How to market myself as a freelancer?

animeshe14

Member
I have already created several accounts in various freelance websites and will be planning on creating a business account in Facebook but how should I build my profile on this sites.

How should new freelancers show professionalism and competence through their profiles?
Would it make sense for a freelancer to provide details about their day job?
Also once a freelancer gains more experience how can they set up their portfolio to attract more clients?
 

MidnightAngel

Active Member
On my bios on the freelancer websites that I am on, I don't tell them that I have a day job on there. Now if awarded a project, or messaged by someone, then yes I do tell them then. Too much information given out on the internet is nasty business, and anything can happen.

If you want to make yourself a FB page for your business, I think it's a great idea to help you market yourself.

I'm still new on the freelancer sites, but feel that adding more and more to your portfolio is very helpful way of showing off your skills. I have several different samples on mine that are in all different genres, and plan to keep adding them as I create new ones.
 

Hostlumina

Active Member
Below are some of the items I look for when looking for a freelancer:

- Strong profile explaining who they are, what they do, experience length
- Completed profile (i.e. freelancer - verified e-mail, phone, 100% profile, etc...)
- Portfolio showcasing prior work
- Clear communication

In regards their day job, it can go 2 ways as some might see it as the individual might not work on the project full time therefore might take longer. Others like myself, appreciate the honesty and it shows a "personal" side of the profile make it more genuine.

To create a portfolio it really is up to you and what you feel comfortable with. If you can create/design your own website, go for it as it will show your style, personality, design skills, and web development (if that's what your do). Other than that you can always use WordPress and install a theme that you personally like, make a page about you/resume, contact me page, testimonials, links to your freelance profiles, and a portfolio show casing your work. Having a domain with a @yourdomain.com email is also professional instead of using free accounts from gmail, yahoo, aol, etc...
 

MidnightAngel

Active Member
To create a portfolio it really is up to you and what you feel comfortable with. If you can create/design your own website, go for it as it will show your style, personality, design skills, and web development (if that's what your do). Other than that you can always use WordPress and install a theme that you personally like, make a page about you/resume, contact me page, testimonials, links to your freelance profiles, and a portfolio show casing your work. Having a domain with a @yourdomain.com email is also professional instead of using free accounts from gmail, yahoo, aol, etc...

I agree with that as well...I'm a very agreeable person...lol Definitely, a good practice to get into.
 

David Ewen

Member
The best profile piece is any skill exam where you are tested and authenticated for a particular skill. Depending on the freelancer site the cost of the skill assessment test can be anywhere from zero to a relatively small low amount. It is worth the investment as it serves as the accolades and distinction that separates you from the rest. Some freelancer sites have forums where you are able to mingle with those interested in hiring. Hope that helps. Let me know how things turn out.

I have already created several accounts in various freelance websites and will be planning on creating a business account in Facebook but how should I build my profile on this sites.

How should new freelancers show professionalism and competence through their profiles?
Would it make sense for a freelancer to provide details about their day job?
Also once a freelancer gains more experience how can they set up their portfolio to attract more clients?
 
Make a portfolio and make a Facebook page. Advertise your FB page with FB ads and you should start seeing people coming to it.
Create a website with your portfolio and use Google ads. That should get attention.

These are some things i can think of to get started :)
 

PTTed

Active Member
I responded to a different thread on the topic of how employers pick freelancers. You can see that thread here.

If I was a freelance writer looking to establish myself in the field, here is how I would start out:

1) Buy my own domain name (a professional one) and launch a Wordpress website to promote my services.
2) I would use SEO and my homepage to target the phrase "freelance writer for hire"
3) I would put a real photo of myself on the homepage showing me dressed professionally and smiling
4) I would use the blog to publish samples of the work I am capable of doing
5) I would list my rates right on the website where they are easy to find. (That is the number one question everyone will want to know when they visit your site)
6) I would record a video of myself dressed professionally where I explain what services I offer. Publish the video on YouTube. Use SEO to target the phrase "freelance writer for hire" and try to get the YouTube video ranked high on Google.
7) I would join a few freelance writer forums and begin networking with my peers on there.
8) I would join LinkedIn and network with other freelance writers and business owners in the fields that I am most knowledgeable about.
9) I would use my blog to link out to places on the web where I have published any of my work.
10) I would try to get my friends at the forums I hang out at to "Like" and "Tweet" the articles and other things I publish for clients on the web.
11) I would have professional business cards made at somewhere like Vistaprint. The business cards would match my website design.
12) I would send personalized thank you cards to every new client who hired me for a project. I would include a business card. I would remind this person that I would absolutely love to get a referral from them if they know of anyone else who hires freelance writers.
13) Any time I got a referral from one of my previous clients I would hand write them another thank you card and mail it to them.
14) I would also be promoting my services at all of the various freelancer sites. But my main focus would be on attracting clients through my own website.

Doing those things alone would easily land you enough steady work to be a full time freelancer. It would take somewhere between 6 months to a year to get things really rolling. But, if you applied yourself and tried hard to please your clients, I think you would find success.

People want to do business with other people that they know, like and trust. So your goal is to introduce yourself to as many people in your target market as possible. That way they know you. That one factor alone already makes them much more likely to buy from you.

Then you want them to come to like you and trust you. If you are a decent person who is honest at heart, then they will automatically come to like you. And as long as you don't give them any reason to not trust you, then they will slowly come to trust you also.

Act professional. Be very responsive whenever they contact you. And be extremely dependable. (Don't over promise them something you can't deliver on.) Always do what you say you are going to do. You will succeed.
 

MidnightAngel

Active Member
Very nice, love the ideas, and such. I AGREE completely with you, and am working hard to try to remedy some of those things with my newly thought of website, slow going right now, because I'm terrible at deciding on things like color, scheme, theme...anyhow, thank you for the wonderful advice.
 

David Ewen

Member
Great tips. I am in agreement that active communication and patient with time would make the difference. A commitment to both results in a commitment to success. Also your great tip that includes a photo suggests improving your online introduction. Again great useful tips

I responded to a different thread on the topic of how employers pick freelancers. You can see that thread here.

If I was a freelance writer looking to establish myself in the field, here is how I would start out:

1) Buy my own domain name (a professional one) and launch a Wordpress website to promote my services.
2) I would use SEO and my homepage to target the phrase "freelance writer for hire"
3) I would put a real photo of myself on the homepage showing me dressed professionally and smiling
4) I would use the blog to publish samples of the work I am capable of doing
5) I would list my rates right on the website where they are easy to find. (That is the number one question everyone will want to know when they visit your site)
6) I would record a video of myself dressed professionally where I explain what services I offer. Publish the video on YouTube. Use SEO to target the phrase "freelance writer for hire" and try to get the YouTube video ranked high on Google.
7) I would join a few freelance writer forums and begin networking with my peers on there.
8) I would join LinkedIn and network with other freelance writers and business owners in the fields that I am most knowledgeable about.
9) I would use my blog to link out to places on the web where I have published any of my work.
10) I would try to get my friends at the forums I hang out at to "Like" and "Tweet" the articles and other things I publish for clients on the web.
11) I would have professional business cards made at somewhere like Vistaprint. The business cards would match my website design.
12) I would send personalized thank you cards to every new client who hired me for a project. I would include a business card. I would remind this person that I would absolutely love to get a referral from them if they know of anyone else who hires freelance writers.
13) Any time I got a referral from one of my previous clients I would hand write them another thank you card and mail it to them.
14) I would also be promoting my services at all of the various freelancer sites. But my main focus would be on attracting clients through my own website.

Doing those things alone would easily land you enough steady work to be a full time freelancer. It would take somewhere between 6 months to a year to get things really rolling. But, if you applied yourself and tried hard to please your clients, I think you would find success.

People want to do business with other people that they know, like and trust. So your goal is to introduce yourself to as many people in your target market as possible. That way they know you. That one factor alone already makes them much more likely to buy from you.

Then you want them to come to like you and trust you. If you are a decent person who is honest at heart, then they will automatically come to like you. And as long as you don't give them any reason to not trust you, then they will slowly come to trust you also.

Act professional. Be very responsive whenever they contact you. And be extremely dependable. (Don't over promise them something you can't deliver on.) Always do what you say you are going to do. You will succeed.
 
Top