How to Get Freelance Work Online

In 2020, the number of freelancers in America hit a staggering 59 million, making the US the largest freelance market worldwide. 21 million of these freelancers work full-time. Freelancers are now an indispensable part of the US economy, contributing a colossal $1.2 trillion to the economy each year.

There are many reasons why freelancing has gained so much popularity in recent years. For instance, freelance jobs pay well, with the average full-time freelancer earning $68,300 per year.

But the possibility of getting freelance work online is what attracts most people to freelancing. 64 percent of freelance workers have found work online, making it possible to work from anywhere in the world. Many opt to work from the comfort of their homes.

If you’ve been thinking of becoming a freelancer but have no idea how to find freelance gigs online, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips to get you started.

Clearly Define What You Offer

Currently, numerous freelance websites allow freelancers to meet potential clients. Most of these websites require you to create a profile on the platform to get started.

When clients visit these online job sites looking for freelancers, they take the time to go through profiles and select who to work with based on what they see. That’s why you need to be as clear as possible on your expertise. Describe your experience in the industry, making it easy for the client to see what they can expect from you.

Include information about any qualifications and certifications you have to make yourself a more appealing professional.

Clients are looking for remote working teams that can deliver, as this article shows. Knowing that you can help them meet their goal makes them more confident when offering you work.

Make Your Prices Competitive

One of the biggest temptations new freelancers face is to undersell themselves in the hope of getting freelance projects. While this may seem like an easy way to build a client base, it doesn’t necessarily work. Serious clients may be tempted to think that your cheap rates are a reflection of the quality you can deliver and opt to hire other freelancers who seem sure about their worth.

What you need to do is to price yourself competitively, depending on your qualifications. As long as clients trust your professionalism and ability to manage projects competently, you’ll have no trouble finding work online.

Always be as honest as possible when pricing yourself. Research what other freelancers in your industry make per hour if you want to set an hourly rate.

Where you’re considering setting a rate for the whole project, determine how many hours the project is likely to take. Don’t forget to account for the time taken for revisions and communication with your client about the project.

Remember to adjust your rates as your portfolio grows.

Build a Strong Digital Presence

As someone who wants to work online, it only makes sense that you’d want to build a considerable amount of online presence. Many clients post freelance jobs online. Some search for contractors online to hire.

Find opportunities to grow your online presence. As we pointed out earlier, many freelance platforms allow people like you to create portfolios that demonstrate their skills. Find these platforms and create your pages highlighting your past work so clients can know whether you’re a match for their needs.

Use your online presence to create networks that may benefit you in the future. LinkedIn is an excellent platform to make potentially helpful connections in the world of freelancing. Cultivate reviews on such platforms to help present a solid professional face.

Master Good Communication

The way to create an excellent relationship with your clients is to communicate well. If a potential client shows interest in hiring you, you need to know how to communicate appropriately to help win the project.

Always be available to answer clients’ questions or get back to them as quickly as possible if you miss their call. Always be forthright with your answers, and ensure you explain things in a manner that removes all confusion.

As soon as you start a project, be sure to update the client regularly on the progress. If the client expects you to inform them after reaching certain milestones, do so without fail.

Sometimes, unforeseen changes with the project may arise. For instance, circumstances may arise that force you to alter the deadline. Communicate with the client about these changes, clearly explaining the reason behind them.

Don’t halt communication after turning in the project. Find out whether the work meets their expectation, using this opportunity to continue to build your network. Demonstrating you care about the client’s satisfaction can help you get future work from them.

Request Referrals

As your online reputation for offering satisfactory services grows, you may find that previous clients come back to you with more work. This is your opportunity to expand your client base by requesting referrals from them. Be professional about it by informing them that you’re in the process of building an outstanding business and would be grateful if they referred people they know to you who may need the services you offer.

Given that referrals come from clients who appreciate your work, they generally carry more weight. You may also request your clients to review you online.

Getting Freelance Work Online Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

As a new freelance professional, it may seem like a tough affair to find freelance work online. However, this doesn’t have to be so. All you need to do is know what freelance clients love and deliver it accordingly.

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