10 Strategies to Make Your New Freelancing Business a Success

Congratulations on your decision to start freelancing! You’ve taken a big step towards becoming your own boss and controlling your own career. But now that you’ve made the decision to freelance, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to make your new business a success.

If you want to set yourself up for long-term success as a freelancer, there are some strategies you should implement from the very beginning. Today in this post, I will share 10 strategies that will help you make your new freelancing business a success. From marketing yourself effectively to building a strong client base, these tips will help you get started on the right foot.

1. Choose Your Freelancing Option

Do you want to be a freelancer or an entrepreneur? What are the best freelancing platforms? And how do you find the best clients? Here are some of the most popular types of freelancing:

• Social Media Management: This type of freelancing involves managing social media accounts for businesses or individuals. This can include tasks such as creating and scheduling posts, responding to comments and messages, and monitoring analytics.
• Content Writing: As a content writer, you would be responsible for creating written content for websites, blogs, or other publications. This could include anything from articles and blog posts to eBooks and web copy.
• Graphic Design: Graphic designers create visual content such as logos, infographics, and illustrations. They may also work on layout and design for websites or print materials.
• Web Development: Freelance web developers build, maintain, and update websites. This can involve everything from writing code to designing user interfaces to setting up server infrastructure.
• Project Management: Project managers coordinate all aspects of a project, from start to finish. This includes developing timelines, assigning tasks to team members, and ensuring that the project stays on track and within budget.

Once you've chosen your option, research the competition and make sure you can offer something unique. Consider what services you can offer and how you can make your business stand out from the rest. When starting out, it's also important to build up a strong network of contacts who can help promote your business.

How to choose the best freelancing option for you

There are many different freelancing options available, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a freelancing option:

What are your skills and experience?

Consider your skills and experience when choosing a freelancing option. If you have a specific skill set or area of expertise, you may want to consider freelancing options that allow you to showcase these skills. If you're new to freelancing, you may want to consider an option that allows you to build up your portfolio and gain experience.

What are your goals?

Are you looking for long-term work, or do you just need a one-time project? Do you want to be able to work from anywhere, or do you need to be in a specific location? Consider these factors when deciding which freelancing option is right for you. 

What is your budget?

Make sure to consider how much you're willing to spend on project fees, as well as how much time and effort you're willing to put into the project. 

What is the project timeline, and what is the scope of the project?

If the project is very large or complex, it may not be suitable for a shorter timeline. Make sure you understand the expectations and requirements of the project before choosing a freelancing option.

2. Set Up a Website That Draws Attention

If you want to be taken seriously as a freelancer, you need to have a professional website. And static websites are a thing of the past. Adding elements that move or change as you scroll can really catch someone's attention. It could be text that animates as you read, images that zoom in or out, or backgrounds that change as you move through the site.

Get Them Clicking

Interactive features like little quizzes, hover-over effects, or hidden surprises that pop up when you click can make your website not just a page to visit, but an experience. People love discovering things, so give them small, interactive elements to play around with.

Creative Content Presentation

When you're putting text on your website, think about how you can present it in a fun and interesting way. Break up longer text into shorter, snappier sections. Use interesting fonts or play around with the size and color of your text to highlight key points.

Don’t just stick to text and images. Why not add a video here and there? Or some audio clips? Mixing different types of media can make your website more dynamic and interesting.

Personalize the Experience

When we talk about personalization - it could be as simple as having a 'welcome back' message for return visitors, or more complex like recommending content based on what they’ve looked at before. When visitors feel like the site is speaking directly to them, they're more likely to pay attention.

Give visitors a way to interact with your site. This could be through comments, a forum, or even a live chat feature. When people can contribute or ask questions, they feel more connected to your website.

Social Proof/Testimonials

People are often drawn to what others have to say. Including a section for testimonials or case studies can be a powerful way to draw attention. It’s not just you talking about how great your service or product is – it’s real stories from real people.

Be active on social media (see below), and show it off on your website. Maybe have a live feed of your latest posts or tweets. It adds a dynamic element and also connects your visitors to your broader online presence.

If you don’t have experience designing websites, there are plenty of online tools that can help you get started, like WordPress. Alternatively, you can hire a web designer to create a custom website. Investing in a professional website is worth it – it will pay off in the long run by helping you attract more clients.

3. Get Social Media Savvy

As a new freelancer, it's important to get social media savvy. Why? Because social media is a powerful tool that can help you build your brand, connect with clients, and grow your business. 

• Set up a professional profile on LinkedIn. This is a great way to connect with potential clients and showcase your work.
•  Start a blog and populate it with quality content. This will help you attract attention from potential clients and establish yourself as an expert in your field.
•  Use X to connect with others in your industry and share your expertise.
•  Get active on relevant Facebook groups and forums. This is a great way to network and find potential clients.
•  Make sure your website is up-to-date and includes your contact information. This will make it easy for your social followers to find out exactly what you do and to get in touch with you about projects.

4. Create a Logo and Tagline That Shocks

Why Go for the Shock Factor?

When you think about a logo and tagline that really sticks in your mind, often it's something bold and surprising. A shock factor doesn't mean something offensive or too out there.

It's more about being memorable, making people think, and standing out in a crowded market. Imagine seeing a logo or reading a tagline that makes you do a double take. That's the kind of impact we're talking about.

How to Do It Right

1. Bold Colors and Unusual Shapes: Think about using colors and shapes that aren't typically seen in your industry. If everyone's using blues and circles, why not try a bright orange with a zigzag shape?
2. Witty Taglines: A tagline with a pun or a play on words can be really effective. It should be short, snappy, and make people smile or think.
3. Telling a Story: Your logo and tagline should tell a story about who you are and what you do, but in a way that's not expected. Think about how you can turn the usual on its head.
4. Reflect Feedback: Listen to some feedback from time to time. What shocks you might not shock others, but the feedback will give you more crazy ideas.

5. Start a Niche Podcast Series

Podcasts are everywhere, but a niche podcast can really set you apart. It's about focusing on a specific topic you know a lot about. This can be a great way to build your reputation as an expert in your field.

How to Get Your Podcast Off the Ground

1. Pick Your Niche Carefully: It should be something you're passionate about and knowledgeable in, but also something people are interested in.
2. Plan Your Content: Think about what you want to talk about in your episodes. It’s good to have a mix of solo episodes and ones with guests.
3. Keep It Relatable: Your listeners should feel like they're just listening to a friend. Keep the tone casual and the content interesting.
4. Invest in Decent Equipment: Good sound quality makes a big difference. You don’t need the fanciest gear, but something that ensures clear audio.
5. Promote Your Podcast: Share it on your social media, website, and ask your guests to share it too.
6. Engage Your Listeners: Encourage them to send in questions or suggestions for topics. This makes them feel part of your podcast community.
7. Keep going: Try to stick to a regular posting schedule. Whether it's weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, keep going whatever happens.

6. Stay Organised and Productive

As a freelancer, it's important to stay organised and productive in order to be successful. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

• Keep a detailed schedule of your tasks and deadlines. This will help you stay on track and avoid missing any important deadlines.
• Set aside specific times for working on each task. This will help you stay focused and get more done in less time.
• Take breaks when needed, but don't let them interfere with your work schedule. Make sure to take breaks between tasks so you can come back refreshed and ready to work again.
• Stay motivated by setting goals for yourself and celebrating when you reach them. This will keep you focused on what's important and help you push through when things get tough.
• Ask for help when needed. Don't be afraid to reach out to others for assistance or advice when needed - this can only help you in the long run!

7. Manage Your Money Wisely

As a freelancer, you are in control of your own finances. This can be both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, you have the freedom to spend your money as you see fit. On the other hand, it is up to you to make sure that your financial situation is healthy. To ensure that your freelance business is financially successful:

• Make sure that you are charging enough for your services. If you undercharge, you will end up struggling to make ends meet. Make sure to do your research so that you can price your services competitively.
• Stay on top of your expenses. When you are self-employed, it is easy to let expenses get out of control. Keep track of what you are spending and be mindful of where you could cut back if necessary.
• Invest in yourself and your business. It is important to invest in your own education and growth as a freelancer. This will pay off in the long run as you become more successful and in-demand.
•  Plan for the future. Just because you are self-employed doesn't mean that you shouldn't think about retirement or other long-term financial goals. Make sure to set aside money each month so that you can reach these goals down the road.

8. Offer a 'First-Time Client' Discount

Offering a first-time client discount is a smart move. It's like saying, "Hey, give us a try; it's on us!" It lowers the barrier for new clients to try your services. Think about it, if you're choosing between two places and one offers you a nice discount for the first go, you'd probably lean towards that one, wouldn't you?

Making the Most of It

• Set Clear Terms: Make sure you lay out the details. How much is the discount? Is it for all your services or just specific ones? How do they claim it?
• Promote Your Offer: Use your website, social media, emails, and any other channels to let potential clients know about this offer.
• Limited Time Offer: Sometimes, setting a time limit can encourage clients to act fast. It creates a sense of urgency.
• Ask for Feedback: After they use your service, ask for feedback. It’s a great way to improve and also to build a relationship.
• Follow-Up Offers: Consider following up your initial discount with a smaller offer on their next purchase. It can encourage repeat business.
• Word of Mouth: Happy clients are likely to tell others, especially if they got a great deal. This can lead to more business down the line.

9. Analyse Your Business Failures

No business is perfect, and every business owner knows that there is always room for improvement. But what do you do when your business fails? 

What are some common mistakes that lead to business failure?

• Failing to properly assess and understand the risks involved in starting and running a business. Many businesses fail because they underestimated the amount of capital needed to get started or failed to properly plan for unexpected costs. 
• Failing to conduct market research, failing to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy, and over-expanding the business too quickly.
• Poor management. This can manifest itself in a number of ways, including inadequate financial planning, and having unrealistic expectations for the business. Poorly managed businesses often lack clear goals and objectives, and are unable to effectively execute on their plans. As a result, they often spiral out of control and quickly become unprofitable.
• Poor customer service. In today's competitive marketplace, customers have more choices than ever before and will not tolerate subpar service. Businesses that fail to provide excellent customer service will quickly lose customers to their competitors. 
• Due to environmental factors beyond their control, such as economic recessions or natural disasters.

How do you know if it’s just a temporary setback or if it’s time to give up? The first step is to take a step back and analyse your business failures. Only by understanding what went wrong can you hope to fix it and move forward. The key is to learn from your failures so that you can avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

1. Take a step back and look at the big picture. What went wrong? Why did things not go as planned?
2. Talk to key stakeholders and employees who were involved in the failed venture. What were their experiences and observations?
3. Gather data and financial information related to the failure. This will help you to identify any patterns or trends that may have contributed to the demise of your business.
4. Conduct a SWOT analysis to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that may have played a role in the failure of your business.
5. Use all of this information to create a detailed report on what went wrong and what could be done differently next time. Be sure to share this report with key decision-makers so that they can learn from your mistakes as well!

10. Publish a Case Study

A case study is like telling a story about how you solved a problem for a client. It's a real-life example of your work in action. Why do this? Well, it's a great way to show potential clients what you're capable of. It's one thing to say you're good at what you do, but it's way more convincing to show them.

Steps to Create an Impactful Case Study

1. Choose a Strong Example: Pick a project where you really made a difference. It should be something that shows off your skills and the positive impact you had.
2. Tell the Story: Start with the problem your client faced, then talk about how you tackled it, and end with the results. Make it engaging – like a mini adventure story.
3. Use Simple Language: You want people to understand and relate, so keep it straightforward and jargon-free.
4. Include Quotes from Your Client: This adds a personal touch and gives more credibility to your story.
5. Add Visuals: Pictures, graphs, or even a video can make your case study more engaging.
6. Share It: Put it on your website, social media, and anywhere else you can think of. The more people see it, the better.

10 Strategies to Make Your New Freelancing Business a Success: Final Thoughts 

Getting started with a freelance business is exciting, and with the right strategies in place, it will be incredibly rewarding. I hope that my tips have given you some guidance on how to get started and make your new business a success. Do you have any other tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!