A good freelance gig is easier to find than you think. Whether you’re a writer, photographer, or social media marketer, you’ll find plenty of gigs out there. It’s trying to get it that is a little harder. Even with years of experience, it can be difficult at times to convince a client to give you the gig.
Whatever type of job you offer, there are a number of things you need to prove to a potential client:
- That you’re reliable: You need to prove that you get the work in on time and offer the quality that he or she wants. It takes time to build trust and a client will usually go to someone he or she knows has delivered in the past instead of trying someone new.
- That your work will deliver the results desired: You may be a great writer but does the content do what it needs. If it’s sales copy, does it convince others to buy? If it’s a blog post, does it engage and interact with the audience?
- That your experience and skills match the current project: A client doesn’t want to take a chance on you. If you have no samples within the current niche, he or she will look elsewhere. You need to prove that you can write within that market.
It sounds quite daunting, especially if you’re new. The good news is, even new, you can get yourself that freelance gig. Here are a few of my tips to help you get it.
Step #1: Research the business and the type of freelance gig
Do your research. Find out more about the business. What does the business do? What type of customers does the business have? What’s the product?
As you show an interest, the client will be more welcome to hiring you. After all, you’ve shown a direct interest in them and not what they can offer you.
Now you need to research more about the type of gig or project. If you don’t have experience, it’s time to look into other similar projects online. If you have time, see if there’s a non-profit that will allow you to do a similar project and get a testimonial from them. Make sure you’re happy with the industry and other bits and pieces of the industry.
Step #2: Ask the client for a budget
I know there will be a lot of people who tell you that you should have a set rate. What you really need is a minimum rate in mind. Then you can make sure a freelance gig is right for you.
It’s easy to find that you’re pricing yourself out of the project. While you will have your own rates, you want to remain competitive and make sure you are in the current budget for the client.
All clients will have a budget before outsourcing any work. Instead of sending your own rates, find out about that budget. It could be within a range or there may be a set maximum. This will give you an idea as to whether the freelance gig is worth fighting for.
You may find the budget is too low to even consider it! Don’t be afraid to say no if the rate is too low. There are other gigs out there. And by saying the rate is too low but you’re available should the budget stretch, you become a consideration in the future. Just make sure you remain polite.
Step #3: Prove you’re worth hiring
Have samples of your work. Show your credentials in the area. You could even show off testimonials from previous clients. These all help to prove you’re worth hiring.
It’s really important to do this. Clients will be apprehensive, especially if you are new to them. You want to make your potential client feel at ease and want to hire you for the freelance gig. Providing this proof is the best way of doing this.
But does that mean you should create a free sample? Definitely not! I don’t advocate free samples unless you are getting something major from it. You should already have samples that you can send. Yes, you will have created them for free (or they may be past work) but you have them to use over and over again. You’re not doing something specific for the client.
If I’m going to do something for free, I want the exposure and the testimonials. Offer a non-profit to create the sample for them to help them and then show the publication. You could add it to your own blog to show your style of writing, but this doesn’t go through an editorial process, which some clients don’t like. If the business wants a sample, you want to change your standard rate for it.
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Do you have any tips to get that freelance gig? Have you tried any of the above time and time again and still not found anyone willing to take a chance on you? Share your tips, the things you’ve tried and the things that you want to try in the comments below.
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