There’s a divide in the freelance world: two schools of thought on how to work. One side a holdover from the old days benefits from the support and connections that come with being part of a larger company.
The other side, which is more modern and more appealing to some people, prizes independence, autonomy, and flexibility. I’m talking about freelancers who either go at it alone or those who hire through online agencies like Upwork.
For this post, I’ll outline the pros and cons of each path and show you exactly how to get started in either one.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. The freelance industry is evolving, and traditional agency models are being replaced with new approaches. |
| 2. Freelancers can benefit from the changing landscape by adapting to new platforms and marketplaces. |
| 3. Freelance work marketplaces offer opportunities for freelancers to connect with clients and find projects. |
| 4. It’s important for freelancers to stay updated on industry trends and changes to remain competitive. |
| 5. The rise of freelance agencies and new models presents both challenges and opportunities for freelancers. |
Out With The Old
As you may have heard, traditional freelance agencies are going the way of the dinosaurs. The reason is simple: the internet has made it easier for freelancers to find work independently and avoid agencies altogether.
But that doesn’t mean you should completely ditch your agency. If you’re thinking about moving forward without them as a partner, or even if you aren’t there are still plenty of ways they can help your business grow. Here’s how:
Don’t use old methods for querying contracts with new clients (i.e., don’t sell yourself short). You could try something like an online portfolio or even just an email that explains what kind of work they do best based on their experience so far (while not being afraid to mention some weaknesses).
Don’t renew old contracts for new work any longer than necessary just because it might be convenient right now; instead, focus on researching which types of companies will fit best within your niche market instead – this will keep customers interested but also ensure longevity over time as well. If anything else happens feel free to though.
Understanding what freelancing truly entails is crucial for success. Check out our comprehensive guide on What Freelancing Is and Isn’t to gain clarity and set realistic expectations for your freelance career.
Don’t Use The Old Methods For Querying
Don’t use the old methods for querying. You might know that it’s important not to query the same way you pitch, but did you know that it’s also important not to query like a freelancer?.
If you’re a new freelance writer, or if your background is in an unrelated field such as law or sales, then chances are good that you’re going about pitching assignments in an obsolete way and even if your background does relate directly to writing (e.g., journalism), there are still ways in which freelancing can be different from regular employment.
Don’t use the old methods for pitching. It’s important to keep up with industry trends and best practices regarding pitching but it’s also important to remember that many of those best practices were developed by writers who worked within traditional editorial structures in magazines and newspapers.
As a freelance journalist yourself now, some aspects of these conventions may not apply anymore; therefore it pays off big time when writers think creatively about how they approach their work instead of simply following old rules blindly or worse yet ignoring them altogether!
Don’t Renew Old Contracts For New Work
Too often, we find ourselves stuck in a rut, working on the same projects over and over again. We get comfortable with the routine and don’t want to change things up too much or take any risks by trying something new because we think that our existing clients won’t be okay with us leaving their projects behind.
But keeping old clients around can be holding you back from doing great things and they might not even know it!
Are you considering a freelance career? Discover the numerous advantages and reasons why you should become a freelancer in our insightful article on The Reasons You Should Become a Freelancer.
Don’t Keep Selling The Same Services To The Same People
You shouldn’t keep selling the same services to the same people. If you’re in this industry, you should be learning constantly and trying new things. That’s why we never know what direction our career will take in a year or two.
You shouldn’t be afraid to let go of outdated skills, processes, or ways of thinking because it may prevent you from branching out into new areas and challenges.
Don’t Keep Working With Clients Who’ve Treated You Badly In The Past
Working with difficult clients can be a major headache. However, before you give up on them completely, consider the fact that you might have been going about it all wrong.
You are not alone in this feeling of dread when working with difficult clients; it’s a common problem among freelancers who find that their relationships with certain people never seem to improve.
If a client is taking advantage of or treating you poorly in any way, for example by being late with payments or ignoring your calls and emails, not only should you actively avoid working with them but also let go of any guilt associated with doing so. You should feel happy knowing that the relationship between your business and theirs will no longer exist because they’re no longer deserving of our time and energy!
Don’t Think You Can Build A Business Around A Fad Or Passing Interest
Freelance agencies are constantly competing with each other, but they also compete with other industries. Make sure you’re not following the latest trend and trying to do something that’s not in your wheelhouse just because everyone else is doing it.
Not only will this be expensive, but it’ll also lead to less-than-ideal results for your clientele down the road; if no one knows what they’re doing and the agency model isn’t working for them, then why would anyone want to buy from you?.
Your clients will come back when they feel like their requests are being taken seriously but if not now then certainly after more time has passed (and money spent) on experimentation elsewhere on their part first!
Change Can Be Good. It Can Also Be Bad
Change can have both positive and negative effects on your life, depending on how you view it.
Change is something that happens all the time, whether we like it or not. We cannot stop it from happening, but we can decide how to deal with it once it occurs (or before) and how to move forward with our lives after making such decisions (or if).
Some people find change scary and stressful because they don’t know what’s coming next but others welcome new experiences with open arms! Whatever type of person you are when facing big changes like this one, remember that there are benefits for everyone: You might learn something new about yourself… And maybe even gain some confidence in doing so?
Proposals play a vital role in securing freelance projects. Learn the essentials of crafting effective proposals in our comprehensive guide, Freelancing 101: What Are Proposals?, and enhance your chances of winning clients.
Don’t Be Afraid To Let Go Of Outdated Skills, Processes, Or Ways Of Thinking
As you’re reading this, there’s probably some part of you that feels like a fraud. You aren’t sure if freelancing is the right path for you; maybe it’s too risky, or maybe it’s not what your friends would do.
The truth is that everyone in your life has their strengths and weaknesses. Some people are better at being social than others, some are better at math than others and some people think differently about money than others.
I want you to know that whatever feelings of inadequacy or uncertainty come up for you during this process (and even after), they’re normal. As human beings, we’re all constantly changing in small ways every day. Your brain will figure out how to get used to things as long as they feel good at the moment…and when something new comes along, whoa. That can be tough on our brains sometimes.
But I promise: change will make sense eventually if we just stick with it long enough – and then suddenly everything looks different again because our perspective has changed so much since beforehand 🙂
All joking aside though – try not to worry too much about whether your skillset is right or wrong at first because sometimes going through something new forces us out of old patterns and habits which might not work anymore anyway 🙂
Don’t Cling Hard And Fast To Your Old Plans
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been developing your skills and processes for years. As such, it’s natural that you’d want to hold onto them as long as possible. However, if a newer processor skill will make your job easier or more effective in the long run then consider switching up what you’re doing now!
Don’t be afraid of change. The world around us is constantly changing so don’t let yourself get stuck in one place for too long; seek out challenges! Change is good it’s how we learn new things and grow personally as individuals. To succeed at freelancing, especially when starting (and even after being established within the industry), creative problem-solving abilities are essential!
Don’t Stay Comfortable And Stagnant As Long As Possible; Seek Out Challenges
When you’re at the top of your game, all is well and good, but if you don’t keep pushing yourself to try new things and take risks, you’ll eventually get stale. And stagnation isn’t just dangerous for your career it’s dangerous for your life!
As an agency owner and freelancer myself, I can say with certainty that this is where I’ve seen many other agencies fall short over time. They put out great work at first but then become complacent; they’re afraid to experiment with new techniques or stray too far from their proven formula.
As a result, they lose ground in an increasingly competitive industry where there’s always room for improvement and innovation. If a client wants something different than what they’ve been doing before (which they should), then it might be time for your agency to take some risks.
The key point here is: don’t ever let fear of failure stop you from taking risks because failure isn’t so bad after all (and sometimes it’s even necessary). Sometimes success can come only through trying something new something that doesn’t seem likely at first glance or by trying something old in a new way; maybe even both!
In With The New
You should also be looking to keep up-to-date on the latest trends, platforms, and technology that could help your business grow and thrive. If you’re an agency owner with a strong track record, then it’s time to do some research into what freelancers are in high demand right now.
Another way to get ahead of the pack is by creating something unique that can differentiate your company from the rest of the pack.
For example, maybe you have a client base specializing in WordPress development work but want to branch out into Drupal or Laravel this could allow you access to new clients who need help with their websites, as well as ones who aren’t looking for web design/development services yet, might want them down the road (and vice versa).
If you’ve faced a suspension on Upwork and want to regain access to your account, we’ve got you covered. Follow our proven strategies outlined in How to Get Your Upwork Account Unsuspended to resolve the issue and continue your freelance journey.
Do Focus On Using Your Skills In A New Way.
Don’t be afraid to try something new or different. You might think that you don’t have the skills and experience to do freelance work, but you can still find ways to use the skills that you already have. For example, if you’re good at writing, look for gigs that allow you to write content for websites or blogs instead of working as a writer for someone else’s blog.
Don’t worry about what skills you don’t have. Maybe there are some things about freelancing that seem scary because they’re unfamiliar territory for you; however, it’s always better to try something than never try it at all! Don’t let fear keep holding you back from taking action towards achieving success in this new venture by sticking with what’s comfortable and familiar that way leads nowhere fast!
Do Keep Up-To-Date On The Latest Trends, Platforms, And Technology That Could Help Your Business Grow And Thrive
Consider keeping up-to-date on the latest trends, platforms, and technology that could help your business grow and thrive. How could you use new technology to improve your business? How could you use new technology to help your clients?
For example, a freelancer working in social media marketing might want to keep up with Facebook’s changes in terms of their algorithm or their rules for influencers (like no longer allowing pages with large followings but low engagement). The same freelancer might also want to consider using Instagram stories as a way to boost their presence as well as engage with potential clients.
Do Find Ways To Provide Value And Build Relationships With Past Clients
Do find ways to provide value and build relationships with past clients by thinking about what’s next for their brand or business in general.
This also means you have to be on the lookout for opportunities to expand services, especially if you’ve been working with a client for an extended period (e.g., more than two years).
If you notice their social media presence is lacking, take note and recommend a content strategy overhaul to include more posts like this one that will help your client generate more leads through social media channels while boosting their overall website traffic as well.
You can even create a mock post before showing it off to your client so they can see firsthand how much better they’ll look once they go through your recommended changes!
Do Try Out Some New Tools For Freelancers And Contractors
Do try out some new tools for freelancers and contractors that will help you streamline processes and increase productivity.
You’ve got to keep up with technology, or at least do your best to do so. With so many amazing tools out there today, it would be a shame if you didn’t try them out! Here are just a few of the best ones:
One example is [Slack](https://slackhq.com/). This tool allows communication between teams of employees who aren’t always in one physical location or even working on the same project together at once. It also has features like file sharing and messaging capabilities all while being incredibly easy to use!
Another great tool is [MakerBot Desktop 3D Printer This device allows you to make whatever kind of thing comes into your mind (within reason), including toys for kids or even small household items like phone cases for phones with removable back panels that could use protection from damage during daily use (especially if those phones have glass backs)
Do Find Partners That Complement Your Strengths
But don’t let this lead you to think that freelancers should always be looking for partners. It’s important to find a partner who complements your strengths, allowing both of you to grow together while keeping costs low (and profits high) for all involved!
All in all, the best way to go about finding someone who can help you with your business is simply by asking around. If you know other people in similar positions as yourself or have friends that do freelance work themselves, then ask them if they know anyone who might be interested.
Also, try out local networking events: if there are any meetups nearby where entrepreneurs hang out and talk shop every week, they may have heard of some new ventures starting up which could benefit from your services. In short: keep your eyes open because opportunities like this come around very rarely!.
The freelance industry is transforming the way we work. Dive into the future of work and explore the opportunities it presents in our thought-provoking article, Freelancing: The Future of Work, and stay ahead of the evolving job landscape.
Final Thoughts
The truth is that good freelancers are constantly learning new skills, refining their processes, and switching up their attitudes toward work. If something doesn’t fit into these standards anymore (and if the client isn’t willing to adapt), then that should be another sign that it’s time for them to go
I hope this post has shed some light on the pros and cons of working with a freelance agency. If you’re considering hiring freelancers, it’s important to do your research beforehand so that you fully understand what type of work can be completed for your business. I’d love to hear your thoughts about this topic in the comments below!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of freelance work and related marketplaces:
The Freelance Work Marketplaces: A Comprehensive Guide: This comprehensive guide provides insights into various freelance work marketplaces, their features, and how to effectively navigate and succeed on these platforms.
The New Old Agency Model: Explore the concept of the new-old agency model, its impact on the freelance industry, and how it reshapes the traditional agency-client relationship.
Best Freelance Websites for Finding Work: Discover some of the best freelance websites available, offering a variety of opportunities for freelancers across different industries. Learn about their features, pros, and cons to find the right platform for your freelancing needs.
People Also Ask
What Are Freelance Agencies?
Freelance agencies are businesses that act as a middleman between freelancers and clients. They recruit, screen, and place talented people with companies that need their services, who then hire them for projects on an ongoing basis. This system is known as “outsourcing.”
Are There Different Types Of Freelance Agencies?
Yes! There are four main types of agencies: boutique, boutique-plus, full-service, and managed service. Boutique agencies tend to have fewer than 100 employees, while full-service agencies have at least 1,000 employees and sometimes even more than 10,000 (depending on the industry). Managed service agencies use technology tools to manage their workforces remotely.
How Do Freelance Agencies Work?
Freelance agencies combine several different types of talent management systems to find potential workers for their clients’ needs. The first step is usually an online application form or job listing where applicants can specify what jobs they’re looking for this helps the agency get an idea of what kinds of skills they need within their company’s budget range before reaching out directly to those who seem like good candidates (based on previous experience or other factors).
What Is The Best Way To Get Started With Freelance Writing?
There are lots of ways to get started with freelance writing. You can start by building your portfolio and reaching out to companies that may be interested in hiring you. You can also work on your blog and try to get more traffic. This can help you get more clients as well!
How Will I Know When It’s Time To Move On From My Current Job?
It’s always hard to know when it’s time to leave a job, but if you find yourself feeling unmotivated or uninspired, that might be a sign that it’s time for a change. If you’re currently unhappy with your situation at work, this could also be a sign that you need a new job!
What Are Some Tips For Keeping Track Of My Finances While Freelancing?
It can be tricky to keep up with all of your finances while freelancing, but some things can help: always have an emergency fund set aside so that if something comes up unexpectedly (like needing a new computer), then you have money available without having to borrow money or dip into other accounts like retirement funds). Also, don’t forget about taxes.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.