The idea of working for yourself is incredibly appealing. You can work on whatever projects you want, get paid on your own terms and schedule, and meet people from all over the world.
However, freelancing is not as easy as it seems. To build a thriving online business, you’ll need to be aware of how the market works, what the expectations are for different roles, and how to prioritize your time.
But if you do things right and learn the best practices that go with it, you can become a top-rated freelancer in no time!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Enhance your Upwork profile to make a strong first impression on clients. |
| 2. Prioritize your health and well-being as a freelancer for long-term success. |
| 3. Learn effective strategies for dealing with difficult clients professionally. |
| 4. Consider transitioning from a corporate job to freelance consulting for increased flexibility. |
| 5. Discover the secret ingredient to increase your success rate and secure more Upwork projects. |
1. Show Your Presence As A Freelancer
Show your presence as a freelancer. Being active on social media, starting a blog, and joining groups related to your skills will help you establish yourself as a freelancer.
Make sure that all of the places you’ve mentioned you are looking for work are consistent with each other in terms of how they present your skills and what information is included in them. Your online presence should be professional, but it can also reflect small aspects of your personality so long as they aren’t too out there.
Have a portfolio with samples of your work ready to show potential clients when they ask for it. If possible, include testimonials from clients whose work has been included in the portfolio.
Enhancing your Upwork profile is crucial for making a great first impression on potential clients. Discover valuable tips and techniques in our comprehensive guide on how to make a great first impression with your Upwork profile to boost your chances of landing high-quality freelance projects.
2. Be Clear About Your Terms, Expectations, And Boundaries
One of the best ways to avoid potential conflict with your clients is to be clear about your terms, expectations, and boundaries before the work actually begins. Some freelancers prefer to make formal agreements with each client, while others find that a more casual conversation at the start of a project is sufficient.
No matter what approach you take, it’s important that you set clear expectations for both yourself and your client so that there are no surprises later on.
You should also establish boundaries right away in order to protect yourself and your work. It’s easy for clients to ask for a seemingly minor adjustment or alteration and think nothing of it, but these small requests can often add up over time if they aren’t addressed early on in the relationship.
Freelancers will sometimes find themselves making hundreds of dollars worth of free edits throughout the course of a project simply because they weren’t clear enough with their clients upfront about what was covered by their contract. If you don’t have an agreement in writing already, consider getting one drafted up before starting any new project it’s better safe than sorry!
3. Be Professional
All of that being said, there’s no reason you can’t set ambitious goals for yourself. The key is to stay realistic. For example: if you want to lose twenty pounds in one week, that isn’t a realistic goal (unless your name is Jeff Bezos and you have access to the resources he does).
However, losing twenty pounds over the course of six months is very doable. If you want to build muscle mass and get strong enough to run a marathon in three months’ time rather than six…not so much.
Even with access to Jeff’s private jets and personal trainers, it would take several years of hard work and dedication before this was a feasible goal. So set your sights high (like on marrying Jeff Bezos), but don’t aim so high that your goals become impossible or impractical.
As a freelancer, maintaining good health is essential for long-term success. Our ultimate guide to freelancer health FAQs provides valuable insights, tips, and resources to help you prioritize your well-being and achieve a healthy work-life balance in the dynamic freelance industry.
4. Don’t Over-Commit
When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to take on a lot of work and try to build up your reputation as quickly as possible.
However, clients will look at your feedback and notice any negative reviews and the client’s own feedback is likely to drop if you make them late or deliver something that doesn’t meet their expectations.
If a deadline isn’t realistic or there are too many requirements for the budget, don’t be afraid to walk away. It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s better to work with fewer clients and do an excellent job than over-commit yourself and risk damaging your reputation out of the gate.
5. Put The Client At The Center Of Everything You Do
Putting the client at the center of everything you do is a key freelance success tip. It may seem obvious, but it’s all too easy to forget that your clients are actually the ones paying your bills.
Clients should be consulted, given status updates, and understood as they take the journey with you. This means not just delivering on time, but being able to explain why what you’re doing is important for their business and showing them how it fits in with their goals.
You may be an expert in what you do, but unless you see things from your client’s point of view it will be difficult for them to trust and rely on you.
If a client doesn’t seem satisfied with your work or asks questions about what you’re doing, don’t shy away from the most likely they’re just looking for reassurance! If there is a problem, then this is an opportunity to get feedback so that you can fix it before moving forward.
Listening carefully and keeping communication open will help avoid misunderstandings down the line and build trust between you so that they know they can come back to you in the future.
6. Deliver What You Say, You Will
The first thing to do is make sure the scope of the project is clear. If you’re not sure what exactly is expected of you, ask questions.
Keep your promises, especially as far as deadlines are concerned. If a deadline cannot be met for some reason, be honest about it and get an extension or adjust expectations accordingly. Be on time for meetings with the client, and keep track of tasks that have been assigned to you.
Make sure you give the best product possible to each client. You may have multiple jobs going at once, but if something comes up where there’s a conflict between them in terms of deadlines or needs from the clients, always prioritize delivering what was promised to each one without fail.
Check in with your clients regularly throughout a project. Respond quickly to any requests they may have.
Dealing with difficult clients is a common challenge for freelancers. Explore our article on 12 effective ways to deal with clients who are jerks to learn practical strategies for handling challenging situations, maintaining professionalism, and fostering positive client relationships.
7. Go Above And Beyond
Next, you’ll want to make sure your work is always stellar. There’s no better way to do this than by going above and beyond what is expected of you. For example, if a client asks for 5 questions answered in an article, don’t just stop at 5 find 10 questions they want to be answered!
Going the extra mile will not only impress clients but also result in more valuable project experience. If you’re good at what you do, chances are people will start reaching out to hire you.
8. Pay Attention To Details And Don’t Cut Corners
As a freelancer, you’re in charge of all the details of your work. The client is trusting you to be on top of everything. So make sure to pay attention to the details and don’t cut corners.
It’s important to know how much time it takes for you to complete a task, so that when a client asks for something you can provide an accurate timeline. This includes putting in time for revisions and edits or researching new topics or skills that may be necessary for completing their job.
This also makes sure that if something comes up unexpectedly, like your kid gets sick unexpectedly, or your computer crashes before your deadline, you have enough emergency time set aside so you still deliver by the agreed-upon date.
9. Create A Portfolio With Samples
Once you’ve built your network and have some experience, it’s time to start working on creating a portfolio for the work you have done. Note that this isn’t the same thing as a resume – this is a collection of work samples that showcase your best projects.
As with any other application, try to put yourself in the shoes of the person looking through your portfolio. What would they want to see? What would help them make a decision? Try to be as specific as possible with details like how much you were paid, how long it took, etc.
You can present your portfolio online or offline depending on what works best for the type of work you do – either way, make sure it’s easy for potential clients to view and download (and don’t forget to note any relevant copyright issues).
10. Stay Positive
This one is a huge challenge! When you’re left hanging on an invoice, it’s easy to get frustrated and dwell on the negatives. But that attitude will bring you down, for sure. Instead, try your hardest to approach every problem with a positive mindset and a “glass-half-full” mentality.
In any situation, remember that the client is not the enemy they probably just forgot or got caught up in other things. Send them a friendly reminder email and move on! Don’t let little things like this bother you too much; keep your head up when things get tough.
just because it’ll be easier for you if you do so (and I can attest to this) Remember that everything happens for a reason; take these moments as opportunities to learn and grow from them.
If you’re considering a transition from a corporate job to becoming a consultant, our guide on how to switch from corporate to consultant offers valuable insights, step-by-step guidance, and actionable tips to help you navigate the process successfully and embrace the freedom and flexibility of the consulting world.
11. Manage Your Time Carefully And Be Realistic With Estimates
Managing your time is a crucial skill. Clients don’t want to hear excuses about being over budget and behind schedule. They just want their work done on time, on budget, with no surprises.
If you’re working on more than one project at once, this can be tough to do. To stay focused and productive, try breaking down tasks into smaller chunks and estimating the time it will take you to complete them.
This is a skill that even successful freelancers constantly have to learn, so if you need help developing your estimating skills Fast Company has some great ideas.
If you find that you can’t complete a task in the allotted timeframe (or within budget), be honest with your client as soon as possible and offer solutions for moving forward in an agreeable way for all parties involved (e.g., dividing up the project into stages or hiring another contractor to complete the project).
12. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Tough Questions If You Need To
Your client may not have an answer to everything right away or they may expect you to figure some things out on your own this is okay. However, make sure that you are clear about the scope of the project, what deliverables you will produce and when they’re expected by, how long it should take to complete each part of the project and what happens if a deadline is missed.
While this seems obvious, it’s important to get these details nailed down so that there are fewer opportunities for miscommunication and frustration later on.
As well as making sure both parties know what’s happening in terms of timeline, budget, and deliverables, it’s also important to establish if there are any special considerations or instructions that aren’t immediately obvious from the spec.
For example:* Do they have a specific way in which they prefer you to track time?
Do they require certain files with specific names at certain times?
Is there any information about the client (e.g., their company values) that could impact your work?
13. Check In Regularly With Your Client
It’s important to check in regularly with your client and keep them informed of any issues or delays that may occur along the way. If you are having difficulties, it’s critical to communicate these issues to your client.
Be honest about what’s going on so that they can help you through it. By maintaining a good working relationship, you will be able to build trust and confidence with your client. This will lead to future work opportunities.”
14. Be Reliable, Accountable, And Easy To Reach By Phone Or Email
Don’t be hard on yourself if things go wrong; just make sure they’re fixed quickly without any excuses from you!
Don’t forget that this is your job. Be professional, accountable, and easy to reach by phone or email for quick responses or changes when necessary.
Don’t blame others if things go wrong. Just make sure they’re fixed quickly without any excuses from you!
Don’t be afraid of mistakes they’re inevitable. Admit them and get it done right, without excuses!
Don’t make excuses for why something wasn’t done properly; instead, look at it as an opportunity to learn from those mistakes so they don’t happen again! Make sure the problem gets fixed without any excuse-making on your part either just say “I’m sorry about this” or “It won’t happen again.”
15. Consider Yourself An Expert In What You Do Best
Consider yourself an expert in what you do best; don’t act like an amateur just because it’s freelance work!
Wha??!? That can’t be right, can it? People pay experts to do things for them. I’m a beginner! I’m a novice! I shouldn’t pretend to be something I’m not, should I?
One of the most common questions that Top Rated freelancers get asked is “How long have you been doing this?” The answer is almost always “Well, not THAT long…” but when they say that, the client usually looks at them with skepticism and a raised eyebrow.
Even though they’ve only been working as freelancers for a few months or years, they come across as if they’re true professionals they’ve got their own sites and logos, workflows, and opinions on how to complete projects most efficiently And none of it comes across as fake or made up.
So what are these freelancers doing right? They consider themselves experts in what they do best. And even though you may not be able to say that you’re an expert in your craft, if you know how to do something well and know how to explain your process step-by-step you’ll instantly sound like someone who knows what they’re talking about.
It’s OK to have confidence in yourself and your abilities; even if it’s just one thing that sets you apart from the rest of the competition (in my case: design). If you’re trying out all sorts of new things every day but don’t feel comfortable calling yourself an expert yet (I wouldn’t recommend saying so until at least five years into your business), then call yourself an “experienced” novice instead.
Want to increase your success rate on Upwork and land more projects? Discover the secret ingredient that can significantly improve your chances. Check out our article on the secret ingredient that will help you land more Upwork projects to unlock valuable insights and practical strategies for standing out among freelancers and securing lucrative opportunities.
Conclusion
I hope this article has provided you with some insight into becoming a top-rated freelancer. Remember that freelancing is a great way to express your work and gain more experience in your chosen industry.
But it can also help you to make money, meet new people, and learn new skills. Whatever your end goal may be, always keep improving your services as an independent worker. Above all else: be professional, and listen to your customers!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you can explore for further information on becoming a top-rated freelancer:
Become a Top Rated Freelancer by Following These Steps: This insightful article provides step-by-step guidance and practical tips to help you achieve top-rated status as a freelancer.
How to Become a Top Rated Freelancer on Upwork: Discover effective strategies and best practices for gaining top-rated freelancer status on Upwork, one of the leading freelance platforms.
Top Rated Upwork: Strategies for Success: Learn valuable insights and tactics for achieving top-rated status on Upwork, including how to optimize your profile, attract high-paying clients, and secure long-term freelance projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Good Tips For Freelancers?
Don’t be shy about asking for business advice, join a community of like-minded people and make the most of your valuable time.
How Do You Make Money As A Freelancer?
Create passive income streams that can free up your time so that you can seek out higher-paying projects with more hybrid jobs, ask politely when the going rate isn’t in line with your expectations, and update your portfolio regularly.
What Are The Best Freelance Websites?
While many sites will require you to take an assessment to prove your skills, others will let you get straight to work once you’ve been approved as a member! There is no “best” site–it’s all about finding one that fits your needs best.
What Is The Best Freelance Job?
The content writing industry has seen a huge boom in recent years due to advances in technology; however, it can still be difficult for some people because there aren’t any set standards or qualifications needed before starting work from home full-time which makes it hard to find clients willing pay them what they’re worth without having much experience beforehand but luckily there are many opportunities out there if we look hard enough.
How Do I Become A Freelancer With No Experience?
Freelancing is different than working at an office because there are no set standards or qualifications needed: anyone can start their own business from scratch by just submitting their resume online while having access to millions of potential clients who will be able to see when they have made mistakes before hiring someone new – this means if we try hard enough then anything could happen!
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.