Life as a lonely freelancer isn’t always long, lazy (often liquid) lunches, impromptu days off in the park and money earned firing off emails from bed.
In fact, as a business of one person, it’s rarely smooth sailing. The money seldom flows freely, the hours can be arduous, stress levels can be high, and an expectation to always be ‘on’ can weigh even heavier than if you’re connected to an office.
Many of these problems can be put down to the stereotypes often associated with freelancers; you know, those ones we listed just two paragraphs earlier. But if you want to be taken seriously, paid on time and garner respect within your industry, then there are certain things you can do, in terms of image and optics, to help. With that in mind, here’s our guide on how to cultivate an image of professionalism as a freelancer.
What’s The Point In Professionalism?
Professionalism isn’t just about wearing a smart suit or having a slick-looking website. It’s about portraying a professional work ethic, maintaining punctuality, communicating effectively and being reliable. For freelancers, these qualities are critical. Clients need to trust you’re capable of handling their project with skill, confidentiality, and a high level of autonomy. Hence, cultivating a professional image isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Create A Professional Portfolio
One of the best ways to show potential clients that you mean business is by presenting an impressive and tailored portfolio. Include samples of your work, list your skills, detail your experience, and showcase testimonials. When choosing the works for your portfolio, think quality over quantity. An elegantly crafted portfolio will make a significant impression on potential clients and help establish your image as a serious professional.
Build A Cohesive, Coherent Online Presence
You’ll need to have an impressive online presence if you want to be seen as a credible, efficient freelancer, especially since opportunities for face-to-face networking have greatly diminished in the last 18 months.
Having a high-quality website helps to generate a feeling of trust and credibility around your business. These days, if a company, let alone a freelancer, doesn’t have a website at all, potential customers might be suspicious as to why that is. What’s worse, however, is if you have a poor-quality website, as this can make people think that your business lacks credibility – in which case, they are unlikely to want to spend their hard-earned pounds with you.
If you have good web skills, there’s no reason why you can’t design and build your website yourself. There are plenty of software services available that can provide you with a template, which can then develop into a website that suits your needs.
No doubt that any potential website clients will google you. You can build a professional online presence by being active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the like, though it should be noted that you can also damage your reputation by using these platforms in an inappropriate way.
The digital age demands a strong online presence, that’s for sure. Make sure your profile picture and biography reflect the professional persona you intend to portray. Remember, consistency is key. From the tone of your posts to the way you respond to comments, everything you do online is a reflection of your brand.
Reliable & Responsive Communication Is Key
Clients value freelancers who communicate effectively. Be prompt and professional in your responses. Never miss an opportunity to clarify project details to avoid any miscommunication. Use polite, clear, and concise language. Moreover, regularly updating clients about the progress of their project establishes a sense of trust and demonstrates your commitment to effective project management.
Display Client Testimonials
Nothing speaks volumes about your professionalism louder than former clients speaking volumes about it. For potential customers considering your services, testimonials affirm credibility and trust and are the best endorsement of what you do. As such, it’s important to have a testimonial page on your website, preferably synced with third party online review services such as Trustpilot.
Read: Mastering the art of remote work
Invest In A Virtual Office Address
All businesses need an address; a place to call home. However, ask yourself if you really want to be using your home address for your business? Combining your personal and work life can be messy. Instead, consider a virtual office address.
You’ll need one for purchase orders and registration with HMRC/Companies House and you’ll also need one for client communication, your Google address, your website’s contact information and more. Having a business address is crucial; it assures potential clients and customers that you exist and are genuine. You can secure one via platforms such as theworkstation.co.uk, UK Postbox, Your City Office, and others.
Invest In Some Business Cards
Does anyone actually use those anymore? If you’re asking this question, then you’ve completely missed the point of the modern-day business card. Of course, it’s not actually used these days to give your contact details in a manageable format. Rather, it’s all in the exchange; the giving and receiving of respect, the planting of a flag in the client’s mind, and the opportunity to stand out far beyond the forgetability of simply telling someone your business’ name.
It is important to consider the negative impact of paper business cards, however. According to estimates, around 50-60 billion business cards are printed annually and a shocking 40-50 billion of these cards end up in the trash. Details often change and cards become outdated and many business cards are printed that never end up being needed. That said, business cards are extremely affordable and make life easy if you’re keen to let people know about your freelance business.
The Bottom Line
Cultivating a professional image as a freelancer can be challenging but not impossible. Remember, it’s about much more than just appearances. It’s about demonstrating a professional ethos of reliability, proficiency, and commitment in all interactions. It’s about ensuring you’re not just seen as a competent freelancer, but as a trusted professional. Make no mistake about it – in the realm of freelancing, your professional image is your currency. Cherish it, foster it, and watch your freelance business grow.
