When it comes to turning a freelance gig into a full-time job, there is no magic bullet. I know you will want me to tell you that “all you have to do is this one trick” and then voila! Your client will be compelled to hire you on the spot.
But in reality, being hired as a full-timer for any company boils down to a few things: whether or not your client (a) has the budget; and (b) sees you as an asset to the company (or thinks hiring you would be worth the added expense).
In other words, it depends on how valuable they think it would be for them to hire someone like you.
So keep in mind that turning your freelance gig into a full-time job isn’t about just having the right skill set or making enough money for your client–it’s more about how well can make your case during face-to-face meetings with them.
Here are some tips on giving yourself an edge when meeting clients of existing clients who are considering taking their relationship with freelancers like yourself from part-time rates
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Assess your readiness for the transition by considering factors like financial stability and long-term career goals. |
| 2. Build a strong portfolio that showcases your skills and expertise to potential employers. |
| 3. Expand your professional network to increase your chances of finding full-time job opportunities. |
| 4. Market yourself effectively through personal branding, utilizing online platforms and creating a professional online presence. |
| 5. Consider freelancing as a side hustle before pursuing it as a full-time job to gain experience and assess its viability. |
| 6. Be aware of the potential risks and challenges involved in the transition and develop strategies to overcome them. |
| 7. Continuously update your skills and stay updated with industry trends to remain competitive in the job market. |
| 8. Seek out mentorship or guidance from professionals who have successfully transitioned from freelancing to full-time employment. |
| 9. Stay organized and manage your time effectively to balance multiple projects and commitments. |
| 10. Stay adaptable and open to new opportunities and career paths that may arise during the transition process. |
1. Get The Word Out That You’re Available To Do More Work With The Client
If a client is happy with your work, they’ll want to hire you again. And if they’re only working with you because it’s part of their budget, then they’re going to want more of your skills in the future.
So start by asking for more work and if possible, ask for more money too:
Ask for more tasks or projects from this client that would help them out and make them happy (see #5). They may be willing to pay extra so that they don’t have to go through another bidding process again.
This could mean anything from making new graphics or writing copy/content, adding features or functionality on existing sites/apps/products, developing new products altogether using technology X (which costs $$$), etc.
Ask for higher rates based on what your time is worth versus what this project was paying you; keep in mind that clients are generally willing to pay top dollar when it comes time for future projects!
If a potential client asks how much something will cost right away and provides an hourly rate instead of a fixed price ask him how much he’d pay per hour before accepting any job offer because this way both parties know exactly where they stand financially while also giving each other some flexibility in case unexpected hiccups occur down the road due up unforeseen circumstances such as additional costs due to unexpected hiccups occurring down
Creating a compelling portfolio is crucial for landing freelance gigs. Learn valuable tips and tricks to make your portfolio stand out and attract potential clients in our comprehensive guide on how to make a portfolio that gets you the job.
2. Schedule A Meeting With The Client To Discuss Increasing Your Workload
Once you have a solid understanding of the client’s needs and wants, schedule a meeting with them. It’s important to be as prepared as possible for this meeting so that you can put your best foot forward. Here are some things to consider:
Bring all of your relevant research and portfolios of work samples. If possible, try to bring these in hard copy format so that the client can look through them at their leisure.
Have a clear plan in mind for the meeting. What do you want to get out of it? Is there something particular you would like to discuss or negotiate?
An agenda is especially helpful when working with clients who might not understand what freelancers do or how much time and effort goes into their work having one will show them that transparency is important to you!
3. Go For A Walk With The Client During That Face-To-Face Meeting, As Opposed To Sitting In An Office Or Conference Room
For example, you might say something like: “I’ve been having a hard time keeping up with my responsibilities because I’m taking on more projects than I can handle.” Or: “I need to hire an assistant so that I can focus more on the big picture of this project and less on the details.”
This technique also works because it allows clients to see where they fit in as part of your business model and not just as a passive consumer who pays for services rendered or products delivered.
By showing them how much work goes into creating their product (and thus how much value they’re getting in return), you’ll help ensure that the client understands why you need more money for extra work.
Before taking the leap into full-time freelancing, it’s important to consider various factors. Our article on 13 things to consider before you quit your day job provides valuable insights and helps you make an informed decision about transitioning to freelancing.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For What You Want, Even If It Means Putting It On The Line
When you’re working for yourself, you have a lot of power to push for what you want. Even if the client is hesitant, don’t be afraid to ask for more work and compensation. You might be surprised at how little it takes to get a better deal.
A good rule of thumb is to get out of your comfort zone and ask for something larger than what you originally had in mind that’s where the magic happens!
If this all sounds scary, don’t worry: just remember that asking someone else what they think or feel is not only okay but also important (especially when it comes to negotiating). If they seem hesitant or unwilling, ask why they feel that way; sometimes people need help to articulate their thoughts and feelings on an issue before they can make decisions about them.
5. Show Your Boss A Variety Of Ways You Can Add Value, And Ask Them What They Think Should Take Priority
Being prepared to show your boss a variety of ways you can add value is important. You don’t want to appear like you’re trying too hard and not completely understanding the work that’s needed, but you also don’t want to wait until it’s too late before showing them how they could use your help.
Once your boss has given you a task, ask them what they think should take priority. If they tell you that one thing should be done first, try asking if there’s anything else that needs attention as well.
This way, if something comes up later on and takes priority over everything else, then at least there will be other things for which no one will blame you for not doing them sooner! And who knows? It might just turn out that those tasks are easy enough for even YOU (yes, YOU) to do!
Be flexible! Be willing to take on more work if asked; after all, this is how people get promoted in places where promotions happen by working harder than everyone else around them!
6. Determine If Your Client Is Happy By Having Them Complete A Survey Or Questionnaire After Each Project
As a freelancer, you’re usually hired to complete a specific project or task. A good way to determine whether or not your client was satisfied with the project is by asking them to complete a survey or questionnaire after each project.
You can have the client rate their experience on a scale of 1-10, and ask them to rate the quality of your work and/or whether they felt that they got their money’s worth from working with you.
This will give you valuable insight into how well clients are responding to your services, as well as what needs improvement for you to grow as a freelancer and be viewed as an expert in your field.
Outsourcing work can be a game-changer for freelancers. Discover the top 10 best practices for outsourcing your tasks on popular platforms like Upwork in our detailed guide at Top 10 Best Practices for Outsourcing Your Work on Upwork.
7. Utilize Social Media To Find More Clients Or Offer Your Services And Expand Your Client Base
When you’re looking for new clients, don’t forget to use social media. Social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are great ways to build relationships with potential clients and present yourself as an expert in your field.
Use these platforms to share your expertise. Blogging and publishing articles on sites like LinkedIn Pulse can help boost your visibility with potential clients who may be looking for someone with specific skills.
Don’t just focus on selling yourself and your services; also focus on networking with others in the same field as you so that you can be introduced through mutual contacts when there is a need for someone with your expertise!
Understanding the characteristics and dynamics of Generation Z can provide valuable insights for freelancers. Dive into our article exploring what Generation Z is like in school to gain a deeper understanding of this generation and their educational experiences.
8. Put Together A Portfolio Of Work Samples To Have On Hand When You Meet With Potential Clients About Doing More Work For Them
When you’re meeting with potential clients about doing more work for them, you’ll want to have your portfolio of work samples on hand. This will show them how well you can do the job at hand and it will give them an idea of what kind of person you are. If a client asks if they can see your portfolio, say yes!
You should also show portfolios to existing clients when they ask or if someone new joins the company that would be interested in seeing it. When showing samples to established clients, ask them if there’s anything specific they’d like to see in addition to what’s already in there (or any other feedback they might have).
It can help them appreciate all the things you’ve done for them so far and maybe even feel inspired enough by one thing or another that they request something new!
If anyone at all wants access to your portfolio (even if it’s not related directly), ask him or her why he/she would like access before giving him/her access. This way he/she won’t just look through everything without taking care not disturb anything else; this way everyone will know exactly where everything is located too because whoever was last using those materials earlier didn’t bother labeling everything properly.”
9. Prepare For Meetings With Existing Clients By Researching How The Company Is Doing In Its Market
And Any Challenges It’s Currently Facing, So You Can Brainstorm Ways You Can Help Solve Those Problems And Improve The Business’s Bottom Line Which Will Then Make It Easier For Them To Justify Hiring You Full Time
While you are working as a freelancer, you must make sure you’re always looking for opportunities to branch out and provide your services outside of the current gig.
In some cases, this may mean pitching new clients; in others, it might mean offering to work on projects for free or at a discount as part of an “audition” period where they get to try out your skills before hiring them full-time.
There are plenty of ways to build your network and connect with potential employers while working independently: attend industry conferences (both online and in-person); join professional organizations; attend meetups hosted by local tech incubators or accelerators; talk to other freelancers who work in similar fields; etc.
The more people recognize and know about your skill set, the better chance there is that someone will be willing to work with you on an ongoing basis–and even hire you full-time!
Freelancing can be a lot like dating, with its ups and downs and the need for compatibility. Discover the intriguing parallels between freelancing and dating in our captivating piece, How Freelancing is Like Dating, and explore the unique dynamics of the freelance world.
Conclusion
Freelancing is a great career option for anyone who enjoys the freedom and flexibility of working from home, but it can be a good stepping stone to full-time employment. By following these tips, you’ll have a better chance at turning your freelance gig into a full-time job that’s long on benefits, both financial and otherwise.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on turning a freelance gig into a full-time job:
Turn a Freelance Gig into a Full-Time Job: Explore this insightful article that provides practical tips and strategies to transition from freelancing to a full-time job.
Start Freelancing Full-Time Job: Learn about the steps and considerations involved in starting freelancing as a full-time job in this comprehensive guide.
3 Ways to Turn Your Side Hustle into a Full-Time Job: Discover three effective ways to transform your side hustle into a full-time job, as outlined in this informative Entrepreneur article.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about turning a freelance gig into a full-time job:
How do I know if I’m ready to transition from freelancing to a full-time job?
Transitioning from freelancing to a full-time job requires careful consideration. Evaluate factors such as financial stability, consistent client base, and long-term career goals to determine if you’re ready for this transition.
What steps should I take to turn my freelance gig into a full-time job?
To turn your freelance gig into a full-time job, focus on building a strong portfolio, expanding your network, and actively seeking opportunities for growth. Additionally, consider developing a business plan and establishing a reliable source of income.
How can I market myself effectively to secure a full-time job from freelancing?
Effective self-marketing is crucial when transitioning from freelancing to a full-time job. Enhance your personal brand by creating a professional website, utilizing social media platforms, and showcasing your expertise through content creation and networking.
Should I consider freelancing as a side hustle before pursuing it as a full-time job?
Freelancing as a side hustle can provide valuable experience and insights into the industry before committing to it full-time. It allows you to test the waters, build a client base, and assess the viability of freelancing as a long-term career option.
Are there any risks or challenges associated with turning a freelance gig into a full-time job?
Yes, there are potential risks and challenges when transitioning from freelancing to a full-time job. These may include fluctuating income, increased competition, and the need to manage administrative tasks. It’s essential to assess these factors and develop strategies to mitigate risks and overcome challenges.
How Can I Turn My Freelance Gig Into A Full-Time Job?
It depends on what type of work you’re doing. If you’re doing freelance writing, then it’s easy to transition into a full-time writing gig because there are plenty of companies looking for content creators who can write blogs and other articles.
If you’re doing graphic design or web design tasks, then it’s also pretty easy to find full-time jobs with companies that need those services. But if you’re doing something more obscure, like voice acting or interpreting, then it might be harder to find a full-time position.
Do I Need Any Certifications For This Kind Of Work?
Certifications aren’t necessary for most freelancing gigs, but they help when applying for certain types of jobs. For example, if you want to do medical transcription or coding work, then having certification from an accredited institution is usually required by the company hiring for those positions.
This isn’t always the case though! So make sure to ask when applying for jobs online or over the phone so that you don’t waste your time applying only to companies that require certifications from their employees (which
What If My Company Doesn’t Want Me To Work Full-Time?
If this is the case, both parties need to communicate clearly about what’s expected and how much time they want you to dedicate to their project. This may mean talking through some compromises; for example, perhaps they’ll agree on paying you more per hour if they know that they can expect you to work 40 hours per week.
Or maybe they will offer an hourly rate that’s lower than what you’d normally charge, but which ensures that the project will be completed in time for whatever deadline has been set by the client’s management team or board of directors. Whatever arrangement gets everyone on board with moving forward is okay! Just remember
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.
