How to Land a Great Freelance Job

If you freelance, you know how difficult it can be to find a great freelance gig that meets the "golden" criteria of being both well-paying and long-term. This article includes helpful hints on how to land a great freelance job.

Things You'll Need

• Resume
• Website
• Business cards

Instructions

Landing a Great Freelance Job

1. Create your "brand." Your personal brand identity is the key to establishing yourself as a potential freelancer for a company. If you want to shine above the scores of other freelancers out there, you will have to create a presence for yourself.

2. Invest in, or create, a logo. A logo ties a brand together through business cards, letterhead, website usage and more. Think of the logo as the extension of yourself and a way to put yourself out there in a simple yet efficient manner. If you know how to create a logo, do it. If creating logos is not something that comes naturally, this is one item worth investing in.

3. Create your "products." Create business cards, a website, letterhead and envelopes to promote your business.

4. Utilize your "products" any time you can in order to get your name out in the community. Even when writing unrelated business correspondence, use your company letterhead. For example, if you are paying a lawn company via mail, mail the check in your company envelope. If they need your services in the future, they may be more apt to use your services if your business name comes to mind because they have your products in front of them on a steady basis.

5. Network, network, network. Get to know people that could use your services. If you own a dog walking business, for example, bring your business cards with you to the local dog park. If you own a catering company, let your friends know you would love to cater their next party to make the event more enjoyable for them in the future.

6. Create a niche. Many graphic designers, for instance, specialize in designing for non-profits only. When you create a niche, you will also create a name for yourself in that community and word-of-mouth will become your best marketing tool.

7. Utilize the Internet. Get to know different message boards that cater to freelancers. You might, for example, become a frequent poster on the WAHM message forums (see resources below) if you are searching for a virtual assisting job, a writing job or a data entry job.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to offer your services. Confidence will go a long way in your promotion efforts.

• Consider bartering. This will get your name out and be mutually beneficial.

• Always get a contract.

Resources

• WAHM Message Boards