Is it possible for a freelancer to start his/her own freelance business? The answer is Yes! A freelancer can start a business in easy steps. If you are a freelancer and have decided to start a business, then you can start a freelance business in the 7 easy steps described in this article.
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What is a Freelance Business?
“A Freelance Business is like any other business, but the only difference is that it is owned and managed by a freelancer” A freelancer is a self-employed owner of a Freelance Business.
A freelance business is the best way to start your own business as a self-employed owner. If you are creative and ready for an entrepreneurial career, then there is a freelance business opportunity for all types of freelancing jobs.
START A FREELANCE BUSINESS IN 7 EASY STEPS
Here are some steps to take to get started and start a freelance business.
1) Decide on type of freelance business
First, you need to decide how you want to proceed as a freelancer. You want the part-time, full-time, or you want to build your own freelance brand as a business. It is the most important step of all. Since it will help you formulate a strategy for your freelance business, therefore, you need to decide how your business model should be?
You mainly need to decide the option from:
1) Part-time online freelance business
2) Full Time freelance business
You need to work out a business plan and strategy for your business. Once you decide what type of freelance business you want to establish, then the next step is to formulate the strategy and a business plan according to the type of business.
The next steps of starting a business are all about strategy and business planning, which starts from deciding on the type of freelance company.
2) Decide on type of company
The best reward for a freelancer to start a freelance business is to be a business and brand owner. Instead of working for others, you will be working for yourself.
Since you are starting a new career, therefore, it’s better to have a legal entity where you can work and represent your business. You have to set up a legal entity that can be a sole propertier company or limited liability company.
You should take this step after a deep understanding of company structures and their requirements. It is advisable to consider your business goals look at different types of businesses and assess which type of company supports your goals.
It is necessary to decide business type so that you can create an accounting and tax payment structure accordingly.
You can always change your business type later if you want.
3) Develop your freelance business packages
Once you have decided what type of business you want to establish, now it’s time for determining the services, products, and price tags. Analyze all the aspects of the products and services you decided to offer and their associated costs.
Turn your services and products into packages, and then create a transparent pricing structure so that your clients better understand what prices you charge and why. This will also help you price your skills and competence and establish how many clients you may need to keep your business running.
When finalizing the rates and prices of your services and products, just remember that you should analyze the competition. But your services and freelance proposals don’t have to be priced based on your competitors’ rates only. Since you may offer more valuable service than your competitor, therefore always charge based on the value you offer.
4) Use the right freelancing tools
Now you have the business platform with packages and prices for your freelance business. Now define the business policies, documentation, and processes. To do that, you need to have all the proper tools to have a professional start.
Use a planner or business template to prepare all business documents like proposals, letterhead, invoices, receipts and describe all the processes that will be a part of your business operations.
Prepare templates and documents like quotations, customer policy, customer feedback forms, contracts, etc. You need to maintain the discipline to follow processes and prepare documents from day one, to avoid getting stuck when the going gets tough.
Some of the following types of software options can streamline your business processes. The software’s will make it easier for you to manage your work:
Online Proposal Generators
Online Small business applications
An invoicing software to automate the streamlined process and increase productivity and convenience.
A project management software for cross-functional collaboration between different departments.
Productivity tools to collaborate and communicate effectively
5) Promote your freelance business
It’s time to do some marketing and promotions to get the attention of customers. Laying the foundation to market your business is the first step in informing your audience about your business.
Set up a business website with complete business information and your products and services. Create social media accounts like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and reach a maximum audience. Building a website will boost your business as it shows businesses and customers proof of what you can offer.
Also, create your business cards, brochures, and catalogs and promote them online on all social media platforms.
Networking is essential because it attracts potential customers immediately. You can also ask your friends and family to share your business services on social networks. You will be surprised by the referrals that your contacts can generate for you.
Hopefully, with the right promotional strategy and activities, you will start finding clients and work for your freelance business, and you will start making money from your business.
6) Filtering the Clients
Choosing your clients carefully is very important in the freelance business. You need to filter your clients smartly. Your portfolio should indicate the type of projects you are ready to undertake and include testimonials from your previous clients. Since if your clients don’t rank you well, you probably won’t get any more clients from his reference.
To begin with, you can build your website and list your products, services, and packages on the website with work samples. Then start offering your services as a business account on freelance online platforms. Fiverr and Upwork are the most famous and best platforms, but off-course more competitive of all. But it’s worth a try to test these online platforms to find some genuine long-term clients.
It may not be a great idea to be too picky about it, either. Instead, choose clients or businesses that can be beneficial to you in the long run.
By creating a portfolio of clients, you can create a pool to attract potential clients.
7) Payment Terms of freelance business
The most tricky and important step is getting paid. In order to run a successful freelance business, you must decide on the payment terms on which you are comfortable and easily deliver quality work to the entire satisfaction of your client.
Always get consent during the negotiation for the payment terms. You don’t need to go too hard or too soft, just try to work out a win-win situation for both parties.
Freelance business requires a regular cash flow and payments to stabilize and flourish, therefore set your payment terms accordingly.
Conclusions
If you are considering quitting your job and want to start your freelance business with your freelancing skills, then make sure you have the right strategy. In order to build a profitable freelance business, take your decisions wisely. Especially with planning, research, and focus on your freelance business and keep trying to establish your own freelance brand. Research, plan and build a strategy to start a freelance business and once your platform is set, then enjoy the fruits for a lifetime.
If you want to start freelancing as a beginner, you can always learn easy skills to start a freelance business and make money online as a passive income.
