Let’s face it, You might think your highly skilled, you might think your the cat’s meaow when it comes to Article Writing, Design work or Software creation but none of it means squat to a buyer who has the choice of 10 or more Freelancers to select for their next big project. So how can you stack the odds in your favor and make sure you end up getting selected for the Job even if your New to Freelancing?
1. Have a Website / Blog
You need to stand out from the crowd, honk your own horn and show a level of professionalism before people place green dollars in your hand. Make sure you have a website that is professional looking especially if your a designer.
2. Have a Portfolio of Work
It’s easy to think, that just because you have never done any work for anyone that a portfolio doesn’t matter. Wrong! It’s essential to have something you can immediately let the buyer look at, to provide them with a level of confidence that you can get the job done, not because you say you can.. but because you have proof of your abilities. It’s a bit like American Idol. Lots show up and say they can sing, only a few show up and deliver the Goods. Don’t expect people to trust what you have to say.. Show them the goods!
So how do you create one if you have done no work for anyone? Simply create mock versions of various items. So if you are a graphic designer, create a few banners, headers, logos. If you are web developer, create a few templates, themes, and sites on various topics. If your an article writer, write a few articles, press releases etc.. Remember they only need to show a buyer what you are capable of doing.
3. Be Prepared to Work for Less
” I won’t accept anything below $20 an hour! “… You are entitled to stick your feet in the ground, but if your are just getting your feet wet in the world of freelancing, you might need to do some low paying jobs to create a history of work, which can then be used to support your request for high paying jobs. It doesn’t take long to build up a nice rating and history of successful projects. Get in their and consider taking a few lower paying tasks
4. Use Your initiative
As a buyer over the years, while I never expect anyone to do work without having been accepted for the job, but… if you really want to stand above the crowd and get the buyers attention. While we here at Integritylance don’t advise you to do this.. It has been known that some freelancers will create a mock version of what is being requested and watermark it, to show the buyer that they are clearly the one for the job. Give it some thought!
5. Build Trust
Ultimately your goal is to build trust. If you dont have track record that shows that you can be trusted to get a job done. You are shooting yourself in the foot. If you say you are going to get a job done by a deadline, get it done, or at least communicate with the buyer as to arrange an extension. A buyer might be annoyed that the deadline hasn’t been reached and you want an extension, but they are going to be really pissed if you drop them after having been at it for a day or 2.. That would have wasted their time. So aim to build trust and you can be sure to have more than your fair share of freelance jobs to pick from.
photo credits: scott thigpen
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