Guest Contributor: Katie Lamb

Working Remotely

With more and more of the world wanting to work remotely and live life on their own terms, freelancing is becoming a more attractive career path. The good thing with freelancing is that there’s many types of niche jobs to choose from, and it doesn’t take as long as you think to start making money online.

I started freelance writing about six years ago and it took me a while to get my first few paying clients. You can do it too and with the right preparation, guidance and information, you’ll make money faster than I did. The best way to start is put a plan of action in place which steers you in the right direction and keeps you on the best path to freelancing success.

Here’s your 7-step plan:

1. Decide How You Can Help People

Two things to consider when you decide to start freelancing are:

• What are your passions?
• What are you good at?

You will have to enjoy what you do, otherwise you won’t last long. Plus, have a think what you’re actually good at. We will all naturally lean towards one of these three categories:

• Creative – e.g. writer, editor, graphic designer, logo designer, custom branding
• Technology – e.g. coder, web developer, video editor, digital marketer, SEO expert, IT technician
• Organisational – e.g. virtual assistant, data entry, social media manager, customer support, bookkeeper

Have a think about which area you can see yourself working in and where your strengths lie. Then you can decide on a freelance job that suits.

Additional Resources:

• Why you should Write Your Passion
• How to Brainstorm your Passion to write a Travel Guide
• From Passion to Brand: How to use ebooks to build your non-fiction niche

2. Market Yourself in Multiple Ways

Marketing is the foundation of any business and as a freelancer, you are the business. If you have the funds, set yourself up a basic website showing what you can do and how you can help. A website gives you credibility and lets people know more about you.

Make sure you set up all your social media platforms for success. Businesses will check you out on social media whether that’s Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. If you want to make money freelancing, it’s time to give yourself a professional image and make those drunk pictures secret!

3. Build a Portfolio of Work

To be taken seriously as a freelancer, you will need to have a portfolio of work to show prospects. Possible clients will want to know you can actually deliver. This can be hard when you’re starting out, as you may not have worked for anyone yet.
When I started freelancing writing, I wrote sample articles which I posted onto my website. Another option is to work for a few friends or a company for a short period free, to build up experience.

Additional Resources:

• How to Create an Effective Freelance Writing Portfolio

4. Start Messaging Prospects Daily

Getting your first few freelance clients takes persistence and hard work. I emailed 50-100 people a day when I started out as a freelance writer and it took months before I hit the jackpot. You may get ignored in the beginning, but it’s the ones who persist that will become successful.

Write out a message template you can use for everyone you reach out to. This will cut down the time it takes to outreach on mass. Add a little personalisation into each email like a praise about the company or a unique way you could add value.

5. Take Online Courses to Build Your Skill/Credibility

If you are skilled in an area already that’s great! But if not, it’s a good idea to take a few accredited courses. Think about it; a potential employer will likely choose a freelancer who has taken the time to invest in himself and they know has the right knowledge.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a ton of cash to invest in courses. There are plenty of free and affordable courses you can take on Udemy, Skillshare, Moz Academy and Codecademy among others.

6. Offer Free Trials for Testimonials

Testimonials carry a huge amount of weight in regard to your credibility as a freelancer. We all like to see proof before we buy or invest right? I definitely read testimonials of products and companies. Having testimonials from happy clients are like a stamp of approval and will hugely boost your chances of getting freelance work.

If you haven’t done any paid work yet, offer to work for a free trial period in exchange for a testimonial. This will give you practice and may also lead onto a full-time gig.

7. Keep Going and Never Give Up

This may seem obvious, but I can’t tell you how many people that say to me they’ve tried something and give up after a few months. To become a freelancer, you have to be willing to put in the work.

It is possible to make money freelancing fast, but remember we are all on different paths. While one person may get paid clients in less than 30 days, another may take a little longer to work things out.

Author Bio

Connect with Katie:

• On Twitter: @remoteworkrebel
• On Pinterest: @remoteworkrebels
• On her blog: Blog: https://remoteworkrebels.com/