Freelance businesses aren’t for everyone, especially since they’re less stable than your typical office job. It takes time, dedication, and a whole lot of sacrifices to make it big as a freelancer. But if you have been in the business for a while now and are looking to level up, then there are a few changes that you might want to make.
After getting past the hurdles of becoming a novice freelancer, it is time you start thinking of scaling your business. Check out this simple guide if you want to start making that transition this year.
Expanding Horizons: A Professional’s Guide to Leveling Up Your Freelance Business
Finding Jobs and Gathering Clients
The competition for jobs among freelancers has been climbing year after year. In 2020 alone, 1 in 4 people left their jobs to become full-time freelancers.
There are about 57 million freelancers in the US. Here are some ways to stand out from the rest.
- Update Your Resume and Portfolio
Your resume and portfolio are two of the most crucial documents that you present to potential clients. Make sure to have these updated at least quarterly.
- Choose Jobs to Take on Wisely
Unlike beginner freelancers out there, you have the privilege to choose the projects you wish to take on. Skip the job bidding and low rate offers. Take on projects with companies that you know are willing to pay more for quality work.
- Make Your Rates Less Negotiable
Set a price that is fair to the skills and experience you have. The way you price your work tells clients how valuable your work is to the market. Never settle for a job that requires a lot of work for little payoff. When scaling your freelance business, it is important to remember that it is better to have a few clients who are willing to pay more than a ton of clients who don’t pay much.
Expanding Your Relationship With Existing Clients
As a freelancer looking to expand your business, you probably have existing clients from where you get most of your projects. The key to keeping a good professional relationship with them is to show consistency and a proactive attitude. Take a look at the following on how you can achieve that.
- Offer Other Services to Your Existing Clients
If you have other skills that you think certain clients of yours will be interested in utilizing, send them a proposal for those services. Since they already trust you with one portion of their company’s responsibilities, they might be willing to let you handle other tasks for them as well. It saves them the time they have to spend looking for another person, plus it gives you the chance to use your other skills for more income.
- Build a Solid Network of Freelancer Colleagues
While freelancing means that you can be your own boss, it doesn’t mean that you can’t ask for help from other freelancers.
This career path is unpredictable. There may come a time where all clients reach out with deadlines that are impossible to meet on your own. Rejecting work or missing deadlines may have a dire effect on your reputation with clients. That’s where having connections come in handy. Instead of rejecting the offers that you can’t handle on your own, you can pass on some of the work to another freelancer who is capable of doing the job. You can simply make the final edit before sending it out. That way, you don’t soil your reputation and have less work on your plate.
Rent a Virtual Office Space
If you’re serious about taking your freelance business to the next level, having a business address is important. This builds credibility with potential clients and gives you an edge over other freelancers. It gives the impression that you are an experienced professional because you can afford your very own workspace.
While you have the option to use your residential address, it sadly doesn’t make you look as professional as someone with a dedicated business address. Because of the pandemic, finding a suitable office isn’t easy. Traditional office spaces are also very expensive. You might be spending a hefty amount to rent space that you might not even be able to maximize.
The solution? Use a virtual office!
Renting a virtual office space is the ideal option for freelancers who want to enjoy the perks of having a prestigious office address without having to deal with the costs associated with running a traditional office. You can lease a business address while still working from the comfort of your own home. Your City Office is a virtual office rental service that allows you to select a business address from over 800 locations including offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and many other states.
Aside from having your own business address, Your City Office offers telephone answering and mail handling services. Meeting rooms, conference rooms, and hot desks are also available for use should you need them.
So, what goals do you have for your freelance business now that we’re nearing the end of 2020? Share them with us below!
