3 Freelance Tips for Beginners
Okay, so you decided you want to start freelancing, but you aren’t sure where to start.
I was in your shoes about 2 years ago and really leaned on public figures like Latasha James and Jenna Kutcher to help guide me along the way.
While I don’t regret anything about my freelance story, I can look back and identify skills & knowledge that would have made the transition from full-time employee to full-time freelancer much, MUCH smoother.
Learn How To Land a Freelance Project
I had a couple freelance projects before I quit my job, but I had never successfully pitched a business owner and landed a client on my own.
For a full two months, I couldn’t land a single new client. My income when to $3,200/month to $1,300/month.
I couldn’t even get an interview. Panic started setting in - but I had no option but to figure it out.
If you’re unsure about how to land a freelance client, here are a few ideas…
Create a profile on job boards like Fiverr, UpWork, or Guru.
Create a professional website and pitch businesses on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.
Let friends, family, and peers know you’re offering freelance services.
Get business cards and visit local businesses (If you go this route, make sure you have a really professional online presence.)
Uncertainty is the scariest part of freelancing. Having the knowledge and skillset to close a freelance project will definitely alleviate some of that uncertainty.
Have a Plan for Self-Employment Finances
As an employee, you don’t really need to think about “getting paid” or putting aside money for taxes. You just open your bank account every two weeks, and there’s money in your account.
Before I quit my job, I made sure I had a system set up so I could focus on bringing in clients & doing good work rather than feeling stressed about how I am going to get paid/ how much I need to set aside for taxes.
Use software like FreshBooks or Quickbooks. That way you can automate invoicing when you start stacking clients. These softwares also make it easier for your clients to pay you.
Decide how you’ll get paid. Some options are Zelle, bank transfer, check, PayPal, or credit cards (Stripe or Square Pay)
Have a tax savings plan. If you file as a sole proprietor, you have to pay an additional 15.3% self-employment tax along with other income taxes. I saved 25%-30% of all income in my first year in business.
Track money in & money out. I set up a bookkeeping system after I landed a couple of clients. It saved me a lot of time and stress during tax season to have my business income and expenses categorized each month.
+ It’s a great way to gauge the health of your business!
Create an Onboarding Process
Business owners have a lot on their plate so setting expectations and clearly defining what I need in the beginning helps determine if that partnership is a good fit. Honestly, my onboarding process was a big reason I landed a few of my clients!
Here are the two onboarding materials I had ready to go…
A “What It’s Like To Work With Me” doc. This set a timeline and detailed action steps for the onboarding process.
Generic welcome email. This email gives instructions on how to safely get me any logins, Google Drive or Dropbox access, and anything else I’d need from the client.
Resources for New Freelancers
If you have any more questions, please feel free to shoot me any questions via my contact page!
I also compiled a few other resources that you may find helpful as you start your freelance career.
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/taxes/file-taxes-for-freelance-work
https://www.mbopartners.com/blog/how-manage-small-business/how-to-onboard-a-new-client/
https://www.upwork.com/resources/how-to-create-a-proposal-that-wins-jobs
https://www.adobe.com/sign/hub/how-to/best-way-to-invoice-customers
https://www.shopify.com/blog/bookkeeping-101
