Do you ever find yourself with a random question about growing your business that you just wish someone would give you a straightforward answer to?
No extensive Google searches involved. No guessing and hoping that you get it right. Just a place where you can ask a question and get an response.
You’re not alone. I get emails all the time — from clients, small business owners, and other freelancers — with questions that are probably a lot like the ones you stumble over and wonder about. And while I love responding to those emails, I’ve realized that there are probably more people out there who would be interested in the answers!
So I’ve decided to share them here with a new monthly feature, Q+A.
(Psst, have a question of your own? Email me here and ask away! And don’t forget to check out other Q+A answers here.)
Hi Katharine,
I read your article in The Everygirl on how to prepare financially for starting your own business. I’m toying with the idea of starting my own business (but I will be keeping my current full-time job until I get more clients) and was hoping you’d be able to give me some guidance.xRight now I’m lucky enough to have two clients that I do work for on an on-going basis. I only make a few hundred dollars a month so it’s not financially feasible for me to just rely on the income from these two clients. I’m slowly trying to generate more clients, which is where I’d like to see if you have advice.xDo you use any freelance job boards? I just signed up for Elance and am considering paying the monthly fee.xI’m in the very early stages but I’d like to get some additional clients and would love to hear the advice of others who have turned freelancing into their full-time careers.xReading your article really helped me, I’m actually in the process of scheduling an appointment with an accountant to discuss what I need to know about taxes.xThanks so much and I appreciate any advice you may be willing to give.xWarm regards,
Sally
Congrats on working towards your own business, Sally!
Starting your own business can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but it is so worth it. And you’ve already got two clients, which is a great start! Getting clients is one of the toughest parts of building a business (and it never really goes away), so I’m happy to offer what advice I can on figuring that out.
Where you’ll want to look for new clients depends on the type of work you want to do. As a writer, I’ve used several job boards (one of them paid) in addition to approaching clients directly and asking for referrals.
If you’re able to ask your current clients for referrals, I’d definitely recommend that. You can also approach similar businesses, point to the work you’re doing for your current clients, and suggest some ways you might be able to help them out.
I’ve always stayed away from sites like Elance because most of the clients you can find there are more interested in low prices than quality.
I personally like to deal with clients directly, as I find that it generates more respect for my work and I’m able to charge higher prices. That said, finding a few smaller projects to build up your portfolio on Elance might be a great way to start getting some experience — just don’t get stuck only working for low-paying bid clients. And don’t feel like you have to say yes to everyone. Some clients just won’t be a good fit.
The biggest thing I can recommend is to have a professional-looking website up and running and to include testimonials from current clients there. No matter where you find your clients, they’ll set a higher value on the work you provide if it comes in a professional, recommended package. (Not sure what goes on your website? Start with about, services, contact, and FAQ pages.) If you’ve got a site already, I’d be happy to take a peek at it and offer some pointers!
Thanks so much for your kind words about my article. I’m glad it was helpful!
*****
Have a question about starting your small business or developing your online presence?
Email me or leave it in a comment below, and you could be featured next month!
Of course, you may want a little more help than a single blog post or email can provide. You may want answers customized to your business. If that’s the case, I’ve got you covered with some Real Advice!
Hey Katharine,
You’re right on the money when it comes to having your own website to generate business. You can charge more and you keep all the money (no charges for using a freelance marketplace to source jobs).
I think job boards and social media are gold mines for finding clients. Since I’m a writer, I found job boards and social media to be great places to find work.
I definitely think there are some job board that are great resources for finding clients! But no matter where you’re looking, you need to make sure you’re researching the company, definitely signing a contract, and finding work where you’re being paid a reasonable rate for your skills!
That’s some very sound and practical advice Katherine!
I found your excellent blog while leaving a comment over at
Elna Cain’s totally excellent blog BTW!
And you’ve certainly done a masterful job addressing a truly evergreen
subject, for practically any business,service and or industry!
And BTW, it looks like, as soon you’re ready, (if you haven’t) decided to already!LOL!
You’ve got at least three additional, multiple steams of income generating opportunities
laying in wait!
A.) Various forms and levels of paid one on one Coaching/consulting!
Which from the sounds of your excellent post, you’d definitely be incredibly good at!LOL!
And your initial offers could easily be, beginners, Intermediate and obviously advanced.
With the incremental price increases and more hands on personalized attention & personal access to you to go with it of course!LOL!
B.) You could easily create an email only consulting package.
C.) And of course, as you mentioned, your exclusive VIP website/blog critique program!
That would probably be extremely popular and needed, I’m just guessing!LOL!
And of course, if they don’t have a self hosted blog just yet, yo could point them in the
right direction and offer advanced one on one coaching in that area too, if you wished too!
Because it’s beyond obvious, your audience definitely trusts & values your judgement!Great job!
And I’m so glad I stopped by!Continued success!