How Do You Become a Successful Freelancer -Top 6 Success Tips
This article is a reality check of the real scenario of freelancing and throws light on the six tips that can really help a freelancer become successful.
Wednesday September 21, 2016 , 4 min Read
‘Freelancing’ – yes that’s the word that has been trending all over the social media since quite some time. One would find wide number of articles and blogs that says that freelancing is an easy way to earn high income. Let us, for a moment be honest. Do we get things so easily in our lives? Even buying utensils from a local vendor requires sheer bargaining skills and of course, money. In the same way, freelancing too is not a piece of cake, where you sit at home and work comes crawling towards you and then, your bank account is credited with a mammoth amount in just no time. Freelancing can be great, if one can handle work intelligently and efficiently. Here are few tips that would make a freelancing career a sheer success:
#1. Not Skilled Enough? No Worries.
If you are one of those, who has no skills at all and still want to become a successful freelancer, you need to invest time to become a freelancer of repute. There are many online courses available that can help you to acquire new skills and brush up the existing ones. Try them out before getting into the ring of freelancers across the globe.
#2. CSD is Important. Now, What’s that?
It’s no secret, freelance work highly depends on three factors: Contacts, Skills and Dedication.
Contacts - When it comes to freelancing, having good contacts helps a lot. Make sure you keep good professional relation with your past clients, who can be the foundation stone towards building a robust contact list.
Dedication- Going out for a movie leaving your work incomplete or designing a web page amidst talkative friends are signs that you are not dedicated enough to emerge as a successful freelancer. One needs to dedicate specific timing for work and complete them on time.
Skills – It has been observed that with the emergence of online freelance sites, more people are shifting from their day jobs to freelancing. As a result, the completion among the freelancers has become cut throat. Thus, one needs to be the best out of the rest, as buyers of freelancing services have ample options to choose. One has to upgrade one’s skills by various means, i.e, by constantly reading latest magazines based on the concerned industry, upgrade one’s knowledge by enrolling in new courses, remain active on relevant groups on social media, attend industry related seminars, etc.
#3. We All Want More. Don’t We?
Once you feel that you are skilled enough, move ahead with more work. Consider working for more than one client at a time. However, you need to segregate your work timings as per the priorities of deliverables. Experienced freelancers work for five-six clients at a time, which lets them improve their portfolio and at the same time, earn high income.
#4. Learn to Say ‘No’
The freelancing market is filled with all kinds of clients, offering various types of work. One would find top freelancers saying ‘no’ to many projects. This is because they know their limitations and do not want to do injustice to the work. If you are getting a project to work on, with which you are completely uncomfortable, it is advisable not to take up that project. The reasons can be many such as lack of time, lack of knowledge, lack of skill, etc.
#5. Shouting is Good, Sometimes.
Showcasing your work can get you more clients. Be it your portfolio uploaded on a freelancing site or on social media platforms, blowing your own trumpet can turn beneficial. However, make sure that you inform your clients before posting the work on social media, even if you are done with the work.
#6. Work, Earn, Spent and Save.
If you are really serious and want to become a successful freelancer then, savings is something that should be considered. Whatever payment you get as a freelancer, you should separate some amount of money as savings. Lot of people consider their savings amount as one of their expenses, which actually force them to save. Thus, make sure while you are making the list of expenses of a month, don’t forget to keep the saving amount at the top of the list, before listing other expenses.
It’s simple; if you respect your work, it will respect you back. You would find top freelancers in the industry carrying a very professional attitude when it comes to freelance work. After all, it’s earning them their bread.
