Solo Freelancer vs Agency: What's Better? | Kyle Prinsloo posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2024)

In the competitive freelancing world, effectively showcasing your skills and expertise is essential for attracting potential clients or freelancers. Self-promotion goes beyond mere bragging; it's about crafting a compelling narrative highlighting your unique value proposition. Get ready to unleash the full potential of your skills and captivate your target audience.The Power of Portfolios:A well-curated portfolio is your gateway to success. With the Black Freelancer profile, you can build a visually appealing and user-friendly portfolio that captures attention and leaves a lasting impression. Leverage the Black Freelancer proofile to showcase your best work, skills, and interest in your portfolio.Crafting Captivating Case Studies:Case studies are a powerful tool to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and expertise. Choose impactful projects, outline challenges, showcase your problem-solving approach, and highlight tangible results achieved. Engage your audience with a captivating storytelling narrative.Harnessing the Power of Testimonials:Testimonials act as social proof and can significantly influence decision-making. Collect authentic testimonials from satisfied clients. Use compelling quotes and highlight specific outcomes and positive experiences. Display testimonials prominently on your website or portfolio.Creating Compelling Self-Promotion Strategies:Effective self-promotion extends beyond showcasing your work. Establish a solid online presence, engage in industry conversations, share valuable content, and build a personal brand. Network with peers, attend events and collaborate with others to expand your reach and visibility.The Art of Continuous Improvement:Self-promotion is an ongoing journey of growth and refinement. Seek feedback, analyze results, and continuously update and improve your portfolio, case studies, and testimonials. Stay relevant in a dynamic marketplace by adapting your self-promotion strategies based on industry trends and client preferences.Mastering self-promotion is an art that can propel your freelance career or business to new heights. By effectively showcasing your skills through portfolios, case studies, and testimonials, you can attract the right clients or freelancers, build credibility, and create a solid personal brand. Embrace the power of self-promotion, tell your unique story, and let your skills shine in the competitive freelance landscape.

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How to earn $100 every day by freelancing?arning $100 every day through freelancing is achievable, but it requires dedication, effort, and a strategic approach. Here are some steps to help you reach that goal:Identify Your Skills and Niche: Determine your strengths and skills that you can offer as a freelancer. Focus on a specific niche where you can excel and stand out from the competition. Specializing in a particular area can make it easier to attract clients looking for your expertise.Create an Impressive Portfolio: Build a strong portfolio showcasing your best work. If you are just starting, consider taking on some pro bono or lower-paying projects initially to build your portfolio. As you gain experience and receive positive feedback, you can gradually increase your rates.Choose the Right Freelance Platforms: Select freelance platforms that match your skills and niche. Platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, and Toptal are popular choices. Research the platform's fee structure, competition, and user reviews before signing up.Optimize Your Profile and Proposals: Craft a compelling and professional profile that highlights your skills and experience. Tailor your proposals to each project you apply for, showcasing how you can add value to the client's needs. Personalization can significantly increase your chances of getting hired.Offer Competitive Rates: When starting, it might be necessary to offer competitive rates to attract clients and build your reputation. As you gain more experience and positive reviews, gradually increase your rates to reflect your value.Promote Yourself: Use social media, your website, or a blog to promote your freelancing services. Share your work, industry insights, and success stories to attract potential clients and showcase your expertise.Keep in mind that building a steady income of $100 per day might take time, especially in the early stages of your freelancing career. Be patient, persistent, and proactive in seeking opportunities. As you gain experience and a positive reputation, you'll be more likely to achieve your financial goals as a freelancer.

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Most times, the way isn’t clear, but you want to start anyway. It is in starting with the first step that other steps become clearer. ~ Israelmore AyivorHere are some terms that you will hear commonly in the freelancing world: 1. FreelancerThis is pretty straightforward! A freelancer is someone who works independently and can be hired by multiple companies or individuals on a contract basis.2. Self-employedThis refers to individuals who work for themselves, such as freelancers or business owners. While both freelancers and business owners are self-employed, not all self-employed individuals are freelancers.3. ServiceYour service is the skillset you offer to your clients, for which you receive payment. This could be anything from content writing to video editing, graphic design, or virtual assistance.4. OfferAn offer is a specific service or package that you present to your potential clients. It's what you're willing to provide in exchange for payment.5. ClientsClients are the individuals or companies that hire you for your services. They're essentially the customers of the freelancing world.6. ProspectsProspects, or prospective clients, are potential clients to whom you've pitched your services. Once you've successfully closed a deal with them, they become your clients.7. LeadsLeads are essentially prospects—individuals or companies—who have the potential to become your clients. There are two main types of leads:1. Inbound leads: These are prospects who come to you with the intention of hiring your services.2. Outbound leads: These are prospects whom you reach out to with the intention of being hired by them.8. Discovery callsDiscovery calls are your initial conversations with prospects, where both parties aim to get to know each other better. During these calls, the prospect shares their requirements while you introduce yourself, your skills, and your experience.9. Sales callsSales calls are conversations with prospects where your goal is to turn them into clients. These calls go beyond just getting acquainted; they involve securing a final decision from the prospect regarding hiring you.10. Self-promotionSelf-promotion involves showcasing your services, skills, and yourself both online and offline. This often includes creating content online and building a personal brand over time.11. ValueValue refers to how beneficial you are to your client. The more value you provide, the more you can charge for your services. Your level of usefulness determines whether you're seen as indispensable or easily replaceable.Value encompasses the usefulness of your service. For instance, consider the value of hosting articles on a website. This allows your client or audience to grasp the significance and worth of the service you provide and the corresponding price. Moreover, value can also denote the monetary value of a service. #30DayChallenge #Freelancer

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This isn't another 'Social Saturday' post.It's specifically for freelancers. Here's Edition 2 of the weekly 'Saturday 7.'The Saturday 7 is a weekly curated collection of seven people who are must-follows in the freelancing world. Here they are:1️⃣ If you care about sustainability in our world, as I do, Jessie Frahm 🌱 is a great follow to find out how you can get involved and make a difference. 2️⃣ Isabel Sterne 🟡 is a master at hooks, and her minimalistic design and approach work incredibly well for her. This is a great example to follow if that's the direction you want to go in.3️⃣ I like Lynn Swayze's cerebral approach to her content and the way it's positioned. She should be getting much more attention!4️⃣ Drew Mabry is one of the best folks on LinkedIn. His daily video interviews with people in the freelancing and agency world are a must-watch. I'm recording a podcast with him next week, which should be fun!5️⃣ Polly Clover's posts about the freelancing world and the different layers of building strong content are very good.6️⃣ Matthew Wood is just getting his feet on the ground in the freelancing world, but he already has a very natural writing style, and his content will position him well to move forward fast.7️⃣ I like Ciera Lamb's approach to her content - the way her hooks flow naturally into her main messages is very well done.Give these folks a follow, y'all!Also: Tag people in the comments we should be following!---👋 Hi y'all, I'm Kris.🎒 A former startup guy who now runs a successful content studio.🖋 Building my business has been hard. I want it to be easier for you.🤝 To learn how I work more closely with clients, check out the links I share in the comments of these posts and follow The Strategic Freelancer.

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HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED AS A FREELANCER “Coach, I have lost motivation. Is there any word you can say, anything you can do to motivate me”Segun said to me in all sincerity. Does this sound familiar?Here are 5 TIPS for you.First, one important point we need to agree on is that Freelancing has its own advantages and disadvantagesAnd one of its drawback is instabilityAs a freelancer, you need to be prepared for that Be in the right mental space so you won’t be taken by surpriseWhat did I tell Segun? I told him 5 things 1. What’s your WHY?Why are you doing freelancing?Is it for extra income or you want a different lifestyle?“when your WHY is big enough, your HOW will show up”I have had different people tell me their reasons for freelancing I have noticed that the people that had the biggest WHYs had the highest staying powerSo I told Segun to discover his WHYThe second thing I told Segun 2. Prepare for REJECTIONS and DRY SPELLS The best of the best freelancers get rejected so why not youFreelancing is a numbers gameAnd the numbers won’t be in your favor at your early stages Your percentage ratio gets better as you grow You also need to prepare for dry spells as a freelancerThere will be periods where you will be doing everything right but you won't get resultsIt’s just a phase, and there are things you can do to take advantageWhen you are prepared for rejections and dry spells you won’t be demotivatedAnd like all phases, it will passNext I said, Segun3. Refrain from COMPARISONSNever ever compare yourself with another freelancer Yes you can be inspired, but Don’t compare One mistake freelancers make is to compare themselves with another freelancer with results they admire It’s a fast track to DEMOTIVATIONNo two freelancers are the same Even if they offer the same skills Do you know the experience they had before freelancing?Stay on course, Maintain your lane Focus on your journey, Get better day by day It’s a marathon not a sprint Then I told him 4. Set REALISTIC Goals You can’t jump from $100 to $10,000Without passing $1000Unrealistic goals will demotivate you instead of Motivating you as a freelancer I told him;There’s a difference between a dream and a goal and you need to know which is which When you set unrealistic goals way higher than your capacity You will always feel you are not doing enough Then you get demotivated Finally I told him Segun no one is coming to save you, you are the driver of your journey 5. Practice SELF MOTIVATIONFreelancing comes with Good, bad and Ugly days You enjoy the good days and motivate yourself through the bad and ugly ones With your WHY (number 1)You brood over a rejection or loss of client etc for a short period Then get to work again The best form of motivation is always SELF MOTIVATIONSo there you have itSELAH #freelancer #freelancer #freelancing #freelancers #upwork #freelancerclientmagnet

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The perks & joys of freelancing are immense, BUT so are the downsides of it.In Freelance career, being your own boss is great, but it demands more responsibility & being personally accountable for each & every mistake you make.Here I'm sharing 9 deadly mistakes to be avoided in freelancing.1- Underselling yourself Setting rates too low can make it hard to sustain a freelance career. Being confident in your skill & expertise helps you demand your work's worth.2- Assume work will come to you This one is immensely deadly to freelancers. Instead of limiting yourself to only one platform, it's much better to sign up for at least 3 freelancing platforms & be active on social media platforms like LinkedIn than choosing just one.3- Over- committing Taking on too many projects at a time can lead to burn out & low- quality work.4- Ignoring Marketing Failing to market yourself & build a strong online presence can limit opportunities for you.5- Failing to communicate with clients Whether you're just giving a daily update or going to miss deadlines, communication will be massively helpful. It helps you define expectations & avoid mistakes in freelancing.6- Lack of boundaries Not setting clear boundaries with clients can lead to unrealistic expectations & overwork.7- Working without Contracts Not having clear, written contracts can lead to disputes & payment issues8- Don't up sell your services Once you've finished your project now prospecting for new clients. Go back to your current client & upsell them a value- added service. It's a great way to retain clients which most of freelancers used to ignore.9- Failing to Network Building professional relationships is crucial for finding new clients & opportunities in freelancing. Avoiding these mistakes can help freelancers build a successful & sustainable career.Follow me for such insightful tips on➡️Content Writing➡️SEO Writing➡️Freelance CareerHave a great day ahead😀😍#freelancing

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If you're not a freelancer in 2023, you're just not making money.There's never been a better time to become a freelancer.If you have a skill, experience, or passion, you have the ability to earn a full-time income through the gig economy.As we move into 2023, those not taking advantage of the trend will likely struggle.The traditional 9-5 job is no longer the only path to success.Freelancing is an opportunity to build a business and personal brand around your skills and unique style.Whether you're a writer, designer, or consultant, here are some tips for starting a successful freelance career:1) Build your personal brand.A strong personal brand is essential for freelancers.Create a website and social media profiles that showcase your work and tell your story.Make sure your brand aligns with your niche and target audience.2) Identify your niche.Focus on a specific area that you have expertise in.This will help you stand out from others in your field, and attract clients who value your unique skills and insights.And don’t be afraid to specialize further over time.3) Set your rates.Decide on a pricing structure that’s fair and competitive.Consider factors like your experience, expertise, and business expenses (e.g. software, equipment, insurance).And remember that it’s okay to raise your rates as you gain more experience and demand.4) Network, network, network.Networking is a powerful tool for finding new clients and building relationships.Attend industry events, join online communities, and reach out to potential clients directly.Remember to always follow up and add value to the conversation.5) Keep learning.The freelance landscape is constantly evolving.Stay up-to-date with industry trends, technologies, and best practices.Invest in your education and seek out new opportunities to improve your skills and knowledge.6) Manage your time.As a freelancer, time is your most valuable asset.Develop a system for managing your workload, deadlines, and projects.Set boundaries, prioritize your tasks, and take breaks when needed to avoid burnout.7) Deliver high-quality work.At the end of the day, your work speaks for itself.Deliver projects on time and to the best of your ability.Take pride in your work and incorporate feedback from clients to continuously improve.Freelancing isn't easy, but it's a rewarding and viable path to making money in 2023 and beyond.By focusing on building your personal brand, identifying your niche, setting your rates, networking, learning, managing your time, and delivering high-quality work, you can build a thriving freelance business.Now is the time to take action and make your mark in the gig economy!

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There are two types of freelancers.There is the freelancer who only talks about being a freelancer because it sounds cool. Sharing platitudes about entrepreneurship, paraphrasing marketing books on LinkedIn with no completed projects, selling courses for things they have never done themselves. Their money usually coming from a well-off partner or inheritance to keep them afloat.And there is the freelancer who took that leap of faith. The one who had some savings and a dream clutched in their hands. The one who is subjected to constant pressure. Even when they are feeling horrible. Even when they are on their last few hundred dollars.There's nothing 'free' about freelancing. It's hard work. And when you grow, your work only increases in pressure. It's not for everyone.I want to take this moment to talk about the seriousness of pressure. Because I feel most people tend to avoid that subject. It hurts to feel pressure. It's something that feels like it only happens you. It sucks.I'm not going to drop a coal to diamond metaphor here when it comes to pressure. But I do want to say that pressure is something you need to be aware of when looking at a freelancer.When they leave their in-house job, their safety net, they are now taking care of all the stuff they used to have different departments for.- Administration- Client acquisition- Management- Marketing- Email- CEO- Sales- ITIt's all coming at them from all sides. Constantly. Every day.Want to know when pressure loves peeking over your shoulder?I'll sketch some situations from my own freelance life:- Dragging yourself out of bed with a 104-degree fever to dot the i's on a series of emails because the client needs to start this campaign today.- Having less than 100 dollars for the rest of the month, but you still got to show up happy and confident on social media and Zoom.- Lying awake at night staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep for days because one of your biggest clients drops you and you suddenly have a major financial hole to fill.I have enormous respect for my freelancer colleagues who show up every day. Because I know how tough it can be some days. But still, I'm thankful for this pressure. It toughens me up mentally.I suppose that's what freelancers like myself all seek in life. To be challenged, to explore, to risk it all. That's what makes us get out of bed each day. To make every day feel like the start of something new. That there's still possibility in the air. An almost childlike vision of the world where you can be anything you want to be. That's what freelancing is to me. Endless possibility.So, to my freelancer friends and colleagues, I love you all. Enjoy your weekend. You've earned it 😊

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How can I be a good freelancer? 😎 Freelancing can be challenging if you’re starting for the first time. There is an immense growth in the freelance market every day, and if you want to be competitive, you have to prepare accordingly.Identify your niche:Identify, “What am I best at in my industry?” If you’re new to freelancing, you might feel ready to take any paid work you can get your hands on. But as you get deeper into your freelancing career, you’ll need to start being more strategic about the types of work you do and the clients you take on.Build an attractive portfolio: Work on demonstrating a good website that showcases your expertise, highlights your relevant past experiences and shows who you are. Work on your profile by identifying the different skills you’ve built over the years.Demonstrate your skills: Identify the right set of skills required in your niche and get some practice by taking on projects with your friends and network. Enhance well enough, which you can later showcase to prospective clients.Include testimonials on your website: You've effectively shown why somebody should enlist you — presently let others communicate everything for you. Testimonials are the social proof that clients need to get them from ‘interested’ to ‘committed.’Grow your network: If you’re a freelancer, networking is one of the best practices you can undertake to help your career thrive. Be active in your virtual conversations, you can find groups of other freelancers online with whom you have much in common.Apply on freelance websites: Getting clients to come to you won’t be easy at first. Websites like Crewscale, Upwork, Freelancer will give you access to job boards with listings on your specialty, allowing you to choose your own projects and display your portfolio.Determine your price: While your hourly rate or project price heavily depends on your skill set and experience, don't work for peanuts. Know your value and then quote a price.Hope this helps. Happy freelancing!

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Freelancer or Agency, which is better?As a freelancer I used to underestimate myself whenever a client would choose an agency over me but after putting a lot of thought and speaking to a dozen people I realised a couple of things. Both come with different perks and difficulties. This might sound rude but not all agencies are good too.One of my friend who worked at a marketing agency was managing 10-12 brands. The agency would -onboard more clients hence more income and hire less talent in order to earn more profit.Keeping this aside,even if you see it realistically, do you think that one person who's handling 10 brands would have the capacity to invest on your brand story. I don't think so! But that doesn't mean all agencies are bad, I just think there are pros and cons of working with both freelancers and agencies. It depends on what you are looking for. For ex: If you want a personalised brand voice and tone and want to be a little invested in the process then probably a freelancer works well for you but If you want someone to take care of couple of things all together without you having to be involved daily and just bring results at the end of the day then probably agency is a great option. And if you want to be involved in each and every step and do not want to give creative freedom and be part of the process then probably you need someone to be in house.All I mean is, different things work for different people. But for the longest time I thought agencies are a threat to freelancers. Now I don't think they are, they are neither better than us nor less, both agencies and freelancers could be good or bad. I have worked with clients who had terrible experiences with agencies as well as freelancers. In the end its about what the clients values more, what matters to them and if the service providers align with them or not. That's why now I don't underestimate myself, because I know what I bring to the table, the extra mile I go to help my clients and a client who really knows what they want and values my expertise will appreciate that.Whether you are a business owner or a freelancer, I hope it gave you some perspective. Let me know what are your thoughts on it. Would love to know in the comments below!Follow Somya Joshi to gain more insights on social media marketing and freelancing journey!

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