If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that working remotely is a greater possibility for thousands of people than ever before. It’s currently estimated that 22% of the workforce in the U.S. alone will be working remotely by 2025.
A large portion of that percentage will be freelancers.
Freelancing has grown in popularity over the last several years for quite a few reasons. More people want to be their own bosses and follow their passions.
But, it’s not always as simple as deciding to quit your “standard” job and start off on your own.
If you truly want to dedicate yourself, starting a freelance business is possible. Having a few tips to get your business off the ground so you can become successful is just as important. So, whether you want to be a writer, a graphic designer, or learn how to open a tax office to be your own boss, let’s cover a few essential tips to get off the ground.
Know Your Target Clients
Understanding your target market is one of the most crucial things to keep in mind as you start your business.
Who will you cater to? How will you reach them? How will you market to them? Using some of the examples we listed above, let’s say you were opening a tax preparation office in your own home or in your own office space. Your audience would be comprised of individuals and businesses that need help with their taxes. You can narrow that down to adults in a specific age range, and if you want to stay local, you can even target specific areas.
The more detailed you can get when it comes to your target clients, the more you can hone in on your marketing efforts to make sure you’re setting the right tone for your audience.
Make Your Business Legally Incorporated
For some people, starting a freelance business is as simple as promoting their services online. But, if you really want to stand out and establish yourself as a legitimate business, you’ll set the legal groundwork.
Thankfully, it isn’t difficult. It starts with coming up with a name for your business, then registering that name. You will then receive an Employee Identification Number (EIN) for your business, and you can start working under the business name, rather than just using your own name.
Another good rule of thumb is to open and use a business bank account, to keep all of your expenses separate from your personal finances.
Publish Your Portfolio
Because so many people are working on freelancing careers, your competition is going to be stiff from the start. No matter what your business is focused on, you’ll want to showcase your work as much as possible for potential clients to get an idea of what to expect. So, focus on your skills, pick your best accomplishments, and feature them on your website, social media accounts, and show them to clients whenever you can.
The reality is, nowadays, anyone can start a freelance business. But, if you truly want yours to be successful, you’ll keep these tips in mind and stand out above your competition.
Image | Source
Add comment