1. You’re not networking enough

No person is an island, and even if you’re a freelancer working remotely, you still need to build a network, form business relationships and reach out to others.

Networking allows you to develop business relationships and friendships that can be helpful in many ways. Not least financially!

Your network isn’t just a bunch of people from whom you can ask favors from time to time and bounce ideas off but also a valuable pool of professionals from whom you can seek guidance. By networking, you can also build authority so you become the go-to person in your field – a safe pair of hands that your network can refer colleagues to for your services.

Networking, when done well, is very much a two-way street. It requires your input, too.

If you aren’t networking or forming and nurturing relationships within your network, you are potentially leaving money on the table. That’s not just from unexpected opportunities that may arise but also from you proactively reaching out to your network and asking them if they know of anyone who would benefit from your assistance.

A simple email or follow-up to a key player in your network can go a long way, but like anything, to be successful, you need to be consistent and continue to nurture the relationships you build. 

This means you actively support your network where possible, too.

Networking (or lack of it), on the face of it, might not seem like a money mistake, but there’s a reason why they say your network is your net worth!

2. You’re not planning ahead

Not properly planning ahead can manifest itself in a number of ways, from not planning for potential dry periods (i.e. not marketing yourself adequately when you have work in and then getting caught up in the freelancer feast or famine cycle) to not planning ahead for events that are inevitable or regular such as tax and accounting obligations, to basic cash flow forecasting (know when cash is coming in/know when bills are due and money going out).

The good news is that a simple schedule can eradicate many of these problems. Having a routine schedule and sticking to it will also increase your productivity. There are plenty of online tools to help you with scheduling and planning; the key is to keep track of what you need to do (and when) and take action, i.e. don’t put things off or procrastinate.

There are other things besides planning you can do to make your freelance business run more efficiently, including automating time-consuming business processes. For example, when it comes to invoicing regular clients who need to be billed on a fixed schedule, you can take advantage of Invoice Ninja’s recurring invoice and auto-billing feature.

Auto-billing is a feature that enables the payments system to capture your client’s credit card details and store them for billing at a future date. This means future invoices can be issued automatically.

Invoice Ninja also has a time tracking extension for Google Chrome so you can log and manage all your tasks. You can also organize and plan your client work with Invoice Ninja’s visual project management tool. Find out more in our short video here.

Try Invoice Ninja for free here.

3. You’re comparing yourself to others

They say that comparison is the thief of joy, but when it comes to freelancing, it’s also the thief of your time and peace of mind. It’s easy to look at other freelancers’ progress and compare it to your own, especially when it comes to the rates they may charge. 

You could start thinking you need to increase your rates or, in some circumstances, decrease them to be more competitive.

However, the reality is that most freelancer’s rates differ for a wide range of reasons. They may offer different deliverables or add-on services, have varying levels of experience and expertise, position themselves differently, and target a specific client or target market, and that’s before we get into different locations and overheads particular to them. 

No one freelancer is exactly the same.

Your price, among other factors, should reflect your experience, the quality of the product/service, and your positioning in the market. It should also cover your overheads before you can generate a profit.

Trying to keep up with others is a drain on your time, money and resources. Sure, review your rates, but do what works for you and benefits your clients.

4. You’re not attracting the right clients

A lot of money issues by default are due to not attracting the right clients for you.

Take time to ensure your ideal client avatar you identified at the start of your freelancer journey is still the right fit. It may have changed considerably since you first started out.

It could be that your marketing materials and online presence are attracting clients that are no longer the right fit, or your website needs a tweak so it’s clear on your rates, even if it’s an approximate range that your prices start from. Read more about displaying your prices on your website here.

Also, don’t get stuck charging the same rate as you did when you began your freelance journey. You want to be paid what you’re worth, and bear in mind that lower rates can sometimes attract lower-quality clients.

Regularly reviewing your rates (upward) is the path to good positioning and prosperity.

The key is to avoid getting into a freelance rut, staying stuck charging the same rates you’ve always been charging, not learning new skills, or developing in line with the times and client needs.

Freelance success is routed in getting the foundations right, adding value to client projects and regularly updating and reviewing your skills (and rates where applicable).

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Hopefully, you’ve found these tips helpful. If you know of anyone else who would benefit, please share. Thank you! 

Being great at your craft alone isn’t typically enough to run a freelance business and thrive. You also need certain core business skills.

Here are 5 core business skills to enhance and refine to make your freelance career a success.

1. Negotiation Skills

Being able to negotiate successfully with clients will mean you don’t have to settle for work offers that aren’t suitable for you; this isn’t just about money issues but also terms and conditions that might not sit well with you (or need some tweaking), such as timescales, resources and deliverables.

Negotiating isn’t a one-way street but a conversation that can lead to wins for both parties involved, so communicating your needs properly will set you up for success. 

Poor negotiation skills may lead you to take on work that doesn’t pay enough, that you don’t enjoy, or just don’t have time to do in the allotted timescale. Good negotiation skills aren’t just for client conversations either but can lead to you getting better deals on other things, such as the tools you use for your business or rent you pay for business premises.

Remember: This is your business, and you absolutely can run it on your terms.

2. Client Communication Skills

How you communicate with clients as a freelancer is crucial to your success. Dealing with clients is a key aspect of freelancing and one that can cause issues if not managed well from the outset. 

Having solid business processes in place, such as a smooth client onboarding process, can help mitigate many potential misunderstandings, and being clear upfront as to what a client can expect working with you can manage expectations on both sides. 

These points will typically be detailed in your client documentation, such as your initial proposal, right through to your written agreement, which will, of course, also include your freelancer payment terms and conditions.

Clear and effective communication will help ensure there are no ‘surprises’ down the line.

3. Time Management Skills

When you are running your own business, you are responsible for making things happen, and that includes showing up, being punctual, getting things done and meeting deadlines.

While you might outsource specific tasks, you are still ultimately responsible for ensuring your business runs like clockwork and stuff gets done, especially when it comes to tasks of a regulatory nature, such as paying the correct taxes or getting accounts filed on time. 

Good time management also impacts on your productivity. Planning ahead and reviewing processes to see what can be done more efficiently is all part of this. That’s why it makes sense to automate any repetitive routine processes that need to be done but devour up your precious time, such as invoicing. 

You can read more about the benefits of automation for small businesses at our post here.

4. Sales & Marketing Skills

If you don’t market yourself properly, how will potential clients find you? Whether you use content marketing, SEO, social media, cold calling, email marketing or a combination of inbound and outbound strategies, you have to put yourself out there and be confident in your communications.

And it’s not just how you communicate (via what medium, your brand voice and style) but what you communicate. For example, how you position yourself in the market, who your ideal client is and the marketing message you put across to target your ideal clients.

Likewise, honing your sales and discovery call skills will help you better identify clients who are the right fit, boost your confidence and help provide clarity to your potential clients regarding what you do, the value you provide and the transformation you offer. 

5. Money Management Skills

You don’t need to be a financial whizz kid to run a successful freelance business, but you do need to know the basics and understand the principles of how a positive cash flow is essential to keep you afloat. 

Knowing what’s coming into your business, what’s due out, the related expenses and what and how to charge are all vital for you to prosper. Hiring an accountant can help with a lot of the more top-level money management issues, but to help maintain a positive cash flow, one essential thing you can do is to ensure your invoices get paid on time. 

Invoicing software such as Invoice Ninja can automate this process so it is streamlined, and what’s more, if you integrate with one of our payment gateways, your clients can pay you fast.

Payment gateways enable you to accept credit cards and other electronic payments online directly from invoices you email to your clients. This means clients can pay you in just one click, and they don’t even need to leave the Invoice Ninja client-side portal. Seamless, quick and convenient!

Invoice Ninja integrates with many high-quality payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal & Venmo, Go Cardless, Checkout, Square, Apple Pay, and many more. You can even get paid in Bitcoin. View all the payment gateways we integrate with here.

Try Invoice Ninja out for free here.

Create a compelling headline

With a case study, you are telling the story of your client’s transformation, so, just like a traditional story, it will have a beginning, a middle, and an end. But first, you have to get people invested in the case study; why should they read it? You can do this by using a compelling headline that answers the question, ‘What’s in it for them?’. In other words, your headline should make your reader want to read the rest. 

For example, instead of heading the case study Case Study for Client X, you could use the result, How Client X Went From Zero Leads to Six Figures in X Months, so it is results-driven, or, if it’s a good one, you could even use a short quote from the client as the headline.

Following the headline, the case study can include the name of the client, any team members involved, and the goals of the project.

The case study is more of a collaboration between you and your client than a solo achievement, so the more you can get your client involved in the case study, the better.

Paint the picture

Your intro starts with what your client’s life was like before they hired you and what problem they were trying to solve. Here is where you really dig into their pain points. Include their own quotes if you have them. You can also include any relevant stats and figures here, too.

Paint the picture of the vision the client was after, why they came to you and how they found out about your services. What were they expecting to resolve as a result of hiring you?

Also, what had Client X tried before, and what was the outcome? By laying down the foundations of the client transformation story, you are also talking to the reader so they can envision themselves in the story.

Whatever their specific problem is, you want them to recognize themselves in the customer journey, so they are nodding their head and thinking, “Yup, that’s the exact same issue I’m dealing with” or something similar.

Highlight your processes and ways of working

The next part of the story is how you identified and solved your client’s problems; this is a great way to showcase what it’s like working with you, your unique approach and processes, and how you solved the issues better than anyone else.

Also, include if there was any deadline you needed to adhere to, how you dealt with any potential roadblocks, any eureka moments, how you communicated with your client, and how you ensured everything went smoothly. 

In short, you are showing off your working methods, highlighting what a joy it is to work with you and how you are the safe pair of hands your next potential client is looking to hire.

Show results and client transformation

Part three of the story is where you relay the positive, quantitative results you achieved and the client transformation.

Again, it’s good to include any relevant stats and figures here, i.e., time and money saved or increased sales. You might also include a quote from the client.

It would be helpful to list the key takeaways here, too; this could be in the form of a bulleted list—an ‘at a glance’ that readers can easily skim over.

You can also have a Call To Action (CTA) here where you direct the reader to what they need to do next if they want to hire you/get a quote, etc.

Have a client-friendly format

To make the case study as reader-friendly as possible, break up the text with subheadings and images where applicable so it is easy to digest. You can also use sound bites from the text in the layout/design (which you can then use as memes/posts for social media).

If you are creative, this is an excellent time to show off your creative flair with an appealing template that includes your logo and brand colors. Even if you’re not a professional graphic designer, you can think of ways to deliver the message in a format that suits your ideal client.

The format doesn’t have to be written either; you could create a video case study. However, the video case study should still follow the story format, compelling headline, and transformation story.

You can also create case studies showing different aspects of your work. For example, one could highlight a specific product, and another could be an add-on service. Or highlight different elements, such as turnaround times or a particular methodology you applied.

Case studies show the value of your work to potential clients and can be included in your proposals or even when asked for a sample of your work. They can be made into blog posts or even used as lead magnets as part of your email marketing strategy.

The key is to make your case studies as compelling, relevant (cut out any fluff) and appealing as possible.

And, of course,  once you’ve got yourself a great case study and are using it to win your ideal clients, you’ll want to have some equally good software to streamline your invoicing and make it easy for clients to pay you.

Invoice Ninja is a leading free invoicing software for small business invoices, fast online payments, expense tracking, and billable tasks. It also includes attractive, professional invoice template designs you can customize with your logo and brand colors.

It’s perfect for freelancers and small businesses.

Try it for free here.

1. Send invoices on time

This may sound obvious, but if you don’t send invoices on time, payment will be delayed, which will impact your cash flow.

If you are not paid in advance, then as soon as the work is completed, send your invoice. If not, you could forget.

Alternatively, send all your invoices out at the same time, such as on the last working day of the month. Setting aside a specific day to send your invoices will mean you are not sending out invoices on an ad hoc basis, making you less likely to miss one.

It also helps to send one invoice per client as opposed to multiple invoices for various different projects and tasks.

2. Keep track of payments

Ensure you know what is due and when, and keep track of any late payments. You can do this by using invoicing software that sends automated reminders before and after payment is due.

Invoice Ninja is a leading free invoicing software for small business invoicing, online payments, tracking expenses and billable tasks. It can help keep track of payments with automatic email reminders and can even automatically include late fees on overdue invoices.

You can sign up for Invoice Ninja for free today. It’s easy to use, can help you get paid faster, and maintain a healthy cash flow in your business.

3. Get paid upfront

It’s not unusual for freelancers to ask for a deposit upfront before starting work on a project, especially for larger projects with a long duration. It could be a 50% deposit, or you could apply milestone invoicing, which means you are paid at set milestones throughout the duration of the project.

Some freelancers ask for 100% upfront payment for smaller paid projects. Getting paid, or at least partially paid upfront, is common for new client projects and helps build trust.

With Invoice Ninja, you can easily convert your client quote to an invoice. When you email quotations to your clients, once they are happy with the details and want to proceed, they can “Click to Approve” the quotation, which converts it into a payable invoice.

4. Seek retainer clients

A retainer client is one that pays you a set fee for a set amount of work each month.

Some retainer agreements work on an ‘on-call’ basis.

Freelancers like long-term retainer clients as they can provide predictability of income. Knowing the income you will receive each month and when also means you can better plan ahead.

This works both ways, i.e. not just for income but for outgoings.

If possible, agree to pay professional service fees, such as accountants, payroll, etc., a set amount for a specific set of deliverables. If you know professional service fees in advance, there will be no hidden surprises or ‘add-ons’ when it comes to settling your bill. 

5. Review contracts

Before you enter into any long-term or annual contracts with suppliers or subscriptions for software, tools or equipment you may use to carry out your business, check out their notice terms.

Can you afford to be stuck with their rate for a long period of time?

Subscriptions and uncompetitive pricing can all cumulatively add a heavy toll to your cash flow, especially if you have to give notice to cancel.

It’s worth reviewing the contracts and plans you currently subscribe to to see if you could get a better deal elsewhere or adopt a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

In business, as in life, it’s the seemingly inconsequential things that can turn into the big things.

6. Productize services

If applicable, consider productizing your service or an element of it. 

Productization involves standardizing a process and selling it at a set price for a set deliverable. It also breaks you out of the charge per hour or per project model.

For example, a personal trainer could sell an online course or pre-recorded training sessions in addition to their day-to-day in-person training.

A copywriter could sell a LinkedIn bio optimization service at a set price. You could even productize your service and sell it as a subscription model. The only limit is your imagination.

Productization allows you to grow and scale and is a great way to optimize cash flow.

7. Discount for fast and early payment

As an incentive for clients to pay you quicker, consider offering a small discount for early payment.

If your payment terms are net 30, which means the payment is due 30 days from the invoice date, you could offer a 5% discount if paid within 10 days. 

Being paid early can make all the difference in periods of negative cash flow. Likewise, you might want to consider adding late payment fees to your freelancer payment terms and conditions.

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A large part of maintaining a positive cash flow in your freelance business is being organized and planning ahead, especially for any potential slow times. Knowing what’s incoming and outgoing and keeping track of your spending are all key factors that will significantly contribute to keeping your business bank account topped up and buoyant.

1. Have a regular morning routine

A famous quote by Jim Rohn says either you run the day, or the day runs you. And it’s true.

That’s why many freelancers swear by having a morning routine that sets them up for the day ahead. Your morning routine could be anything from exercise to writing a journal that you perform first thing in the morning.

Or it could be as simple as getting up, enjoying a nice coffee, and planning the day ahead. The key is to do what works for (and energizes) you.

2. Have a source of motivation

We are all motivated by different things, i.e. family, financial security, recognition, health, a higher purpose, etc. So, it makes sense to identify what truly motivates us and our why (or purpose) and remind ourselves of it often.

Once identified, find ways to anchor that thought. It could be via a sticky note on your fridge with your favorite mantra. It might be a piece of music or power ballad that inspires and reminds you of your purpose and gets you in the mood for the day ahead – it might even be singing in the shower to get you in the right frame of mind.

Whatever it is, find it – and use it to reframe your mind and get motivated for the day ahead.

3. Get proper rest

Getting a proper night’s sleep is super important for our overall health. Sometimes, as a freelancer, it can be tempting to burn the midnight oil, especially when working to a deadline. 

However, consistently working without proper breaks and rest can quickly lead to burnout. Also, be sure to incorporate breaks and vacations into your freelance schedule. You’ll be amazed how refreshed and replenished you feel after some time away, and it can even lead to fresh ideas you can implement to make your business even more successful.

On a day-to-day basis, don’t dismiss the restorative power of taking a well-deserved nap if you want one. Many famous people throughout history, from Aristotle to JFK, were fond of napping. If it’s good enough for them – it’s good enough for you!

4. Eat nutritious foods

It can be easy to skip meals or snack as a freelancer. We can get so involved in what we are doing that we give little thought to what we are consuming and simply grab a quick bite to eat when we can—or the nearest thing we find in the fridge as we walk past. However, it’s important to fuel ourselves with the proper nutrition so we perform at our best.

Eating nutritious foods makes us feel better and perform better both physically and mentally.

You can combat naughty snacks and fast food by preparing nutritious snacks and meals in advance. For example, you can batch-prepare them for the week ahead at the weekend, which nicely brings us to the next tip.

5. Batch ‘to-do list’ tasks

By batching similar tasks together and doing them on the same day or time slot, you can better organize your working week.

For example, you could do client work on one specific day, admin tasks such as invoicing on another, have a set time for outreach and getting on calls on another, etc.  

This way, you know that important tasks are getting done. Ticking these off your to-do list can be satisfying and super-motivating.

6. Exercise regularly

You don’t have to go on a half marathon or do anything extreme; simply getting away from your desk and going for a refreshing walk can do wonders for your productivity, creativity and, of course, your health.

Adding walking into your daily routine can also greatly boost your mental health.

Whatever you do—yoga, going for a run at lunchtime, or an invigorating game of squash—schedule time for it during your day or week. You won’t regret it.

Exercise boosts your mood, stimulates the brain and makes us healthier and happier.

7. Celebrate your wins

As you accumulate more client testimonials and customer reviews, complete successful projects, and win clients, make sure you celebrate these achievements.

One way to keep you motivated and inspired is to keep your testimonials in a file and review them periodically to remind yourself how far you’ve come and the milestones you’ve achieved.

You might even want to post your wins somewhere you can easily see them. It can also help you combat Impostor Syndrome. You can learn more about Impostor Syndrome in our article here.

8. Use the right ‘power’ tools

It can be tempting to try to do everything yourself as a freelancer—especially if you are on a tight budget.

However, nowadays, you don’t have to go it alone. Many online tools are available to help you run your business, and new ones are constantly being developed.

Having said that, not all software is made equal. It can be easy to get tempted by shiny object syndrome and invest in all the new gadgets, apps and tech available.

The key is to find the right online tools that work for you and your business.

Take invoicing, for example. Invoice Ninja is a leading free invoicing software specifically developed for freelancers and small businesses like yours.

It includes professionally designed invoices, multiple payment gateways, client-side portals, quotes, recurring invoices, time and task tracking, and lots more to ensure you get paid quickly and hassle-free.

Try Invoice Ninja out for free here.

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You are not going to feel 100% every day. There will inevitably be days that don’t go as planned, and you don’t feel particularly motivated. That’s normal. However, consistency in the habits mentioned above and routines will help on the days when you are not inspired. You can read more productivity tips in our article here.

Here’s to having a smashing day and your ongoing freelance success!

Here are 4 strategies to consider to help you future-proof your freelance business.

1. Invest in yourself 

Investing in yourself is always a good idea. Whether you are learning new skills, up-skilling or re-skilling, having more strings to your bow means you can offer more services and products to your clients, add more value, and potentially charge more (or at least have more offers and routes to profit).

Even if you don’t apply the skills straight away, it will allow you to expand or diversify your product range and put you in a better position should you need to ‘pivot’ in the future.

Learning and developing new skills also means staying relevant, boosting confidence, enhancing personal growth, and being adaptable to change.

But it’s not just your skill set to consider when investing in yourself but also your health and well-being. At the end of the day, as a freelancer, you are central to running your business.

It’s paramount that running your business does not take a toll on your health. Whether this means you invest in regular breaks, healthy exercise, pamper days, or simply delegate, outsource, or automate certain tasks, the key is that you are making an investment in yourself so both you and the business perform at their best and, in turn, provide value to clients.

2. Embrace and make good use of tech

Embracing new technology relevant to your business so it performs more efficiently makes sense and can help future-proof your business so it keeps pace with the times. Clients will most likely be used to dealing with tech and expect your processes to be fast and efficient, too. So it’s important you don’t get left behind.

However, before investing your time and money into a tech stack, ensure it works for you and your business.

Good automated workflows can shave off hours and save you money. Take invoicing software, for example; good invoicing software can help get you paid faster and, therefore, improve your cash flow.

Invoice Ninja is a leading free invoicing software for small business invoicing, online payments, tracking expenses and billable tasks.

What’s more, Invoice Ninja lets you connect to thousands of apps via our platform integrators, such as Zapier, Make, Pabbly and more – further speeding up your workflows.

Take a look at some of them here.

And try Invoice Ninja for free at the link here.

3. Have a contingency plan in place

Having some form of disaster recovery/contingency plan in place is a good idea.

When things go wrong or events occur that we cannot anticipate, it’s helpful to know what to do next. Your plan doesn’t need to be the finely detailed set of procedures that most large corporations have in place for disaster recovery. It can be as simple as knowing who to contact in an emergency, what passwords to change in the event of a cybersecurity breach, where the data is backed up, and other sensible emergency protocols.

Take time to identify potential risks in your freelance business and draw up a plan for dealing with them. For example, what should you do if there is a power outage, a natural disaster, such as a severe weather event, or another pandemic event?  

4. Be consistent with marketing

A reason why many freelancers experience the dreaded freelancer feast and famine cycle is because they are inconsistent with their marketing, especially during times when they have plenty of client work, which is completely understandable.

However, nowadays, there are plenty of processes that can be sped up by automation and done behind the scenes, especially when it comes to social media marketing. You can create social media posts to market your business in advance and set them to be published in the future.

Email marketing is another effective way to market your business and can be set up in advance. Another benefit of email marketing over social media marketing is that your email list is your asset. Your social media followers might not see your posts due to algorithms, etc., and if the platform decides to change or close, you no longer have access to those followers. With your email list, emails get delivered straight to your potential client’s inbox.

It pays to take a proactive stance with your freelance marketing and always follow up with potential clients.

Having a consistent marketing strategy will help future-proof your business so you always have a steady stream of clients in your sales pipeline.

As the saying goes, ‘Always be marketing’.

Take a break

If you are a freelancer in a creative rut and the ideas just aren’t flowing, one of the best things you can do is take a break.

It can simply be to leave your desk and go on a nice walk, take a nap, or even shower (all the best ideas seem to come to us while we’re in the shower!).

Alternatively, consider a longer break away, such as a vacation, weekend break, or pamper day. Anything to restore the mind and allow you to chillax and recuperate.

This sounds counter-intuitive, but a break away (no matter how long or short) can help to refresh your mind and allow your super-powerful subconscious mind to do the problem-solving and heavy lifting.

Remember your purpose

Remember why you went freelance in the first place and the deep-seated reason why you wanted to work for yourself.

It may be that you were passionate about your craft and wanted to use your skills to help others and, in return, create a life of abundance for you and your loved ones.

Refocusing on why we are following a course of action can help us realign and get inspired once more. We can even uncover other routes we may want to explore to make our freelance business a resounding success.

There are no rules saying you cannot refresh your path or even pivot. Your business, your rules.

Review your prices

Now that you have gained more experience, it might be time to review your prices. It can be easy to be afraid of increasing your prices or worry that you’ll lose clients.

However, if, for whatever reason, you are not charging appropriately, you could find yourself disincentivized, feeling overworked or even resentful. All of these things will likely impact on the outcome and finished product.

It’s much better to feel positive and know you are getting fair pay for your work. Then, you can do your best for your client, and everyone will be happy.

Get inspired

One good way to get back into the buzz again is to surround yourself with other supportive freelancers who’ve likely been or are going through the same thing.

Talking through your issues with other like-minded folk can help and lead to exciting conversations and ideas. It can genuinely help you get excited about things again!

In addition to the people you surround yourself with, think about what you consume online and offline. Reading something inspirational or journaling can both be ways to generate ideas, get back into a positive and productive mindset, and put things back into perspective.

If you are a bit down in the doldrums think about past wins and remind yourself of the glowing client testimonials you’ve received – read through them.

You’ve done it before; you can do it again.

Get specific and visualize

If you are struggling with a lack of focus, consider getting super specific on your goals—you could even niche down further. This will provide you with a laser-sharp focus on exactly what you do and for whom.

Think about the type of client you enjoy working with, what you are best at and how you can best service that client and industry. You can look at past client experiences or take time to research what’s happening in the market. Is there a gap that you could fill? What exciting opportunities lay ahead?

Getting specific with your goals and visualizing the outcomes can be an extremely potent way to break out of a freelance rut.

Automate business processes

It could be that you are overwhelmed with tedious admin tasks that take up a lot of your time and prevent you from doing the work you love (and make you a profit). If this is the case, it makes sense to outsource and automate as much of it as possible.

There are many online tools available that can help you automate business processes and set up effective workflows.

When it comes to invoicing, Invoice Ninja is a leading free invoicing software for small business invoicing, online payments, tracking expenses and billable tasks. It also includes attractive, professional invoice template designs you can customize with your logo and brand colors.

What’s more, Invoice Ninja lets you connect to thousands of apps via our platform integrators, such as Zapier, Make, Pabbly and more – further speeding up your workflows.

Take a look at some of them here.

And try Invoice Ninja for free at the link here.

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At the end of the day, remember you are not the first or the last freelancer to feel like they are stuck in a rut. It can be a normal path to growth. The key is recognizing that you are in a rut and then taking positive action.

You’ve got this!

Make the first impression a good one

First impressions count, so it makes sense to ensure the first client touch point with you is positive, and everything is as streamlined and frictionless as possible.

If your process includes a discovery call, consider automating the process so the first online meeting can be set up at the click of a button. You can achieve this by integrating business apps such as a calendar scheduler with an online meeting tool.

Friction points at these early stages, such as being unable to book an appointment easily, sign agreements or even pay you, can swiftly lead to a client dropping off.

But you don’t have to stop there. You can also automate other workflows throughout the client-freelancer relationship, such as invoicing, time tracking, and project management. By automating workflows, you not only save time but also create a slick, polished experience for your clients and make you easy to deal with.

Welcome clients onboard

Once you have a new client onboard, consider sending them a friendly, fully branded new client starter pack. Again, this process can be automated by setting up a welcome email sequence, or it can be a one-off communication.

This is a great opportunity to introduce your client to your processes and ways of working and managing client expectations. You can also remind clients of your payment terms and conditions in this communication.

It’s also a nice way to properly introduce yourself and further showcase your brand. A smooth onboarding process will build client trust and confidence in you from the get-go.

How you do this and what you include is up to you, but the key is to make it a positive experience.

Be consistent

To keep your brand top of mind, it helps to be consistent with your visual brand assets and communications throughout the client relationship. Make sure to include your logo and branding in all communications.

From your written proposal to client agreements to your email signature, the same goes for invoicing. An attractively designed invoice template customized with your logo and brand colors (along with any brand messaging) forms part of your brand identity. Clients will view it as professional.

Invoice Ninja has customizable invoice templates, auto-payment options and many other client-friendly features to make your invoice process on-brand, fast, seamless and professional. Clients can pay your invoices in just 1 click and get their own portal where they can view their invoice history. Try it for free here.

The key is to stay on brand in all communications and dealings with clients.

Follow up

Erratic or poor communication can derail even the best-planned projects, so make sure you keep in regular contact with your clients and update them on progress.

You can set up a workable schedule at the start of the project and, once more, make use of automation and your branded assets to achieve this objective.

It could be a weekly check-in using a project management tool or sharing updates or feedback via your branded documentation. You could even have a special client portal.

Showing that you are organized and committed to keeping the project on track is a great way to enhance client relationships and make the experience of working with you even more memorable.

Ask, thank, and showcase

When you’ve successfully completed your client project, and your client is happy, take the opportunity to ask for a testimonial or referral.

Again, this process can be automated, and some of the fields on the testimonial form can even be pre-populated, making it simple and fast for your client to complete.

By keeping on brand with your tone and message, it’s another opportunity to showcase your brand in a positive light. You could even consider a customer loyalty program. Perhaps a discount for further business or referrals to build brand loyalty.

A personalized handwritten thank you note can also go a long way to making your brand stand out.

The aim is to make the entire client experience a memorable one from beginning to end.

A happy and satisfied client is your best brand ambassador.

You’ll also want to ensure you have the time, energy and resources to implement your growth strategies.

With this in mind, here are 6 simple strategies for you to consider to help grow your freelance business:

1. Offer more services/products

One way to grow your freelance business is to add more relevant services and products.

By adding different but complementary services, you can position yourself as a one-stop shop in your industry or niche. Better positioning usually leads to better-paying clients who view your services as adding value to their business.

You can consider extra services such as paid consulting calls, service packages with project pricing, and information products such as templates, online courses, and guides.

There is no limit—the key is to think about the types of products and services that would benefit your clients. As you become more experienced, you’ll know what services your clients would benefit from or need.

Highlighting the value of your services to your clients (new and potential) is key.

You can always add or remove services from your offer if you find ones that are more suitable to you and beneficial to your clients.

This is also a good opportunity to see if you need to invest in some more skills.

2. Consider a niche

One potential way of earning more money is by niching and becoming the go-to person in your field.

A freelancer niche is typically a specific industry, area, or skill set (or sometimes a combination of all three) that a freelancer focuses on as an area of expertise to attract clients.

Sometimes, they niche further down to provide a truly unique and specialized service.

If you are the only person offering your specific service and demand is high, it could be very profitable.

You can read more about some of the pros and cons of niching here.

You can still have more offers, even if you are niching, but your offers would be relevant to that specific niche.

Your ‘one thing’ could be a big thing that sets you up as an industry leader!

3. Outsource and automate

It makes sense to outsource or at least automate anything you do that takes up your time, is tedious, or you are not an expert at.

Automating otherwise tedious and time-consuming work processes isn’t just about saving time; it can also be a real driver of growth. It gives you time to focus on doing what you love, increasing efficiency.

Imagine all the time you could save (and leverage for growth) by automating all your business workflows.

When it comes to invoicing your clients so you can get paid as effortlessly as possible, good invoice software is essential.

Invoice Ninja is a leading free invoicing software for small business invoicing, online payments, tracking expenses and billable tasks. It also includes attractive, professional invoice template designs you can customize with your logo and brand colors.

What’s more, Invoice Ninja lets you connect to thousands of apps via our platform integrators, such as Zapier, Make, Pabbly and more – further speeding up your workflows.

Take a look at some of them here.

And try Invoice Ninja for free at the link here.

4. Increase your prices

One obvious way of increasing your cash flow is by increasing your prices.

You should review your prices regularly to ensure they reflect the value you provide, cover your overheads, take into account inflation and the cost of living – and make you a profit.

Some freelancers increase their prices for each new client, every year, or as their skill sets and experience grow.

Either way, even a small percentage increase each year for current clients can culminate over time.

5. Actively participate in networking events

Participating in networking events is a great way to get your name out there. It’s not just about networking with potential clients but also with others in your industry or profession who can refer you (and you can do the same).

Building long-lasting business relationships with people in your industry can help boost your business so you remain profitable.

Some business networking events and conferences have opportunities for members and participants to give talks and showcase their business, which is another good way to market your business and grow, both personally and professionally.

6. Team up with others

Teaming up with other freelancers in your field and those whose skills complement yours can be lucrative and work out well for all your clients.

For example, if you are a website developer, how about teaming up with a designer and a copywriter? How this will work in your business depends on what you offer clients and their needs.

If you find this way of working works for you, you may consider creating an agency, which can be another great way to expand your business, get more clients, and increase profits.

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As your freelance business grows, you’ll need to consider the best use of your time and what activity or strategy will likely pay off. Some marketing activities can be a slow burn, and while you might not see immediate results, the long-term results can be rewarding.

We hope this post gave you some food for thought. If you know someone who might benefit from it, please share it with them. Thank you.

1. Assess your needs

Before you jump on the next big thing, ask yourself: will it be worth it, and do you really need it? How will it impact your business (and cash flow), and does it have the potential to make money, both in the long term and immediately? Also, how will it affect current ongoing projects?

In short, can you benefit from it – can the skill or idea make you money and solve your client’s problems, or is it just another dead-end distraction?

Not all shiny objects are bothersome; some really can help your business – but you have to do the homework first and ask yourself, will I use it? Is it worth it, and does it align with your business goals?

Shiny object syndrome can also rear its head when you are offered a lucrative new gig. Again, ask yourself if you can afford to take it on right now and how it will impact your current workload.

2. Carry out an audit assessment

If you work in the digital space, you’ll likely use an app or two.

Business apps such as invoice software can be excellent for freeing up your time, doing the tedious stuff you don’t necessarily want to do, and, in the case of Invoice Ninja, helping you get paid swiftly and on time. (Try it for free at the link here.)

But there may be apps, tools or online accounts you subscribe to that you don’t currently use or never have, so it’s worth doing an audit of all the tools you use in your business – and unsubscribe from the ones you no longer use.

There are several benefits to this exercise:

1. It allows you to focus on your current digital assets.
2. Reminding yourself of what you already have could mean that you realize you already have a tool, or you could re-purpose one, or even re-purpose ideas and content.
3. Good housekeeping of digital assets and regularly reviewing them are key parts of a robust cyber security plan.

You may even find that some tools need to be upgraded, but if you are on a budget, consider reloved or refurbished tools and equipment.

The key is to be aware of the assets you already hold. You’ll be surprised how this exercise could even spark a better business idea – overrunning the original tempting shiny object.

3. Hold regular reviews

Hold regular reviews of your freelance business to see if you are hitting your goals and if everything is on track. These can be weekly, monthly, or whenever you choose, but having a regular review will help keep you focused on the important things.

Getting yourself in order and planning ahead is a good practice to adopt, not just for prioritizing your goals but also because it provides an ideal time for reflection. What are you doing right, what needs your attention, and what could you be doing better?

See them as similar to your job performance reviews in your previous 9 to 5. And remember to give yourself a good pat on the back for work well done!

Holding regular reviews will help keep Shiny Object Syndrome at bay.

4. Identify underlying issues

There may be underlying reasons why you are always attracted to the next big thing, so it’s worth being honest with yourself. Maybe you lack confidence or have a bout of Impostor Syndrome (which most freelancers suffer from time to time), leading you to go after the latest trending tactics or tools.

It could be a simple issue of spending too much time on social media and getting drawn down all the many rabbit holes profiling the latest new shiny things your business ‘absolutely must have to take it to the next level’ or lured into joining the latest business course or marketing cohort.

And lastly, it could just be a simple procrastination issue or, if you have an advanced case of it, a helpful sign to yourself that you need to take time out, rethink your business strategy or even pivot.

It pays to remember that just because everyone else seems to be using or doing something doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for your business.

So before you get tempted by the next shiny object, take time to consider whether this is the best thing for productivity, whether you can afford it in both time and money and what impact it will have on your freelancer cash flow.

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Our blog has many more helpful tips for freelancers and small business owners. Take a look.