The reason we chucked an -ish in there is that you never really have 100% control of the job market. Economics, pandemics (ugh), seasons and other factors affect how much work there is available at different times and for different sectors within the wider field of creative freelancer work. However, we are here to help you be one of those freelancers who just always seems to have work going on and thus cash coming in.
Never expect a job to come to you
Activity is key when it comes to freelance work and moving towards building an independent career. Opportunities very rarely, if ever, present themselves to us out of the thin air (the same goes for love but that’s a different conversation). It’s crucial that you’re as active as possible when it comes to seeking new client opportunities. Signing up to sites like Wishu or The Dots are great ways to get your name out there and find clients to DM. Reconnecting with your existing network and reminding people that you’re looking for freelance work is also helpful and keeps your name at the forefront of their memories.
Know how best to sell your services
As a freelancer you are the marketer so you better know how to werk your promotional skills. As a freelancer, you should think of every single moment as a selling opportunity. When you’re chatting with the owner of the local coffee shop you visit almost every day? Selling moment. When you’re drafting up a proposal? The deal’s not done yet. Selling moment. Even when you’re wrapping up the final details on a successful client project? Yep, selling moment.
Try to Convert New Clients into Consistent Ones
In order to go from one-off clients to recurring revenue, you might have to tinker with your business model a bit first. For example, instead of offering one-off coaching sessions, try offering a lower monthly coaching fee that adds up over a series of months.
If you’re a designer, try an “on-call” model where your client sends you small jobs throughout the month which you complete in sequence in return for a monthly subscription fee. Or, if you’re mostly freelancing through marketplaces, use the built-in communication features to pitch more services on a regular basis.As the old business adage reminds us: it’s much easier to keep a current customer than to find a brand-new one.
Raise Your Rates
We have written blogs and articles specifically tailored to this matter if you care to read in more depth. However the general gist is that if you’ve built loyal clients, keep the prices similar but since your portfolio is growing, when welcoming new clients maybe up your rates by 30-50%. You’re not ripping people off, you’re charging higher for a more developed skill set.
