6 Tips for Every Freelancer - CareerMetis.com

6 Tips for Every Freelancer Source : UnSplash.comSetting your own hours. Creating your ideal work environment. Making money while your dog is curled up next to you.Pursuing a freelance writing careeris appealing in many ways. But being your own boss has its pros and cons, and even the most seasoned of freelancers sometimes have trouble balancing the added demands that freelancing presents.Whether you’re freelancing as a side hustle or pursuing it as a full-time career path, here are six tips to get you going on the right track:1. Master the Art of the PitchevalevalPitching is essential to a freelancer’s success, especially because having a difficult time finding clients is one of the biggest hurdles freelancers have to face.Pitching provides freelancers with a great opportunity. It’s where you get to say, “I’m the best person for the job, and this is why.” But in a world where 53 million Americans freelance, the competition is steep. So how do you catch a potential client’s attention?It’s import ant to do everything you can to stand out from your competitors â€" something that makes you memorable. Pitching starts with a good subject line that identifies you as a real person â€" not a spammer.Next, you’ll want to address the editor or client by name whenever possible. Introduce yourself and let them know why you’re writing. Show them that you’ve spent time exploring their site or business by referencing something specific that you genuinely engaged with.Next, it’s time for you to shine. Tell them why they need your expertise. Highlight your credentials and share relevant links to your website and portfolio.Leave them will a call to action and make it easy for them to get in touch with you. If you can master the art of the pitch, you’ll be well on your way to a successful freelance career.2. Create a Spotless Online PortfolioShowcasing examples of your work is perhaps the most important part of finding success as a freelancer. If you don’t have examples of your gr eat work to show potential clients, it’s unlikely they’ll want to hire you.evalSetting up a writer website is a great way to present a professional appearance and also gather all your clips in one spot. If you’re not ready to set up a website yet, online portfolio services like Contently are fast and easy ways to post your best work.You should be selective about what goes into your portfolio. Only your strongest pieces should be on display. If you have testimonials or client feedback, it’s a good idea to include that as well.Each outstanding piece of work or blurb of positive feedback gives prospective clients another reason to choose you in a sea of eager freelancers.3. Set Hard DeadlinesSource : Unsplash.comYou can be your own worst enemy when it comes to getting things done. And when you have clients waiting on you, completing work in a timely fashion is more important than ever.evalYou’ll need to manage your timewisely if you want clients to keep coming back to you 5. Just. Keep. Pitching.Source : UnSplash.comIt can be tempting to stop or decrease the number of pitches you’re sending to prospective clients once you get a few takers.Getting work as a freelancercan be difficult, and is always exciting when you succeed â€" so much that it’d be easy to say, “I did it! Now I can stop!” This is a common pitfall that leaves many freelancers with unnecessary lulls in their workload.evalYou should always be pitching new clients so you have options to pull out of your pocket when your current workload starts to slow down. Eventually, enough clients will say “yes” that you can be more picky about the projects you pursue, but even then â€" pitching remains a constant.6. Find Your NicheDeveloping a niche can make your life as a freelancer a lot easier. Instead of staring into the deep, dark abyss of potential topics, clients, and projects, finding a niche allows you to focus on one area of expertise and work on building your reputation in that are na.If you’re into technology, dive right in and make that your niche. Target clients in the tech industry and experts in the field. Or maybe you’re more interested in and knowledgeable about food or education or the outdoors. Anything can be a niche. Once you find yours, life will be a lot easier (and more interesting)!By mastering the art of pitching, creating an online portfolio, managing your time well, creating professional invoices, always looking for new clients, and developing a niche for yourself, you’ll have all the building blocks of a successful career as a freelancer. Now get to it!