The meaning and methods of work, as we knew them before, have changed. The internet revolution has offered us new ways to earn a living besides corporate jobs. For most people, entrepreneurship in the 21st century means building an online business. One of the many ways to build a business online is by starting a freelance business.
Starting a freelance business can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when you are without a guide. Don't worry, though. We will help you out. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to start a freelance business.
But first, what is a freelance business?
Meaning of Freelance Business
A freelancing business is a self-employed business that offers clients project-by-project services rather than being hired as a full-time employee. To become a successful freelancer, you must grow a profitable skill, monetize it, and sell it to clients or customers. Interestingly, you can decide to be involved in more than one department and even choose to run your freelance business alongside your regular office job.
Benefits of Working on a Freelance Business
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There are enticing benefits of working in a freelance business. Let us look at them below.
- Flexibility
- Strong earning potential
- Job security
- Independence
- Starting small
Flexibility
One of the most interesting benefits of a freelance business is the flexibility it offers. Freelancing allows you to make decisions about your business on your terms.
As a freelancer, you can choose where and when to work based on your convenience. It is an excellent work-from-home option, whether you are a student, professional or stay-at-home mom. You could set up a studio or work from your room. You can also combine your nine-to-five with your freelance business. This flexibility allows you to earn good money without neglecting other important aspects of your life.
Stronger Earning Potential
While you can only get a set salary by working in a conventional organization, a freelancing business offers a wide range of earning possibilities. With a freelancing business, you can earn more in a shorter time, especially as your skillset improves.
This is more so because you are to determine the price and bargain with clients directly. Furthermore, you can serve more than one client from diverse industries. You just need to have a skill that can serve different industries.
Job Security
Ordinarily, a corporate job should be more secure than a freelance job. However, the global economic situation shows that you cannot trust job security like before. With the right business strategies and work ethics, a freelance business can be more secure than the average corporate job.
The advantage that a freelance business offers you is that you get to diversify your client base. This means working with a variety of clients in different industries and on different types of projects. This can help reduce the impact of any client dropping out or experiencing a downturn.
Independence
A major highlight of the freelance business is the freedom it offers to one. Freedom to dictate how your career should run, set your work pace, determine price, choose where to work from, choose what kind of jobs you want, and select the kind of clients you want to deal with.
The more interesting part is that you can easily switch to another business idea or combine different business ideas simultaneously. You are your boss,5 and you are enabled to determine what you want for yourself.
Starting Small
Freelancing benefits also include the opportunity of starting small. Since most of your work is online, you have little to no need for capital. Even when you ordinarily should spend money, you can easily find accessible or affordable alternatives on the internet. For example, instead of paying a web developer to build your freelance website, you can just build a free one with Strikingly. If you want your exclusive domain name, you can purchase an affordable domain hosting plan from us.
A freelance business allows you to grow from where you are without the pressure of many responsibilities. Also, you could choose to shift from your job in the office to a freelance business or combine the two perfectly. It's your call to make.
Steps You Need to Follow to Start a Freelance Business
Starting your own freelance business can be pretty difficult when you have no guide. You can easily get confused as to where and how to start. However, with a simple step-by-step guide, you can start a freelance business in no time. In this section, we will take you through a simple guide on starting your business:
1. Choose a profitable niche
2. Design a business identity
3. Establish an online presence
4. Determine a pricing plan
5. Build a client base
Image taken from Strikingly Product
Step 1: Choose a Profitable Niche
The freelance business is monetizing your skillset and offering them to clients in return for money. The first step in starting a business in freelancing is to determine the niche that you want to work in. Your niche will also determine which skill you can offer to those in that niche.
When choosing, decide on an in-demand skill within a profitable niche. There are many high-paying freelance skills you can employ for your freelancing career. If you have no skill set yet, you can choose to learn one and kick-start your freelancing career.
Step 2: Design a Freelance Business Brand
As a freelancer, your brand is an integral part of your business. It represents who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique. Therefore, designing a solid brand identity is crucial for your success as a freelancer.
When designing your brand, consider the look and feel of your brand. This includes your logo, color scheme, and visual style. Choose elements that align with your brand values and personality, and create a cohesive visual identity that represents your business.
Creating a brand voice that reflects your values and personality is also important. This includes how you communicate with clients, the language you use, and the tone of your messaging.
Finally, be consistent in presenting your brand. This means using the same visual elements and brand voice across your marketing materials, including your website, social media accounts, and business cards.
Step 3: Establish an Online Presence
The internet has become a huge market space for businesses of all kinds. You must deliberately establish an online presence if you are out to break even through your freelance business. For this, a good website and social media accounts are required. If it is just you, a portfolio website is just fine. However, a company or business website is better if you are starting an agency. Whichever one it is, you can build your own website with Strikingly. You can create a compelling website for your freelance business with a few drags, drops, and clicks.
Your social media space must also be appealing. For some business niches, LinkedIn is most suitable. For some others, it could be Instagram. You can also decide to employ one or more social media platforms. Note, however, that setting up your account professionally gives potential clients a hint about the legitimacy of your business.
Most importantly, you must locate your target market when starting your own freelance business on social media. If you are targeting professionals, consider platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. If you're looking at small business owners, consider Instagram and Quora.
Image taken from Strikingly User
Step 4: Determine a Pricing Structure
Before you pitch a business gig, you have to decide on your pricing structure. You may want to charge hourly or charge a flat fee. It is, however, advisable you choose an enticing pricing scheme and make it flexible too.
This is because the business of freelancing can be competitive. As a new freelance business, an enticing pricing scheme is one of your surest strategies for getting and keeping clients. You can decide to increase your pricing plan as you improve.
Step 5: Build a Strong Client Base
One of the keys to success as a freelancing business is building a strong customer base. You can achieve this through different methods, including networking, digital marketing, and providing high-quality services.
To build a strong customer base, it is crucial to network with potential clients and industry professionals. This can be done through networking events, social media, or even by reaching out to potential clients and introducing yourself and your business.
Marketing is also an essential aspect of building a strong customer base. Online marketing is your best marketing option as a freelancer. This can include creating a professional website, using social media to showcase your work and services, and using targeted advertising to reach potential clients.
Finally, providing high-quality services is crucial for building a strong customer base. This includes delivering on time, meeting or exceeding client expectations, and offering excellent customer service. You can attract repeat business and build a loyal customer base by consistently providing high-quality services.
Some Freelance Platforms You Can Start With
Starting a freelance business can be a great way to take control of your career and work on your terms. Many platforms are available to help you get started, each with unique features and benefits. Here are some of the best platforms for starting your own freelance business.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest and most popular freelance platforms, with millions of jobs and freelancers available. It offers a wide range of services, including writing, editing, design, development, and more. Upwork also has a robust system for managing payments and disputes, making it a safe and reliable platform for freelancers and clients.
Image taken from Strikingly Product
Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelance platform that focuses on providing high-quality services at affordable prices. It is especially popular among small businesses and startups, who can easily find freelancers with the skills they need at a price they can afford. Fiverr offers various services, including graphic design, digital marketing, and content creation.
Freelancer
It is a global freelance platform allowing freelancers to bid on jobs and projects from clients worldwide. It offers a wide range of services, including web development, data entry, and writing. Freelancer also has a comprehensive system for managing payments and disputes, making it a safe and reliable platform for freelancers and clients looking to start freelancing businesses.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based freelance platform that offers a wide range of services, including design, development, and writing. It has a user-friendly interface and provides a range of tools and resources to help freelancers succeed, including a time-tracking system and a messaging system for communication with clients. This platform is a great resource for those looking to start their own freelance business.
Guru
Guru is a freelance platform that offers a wide range of services, including design, development, and writing. It has a user-friendly interface and offers a range of tools and resources to help freelancers succeed, including a time-tracking system and a messaging system for communication with clients. This platform is a great resource for those looking to start their own freelance business.
These are some of the best platforms for starting a freelance business. Each platform has its unique features and benefits, so it is essential to consider which one is the best fit for your specific needs and goals as a freelancer. Whether you're looking to start a freelancing business as a side hustle or as your full-time career, these platforms can help you get started and succeed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a freelancing business is a surefire way to make good money nowadays. In fact, many companies now prefer hiring freelancers for some job roles to employing full-time staff. If you are looking to start a freelancing business, you need a website. See some free Strikingly website templates you can explore.
At Strikingly, we have designed our website templates to contain all you need to create a strong and marketable persona. You can display some of your works, add your brand logo, or even include your photo on your Strikingly website.
