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Being a remote worker can give you the freedom you’ve always dreamed of, but can it really benefit your bank balance too? The answer is: Absolutely…as long as you’re doing it right!
Working as a freelancer enables you to focus on niche areas, challenge yourself and make an enviable living in the process. However, it isn’t always easy to get started. If you want to supplement your income or switch to full-time freelancing, check out these tips for making more money by outsourcing…
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Find your USP
All products and services have a unique selling proposition and you need one too. Businesses will have numerous freelancers to choose from when they’re outsourcing tasks, so why should they pick you?
Perhaps you’ve got specialist skills, a great work ethic and you produce excellent work? Maybe you’re a time-oriented troubleshooter who can step in a moment’s notice? No matter what your USP is, find it and make sure prospective clients know about it.
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Always insist on a contract
It’s easy to lose income if you don’t have a clear-cut contract in place, so make this one of your top priorities. When you’re trying to land a client, it’s easy to forget about the details while you’re busy trying to impress them. However, this will have disadvantages at a later date.
If you’re a freelance designer, for example, it’s important to establish how many formats the final copy will be delivered in, how many revisions are included and who will own the copyright of the finished work. Establishing these elements at the start will minimize the risk of confusion and disputes and will help to ensure you get paid on time.
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Access professional support
As a freelancer, it’s easy to assume you’re part of someone else’s professional support network and, indeed, you are! However, this doesn’t mean you won’t need a network of your own. When you need IT support, for example, you’ll want to ensure you have access to the help you need right away. Of course, it’s even better if you have support at hand before something goes wrong.
With the right professional network, you can ensure that your equipment is working at all times, which reduces the risks of delays and missed deadlines. Furthermore, you can free up your own time to focus on your core business activities and minimize the amount of time you spend on other tasks.
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Be prepared to say no
If you’re offered work that you don’t want to take, or you don’t have time to complete to a high standard; don’t be afraid to turn it down. Sometimes, saying no is the best way to protect your business.
Whether you’re dealing with a client who is expecting too much or your workload is getting out of hand, having the courage to say no will be beneficial for you and your enterprise.
Maximizing your income
Freelancers can make a significant amount of money by taking on work that other organizations want to outsource. With the right vision and commitment, you can turn your freelancing into a small business of your own and a rewarding, lifelong career.