Landing And Keeping Freelance Work

Many people desire to find out about freelance opportunities or how to land freelance work for themselves, but they become intimidated by the prospect and do not know how to start.  This is how to begin.

• Decide what you want to do.   Freelance work is your long awaited chance to do whatever kind of work you want, so choose well.  Choose something that you like but that you will also make money doing.   Also consider the economy.  If the economy is bad, luxuries like pet grooming tend to decline.  Try to find a job that will remain relatively stable all the time.  Here are some freelance markets that already exist:  accountant, advertising consultant, animal trainer, animator, architect, bookkeeper, business  consultant, career consultant, caterer, computer specialist, customer service, data entry, editor, employee recruiter, engineer, environment  consultant, event  planner, fashion consultant, fitness  consultant,  housekeeper, interior designer, landscaper, mechanic, media specialist, model , mystery shopper, online teacher/tutor, painter, performer,  photographer, realtor, researcher, scrapbook consultant, social media consultant, translator, virtual concierge/assistant, virtual juror, website specialist, or freelance writer.
• Receive the proper education, training, certification, or license.   Sometimes you might base your choice of work on skills and education that you already happen to possess, or you might do something totally unrelated to your formal training.  The important thing is to check current laws to learn what credentials are legally required.
• Spread the word.  Tell people what kind of work you do, and ask them for freelance work leads.  Friends and family are usually willing to tell others about your endeavors.  Word of mouth is still probably the best form of advertising.
• Take care of your current clients.  Check back with them to see if their new product or service is what they expected.   Send them cards on birthdays and anniversaries.   Keep them informed of upcoming sales and promotions.
• Try to gain new clients.  Offer referral bonuses or discounts to existing clients.  Ask businesses to send you work.  For example, if you are a house inspector, ask a realty office to give your name.  Learn more about freelance work in your spare time as well to gain insight.
• Become an expert in your field.   Maintain your licenses and certifications.  Attend conferences and workshops.  Enter contests; this is especially good for photographers, animators, and computer specialists to do.  If you are a writer, submit query letters to editors.
• Advertise.   Buy advertising space in niche publications.  Place advertisements on websites within your industry.   Leave business cards with local businesses.  Place posters in businesses.  Advertising can be the ultimate freelance work achilles heel if not done properly.
• Check into freelance websites.   These have advantages   because it protects both the freelancer and the client from bad business deals.  Research elance.com, guru.com, freelancefree.com, freelancer.com, ifreelance.com, and projectforhire.com.  Many of them offer free memberships; and most of the paid memberships are reasonably priced.
• Network with businesses and other freelancers.  Find businesses related to your industry.  If you are a dog trainer, build a relationship with veterinarians in your area.  Find freelancers that do similar work and send each other clients.

Building your reputation as a freelancer takes time, so be patient.  Do your best work, even if you do not enjoy the current project?   One day your dream project will come along and it all began with learning about freelance work and its systematic approach.