As a freelancer, you’ll probably know how pressured it can be at times. You’re always aware that finding work and building your brand and reputation is entirely on your shoulders. There’s no employer handing you work day after day, and that’s why it’s so important to stand out.
I’m going to talk today about some of the things you can do to stand out from the crowd as a freelancer. You can’t afford to get left behind, so it’s time to improve your competitive game. So read on now to find out more.
Care About Your Clients
Caring about your clients is something that every freelancer should do. You’re working closely with them, and you have to have that desire to deliver for them. Show them that you’re fully invested in the client relationship and the work you’re completing for them. If you can do that, your clients will see much greater value in choosing to work with you over some of the other options that might be out there.
Convey a Succinct Message
You should do your best to convey a message to your audience that’s succinct. You need people to understand who you are, what you’re doing and what you stand for. And being clear in your messaging and keeping things transparent will help with that. You don’t need to overcomplicate things or bombard customers with conflicting messaging because that’ll only confuse them. Be as clear as you can about what you have to offer and don’t make people have to strain in order to understand.
Develop a Consistent Reputation
You should try to do everything you can to develop a reputation for consistency. People want to know that the freelancers they choose to work with are going to be dependable and reliable. If you aren’t doing any of those things for your clients, you’re not going to go far, and if you do stand out, it’ll be for the wrong reasons. So try to really emphasize your consistency and develop a reputation as a freelancer that clients can really depend on to deliver what they need and what they’re looking for.
Get High Quality Business Cards Made
If you want to make sure that the people you connect and network with remember who you are, you need to give them something to take away with them, even if it’s as simple as a business card. It gives people a reason to remember you and an easy way to access your contact details so future connections can be made. There are lots of great options out there, such as folded business cards that incorporate some stunning modern designs. It’s worth going the extra mile with these things.
Let Your Personality Shine Through
Letting your personality really shine through is something that matters a lot. You’re not a business; you’re an individual. So don’t be afraid to show your individualism because it’s one way in which you can stand out as a better option than a business that doesn’t really have that human face. Use it as an asset rather than worrying about it being something that holds you back. This is something I do not shy away from (even though it means I may alienate some people)
Invest in Good Branding and Web Design
Investing in good branding and web design is something that you can’t afford to overlook or ignore. If you’re not someone who’s very good at that kind of thing, you simply need to hire someone to do the work for you who does understand these issues. A good website is vital because, in many cases, this will be the first time anyone interacts with something of yours. And if they like what they see, you’ll immediately stand out for the right reasons.
Own Your Niche
Finally, you need to make sure that you’re doing everything within your power to really own your niche and show people that you’re the best at what you do. The best way to stand out is through the work you’re delivering each and every day. If people can see that you’re delivering real quality, they’ll be much more likely to pay attention and want to work with you in turn. So own your niche and don’t stray too far away from it.
Standing out from the crowd can be a great way to secure more clients and grow your reputation. So don’t hesitate to make the most of the tips and ideas that I’ve discussed here today. Each of them will offer you something important and unique as you grow as a freelance professional.
Want more advice on this? Do get in touch and check out my consultancy: The Indie Practice
