Proven Tips and Tricks for Building Your Business as a Freelancer
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You’re a writer, and you’ve been thinking about building your business and growing it to the next step. But what precisely is that? How do you get your work out there and grab the target clients’ attention? Building a successful career as a creative is fraught with challenges, but you can navigate the path to long-term flourishing with the right strategies and mindset. Today, we share some tips and tricks for getting discovered and making a thriving career out of your passion.
Create a workspace
Creative work is a lot easier if you have a proper workspace or studio. Regardless of your art form, you need a place that’s conducive to creativity and hard work. If you need to finish a basement or renovate a garage or spare bedroom to get the space and lighting you need the good news.
With these kinds of renovations, you also boost your property’s appraisal value, and a dedicated space is a tax deduction. You might even convert a shed, the kids’ old playroom, or an underused dining room – put your thinking cap on and carve out a place for your passion.
Make a plan and stick to it
You’ll want to create a plan for building your business before you start putting your work out there. Determine what you hope to achieve and how you plan on doing it. The Corporate Finance Institute notes that setting SMART goals can help you stay on track and measure your progress.
Whether you want to finish a novel, participate in writing contests, or get published, having a plan will make the entire process easier to manage. Remember that getting discovered is not an easy task. A well-thought-out strategy will help you stay focused, motivated, and organized through each step of the journey.
Put together a winning resume
A well-crafted resume is essential for building your name as a creative professional, as it serves as the first impression for potential clients or employers. A good resume showcases your skills, experiences, and unique talents, helping you stand out in a competitive industry. While creating one might seem daunting, using free online tools makes the process easier and more efficient.
Using a free resume builder to stand out ensures that your resume is not only polished but also designed in a way that highlights your strengths. With these tools, you can tailor your resume to different opportunities, making it an invaluable asset in your career.
Form a company
Forming your own company is an excellent option for creatives, as it gives you a way to make money from whatever you’re making. However, setting up a business differs depending on where you live, so it’s important to do plenty of research.
That helps to determine what’s required of you and what documents and paperwork you’ll need to fill out. If you’re not sure where to begin, consider how entrepreneurs in the United States set up their businesses.
Creating an LLC (limited liability company) is arguably the best way to protect your assets from potential legal issues in your writing business. It can also yield tax advantages and increase your credibility. Setting up an LLC through a formation company is straightforward. Here are some of the benefits:
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Limited Personal Liability: One of the primary advantages is that it provides personal liability protection to the owners (members). This means that the member’s assets are generally shielded from business debts and legal liabilities, limiting their financial risk to their initial investment in the company.
- Tax Flexibility: LLCs provide flexibility in how they are taxed. By default, they are treated as pass-through entities, where profits and losses are reported on the owner’s tax returns. However, members can choose to be taxed as a corporation if it’s more advantageous for their financial situation.
- Minimal Administrative Requirements: LLCs typically have fewer formalities and administrative requirements compared to other business structures like corporations. They offer greater flexibility in management and operational decision-making, making them an attractive option for small businesses and startups.
Create a website that shares your writing samples
For freelance writers, a well-crafted website is an essential tool for building a successful freelance business. Potential clients frequently use a writer’s website to assess skills, professionalism, and suitability for their projects. A great website acts as your digital portfolio, showcasing your best writing samples in a variety of styles and formats to demonstrate versatility and expertise.
This is the chance to make a really good impression that establishes credibility in your niche. Feature clear categories for your samples (blog posts, articles, copywriting, creative pieces, etc.) to make it easy for clients to find what they need.
Your website is more than just a showcase for your portfolio—it’s the heart of your personal brand. A compelling “About” page helps clients connect with your background, skills, and style, while a clean, professional layout demonstrates that you pay attention to detail. Make it easy for potential clients to get in touch by including a clear email address or a simple contact form.
Adding testimonials or case studies from past clients will also help boost your credibility as you keep building your business. Your website is your chance to show off your writing skills and highlight your professionalism. That helps you stand out and grow your freelance writing business.
Create business cards
For creatives looking to make a lasting impression in their professional interactions, designing a unique business card is a must. A business card is more than just a piece of paper; it’s a tangible piece of your brand that stays with potential customers and clients, making it far more visible and memorable than a simple email.
With free online tools, creating a personalized business card has never been easier. You can choose from a variety of pre-made templates, which provide a great starting point for your design.
From there, you can add your creative flair by incorporating unique images, crafting the perfect text, experimenting with color schemes, and selecting fonts that reflect your personal style and the essence of your brand. This approach not only ensures that your business card stands out but also conveys your creative identity in a visually appealing manner.
Build a social media presence
Want to get discovered? Harness the power of social media! Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook can help you connect with a range of readers, publishers, and agents. Post regular updates about your writing progress, share your work, engage with your followers, and participate in online writing communities.
You should also look into content marketing, as well. Content marketing can be a powerful tool for creatives as it allows them to showcase their work, build an online presence, and reach a global audience.
By consistently sharing their creations, stories, and insights through various content formats, creatives can establish credibility, connect with their target audience, and attract potential clients or patrons.
Remember that building a presence on social media (and other online channels) requires time and effort, but it can pay off big in the long run. The more visible you are online, the better your chances of getting discovered and establishing your brand.
Attend writing conferences and workshops
If you want to get your work out there and connect with other creatives, going to conferences and workshops is a fantastic strategy. These types of events present opportunities to pitch your book, see other artistic styles and learn from top industry professionals.
Plus, it’s a great way to network and keep building your business through relationships with like-minded individuals. Keep in mind that these events can be costly, so you’ll want to do your research and pick only those that align with your goals.
Get feedback
Constructive criticism is a crucial component of improving your craft and getting discovered. Before submitting your work to agents and publishers, seek feedback from beta readers or critique partners.
Writers Helping Writers points out that these individuals can give you honest feedback, point out weaknesses, and offer legitimate suggestions for improvement. You may find your voice, style, and characters refining faster than you expected!
Don’t give up
Lastly, you must stay motivated when things seem hopeless. Writing is a tough industry, and rejection is almost inevitable. But here’s the thing: each rejection is a learning opportunity. Use feedback to refine your skills, and keep submitting your work to agents and publishers. Believe in yourself, and never give up on your dreams!
The journey of getting discovered as a writer is a long and challenging one. But implement perseverance and effective strategies, and you can achieve your goals and keep building your business that is successful out of your passion.
Making a plan, building an online presence, and using the other tactics above will move you in the right direction. You’ll be one step closer to getting discovered in your niche and sharing your stories with the world.
Author Bio
Clarence Wilkins started his first business — a neighborhood lawn mowing venture — at 13 and hasn’t looked back since. He created Bizz Pop to offer advice and business growth and development resources to other entrepreneurs.
