Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Your Freelance Work into a Small Business (Guest Post)
You’ve been doing some freelance work on the side and now you’re ready to make it your full-time gig. However, starting your own freelance business can be a scary proposition. This guide will help you get started.
Choose a Niche
Few businesses can succeed by trying to be all things to all people. Instead, it is better to choose a niche to focus on. This niche might relate to the types of clients you serve, such as restaurants, lawyers, or schools. Or it might be a highly specific product or service you offer, such as logo design.
Build a Portfolio
Many clients will want to see examples of your work before they will hire you. If you have been freelancing for a while, you should have some work you have already done that you can show off. If not, do some projects for your friends, family, a charity, or yourself to build your portfolio.
Market Your Business
One of the biggest challenges for any new business is getting your business noticed. A good marketing plan is essential for attracting your first clients. An eye-catching logo will help people remember your business, set you apart from your competition, and start building your brand. Your marketing budget may be tight in the early going. Instead of paying a designer, make a custom logo using an online logo maker. You can create a professional-looking logo by simply choosing the style you want, selecting an icon, adding some text, and adjusting the colors and fonts.
Find Ongoing Work
Your marketing efforts will help bring customers to you, but it is also a good idea to actively seek out potential clients. Online job boards, such as Flexjobs, Fiverr, and Upwork can be good places to look for freelance work. Social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can also be good sources for leads.
According to marketing experts, your ideal client is someone whose needs perfectly match up with the products and services you offer. Think about who is most likely to need the specific services you provide and target your search to that person. Start researching businesses that might need your services and reach out with personalized emails or in-person visits. Customize your presentations to each client to uniquely address the needs of their business. Provide potential clients with data that backs up your claims about how you can help them with your services. This will make your pitches more persuasive and give the impression that you care about the client.
Utilize Helpful Software
There are a variety of software apps that can make running your business easier. Calendly makes it easier to book clients by providing a self-service option that provides clients with immediate scheduling access. Quickbooks is a popular accounting package that can help you keep track of your finances, generate invoices, and track client payments. MailTrack can help you assess how effective your email marketing efforts are. Hemingway App can help you improve your writing.
Improve Your Skills
The more expertise you have in your craft, the more likely you are to succeed as a freelancer. One way to boost your skills is to pursue a college degree online. Taking classes online allows you to continue to work full-time and take care of your family while you get your bachelor's or master's degree. There are many accredited schools to choose from and tuition rates are competitive with in-person options.
Starting a freelance business isn't an easy task. However, if you go into it with a good plan and realistic expectations, you can reach your goals. For freelance success, head back to the Fleurish Freelance blog for more insights.