If you’ve given up on the typical job search or you’ve just decided that you need to make the most of your time while searching for that perfect job, you’ve likely thought of freelance work. Deciding to be a freelancer can be one of the most exciting decisions in your career. If you develop a strong brand for your freelance business, you could very well end up with a successful business down the road.
Developing your brand as a freelancer can seem a bit challenging at first, but when broken down into the following 3 steps you will find that it is quite simple.
1. Create a website
Your first step is to create a website for your business. First, consider what you want on your website and how you can best promote your business online. Think about the name of your business, color schemes, and brand logos.
Once you know how you want your website to look, it’s very simple and quite cost effective to create a website. For example, Bluehost is a very popular service that many freelancers use. While Bluehost offers several different packages, its basic package is as little as $3.49 a month, which is quite affordable for most people.
Once you have selected your domain name and established your website, you will want to be sure to keep track of the number of site visits your receive each day so that you can determine how much visibility you are receiving.
2. Establish a social media presence
If you want to give your new website and your freelance business a boost in visibility, you should develop your social media presence. Create a Facebook page, LinkedIn page, and a Twitter handle for your freelance business. Be sure to include a link to your website and an overview of the type of service you provide.
Simply creating these social media accounts does not mean that you are done with this side of the business. You should be active on each social media site daily, taking part in conversations, sharing articles and news topics, and building your network on each platform.
Remember that social media is somewhat like a triangle – the more you share your message with people, the more your message will get passed along to others. Social media is a great way to advertise quickly and freely. Make sure that you are taking full advantage of this.
3. Network
Networking outside of social media is extremely important when advertising your freelance business. Make sure that you are involved in your community and any local business meetups. You can check with your local Chamber of Commerce for networking events, as well as sign up for meetup.com to view any other local networking groups that your chamber may be unaware of.
Once you have established your presence locally, consider looking into non-local networking events. For example, if your freelance business is specialized in providing travel advice, it may be worthwhile for you to attend a travel blogger seminar in another state. Of course, cost is something to factor in here and I would only advise that you do this after you have clearly established your local presence, created your website, and established your social media presence. Including high cost networking trips too early on in your freelance business can make or break it for your business when it comes to cost.
What are some other ways you might develop your brand as a freelancer? Please share your tips in the comments below.
Image: gstockstudio/BigStock.com
Add comment