Want to start a successful freelancing business in Nigeria? You should read this.
Freelancing is a term loosely used to mean making extra income on the side while having a 9-to-5. It is seen as a business that gives you the flexibility you need with your time. Either way, freelancing has come to be a contract-based profession. So, instead of being recruited in an organization, you use your skills and experience to provide services to several clients.
With the pandemic disrupting work, there are many changes to the working environment and dynamics. Today, remote work is rising, with more people than ever wanting to become freelancers or start freelancing.
Digitization and the gig economy are major contributors to the adoption of freelancing more than ever before. A study by Upwork and Freelancers Union shows that there are 57 million freelancers today.
Starting a Successful Freelancing Business in Nigeria
Starting a freelancing business in today’s business world, where competition is rising, could be challenging. Owning a successful freelancing business comes with its ups and downs. There is also stiff competition because of the over-saturated freelance space. As such, knowing how to stand out and take your budding passion to the next level is important. Here are tips on how to start a successful freelancing business:
Define your goals for freelancing
To build a successful freelancing business, you must define your goals and what you want to make out of it. As such, you should write out a vision that excites you that you would preemptively want to see accomplished.
How much are you looking to earn as your monthly income? Do you want additional funding to support another business, or are you just looking to have an extra income?
You might be looking to have some flexibility in your time while traveling to various places. Also, you may need flexibility so that you can earn and work at the same time.
Whatever the reason for commencing a freelance business, let your freelance business objectives guide you. This way, you will be motivated and propelled to run a successful freelancing business.
Pick a Niche You Are Comfortable with
The freelancing world can be an exciting environment due to the avalanche of gigs or jobs available. However, you must select a niche or several niches before you start. This step is necessary so that you will be seen as an expert in these niches.
Freelance jobs typically involve programming, web design, web development, social media strategy, database management, digital marketing, graphic design, and more. The key to selecting a niche is knowing what you are interested in or passionate about.
Are you great at Excel, data entry, or excellent communication with customers? Then, you can choose to work in customer service or database management.
In addition, you can also acquire new skills like animation, UX/UI design, digital strategy, and more. Remember to pick a skill that you are comfortable learning and can gain expertise within a short period. This is because being in a niche you are comfortable allows you to stand out to your clients.
Leveraging social media
Maximizing the use of social media is another key factor in building a successful freelancing business. The world is evolving fast, and staying winning as a freelancer, leveraging social media is very important.
Digitization has made it easy for anyone to sell themselves or promote their business. So, when starting a freelancing business, you should consider building an online presence around your expertise and the current niche. There are two key things to take note of while leveraging social media. The first is to build visibility, and the second, attract potential clients.
Pricing
Set the right prices for your freelance business before you get started. Remember, you need to price yourself based on the value that you deliver, not what your competitors are charging. Don’t allow anyone else to dictate the terms by which you define your value.
There’s no such thing as prices that are too high. Your prices may be too high (or too low) for the types of clients you’re targeting. However, if you do your homework, you’ll be selling exactly what your clients need at a justifiable price.
Don’t charge far above your value, but don’t ever undervalue what you’re doing for your clients. They’re going to hire someone to help with their projects anyway. It’s just a matter of showing them that you’re the right person to help. Pricing becomes a secondary concern if you can convince them that you’re the best person for the job. It’s business, and they’ll make it work, or it wasn’t meant to be.
Turn your service into a solution.
There’s nothing better than selling a solution when freelancing. Telling a small business owner that they can hire you for copywriting isn’t very compelling. The business owner may be left thinking, “What does that mean? Why do I want copywriting?”
When you just share the service you perform, it leaves it up to the client to imagine how that can apply. Rather frame it as a solution: “I can help you write better sales emails that convert to more customers.” Now that is something they would be willing to pay for. People pay for solutions. They pay for outcomes. The clearer you make the outcome of working with you, the more successful you’ll be in selling your services.
Conclusion
Freelancing offers the opportunity to earn a living by offering services based on one’s skillset or passion/hobby. But you don’t necessarily have to leave your 9-5 job. You can still keep your job while utilizing your spare time to build a successful freelancing business.