How to promote your work as a freelancer?
A freelancer is essentially someone who works for themselves. They are not employed by a company and are not contracted to anyone, meaning a freelancer must source their own work – which is one of the key difficulties of pursuing this type of work. Despite this, freelancing could be viewed as a great option; you’re in charge of your own schedule and you can choose the work you undertake. However, freelancing can be a very unpredictable and stressful career choice. As you are responsible for sourcing your workload, this in itself can be a time-consuming effort. So, the more you can promote yourself and your work, the better. Here are some ways to get your name recognised as a freelancer.
Social media
Social media has become a must when it comes to promoting your work. Gone are the days of one-way marketing, social media allows you and your customers to interact and engage with one another, helping to create a buzz around your work. It is important to find which channels work best for you. Typically, freelancers will prefer visual platforms such as Instagram, especially those looking for work in creative fields like graphic design. This allows them to showcase their work and their audience can visualise what standard of work they will get if they hire you – this is important.
Networking
‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know…’ While this isn’t always the case, building formal and informal contacts to promote your work is a great way to win business. Whether you go to a corporate event and hand out business cards or just begin chatting to someone in a similar line of work, networking is the perfect way to get your name known within your industry.
Webinars
Webinars are presentations, workshops or lectures hosted online that are typically business-centric. Webinars allow you to interact with potential clients, other freelancers and anyone who is interested. Hosting a webinar exudes professionalism. It gives you a platform to talk in depth about your area of expertise and show your audience you are a specialist in your field.
Word of mouth
Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth! When you have provided someone with a positive experience, they will want to share it with others. Getting reviews from previous clients is a great way for future clients to know what service they are getting. Don’t be afraid to ask previous clients to give reviews; as long as you don’t approach it in a forceful way, they should be obliging. Whether it be reviews online, comments on social media or telling a friend about your work – word of mouth is often positive promotion.
