Do you sometimes feel like you don’t have what it takes to be a successful freelancer with a solid client base? Whether you’re just starting out or have been freelancing for a while, it’s normal to have moments of self-doubt and wonder whether you’re on the right track.
The good news is you can continuously build your confidence as a freelancer. Not only will you have satisfied clients, but you’ll also be surprised by your growing skills and abilities. Here are five effective techniques to help you become a more confident freelancer.
Improve Your Speaking Skills
If you’re part of the 75% who fear public speaking, worry not because you can overcome it with practice and perseverance. To get more comfortable speaking to a crowd, start by actively participating in meetings. If you’re feeling up for it, you can also volunteer to deliver presentations. This approach lets you face your fear and slowly build confidence as you gain more exposure and experience.
Consider taking public speaking courses to learn various techniques for connecting with the audience, such as the right tone of voice, body language, the art of storytelling, and anxiety management.
While learning how to speak with confidence, don’t forget to listen actively and pay attention to your client’s needs and preferences. For a more collaborative approach, ask follow-up questions, take note of their answers, and share your insights.
Actively Ask For Feedback
To grow as a more confident freelancer, you’ll need the feedback of your clients and colleagues. Ask questions such as “What do you like most about my work?” and “What areas do I need to work on for future projects?” The first question lets you recognize your strengths, helping boost your confidence. The second one takes you on the right path to growth and development.
Asking for a recommendation on your LinkedIn profile also makes a difference. Keep your request short and simple to avoid any awkwardness. For example, you can say, “I enjoyed collaborating with you on your website revamp project. Would you be comfortable writing me a LinkedIn recommendation highlighting my skills in graphic design and search engine optimization?”
Reach out to clients or colleagues who have seen your best work. Professional networking sites like LinkedIn allow you to gain potential clients, so you’ll want positive feedback displayed on your profile.
Set Achievable Goals
Setting SMART goals gives you clarity, motivation, and a sense of fulfillment, thus increasing your confidence as a freelancer. First, be Specific. Instead of simply saying you want more clients, establish a clear goal like getting two new copywriting clients in the health and wellness industry within a month.
Keep your goals Measurable too, such as creating 2 social media captions per day, sending out 5 proposals per week, or generating 10 blog ideas per month. To avoid unnecessary stress, set Achievable goals by considering your current workload and available time. For example, if you’re already working on a major project, you might want to limit your side hustles to just two to maintain quality and avoid burnout.
Choose goals that are Relevant to your bigger goals. For instance, taking an online course in graphic design will help bring you closer to becoming an expert in the field. Lastly, making your goals time-bound will create a sense of urgency and accountability. Whether you need a few months or even years, setting a deadline keeps you on track with your goals.
Experiment To Discover Your Niche
Even scientists experiment before they find the right answers, so don’t hesitate to explore different fields and projects to find your niche. For instance, try copywriting, social media management, web development, search engine optimization, and even virtual assistance. See which projects excite you and where you excel.
Your clients’ feedback can also help you determine your strengths, interests, and values. For instance, if they often commend you for your attention to detail, creativity, leadership, and organizational skills, you may excel as a digital marketing manager or project manager. By combining your skills, passion, and work ethic, you’ll emerge as a confident freelancer who knows your niche and is ready to thrive in the business.
Embrace Mistakes and Learn
No matter how good you are or how long you’ve been in the industry, mistakes are inevitable, so treat them as an opportunity to learn. If you receive negative feedback from clients, understand their reasons and create an action plan to avoid the same mistakes. For example, divide your tasks into smaller, manageable ones or ask questions from the start to prevent miscommunication and unnecessary delays.
Take accountability, and show your commitment to delivering top-quality work. By demonstrating your professionalism and being open to feedback, you can build a stronger, more genuine relationship with your clients.
Failures and rejections are all part of your freelance journey. While they can be disheartening, they’re crucial for your growth. By honing your skills, discovering your niche, seeking feedback, and setting realistic goals while learning from your mistakes, you’ll learn to be more confident, flexible, and resilient. More opportunities await you, so wear that crown of confidence and make your mark in the freelancing world!