Whether you’re new to the world of working for yourself or you’re a seasoned self-employed professional, one of the hardest tasks you’ll have to do is figure out how to find your own freelance gigs. Freelance gigs don’t just show up at your front door. You’re going to have to put some time and effort into getting them for yourself. Fortunately, you can find some tools designed to make this process easier.
Getting freelance gigs is one of the most important parts of freelancing. No, it is THE most important part of being a successful freelancer. If you can’t secure projects, you can’t make money: plain and simple. No matter how skilled you are at your craft, whether it’s writing, editing, accounting, or design, you need to have strong prospecting and communication skills (here’s where having a business background will work in your favor).
Remember, you’re competing with thousands of other freelancers for the same projects not only in your area, but also from around the world. You need to be on top of your game at all times if you want to land well-paying gigs.
In order to land gigs, you need to know where to look. Where you look will have a big impact on the type and quality of projects you win. Some options are better than others, and each one has its pros and cons. Below is a list of some of the most common approaches to finding freelance gigs:
Freelancing Platforms
Freelancing platforms such as Upwork (formerly Elance and Odesk), Freelancer.com, Guru, 99designs, iFreelance, and many others are where most freelancers get their start. When thinking about freelancing, one of the first tasks you will do is conduct a Google search for “freelance gigs,” “freelance jobs,” or something similar. Freelancing platforms, more often than not, will be at the top of the search listings.
Being new to freelancing, many of us — me included — think we have hit the goldmine. Many of these platforms claim to have thousands of freelancing projects for you to apply for — and they do.
What they don’t tell you is that thousands of freelancers are competing for the same jobs, bidding against each other, and many times for projects that are paying well below industry standards.
The Pros
- They are OK for freelancers with no experience.
- You can find many freelance gigs.
- You can set up a profile and people can search for you.
The Cons
- Everyone uses them.
- Most projects pay poorly.
- The platforms take a cut of your project fees.
- You have to bid against other freelancers, and landing a project can be difficult.
- You often have to accept less than your normal rates to win a project.
- People have been known to scam freelancers using these platforms.
- You will have to put in a lot of effort to get a decent paying gig.
Insider Tip: These platforms are not worth the hassle. If you have industry experience, you are better off putting your time and effort into searching for projects in other places.
Online Classified Websites
Online classified websites are an often overlooked source of freelance gigs. In fact, Craigslist can be a great source for gigs.
I know what you are thinking. Craigslist, really? Yes, really. Companies of all sizes post jobs and projects regularly because it’s free, easy to use, and a way to find a freelancer quickly. From a freelancer’s perspective, you can easily search through local job posts by location.
The Pros
- It’s ideal if you are looking for gigs in your area.
- More companies use them than you think.
- You can post ads for free (in many cases).
The Cons
- They can be hit and miss.
- You often have to work through the crap to get to the gold.
- You have to watch out for scams.
- Companies often prefer candidates within close proximity to their offices.
Insider Tip: Be prepared for a teleconference or in-person meeting to secure the gig. Have your resume handy, as well. Many companies ask for resumes on these sites.
Job Boards for Freelance Gigs
Many freelancers discount job boards as a place to look for freelance gigs, but they can be a valuable source of project opportunities if you look in the right places. Many job boards now include part-time, contractor, and remote positions.
Job boards like Freelance Writing Gigs cater specifically to freelancers. Take some time to research freelance job boards that are applicable to your service offerings.
The Pros
- A variety of opportunities (contract, freelance, and part-time) exist.
- They are used by companies of all sizes.
- The pay is generally reasonable.
The Cons
- Many still cater to traditional jobs.
- You’ll face much competition.
- Many companies are still reluctant to hire a freelancer.
Insider Tip: Even if a job says the company is looking for a part-time team member, you can still inquire to see if that company would be willing to take on a freelancer to manage a job or project.
Social Networking
Social media has significantly changed the recruiting industry. Companies use social networking sites (LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook) to share and promote job openings, including freelance gigs. Social media not only allows you to connect with these sites, but also use them to promote yourself by sharing your work, blog posts, and other curated content. Social media is a great way to get your name out there. You never know who’s watching or who is in need of a freelancer.
The Pros
- You can search for jobs in your feed.
- You can follow the sites that offer you the best opportunities.
- It saves you time when looking for gigs.
- People can search for you and may contact you directly.
The Cons
- It can be hit and miss.
- The posts are going out to thousands of other followers.
- Companies tend to search for and contact more experienced freelancers.
Insider Tip: Following social media sites that share freelance job offers is a quick and convenient way to check for opportunities. It saves you the time of having to go to each website independently.
Getting gigs can be one of the biggest challenges for freelancers. Depending on market conditions, and the industry you work in, you could have a flood of opportunities or very few. The key to getting gigs is to be consistent and keep looking, even when you are busy and things are going well.
You never know when a current opportunity could fall through, and you never know when your dream project could present itself. Always keep an eye out for new opportunities and higher paying freelance gigs. This piece of advice is one of the keys to growing your freelance business.
Getting started and staying successful as a freelancer takes much hard work and dedication but it’s completely possible if you set your mind to it. If you’re looking for freelance jobs and you’re not sure where to start, platforms like Spera are a great place to start.
