Freelancing & Self-Employment: 5 Tips to Market Yourself Well

Are you a freelancer seeking  new clients? 

You won’t be surprised to learn that successful client prospecting is the key to achieving a steady income and building a thriving business.

Therefore, it’s vital you know how to market yourself effectively.

In this article we will delve into the top-tips for promoting your services and growing your freelance  business. 

From positioning yourself as an expert and setting reasonable rates, to partnering with a management company who will support your goals.

Let’s dig into the essential strategies for selling your services like a pro.

1. Define your strengths and USP’s

If you’re a talented  consultant who’s not commercially minded at heart,  rest assured; you are not alone!

Marketing yourself effectively isn’t a skill that everyone possesses from the start, so don’t panic.

Before you begin reaching out to potential clients, it’s critical to understand your own strengths and the value you can offer.

Here are two useful exercises to help you with this:

Conduct a Skills Assessment – You can do this on your own or with the assistance of another person – a professional coach for example. This exercise will help you identify your professional and personal skills, aptitudes, and motivations. It’s a way to clearly define your professional goals and the services you want to provide as a  freelancer.

Self-Reflection – Next, ask yourself important questions to gain a deeper understanding of your unique value. What sets you apart from other freelancers in your field? What outcomes can you deliver for future clients? What projects do you enjoy working on? Consider both your hard skills and your soft skills here. 

These exercises will help you not only pinpoint your qualities and competencies but also decide on your areas of specialisation.

Understanding yourself and your services thoroughly will increase your confidence, which is vital when you begin prospecting for new clients.

2. Know your value and define your offer

Depending on your level of experience and skills in your specialist area, determining your market value as a contractor or freelancer is crucial.

One fundamental measure that we talk about a lot is the Average Daily Rate (ADR). This is the average remuneration a self-employed person earns per day.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting your daily rates:

Basic Daily Rate: Establish a minimum rate to ensure you cover your essential costs. This rate can attract customers who are looking to test your services at a lower cost.

Average Daily Rate: Set a standard rate for your primary services, which may include some additional offerings.

Premium Daily Rate: Define a higher rate for clients who seek a comprehensive package of services and more advanced support.

Floor Daily Rate: This is a negotiable rate that you can offer for long-term assignments, providing some financial flexibility for extended engagements.

When setting your ADR, keep in mind that it should account for both the time spent on active projects and the periods when you are canvassing for more work. This is why the security of a longer assignment often provides room for rate flexibility.

If you’re still unsure about what your rate should be, Upwork also has useful resources for how to set your freelance rate.

How to know if your freelance rates are in line with the market?

The Golden Rule: don’t undersell yourself! That said, if you have doubts about the legitimacy of your service and ADR, it might be time to consult a management company for some advice on positioning.

Partnering with a management company like Hightekers gives you access to expert advice and support. Plus, you’ll benefit from personalised coaching and opportunities to connect with other freelancers in your field.  

3. Establish a personal brand and shout about your services

Personal branding is all about promoting yourself like a brand, and it’s a powerful way to market yourself as a  freelancer.

Here are some fail-safe ways to boost both your visibility and credibility and help you land your next freelance project:

LinkedIn Profile: Keep your profile updated and engage regularly by writing articles, interacting with other professionals, and sharing updates.

Personal Website: Create a simple one-page website to promote your IT services. You can use templates or hire a freelance developer. This small investment can lead to big returns.

Presentation of Services: Prepare a clear presentation or demonstration of what you offer. Digital or printed brochures can back up your pitches and set you apart from other freelancers.

Solid Argument: Develop a strong argument to support your case during negotiations or interviews. This will help you stand out and convince potential clients that you are perfect for the job.

Need more guidance?

We help freelance consultants improve their positioning and attract lucrative assignments. Simply request a call back to find out more.

4. Create a freelance portfolio

It’s reassuring for potential clients to see evidence of your past achievements and showcasing some of your best work is a great way to prove your skills.

Creating a portfolio that features your freelance projects can be incredibly helpful.

A good portfolio can significantly increase your chances of landing new projects with higher-paying clients.

5. Targeting your ideal client as a freelancer

As a freelancer, defining your expectations and the services you offer is crucial to your success.

For instance, do you prefer working with small, medium, or large companies? Once you know that, you can further target the right freelance clients using these steps:

Market Analysis

Sector and Region: Understand the job market in specific sectors and regions. This will help you gauge supply and demand, saving time during your initial outreach.

Growing Needs: Identify the sectors or the specialties with increasing demands – these should be plentiful due to digital transformations happening across industries.

Use Freelance job sites

Platforms like Upwork can be utilised to help you find more freelance clients.  

Networking

Word of Mouth: This remains a fool proof method! Producing high-quality work, collecting client testimonials and maintaining your network is key.

Widen your network: Partnering with a management company within a European network not only enhances your support but also gives you access to a larger pool of contacts and potential new clients.

Conclusion 

Marketing yourself as a self-employed IT pro is achievable for everyone with the right methods. 

Some  freelancers prefer to handle their own marketing, while many others opt to partner with a management company to bolster their marketing efforts.

The beauty of partnering with a management company like Hightekers is that you remain independent while gaining access to a strong network and expert advice that can optimise your career.

Plus, you benefit from a host of other perks such as:

–   Contract management

–   Invoicing

–   Payment chasing

–   Legal paperwork

–   Fee collection

–   Expense management

–   Managing the PAYE function