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The post-pandemic business world created many opportunities for freelancers. There are relevant job positions for IT specialists, web designers, copywriters, and developers of different calibers. In addition, there are specialized services and platforms where you can apply for any kind of service—for example, https://skillhub.com/writing-translation, where you can ask for any type of content. Finally, there are similar services for an expert who is looking for a job.
At the same time, such variety creates fierce competition between specialists, and each expert has less weight in the global talent pool. This article has collected relevant tips for freelancers in 2022 and the upcoming 2023. You will learn how to find your unique place on the market, how to promote yourself, and how to define optimal profits.
Who is a freelancer?
A freelancer is a broad term that includes different types of experts and various kinds of engagement. You may work on a full-time job and take a side project as a freelance job. You may only finish college and be in search of a full-scale occupation while applying your talent to a specialized resource. Finally, you can be a full-scale freelancer who independently manages your schedule and salary. Each of these options represents a freelancer. The following tips may be useful for each of them.
Define your niche
Finding a niche and target market is essential for any freelancer. You don’t have to compete with everyone in the industry for a single customer, and it would be enough to find a talent-matching place where you can apply your expertise.
Define your hard and soft skills, weak and strong points. Clear self-analysis will be your background for finding your market. After that, you may apply for specialized resources to propose your services.
If you only just started your career as a freelancer – try a bit of everything. Set a low cost for your services and take small orders. Active participation will help you to define your skills and see a vector of development with clarity.
You have two options when searching for your niche: become a generalist or a specialist. A generalist freelancer will take on all kinds of work in the industry, and specialists will focus only on certain types of orders. For example, a general writer will write anything for what a client may pay. An alternative option for that – write only in the business or economic area.
Generalists also have more chances to get hired while facing high levels of competition. Specialists focus on quality and will develop a more consistent skill level. However, building a client base for a specialist from scratch would be long and challenging. Think about these factors before you choose the direction for your development.
Establish your rate
A rate is the amount of money you charge for your services. The exact rate depends on the platform where you work or what kind of service you provide. Analyze the market to which you apply, look for the highest and lowest prices, and establish your rate according to that data.
There are several options for a freelancer rate:
- Hourly Rate
- Flat Rate
- Rate per project
- Mixed rate
Hourly rate implies that you charge money for the number of hours you spend on the project. The flat rate is a stable price for which you agree to work. It is better to start with a flat rate because the hourly rate opens loopholes for clients to discuss the amount of work needed and how much they will pay you in the end.
When you work with a flat rate, it would be better to divide the payment into two sections: before and after work is done. It will create the necessary obligations between the customer and the freelancer before the contract is complete. If you are working for a platform, ensure to learn the rules of flat rate creation.
The rates for beginning freelancers would be low. Therefore, you should also build your online presence, which is equally important to your proficiency.
Make yourself visible online
A wide audience is equally important as having relevant skill sets and talents. The more people know about you, the more potential clients you will have. Therefore, you need to show yourself as much as possible. Start with a LinkedIn profile, where you enlist your specialization and professional qualities. If you are a creative talent, make a website with your portfolio to demonstrate your skills.
Do not be shy to ask for referrals. It is a small service for your client, but it may help you immensely. Regularly update your social media profiles and try to reach as many clients as possible.
Bottom Line
Being a freelancer today means being in constant competition. To succeed in it, you need to consider a few factors. First, you need to find your niche and decide whether you will be a general specialist or focus on a particular topic. You should find a reliable freelancer platform and establish an adequate rate for your services. Finally, make your presence online noticeable and expand your client base. These tips will be a great help to you in building a career as a freelancer.
