A Guest Post by Catrin Cooper
Most successful entrepreneurs started as a freelancer. They provided various services, from data mining to producing to writing. But to become a successful entrepreneur, you must build a prolific freelance career first. You need more than luck as it requires access to some of the best clients online. In this post, let’s talk about some ways to help you turn into a successful entrepreneur from being a freelancer. Luckily, there is plenty of freelance writing and other remote jobs you can land while you’re self-employed these days.
#1 Have a Marketing Strategy
It’s true that you have a gift for coding or excellent design skills. However, if you don’t market yourself, no one will know that you’re offering something. All new entrepreneurs have a robust online presence. They have public social media accounts to update their audience, but they keep their accounts as professional as possible. These entrepreneurs have a personal website to showcase their talent and digital portfolio. With a distinct brand, you can go a long way to boost your professionalism. The good thing is that there are social media tools that you can use to help you maintain and organize your online presence. You can also build a custom website to show your uniqueness. However, you can easily use WordPress to create an online presence in minutes.
#2 Set up Goals and Expectations
Establishing deadlines and meeting expectations of clients are vital not just for freelancers but also for entrepreneurs. By knowing what the product will look like when it’s done can help you stay on track and allow your buyers to know what they’re expecting when it’s delivered. There are tons of tools that you can use to manage your product deadline and help you collaborate with your team members so you can stay on top of your goals.
#3 Learn to Communicate
Having effective communication skills is the foundation of a successful business person. Going the extra mile to contact buyers and team members can eliminate hassles that may arise in the future. You need to be available through email, phone, and video so your team members can reach out to you when they encounter problems that affect the entire product or service.
#4 Build your Network
It’s the key to your future as an entrepreneur. While you still have your freelance job, you need to build a strong support network. The biggest links to your future are your current clients and colleagues. If you’re part of a freelancing team, never burn any bridges. Regardless of the kind of contacts you have, they’re invaluable for your future business. Attend as many events as you can to meet more people who can be your clients in the future.
#5 Find a Mentor
It’s not easy to find a mentor who can give you valid advice. The first step to take is to know what kind of person you look up to. Is there someone in your field that you like to emulate? One of the best places to find a mentor is a news outlet, like Naij, as you can read about a person’s life and his/her achievements.
Reach out to the writer who features that person in the news. Once you get his/her contact details, communicate with that person, start a conversation and ask for advice. Attending a meet-up for professionals in your industry is also another way to meet like-minded people and experienced individuals, who can be your mentor. Get as much information as you can from them and ask for their advice. But you must never ask them to be your mentor. Instead, build a relationship with them first. Then, offer something back. If there are areas in their life that they’re less experienced in, you could provide help.
#6 Upgrade your Skills
At the start of your career as an entrepreneur, you may have a quiet day. But it doesn’t mean it’s a day that you do less work. Your dream of becoming a successful business person won’t get off the ground if you don’t work hard when you’re not working. What it means is that while not working on some products, you should be working to upgrade your skillset. In this way, you can improve the service you offer to your clients. One of the things you can do is to take career development courses or read news about advances in your industry.
#7 Build the Best Team
Entrepreneurs don’t work alone. They have people who support them to promote their brand. Hence, it’s vital that you find people with skill sets and attitudes, which support your brand’s culture. In this way, it’s a way to foster innovation and improve reputation.
#8 Take Care of Yourself
Starting a business can affect your personal life. Hence, it’s imperative to take good care of yourself, mentally and physically. To do so, you need to sleep eight hours a day, eat the right food and exercise regularly. All of these things can drive motivation and build a healthy relationship with your team members.
Successful CEOs or leaders have a structured schedule. Make your own and stick to it.
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