In today’s blog post, I’m going to walk you through how you can become a successful global freelancer in 2024. This is going to be a step-by-step guide for beginners on how to get clients and secure a sustainable client acquisition process for your freelancing business.
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The Ultimate Guide to Getting Clients for Beginner Freelancers
Today, I will share the strategies that helped me hit $10,000 a month (or $100,000 a year) and scale my business into a boutique agency. We’ll touch upon how you can advance your business to the next level.
To become an international freelancer, you likely have a vague idea of what services you want to offer. The key here is to refine these ideas into clear, specific services that potential clients can understand.
For example, I offer global marketing services focused on Facebook advertising and social media growth across multiple platforms. My keywords include “Facebook ads” and “social media strategy for global and Korean markets”.
Define your main keywords clearly—be it social media, marketing, or financial services—and break them down into two or three main services. This clarity will be useful when creating profiles on freelancing platforms or your website.
While many freelancers use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, they may not be sustainable long-term. You might find yourself working 24/7 just to make ends meet, which isn’t ideal.
- Keywords: Add relevant keywords to your LinkedIn bio for better SEO.
- Main Services: Describe your main services in one clear sentence.
- Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Include your target audience and what makes you unique in the industry.
- ‘About’ section: ChatGPT or other tools for the ‘About’ section makes for an easier writing process.
- Skills and Services: List your top skills and services clients can expect from you.
- Additional Sections: Add sections like experience, education, licenses, volunteering, and recommendations. Providing proof of your expertise or capability related to the services you're offering builds integrity and trust with prospective clients.
At first glance, this seems like a lot of work. Worry not – I’ve prepared a free, two-hour workshop on LinkedIn optimization for lead generation for you to follow along and work on your LinkedIn profiles.
Step 3: Build a Strong Portfolio
A portfolio can be your best friend when starting out, especially since there’s often a lack of trust between you and potential clients. If you have relevant past experiences, match them to your current services. For example, I was a Korean tutor, and I leveraged that experience when pitching my current services.
Case studies are excellent in showcasing your mastery with the services you offer. Use past experiences to build case studies that align with your current services. Make sure to emphasize on the results you brought about with your skills and knowledge on the matter.
If you are new and have no prior experience, consider helping family or friends or volunteering with businesses to build your portfolio. Remember, your portfolio pieces should not be under NDA, as you’ll need them to showcase your work.
Step 4: Create a Link in Bio
A well-structured ‘link in bio’ page is essential for freelancers.
- Free Resources: Attach valuable resources for prospective clients.
- ‘Work with Me’: This section details how clients can get to work with you and your team.
- Testimonials: Feature client reviews, feedback, and other social proof to reinforce your credibility and trustworthiness.
- Newsletter: Offer site visitors an option to sign up for your newsletter.
I use a website builder called Milkshake. I recommend this platform as it offers tools to create these mini websites for free, and allows up to five social media links and additional resources.
Step 5: Establish Your Social Media Presence
I encourage you to join as many social media platforms as possible—Twitter, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Even if you don’t post frequently, having a presence on these platforms is advantageous for SEO purposes.
Simply add your bio and the link to your resources. A simple search will lead people to finding you on Google and view relevant images and information to your business and services.
- Credibility and Visibility: Being visible across platforms builds credibility, gaining the trust of prospective clients.
- Content Creation: Select one or two platforms you want to focus on creating and publishing content for. LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook are my top recommendations. Choose a platform based on your comfort level.
If you prefer writing text posts, articles, and the like, LinkedIn and Facebook are most suitable for you. On the other hand, if you are comfortable showing your face and creating video content, you will see more success on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
- Consistency: Update your profiles on a regular basis with recent works, wins, and accomplishments in your field of expertise.
Where Do I Start Freelancing as a Beginner?
For beginners, I recommend starting with Upwork and LinkedIn. Focus on Upwork to earn initial income. Once you have some money, switch your focus to LinkedIn for lead generation and client acquisition.
To help you navigate LinkedIn’s lead generation process, check out my free workshop here. There’s no commitment required—just join and learn!
With the right strategies, becoming a successful global freelancer in 2024 is achievable and sustainable! Work your way up with an established social media presence, optimized LinkedIn profile, a compelling portfolio, and a clear set of services offered.
Got any questions or thoughts about freelancing? Share them in the comments below!
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Hyein
I’m an award-winning global marketing expert running HY Marketing in South Korea. We help businesses succeed in South Korea, Japan, and English-speaking markets through social media and Facebook ads.
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