What do you do if you have one main client and for some reason the work from that client dries up? Perhaps the client goes out of business or goes in a different direction or just has a lull in business?

Your main source of income is then gone. Which is why it’s crucial for anyone who relies on their freelance revenues to have multiple streams of income.

That’s easier said than done, of course, as many freelancers have two or three main clients and are happy to focus on those alone. But as many experienced freelancers will tell you, that’s a mistake.

Today we’ll look at a few different ways to set up multiple streams of income to make your freelancing business more stable and ensure that you’re living the freelancing good life for years to come. Please note that the following are just different options you can choose — I’m not recommending you do all of them. Continue Reading

When I first started freelancing, I was unhappy in my job. I was working in Boston during the dotcom bubble burst of the early 2000s. There was nowhere for me to go in my current position, and the constant layoffs and cutbacks were making me nervous. So I retreated back to what I knew I was good at—writing.

I started off slow at first, finding a few gigs on Craigslist. I started writing for a couple of local music magazines—one of them paid and one of them didn’t. Then I started writing lifestyle pieces for a free monthly tabloid. I kept those freelance jobs up when I started a new full-time job. I liked this new job, but it was working for a small video editing house. As the in-house producer, I didn’t get a chance to write.

I loved seeing my name in print—and that’s why I did it. I made hardly any money but I did get some perks—free movie tickets, a book or CD here and there—but I was building up my portfolio.

I decided that I wanted to make a career out of writing, so applied to grad school and moved to New York City to attend NYU. I was careful to keep every clip I wrote (including an early interview with the likes of an up-and-coming rapper named T.I.) and put them together in a binder.

During an internship fair (much like a career fair, just for internships) I whipped out my trusty portfolio. My fellow students oohed and aahed over my clips. “If you’ve been published, why the heck are you in grad school?” they asked. “Because I want to get paid for doing this!” was my reply. Continue Reading

Valentine’s Day is probably not a holiday that brings your fellow freelancers to mind.

You may have made a point to recognize your clients during the December holiday season, so why not make February the time to applaud your fellow independents?

Spreading good karma always pays off in some manner, whether it be a new contact, lead, or networking opportunity. Here are some ways to get started. Continue Reading

Switched on freelancers know that publicity is good for business. Positive press coverage in newspapers, trade magazines and professional journals can raise awareness of your freelance business, create leads and even fill order books.

One way to reach a larger audience with public relations activity is to get television news or feature coverage for your freelance business. Local TV news shows are always hungry for strong, visual stories with a local angle and also welcome expert interviewees who can comment on business news stories. Becoming an expert interviewee on television will enhance your credentials and publicize your freelance business. Continue Reading

Credit: Novic on Photodune

As a freelance writer, you have probably created a niche around your expertise. Maybe it’s healthcare, knitting, or finance. And I bet you spend the majority of your time writing about things you know a lot about. But what happens when you are asked to write about a topic you’re not all that familiar with?

No one expects you to be an expert on every topic. However, if you truly are a professional writer, you should be able to write about anything. And tackling a topic you don’t know anything about can be a good exercise in research.

Continue Reading

Picture this:  You own your own catering business.  Long days of persistent marketing and hard work have paid off and you have a steady stream of corporate clients.  At a networking luncheon, you’re seated next to another caterer new to the area.  She seems pleasant and you’re enjoying her conversation.  

You’re just about to bite into your chocolate cheesecake when she asks: “You do a lot of business with Big Juicy Client.  Who is your contact person there?”

Sounds strange, doesn’t it?  But the same thing happens to many freelancers. While most self-employed individuals understand the taboo behind asking a colleague for contact information, at the same time, a fairly large percent don’t. It can be uncomfortable when someone asks you for information that you don’t care to share.

Continue Reading

Since FreelanceSwitch started, there is one question that I get asked more often than any other. How can a freelancer find more work and generate new client leads?

Well at FreelanceSwitch we don’t shy away from the pressing questions. So as the kicker for a new series on how to get more freelance work, we have put together an enormous list of ideas, ranging from ones that take 10 seconds to 10 days. There’s something for everyone to try and I guarantee there will be plenty of things you never thought of. Continue Reading

If you’ve tried cold-calling to get clients, you know it’s the most painful, soul-sucking way to advertise yourself. But it doesn’t have to be.

Continue Reading

Photo by Sister72.

Do you wait three days to call after a great meeting? A day? A week?

Establishing a client relationship is a lot like dating. You don’t want to seem too eager for the job, but you don’t want to be overly relaxed either.

As a freelancer, it’s essential we come across as professional and confident. If we look needy or over-eager, we’ll scare business away (and who needs that?). Following-up with prospects is an important tool we must utilize to our advantage, but it must be used in a wise and measured way. Here are a few tips for great client follow-up:

Continue Reading

Photo by audreyjim529.

As the new year is just around the corner, some of you might resolve to take a step forward into becoming a freelancer. According to what’s been written in the comments at FreelanceSwitch, there are those of you thinking about this.

With the way the economy has been, it wouldn’t be too surprising if the freelancer ranks grow in the next few months. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Continue Reading

Photo by Yves Lorson.

One of the best ways to increase your income as a freelance writer is not to market for more work (ie, new clients), but to get it from existing clients. This is an often overlooked marketing method and missing it is like throwing money out the window.

Employing the 80/20 Marketing Rule

There’s a time-honored, marketing rule of thumb that says 80% of your sales will come from 20% of your clients. Most of us spend 80% of our time chasing after new clients. Switching that algorithm, for example, spending 80% of your time massaging your existing client base, would be a much better use of time.

Following is a 3-step plan designed to get more work from your existing client base. Continue Reading

Image by Thiru Murugan.

As a freelance designer, your income will be dependent upon the ability to find potential clients and secure the opportunity to do the work they need. There are plenty of different ways to find potential clients, and in this article we’ll take a look at 12 things you can do to increase the number of leads you receive.

Methods for Increasing Your Leads:

1. Maximize Your Portfolio

An extraordinary portfolio is a designer’s best friend, and for obvious reasons. Potential clients will be able to gauge your skill level and quality of work from your portfolio. In order to maximize the benefits from your portfolio, put only your best work in the spotlight. Think about how your portfolio is organized and make sure that your best pieces of work are sure to be seen by potential clients. If your work has improved over time, keep your best and most recent designs in the portfolio and consider removing older ones.

Also, don’t simply keep your portfolio on your own site. You can showcase your portfolio at plenty of CSS galleries. If you’ve done work for a well-known client there may also be a justification to submit a press release about a re-design or some other significant change to the site. Continue Reading