The freelance marketplace is a great way to enter the world of freelancing.
It is a platform that can give you instant access to getting hired and kickstart your freelancing career.
Though the freelance marketplaces are quite saturated and it is extremely difficult to compete in the market for your share of skills and expertise. Yet, I would not say that they are not a good place to try your luck.
In fact, I started off from a freelance marketplace. I didn’t stay there for a long time as it was not very well paying but it gave me a good idea about the concept of a freelance marketplace.
So the main question remains, How to get hired as a beginner on a Freelance marketplace?
Frankly speaking, there is no hard and fast rule for this. All you have to do is ensure the clients that you are a reliable resource for them. There are various factors that you can use to make sure that you tick mark all the boxes of a credible freelancer for hire.
Build a Credible Profile
The profile is the main game changer for you when you are starting off. Having a fantastic profile is the key to getting clients even if you do not have any experience. You need to highlight your qualities or skills that can grab the client’s attention.
Whether you use samples of your work or just list down the achievements relevant to the field, you need to pump up your profile.
Mention all your achievements and also the transferrable skills that you can apply to any project.
You can check other freelancers’ profiles on the marketplace to get an idea of how they have enlightened their skills set to gain attention.
Create Samples
Samples are a great way to earn credibility. You can create the samples that are relevant to your field and then provide the client. You can showcase them in your profile too if you like.
Otherwise, if there is a client in a particular niche that you do not have a sample for, offer them to create a sample for them to assess your eligibility.
Some clients usually ask for samples in their requests on these marketplaces. It is the best way to compete against established writers because if you believe you have the capability to excel, then your sample might stand out from a competing profile.
Pitching for a Gig
When a project is posted, many freelancers pitch their capability to handle that project in the most effective manner. This is another chance for you to showcase your qualities to be hired as a freelancer.
For that, you need to analyze what are the client’s requirements. What is the problem and how your unique skill set can address their problem with an optimum solution?
Here, you need to be creative, expressive, and unique so the client can see that, okay you might not be an experienced person but the way you pitch yourself is interesting and something to look for.
Sharing Your Testimonials
If you have gained any testimonials for any volunteer work or even if you haven’t got any, you can request people to give you a testimonial on your professional capabilities.
If you are a student, get a testimonial from your Supervisor or Professor. If you are already working somewhere, you can request it from your peers, colleagues, or even Manager if it is fine with you telling them about your freelancing.
Take Small Projects
If you haven’t worked at all before as a freelancer, it is feasible to start from small. You need to take baby steps and thus go for short-term projects. There are projects that do not require much experience, so start pitching for them. It can give you an idea of how to deal with clients in a freelance marketplace and also build your genuine profile.
Though they might not be as well paid, but they might help you to start building your freelancing profile with a pinch of experience.
Show Your Digital Footprint
The most important step in getting clients is to have your digital presence. You need to showcase your profile on various platforms to show the client you have some credible background in a digital world.
Either you create a profile on LinkedIn where you share your work samples or you are a part of some other community which you can refer to the client as your digital hangout place.
It can be your portfolio, your blog site, a forum like Medium or Quora where you share your wisdom on your niche.
So when you pitch a project or when you are in discussion with a potential client, you can mention that you do have an online existence. It shows your credibility, your ability to understand the virtual world and also gives you room to enhance your virtual presence.
I’m not sure if these marketplaces allow you to share other site links but you can always mention them in your pitch.
I hope following the above-mentioned tips could land you your first client.
If anyone has any more suggestions, opinions, or tips related to this topic, please do share them with us.
Happy Freelancing! 🙂
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