How to make the leap from full-time to freelance marketer

Freelance

Work in marketing full time but long for more freedom? Find out how you can make the leap to become a freelance marketer.

Going full-time as a freelancer can be intimidating at first. The thought of setting your budgets and scripting your own work schedule can feel like leaping out into the unknown if you’re used to having your work hours set by managers and HR professionals. 

However, as a talented female freelance marketer, you have all the tools you need to work for yourself. A few simple tweaks – like improving your portfolio and expanding your services – can meaningfully boost your income and help mitigate the risk that comes with being self-employed. 

Becoming a full-time freelancer can spark a period of career growth, too. As a freelancer, you’ll need to network regularly and invest in your own skill set to stay up-to-date with industry trends. This can aid your efforts to achieve your professional goals and help you remain at the forefront of innovation in marketing. 

Expand your skillset and services

As a talented marketer, you know how to execute sleek campaigns and produce stunning graphics for social media. However, freelancing full-time is about far more than being good at your role. If you want your business to last, you’ll need to expand your skill set and learn more about crucial skills like: 

  • Budgeting for businesses; 
  • Networking for professional growth; 
  • Communicating with clients and partners;
  • Building your own schedule and managing your time.

Nailing these soft and hard business skills is just as important as producing crisp copy or crunching client’s user data. Figuring out how to complete simple tasks like invoicing your clients and keeping track of payments is key if you want to run a sustainable, profitable business over the coming years. 

Going freelance also gives you a wonderful opportunity to expand your service portfolio. You don’t have to wait for a boss’s approval before attending marketing courses and can explore emerging markets without compromising your day-to-day activities. If you’re interested in expanding your services, consider: 

  • Partnering with other small businesses to reduce risk and expand your network; 
  • Re-engaging past clients to ensure they’re aware of your new offering; 
  • Tap into new niches to capitalize on the first-mover advantage; 
  • Leveraging automation to handle monotonous tasks that detract from your creativity and productivity. 

Investing in yourself and expanding your offering is a great way to ensure your freelancing business continues to grow. Offering new services to existing clients can support your income over weeks and months to come, too. 

Improve your portfolio

If you want to land high-profile clients, you’ll need a portfolio that impresses prospective customers. A portfolio is a glance into the services you offer and is the backbone of any application when you’re searching for freelancing roles. When looking to build a freelance portfolio, consider the following: 

  • Website Hosting: Choosing the right website hosting service (e.g., Squarespace, WordPress, or Wix) can streamline your portfolio creation efforts and save you money in the long run. Finding the right service can help you build a personal blog that reflects your brand as a female freelance marketer and will impress prospective clients. 
  • Narrow it Down: Clients don’t want to work with a “Jack of All Trades”. They want to believe you are an expert in their field and have the inside scoop on industry trends. As such, you’ll want to narrow your portfolio down when getting in contact with prospective clients. 
  • Foreground Feedback: Client testimonials are a powerful currency in the world of freelancing. Publish a few highlight reviews on your webpage to make the most of your excellent work. 

These steps will ensure that anyone looking for a female freelancing marketer will find your site and be impressed by your skills. Taking a few hours to properly organize your site ensures that people understand the different services you offer and the rates associated with your professional services. 

Remain relevant 

Marketing is a fast-paced, ever-changing industry. This means you need to stay up to date with the latest trends and technology if you want to remain relevant within the world of freelancing. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to sign up for every software workshop or undertake an MBA. Instead, consider investing in soft skills that help you remain adaptable and relevant. 

Get started by investing in marketing consultancy skills. Consultancy skills are at the backbone of effective freelancing, as you’ll need to convince clients that your services are worth paying for. Basic skills for marketing consultants include: 

  • Active listening; 
  • Researching for marketing plans;
  • Planning campaigns; 
  • Organizing your efforts; 
  • Writing for copy and client communications. 

These soft skills bolster your ability to remain relevant and will help you pitch your services to new clients. They’ll also help aid your efforts to communicate the benefits of working with a freelance marketing consultant. You can follow up on these soft skills by signing up for courses like: 

These free resources can boost your credibility and teach you new skills that will enhance your day-to-day productivity. Investing in yourself shows that you care about staying relevant and are invested in marketing as a career. 

Turn your  freelancing side hustle into a full-time career

Turning your freelancing side hustle into a full-time career is a great way to reclaim your work-life balance and increase your income. Landing a few high-profile clients can spark a period of career growth and lead to higher-paying work in the future, too. Get the ball rolling by investing in yourself and updating your portfolio. Doing so will expand your skill set and make you a more attractive option for clients looking for aid with their marketing efforts.