Virtually every freelancer got into the business due to having been promised freedom and flexibility as long as they had the talent to deliver. But, once you are in, you’ll quickly realize how impossibly difficult it is to build a solid freelance career on talent alone.
Yes, possessing a valuable skillset is essential, but that alone will not guarantee a steady stream of high-paying clients.
If you want to escape the drudgery of endless freelancing applications and low-paying gigs, then this article is for you, as it provides strategies for attracting high-paying freelance clients. As a freelancer, you not only need to be skilled at what you do. You also need to be proficient in proactive freelance client acquisition.
This article will provide you with all the tools and freelance pricing strategies that you need to shift from reactive job hunting to becoming more strategic in how you try to find clients.
1. Leveraging the Power of Referrals
According to a report, 60% of freelancers land gigs through passive sources, which includes referrals. When trying to get high-paying freelance clients, there’s nothing as important as letting your work speak for you. Having someone market your services carries an inherent weight of trust and credibility that cold outreach cannot match.
When a satisfied client recommends your services to their network, it positions you as a reliable and skilled professional, in a way that you might not have been able to communicate if you were only cold-meeting potential clients. It’s a great boost to your freelance client acquisition efforts.
So, clearly, it’s much easier to convince people who are already pre-disposed to view you favorably.
But referral does not have to be entirely passive, though. There are ways you can create a referral system that advances your services. This includes encouraging your clients to spread the word. Also, collect their testimonials and feedback concerning your services and publish them as client reviews on your website.
When people see that others have nice things to say about your business, they’ll be more willing to trust you to deliver.
2. Niching Down for Higher Pay
There are two ways to become a freelancer. You can either spread out your services across a broad range, or you can have a super narrow focus in which you must excel. Many freelancers erroneously think that casting a wide net is the key to success in the business. But the opposite is often true, however paradoxical that may sound.
By focusing on one niche, you position yourself as an expert rather than a generalist, and this allows you to command higher rates. Niching down is also advantageous because it brings you into deep familiarity with the challenges and trends in your chosen area, in a way that remaining a generalist might not afford you.
Clients who are seeking specialized expertise are more focused on finding the right person to solve their particular problem instead of being price-sensitive. So, instead of simply being a “web developer,” consider pitching yourself as a “Shopify e-commerce developer specializing in custom theme development for luxury brands.” The latter differentiates you.
3. Building a Strong Network
Another important step to take when trying to attract high-paying freelance clients is to ensure that you are in the right network. This is all about putting yourself in places where your services are most likely to be sought. Networking, against what many people practice, is not about collecting business cards. You need to build genuine relationships with individuals.
This often looks like attending industry events, joining online communities, registering for conferences, and engaging in meaningful conversations. Note that these activities may not solely be for the purpose of finding new clients. That means all your conversations shouldn’t simply be about freelance client acquisition.
However, by putting yourself in those spaces, you will ordinarily find yourself having chance meetings with people who need your services, boosting your freelance client acquisition process organically. That is, it lowers your odds of success. In fact, individuals in your network may themselves not need your services, but they can introduce you to ideal clients and opportunities that you might not have been able to find on your own.
4. Crafting a Compelling Presence
As a freelancer, you need to make sure that your online presence is compelling enough to attract the kinds of clients you want. Often, that online presence is the first impression potential clients have of you and your work as a virtual storefront of your services. So, here, we’re talking about your website, portfolio, social media profiles, and any other platforms where you showcase your expertise.
A coherent and well-crafted online presence is an efficient way to demonstrate professionalism and credibility. That means, apart from showcasing your best work, you need to invest in high-quality visuals and ensure that your copy is persuasive, with clear calls to action.
For instance, your online portfolio is a great way to show that you pay attention to details. More so, your activity on social media platforms also contributes to your online presence because it shows that you are active and engaged in the field.
5. Pricing and Negotiating Strategically
After all is said and done, attracting high-paying freelance clients is only half the battle. The other half depends on how well you can implement good freelance pricing strategies and negotiate with confidence. Many freelancers, even and especially those who are sufficiently skilled, often leave money on the table because they undervalue their own services.
For one, you need to understand the value you provide and be confident in how well you can deliver, which is key to to implementing strong freelance pricing strategies. Remember that a client and a freelancer should mutually benefit from their relationship. So, start by looking at the prevailing rates in the market to serve as a benchmark for how you will price your services.
At the same time, don’t hesitate to price yourself about the average if you can confidently demonstrate that your expertise and the value you deliver justify a premium rate. During negotiation, practice clearly articulating the specific benefits that clients will receive by working with you.
Master Freelancing
Being a freelancer does not have to be the road of hopelessness. With strategies and tips like the ones shared, you can master the business side of freelancing as you continue to hone your skillset for success. Follow StartUp Growth Guide for all the tips and resources you need.
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