re just starting out you can create a landing page style website on Canva to showcase what you have to offer, that way you aren’t left with a million subscriptions to pay for. Optimizing your LinkedIn profile, social media channels and joining our Freelance Talent Directory is a great way to reach potential clients and showcase your expertise too!

Collaborate & Pitch Proactively:

The freelance landscape can be competitive and emotionally draining when relying solely on job listings, especially listings posted on sites such as Upwork. Instead of passively applying, consider proactive pitching. Reach out to companies or agencies known for working with freelancers, showcasing your skills and how you can add value to their projects by crafting personalized pitches and providing relevant samples of your work. If you need guidance on perfecting your pitch, check out this super-effective pitch guide. Keep an eye on our jobs board, where we regularly feature companies seeking freelancers for quality positions. 

Become a Trusted Partner:

Building a reputation as a trusted expert takes time, but it's a crucial step in securing consistent freelance work. While refining your skills, don't underestimate the importance of soft skills. Being a reliable professional who meets deadlines and communicates effectively can make you indispensable, even if you're still honing your craft. Building trust within each team you engage with sets the foundation for lucrative projects and future referrals. Remember, becoming a wonderful team member leaves clients raving about you in their network.

Promote Your Broad Skillset:

Diversification is a freelancer's secret weapon. Having a wide range of experiences and skills not only strengthens your resume but also builds a compelling portfolio. Work on multiple projects each month to showcase your agility. Unlike employees in corporate environments confined to one culture, freelancers encounter various business cultures and utilize diverse skill sets. Update your portfolio regularly to highlight your broad skillset, giving you a competitive edge and ensuring a steady flow of work.

Research Market Trends:

While it may sound mundane, staying informed about market trends is vital in this competitive freelance market. Regularly update your knowledge of industry changes and emerging skills in demand. Network with professionals in your industry offline or online, subscribe to industry blogs and newsletters, participate in webinars or industry events, and follow leaders on social media. This proactive approach equips you with the latest knowledge and skills, enhancing your competitiveness in the job market.

After you have secured a few jobs, you’ll want to maintain a steady stream of work so your business remains profitable. Here are a few of our tips for maintaining a full client calendar: 

Deliver Exceptional Service:

Many people often disregard freelancing as a business - this couldn’t be further from the truth! As freelancers, we are providing service-based businesses, which means just like any other business we need to focus on great customer service. By consistently delivering high-quality work and establishing clear and prompt communication with clients regarding their business needs, your business will garner positive client reviews, which is great for marketing and attracting new clients! 

Diversify Your Offering:

Diversifying your service offering will enable you to attract a wide array of clients. This is crucial for your business as it allows you to diversify your income stream. Having a few different clients means if a contract ends you aren’t scrambling to make ends meet. 

Keep Your Skills Up to Date:

Maintaining up-to-date skills by continuously learning allows you to maintain a competitive edge in your field, provide great value to your clients and continue to raise your rates. We love to take different short courses in our field and attend industry webinars or events. Remember any courses to do with your business are tax deductible! 

Foster Long Term Relationships:

By providing high-quality work and consistently providing great value you can foster long-term relationships and land retainer clients. Retainer clients are wonderful as they require ongoing services which provide you with a steady stream of income. 

Prepare For Dry Spells:

Dry spells are inevitable in the freelancing industry, the key is not to panic but to prepare! Establish a financial safety net by saving a portion of your earnings to navigate slower periods, we love to have 6-12 months’ worth of our income saved. This will help you avoid stressful situations and prevent you from accepting low-quality, underpaid jobs. 

Here's to a successful and fulfilling year of freelancing! I hope these strategies guide you towards unlocking new opportunities and achieving your goals in your business throughout 2024.