The rise of the freelance economy has been a major talking point in recent years, with more and more people choosing to ditch the traditional 9-5 grind in favour of a more flexible way of working.
And it’s no wonder – freelancing offers a whole host of benefits, from being your own boss and setting your own hours, to working from anywhere in the world.
But as with anything, there are also some challenges that come with freelancing – namely, finding work.
If you’re thinking about making the switch to freelancing full-time (or even just dipping your toe in the water with some side hustles), then read on for our top tips on how to find work as a freelancer in 2022.
Get yourself out there
The first step to landing any job is making sure that potential employers know you exist! And when it comes to freelancing, this means getting yourself out there online and offline. Start by creating a strong portfolio that showcases your skills and experience, and make sure you have an up-to-date CV too. Then, start networking – join relevant Facebook groups, follow industry leaders on Twitter, attend meetups. Basically put yourself out there as much as possible so that when clients are looking for someone with your skillset, they think of you first.
Use social media
Social media is a powerful tool that can help you not only connect with potential clients but also build up your personal brand and get your name out there. Make sure you’re active on all the relevant channels for your industry (LinkedIn is particularly good for business-to-business services) and share interesting articles/content that will position you as an expert in your field. If you can get involved in online conversations and contribute valuable insights, even better!
Bid on projects
There are lots of websites where companies post jobs or ‘projects’ which freelancers can then bid on – Xplace is one of the most popular ones.
Go old school and use word of mouth
In today’s digital world we often forget about the power of good old fashioned word of mouth marketing! If you want to attract quality clients who are willing to pay top dollar for your services then make sure people know what it is that you do – tell everyone from family members and friends through to local businesses owners (even if they don’t need your services themselves right now). The more people who know about what you do, the more likely it is that someone will eventually come knocking when they need help from a freelance professional just like you.
Use job boards effectively
If you’re looking for a freelance job, the most logical place to start your search is on a job board. There are many different types of job boards out there, but they all essentially serve the same purpose: to connect employers with potential employees. While some job boards may be specific to certain industries or types of jobs, others are more general and can be a great resource for finding any type of freelance work.
The first step in using a job board to find freelance work is to create a profile. This is where you will input your contact information, resume, and any other relevant details about yourself and your skillset. Many job boards also allow you to upload samples of your work, which can be extremely helpful in getting hired. Once you have created a profile, take some time to browse through the different jobs that are posted and see if anything catches your eye.
When searching for jobs on a job board, it’s important to use keywords that accurately describe what you’re looking for. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, include terms like “graphic design,” “logo design,” or “web design.” This will help ensure that the jobs you’re seeing are actually relevant to your skillset. You can also use filters to narrow down your search results even further; this can be especially helpful if you’re only interested in jobs that pay hourly or offer remote work options.
Once you’ve found a few good leads, it’s time to start applying! Most job boards will allow you to apply directly through their site, which makes the process fairly simple and straightforward. When applying for any type of freelancing position, it’s always important to put your best foot forward; this means taking the time to write tailored cover letters and submitting high-quality samples of your work (if applicable). The goal is to make sure that each employer knows exactly why they should hire YOU – not just any random freelancer off the internet.
Applying for freelance jobs can seem daunting at first, but remember that everyone has to start somewhere. By utilizing different resources – like job boards – and perfecting your application materials (resume, cover letter), you’ll increase your chances of landing gigs and eventually becoming a successful freelancer!
When you’re job searching, it’s important to cast a wide net and not limit yourself to just the largest job boards. Here are eight reasons why you shouldn’t confine your search to the most popular job sites:
– You’ll miss out on smaller, niche boards.
The large job boards are great for getting a general overview of what’s out there, but you’ll miss out on more specialized or niche job boards if you confine your search to them. There are often industry-specific or location-specific job boards that can be really helpful in finding jobs that fit your specific criteria. For example https://job.guide/ operates across 500 US cities and is a great place to find a job in a variety of niches. However, if you’re looking for a job in Canada, rather than America, you should look for Canadian, niche websites.
– You might overlook good jobs that aren’t well-advertised.
Not all companies have the budget to post their open positions on the big job boards, so you could be missing out on some great opportunities if you only look at those sites. Sometimes the best way to find these unadvertised jobs is through networking or word-of-mouth; ask around and see if anyone knows of any openings that might be a good fit for you.
– The competition is higher on larger job boards.
Since everyone knows about the major job websites, they tend to be quite competitive – which means it can be harder to get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers when you submit your application through one of those sites. If you want to improve your chances of being seen, try looking at some of the less popular (but still high quality) job sites instead.
Use LinkedIn effectively.
– Enable the “Open to work” Feature
When you enable the “Open to work” feature on LinkedIn, your profile is marked with a special badge that signals to recruiters and hiring managers that you’re open to new job opportunities. This makes it easier for them to find and contact you about positions that may be a good fit.
There are several reasons why you should enable the “Open to work” feature if you’re looking for a job. First, it’s an easy way to let recruiters and hiring managers know that you’re available and interested in hearing about new opportunities. Second, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking and connecting with potential employers, so enabling the “Open to work” badge can help you expand your professional network. Finally, having the badge on your profile can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs; employers are more likely to consider candidates who have taken this proactive step of indicating their interest in new opportunities.
If you’re ready to start exploring new job possibilities, enabling the “Open To Work” feature on LinkedIn is a great first step. By making your availability known, you’ll increase your chances of being contacted by recruiters and hiring managers about positions that could be right for you. So don’t wait – take advantage of this tool today and see what exciting opportunities come your way!
– Use InMail to Send Pitches to Decision-Makers
When you’re looking for a freelance job, it’s important to target the right decision-makers with your pitches. And one of the best ways to reach those decision-makers is through InMail on LinkedIn.
InMail allows you to send personalized messages directly to another LinkedIn member, even if you’re not connected to them. This can be a great way to get in touch with someone who might be able to give you a freelance opportunity.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when using InMail to pitch yourself for a freelance job:
– Keep it short and sweet
When sending an InMail, make sure your message is clear and concise. No one wants to read a long, rambling message – they’ll just delete it without reading. Get straight to the point and tell them why you’re contacting them and what you can do for them.
– Personalize your message
Don’t just send out generic messages – take the time to personalize each one. Mention something specific about their company or their work that shows you’ve done your research and know what they do. They’ll be much more likely to respond positively if they see that you know what they need.
The freelancing market in 2022
The freelancing market has exploded in recent years and is only expected to grow in the coming years. In fact, by 2022 it is estimated that there will be a full-time equivalent of 86.5 million people freelancing in the United States alone! This massive growth can be attributed to a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of the gig economy, the rise of technological advancements, and the changing nature of work itself.
As more and more people are seeking alternative ways to make a living, the freelancing market has become increasingly attractive. And with the advent of new technologies, it’s easier than ever before to get started as a freelancer. Whether you’re looking for freelance writing jobs or other creative gigs, there’s no shortage of opportunities out there.
What’s driving this growth? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key factors:
The Gig Economy
One of the biggest drivers behind the growth of freelancing is the rise of the gig economy. In case you’re not familiar with the term, “gig economy” refers to an environment where temporary or short-term positions are common and where workers are often hired on a project basis rather than as full-time employees. With traditional 9-to-5 jobs becoming less common, more and more people are turning to gig work in order to make ends meet.
Technological Advancements
In addition to the gig economy, another big factor driving freelancing growth is technological advancement. Thanks to developments like video conferencing software and online collaboration tools, it’s now possible for freelancers to work with clients from all over the world without ever having to leave their homes (or even get out of their pyjamas!). This increased flexibility makes freelancing an appealing option for many people who might not otherwise have considered it. Plus, with so many businesses now relying on technology for day-to-day operations, there’s an increasing demand for workers with tech skills — which means plenty of opportunities for tech-savvy freelancers!
Final thoughts.
As the world progresses, new technologies and economic paradigms are emerging which are driving the growth of the freelance economy.
One of the most important drivers of this growth is the rise of technological advancements and digitalization. With more and more businesses moving online and conducting their operations through digital platforms, there is an increasing demand for talented individuals who can provide services such as web design, content writing, social media marketing, etc.
Another significant driver of the freelance economy is the changing nature of work itself. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, organizations are increasingly looking for nimble and flexible workers who can help them with specific tasks or projects on a short-term basis. This has created a great opportunity for freelancers who are able to offer their services on a flexible and per-project basis.
Lastly, another factor that is driving the growth of the freelance economy is the increasing costs associated with traditional employment. With businesses becoming increasingly globalized and competitive, many organizations are looking to cut costs by outsourcing certain positions or functions to freelancers who can often do the same work for less money.
All of these factors –the rise of technology, changing nature of work, and increasing costs associated with traditional employment– are contributing to the growth of the freelance economy. As more businesses look to tap into this growing market, it is expected that this trend will continue to accelerate in the years to come.
