2020 has been pretty wild by all measures, and as a result, we’re living with a significant amount of uncertainty. The global coronavirus pandemic is reshaping the global economy, causing rapid and massive shifts in how and where people work.
For anyone who’s self-employed, uncertainty is generally par for the course. There’s no guaranteed bi-weekly paycheck, and it’s common for work and projects to come and go periodically. As any seasoned freelancer will tell you, you need to keep your pipeline filled, even when it feels like you have too much on your plate. There will always come a time when it’s slow, and having potential clients and projects in the works is an essential part of keeping your head above water.
So what are some strategies and approach to do that? CitronWorks has you covered! Here are a few key ways to keep work flowing in so you can grow you freelance business, despite all the uncertainty and craziness that’s going on around the world.
Keep It Fresh
The first step to helping you grow your freelance business is to make sure all your online presences are fully up-to-date. That could mean updating your profile pictures on social media sites, but it could also mean ensuring your website has the latest and greatest work you’ve done. Updating your online portfolio is an excellent activity to work on when you’re slow, and ultimately, it will help you present the best side of yourself when prospective clients view your website.
Warm Up Old Contacts
It’s fairly common knowledge that it’s easier to sell something to someone you’ve sold to in the past than converting a new customer. And if you’ve been freelancing for a while, you probably have tons of old contacts. Unless that relationship ended on a sour note, it’s a good idea to keep old contacts at least in the loop of what you’ve been up to. Some freelancers like to send out an annual update (or more frequently) on their business and life. You’d be surprised how something like that can refamiliarize you and your work with old contacts, which in turn could generate new projects.
Ask for Referrals
Similar to the tactic above, getting a new contact through a warm introduction from a current client is the next best thing. Oftentimes, clients with whom you have a good relationship are happy to help out by introducing you to people in their network who might need your services. But to get there, you have to ask!
Dip Your Toe in Cold Email
Sometimes you just need to put yourself out there. And to do that, cold emails are the perfect tool. But you don’t want to randomly spam tons of people who’ve never heard from you. That will most likely end in your message going straight to the garbage.
A better approach is to think about any areas or industries where you have expertise and experience, and then reach out to companies with similar products or services. If you can, create a page or section of your portfolio specifically dedicated to those areas, showcasing the work you’ve done there. Then, when you reach out to industry contacts, include a link to the page/portfolio section to prove you know what you’re talking about.
Want more ways to grow your freelance business? CitronWorks is a global marketplace designed to put freelancers in touch with businesses who need them! Enquire today
