How to Hone Your Skills as a Freelancer to Run a Successful Business
By: Jim Enowtakang
Tags: Self Improvement, Remote Working, Freelancing, Entrepreneurship, Freelancers

Successful freelancers are quitting their jobs in droves. They are turning their focus on honing their skills to become full-time entrepreneurs.

Before quitting your full-time job, it is wise to expand your client base. You can do this alongside acquiring new skills. There is a misconception that freelancing can’t build your career — this is false. It contributes to your professional growth in many ways than a traditional job.

As a freelancer, you work on various projects. You work with clients from all corners of the world. As you attend to the need of every project you become an excellent collaborator. You learn new experiences that add up to your expertise. Take advantage of running your project as a service business. Learn the financial and communication aspects you need to operate a business.

While freelancing, you may have come across these tips that can help in running a business.

Setting and defining goals.

You need to know how freelancing defines you, especially on what you can do and the direction you want the business to take. Goal definition makes everything more comfortable, and it’s a first step to having a business plan. What steps do you need to achieve your goal? Bring them in as milestones. And if possible start looking into the financial implications. Use the steps like a ladder to success.

Start as a side hustle.

No successful entrepreneur will rush through the initial phases when starting a business. As a person with a full-time job, you may not be sure if freelancing can pay your bills. When things are not looking bright, start as a side hustle. Judge your progress before taking the full-time leap. Test the pricing of the services you offer to confirm the viability of your business plan.

Explore your niche.

A niche will define your work by making it appealing and unique. You will have a narrow client base, making it easy to brand yourself. Define your target audience. Your creative niche should be something that you love to do and feel passionate about it.

Know your clients.

You will only get to know and understand clients by selling your services to them. Use your networking skills to find clients as you build your portfolio. Building a career as a freelancer will depend on your clients’ feedback. Get out of your comfort zone and use existing clients to bring in more.

Have an online presence.

An active online presence reaches far beyond your clients. Create a presence where your target audience hangs out. You can set up a website and social media accounts to reflect your offers. Also, target unique platforms for the services you offer. For example, a graphic designer should also be active on platforms like 500px and Behance. Continue to maintain a dynamic online presence to drum up business opportunities.

Organise yourself.

Create a stable working system. It will help you balance life and work so that you can use your time wisely. De-clutter the workspace and make sure receipts and social media posts are in order. System setup is not an easy task. Yet, you will save a lot of time because it will help you focus on clients and work output.

Are you still here? Okay, your key takeaway.

The desire to explore your skills in a freelance environment will help you grow as an entrepreneur. The safest way to get rid of monotony in the office is to start a service-based business. Join the global workforce moving from the traditional 9–5 system to freelancing. Horn your skills and get ready for life as an entrepreneur.