So you want to become a freelancer, but you're not interested in dealing with the hassle of massive freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. You'd rather find your own clients and build a sustainable business on your own terms. The good news is you absolutely can launch a successful freelance career without relying on those websites.
In fact, avoiding platforms like Upwork and Fiverr from the start will allow you to establish a strong, independent foundation for your freelance business. You'll be able to focus on finding the right types of clients, set your own rates, and build valuable long-term working relationships. Becoming a freelancer is challenging enough without worrying about platform fees, poor-quality gigs, and unreasonable client demands.
It will take work, but by leveraging your professional network, creating a compelling online presence, and pursuing targeted marketing strategies, you can land high-quality freelance work and jumpstart a fulfilling career as an independent creative professional. If you're ready to take control of your freelance destiny, here are the steps to make it happen.
Decide on Your Niche and Offerings
Deciding on your niche and offerings is one of the most important first steps to launching your freelance career. Rather than casting a wide net, focus on an area you have expertise in.
For example, if you’re a writer, do you specialize in blog posts, email newsletters, or social media content? As a virtual assistant, do you handle administrative tasks, social media management, or both?
Build your portfolio
Put together samples of your best work to share with potential clients. If you’re just starting out, you may need to do a few pro bono projects to build up your portfolio. Reach out to nonprofits or small businesses in your local area and offer your services for free in exchange for testimonials and work samples.
Set your rates
Do some research on typical rates for your niche and experience level. You’ll want to price yourself competitively while still making a good living. Don’t undervalue yourself, but also don’t overcharge, especially when you’re first getting started. You can always raise your rates over time as you gain more experience.
Find your first clients
Start networking to find new clients. Reach out to former colleagues or managers and let them know you’re available for freelance work. Join relevant Facebook groups and online communities to connect with like-minded professionals. Don’t forget about old-fashioned methods like attending industry events or Meetups in your area.
With a solid niche, portfolio, rates, and networking strategy in place, you'll be well on your way to landing your first freelance clients and jumpstarting an exciting new career as an independent professional. The opportunities are endless!
Build Your Portfolio and Credentials
To launch your freelance career, you need to build your credibility. How? Establish a professional online presence and portfolio to showcase your skills.
Build a website.
A simple portfolio site allows you to highlight your services, experience, and work samples. Use a free or low-cost website builder to create a clean, uncluttered site with a clear service offering page. Include strong visuals and glowing testimonials from happy clients.
Create a LinkedIn profile.
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital resume. Flesh out your profile with a professional photo, headline, summary, and work experience. Ask former colleagues and clients for recommendations to help establish your credibility. Join relevant LinkedIn groups to connect with potential new clients.
Develop a portfolio of your work.
Whether it’s writing samples, design work, videos—compile the best examples of what you can do. For writers, include 3 to 5 published clips or samples of different types of content you can produce. For designers, curate 5 to 10 examples of visual designs, interfaces or other creative work. For video producers or photographers, include 3 to 5 examples of your best work on your website.
Get credentials or certifications (if needed).
Some fields require specific degrees, certifications or credentials. If relevant for your industry, work to obtain the necessary accreditation. For example, certified public accountants need a CPA, teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in education, and project managers often pursue a PMP certification. The right credentials, combined with experience, help establish your expertise.
With a strong online presence, portfolio, and credentials in place, you’ll be poised to attract high-quality freelance work without relying on general marketplaces. Now get out there and start promoting your services! The freelance life awaits.
Create Your Personal Website
Creating a personal website is one of the best ways to establish your freelance business without relying on major platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Pick a Website Builder
Choose a simple website builder like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress. These tools make it easy to create an attractive website without any coding experience. Focus on a clean, minimal design that showcases your work and services.
Keep your site mobile-friendly, load fast, and easy to navigate. A simple home page with links to ‘About’, ‘Services’, ‘Portfolio’, and ‘Contact’ pages is a good place to start.
Share Your Story
On your ‘About’ page, share your background, experience, skills, and passion for your work in an authentic, relatable way. Help visitors understand what makes you uniquely qualified for the work you do. Discuss your journey to becoming a freelancer and your vision for helping clients.
Images of you, your workspace, tools, or process can help bring your story to life. Keep the tone friendly and inviting. Your enthusiasm for your work should shine through.
Showcase Your Work
Feature some of your best work on your ‘Portfolio’ page. Include images, descriptions, and results for each project. Organize your work by project type or client to make it easy to navigate. New or prospective clients will evaluate your abilities based on your portfolio, so make sure it’s high quality and impactful.
Make it Easy to Connect
Your ‘Contact’ page should have a simple contact form where people can reach out and inquire about your services. Be sure to list your business email, phone number, and any social media profiles as well. Respond to all inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
Building your own website takes time and effort but is well worth it. By putting in the work to create an authentic digital home for your business, you’ll open yourself up to new opportunities and establish credibility as a freelancer. Clients will find you based on your skills and work, not your ratings on a major platform. With a compelling website, the freelance work—and pay—you’ve been looking for is sure to follow!
Network and Find Clients Locally
Networking locally is one of the best ways to find new freelance clients without relying on major websites like Upwork or Fiverr.
Tap into Your Existing Network
Reach out to people you already know, like former colleagues, bosses, mentors, and friends. They may be able to connect you with people looking to hire a freelancer with your skills.
Join Local Organizations
Look for local chapters of national organizations related to your industry or areas of expertise. Become an active member by attending meetings, events, and networking. Doing so establishes you as an expert in your field and helps you build relationships that could lead to new clients.
Host a Meetup
Organize your own local meetup centered around a topic you specialize in. This is a great way to position yourself as an expert, share knowledge, and connect with potential new clients. Choose a casual setting like a coffee shop, set a regular meeting schedule, and promote your meetup on sites like Meetup.com, Facebook Groups, and relevant online communities.
Build Your Referral Network
Ask satisfied clients to refer you to people they know who may need your services. Offer an incentive for referrals that turn into new clients. A referral from an existing happy client is one of the best ways to land a new project.
Putting in the effort to network locally and build connections with real people will help establish you as a trusted freelance expert in your community. While it may take time, the payoff of finding loyal clients through in-person interactions and word-of-mouth referrals will be well worth it. By tapping into your existing network and looking for new ways to get involved locally, you'll be landing great new freelance gigs in no time without the help of major gig websites.
Leverage Social Media to Promote Your Services
Social media platforms are a great way to spread the word about your freelance services and find new clients. Here are some tips to leverage social media:
Build Your Professional Profiles
Focus on the major platforms for business like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Create optimized profiles highlighting your services, experience, portfolio, and reviews from past clients. Include relevant hashtags and keywords in your profile bios to help people find you in searches.
Share Valuable Content
Post content that showcases your expertise and provides value to your target clients. Share blog posts, videos, images, or other media discussing tips, insights, case studies, or trends in your industry. Engage people by asking questions and starting discussions in the comments. This positions you as a thought leader in your field and helps build trust in your abilities.
Expand Your Network
Connect with people in your industry like potential clients, influencers, journalists, and other freelancers. Comment on their posts, invite them to connect on LinkedIn, and start building mutually beneficial relationships. Some may become new clients or refer other leads your way.
Promote Your Services
Don't be afraid to promote yourself and the services you offer. Post updates highlighting your latest projects, accomplishments, availability for new work, or any current specials or promotions you may be running. Share praise and testimonials from happy clients. Let people know the specific ways you can help them.
Engage With Your Audience
Be active and engage with people that follow you. Like and comment on their posts, answer any questions, and start conversations. Thank new followers and those that share or promote your content. Build a community around the value you provide. People will appreciate your responsiveness and be more inclined to work with you or spread the word about your services.
Social media takes time but using these strategies can help establish you as an authority, increase your visibility, and generate new leads for your freelance business without relying on the major freelance marketplaces. With regular engagement and optimized profiles, social media has the potential for a high return on the time invested.
Conclusion
So you see, you have plenty of options to get your freelance career off the ground without relying on the big freelance platforms. It may take a bit more hustle, but by focusing on your niche, building a website to establish your authority, networking, and pitching to potential clients directly, you'll be securing better paying work on your own terms in no time. The key is just to take that first step and get started. Once you land your first client, the momentum will build from there. Before you know it, you'll have a thriving freelance business all your own and the freedom to work from anywhere. The possibilities are endless! What are you waiting for? Get out there and make it happen. You've got this!
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