Over the last few years, freelancing has rapidly grown in popularity, with the MENA region dominating with over 142% growth in 2022. The $4 billion market for digital freelancing in the Middle East alone shows us just how competitive this landscape has become.
Traditional freelancing websites like Fiverr and Upwork are now flooded with thousands of bot accounts, making it difficult for genuine freelancers to find work. An astonishing 77% of freelancers report being unable to secure jobs through these marketplaces.
Hence, it is more critical than ever for freelancers to build their personal brands and diversify their job search channels. Here are three leading strategies to stand out as a freelancer and consistently find clients without relying on traditional platforms or cold pitching.
The First Step: Build Strong Direct Client Relationships
Building strong direct client relationships is a cornerstone of successful freelancing, allowing you to bypass the limitations and uncertainties of traditional job boards. Here’s how to effectively cultivate these relationships:
Your Community is Your Backbone: Building a loyal client base is more than just delivering good work—it's about becoming indispensable. Engage deeply with your clients’ industries and challenges, positioning yourself as a strategic partner who offers foresight and solutions.
TIP: if you don’t know where to start, forge your first connections with Sorbet’s global community of creatives. Join here!
Referrals are the Catalyst: Referrals should be viewed as a byproduct of exceptional client experiences. Instead of routinely asking for referrals, focus on creating standout moments that naturally prompt clients to recommend you.
Social Media is the Stepping Stone to Success: Social media isn't just for visibility—it's a tool for positioning yourself as a thought leader in your field. This strategic use of social media and networking helps you attract clients who are looking for more than just a service provider—they’re looking for a visionary partner./
Bonus: check out our previous blog to learn how you can best engage with clients and optimally grow your business through Twitter!
Your Value Goes Beyond the Project: Rather than just completing the task at hand, identify opportunities where you can deliver unexpected value. By consistently offering this kind of added value, you position yourself as a critical thinker and problem solver, making your services indispensable.
Create a Client-Centric Approach: Go beyond standard client service by becoming intimately familiar with your client’s business landscape. This level of customization shows that you are not just fulfilling a role but are deeply invested in their success, fostering a partnership that can lead to more significant, ongoing projects.
Take Control of Your Finances and Maximize Earnings
One of the great perks of freelancing independently is the ability to set your own rates. You shouldn’t have to worry about job board fees of up to 20% eating into your hard-earned income.
Beyond these fees, these platforms foster high competition, leading to a race to the bottom where you’re pressured to lower your rates to attract clients. This price-based competition can result in devaluing your work, which is never worth it.
With Sorbet, you not only keep 100% of your earnings, but you also avoid the need to lower your prices due to excessive competition.
Sorbet is not a marketplace yet we offer the simplicity and security that traditional marketplace platforms provide without the drawbacks of high fees and competitive pricing pressures. By using Sorbet, you can maintain the integrity of your rates, ensuring you are fairly compensated for your expertise and hard work.
Sorbet's platform also supports freelancers by providing a seamless and secure payment experience that helps them grow your careers confidently.
This autonomy allows you to align your pricing with the value you deliver, fostering a sustainable and profitable freelancing career. Transitioning to Sorbet can help you maximize your earnings, uphold the value of your work, and enjoy a more rewarding freelancing experience.
Understand The Client Acquisition Pyramid
Freelancers need a diverse client acquisition strategy to maximize your earning potential and ensure a steady stream of work. Understanding the client acquisition pyramid is crucial in identifying where to focus your efforts for the best results.
Don’t Get Stuck on the Bottom: Marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork have virtually no barriers to entry, resulting in intense competition and lower-paying gigs.
Avoid the Middle Ground: Job boards, although better than marketplaces, are still flooded with competition and offer less personalization, making it difficult to stand out.
Direct Outreach and Cold Pitching: While direct outreach and cold pitching can increase your chances of securing higher-paying jobs and long-term relationships, it requires a lot of practice and persistence.
Be Proactive: Being proactive is the key to success as a freelancer. Attending events sets you up for long-term networking success. This is where you find clients looking for high-quality freelancers willing to work on long-term projects.
Leverage Referrals: One of the best methods to find work is through referrals. Satisfied customers are a gateway to new opportunities. Get recommendations wherever you can.
Build an Online Presence: Most importantly, build an online presence. Creating feeder products and maintaining an active social media presence helps attract clients organically. By showcasing your expertise online, you draw in clients who are looking for your specific skills.
In today's competitive freelancing landscape, marketplaces may not always be your friends. Diversifying your client acquisition strategies is essential for maximizing your earning potential and ensuring a steady stream of work. By understanding and navigating the client acquisition pyramid, you can focus your efforts where they will yield the best results.
Avoid getting bogged down in low-paying job search platforms. Instead, leverage direct outreach and proactive networking to secure higher-quality opportunities. Innovative all-in-one platforms like Sorbet can help you manage your client transactions and better convert leads coming from your social media and personal network to client engagements.
Building strong relationships, seeking referrals, and establishing a robust online presence will set you apart from the competition and attract clients who value your unique skills and expertise. By adopting these strategies, you can create a sustainable and profitable freelancing career, ensuring you are fairly compensated for your hard work and dedication.
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