Freelancing offers flexibility, but the constant hunt for jobs and competition on rates can be overwhelming. The solution? Transitioning from freelancing to building your own business through a website. A website can attract people to come to you rather than the other way around.
When you are going hunting for jobs to find temporarily to earn a few bucks and then do it all over again, you are, in some ways, already operating a business. But, you are a business that is chasing its leads rather than a business that has leads coming to them.
So, how would I get those leads to come to me today and turn freelancing into a fully operational business? In this freelancing guide, that is exactly what I will be answering. I will show you step by step how to turn freelancing into so much more! Lets dive in:
Why Freelancing Is Not Worth Your time Anymore
Its time to stop looking for freelance work and let the work come to you. The way you do this is with a website. A website provides a way for clients and customers to find you rather than the other way around.
The time it takes to land a job is endless work in itself, only you're not getting paid for it. That is why it is important to start a website for yourself.
I remember finding jobs for other businesses when I used to work as a marketing manager, which is a job that you do not get paid enough to do, trust me, I WOULD KNOW!
You might already be asking me… Jonathan, what's the difference between creating a website to capture new leads and a business? Absolutely nothing, and that's what I am getting at!
You are already providing or looking to provide work for yourself, so why would you not just create a website and call it a business? When you own and operate a business, you can earn 10 times what you make freelancing and the leads will find you!
I don't know about you, but I definitely prefer that approach then spending hours looking for work just to do the work and walk away with less than I know I should be making!
In summary:
- A website attracts clients to you rather than requiring constant outreach.
- It serves as a lead magnet, showcasing your work and allowing potential clients to find you easily.
- Turning your freelance work into a business simplifies earning, provides stability, and removes the endless job search.
Going From Chasing Leads To Leads Chasing You
A lot of people think starting a business is hard and Im not saying its not. But, theres a difference between something being hard and something you have to work hard for.
Starting a business takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it's not as difficult as you think it would be. Putting it into perspective, you are already an expert in your field if you are looking for and finding jobs.
Searching for freelancing work proves that you are capable of doing the work your looking for and that you know how to do it. Now, all you have to do is demonstrate that knowledge on your website.
From here, you want to think about the steps you are going to take to launch your website. Start by following these simple steps:
1. Create A name For Your business (Make It Easy To Remember & Attention Grabbing)
The first step in creating a website for your business is finding a way to distinguish yourself from the competition in a unique way. Branding is all about capturing your audiences attention and how you want your business to look and feel to others.
The best way to begin is by asking yourself what you would look for in a business based in your niche. If your business were graphic design, what kind of designs would you like to create? Would you design content for websites, social media, or packaging labels?
Would you have a specific theme like women's vitamins, beverage labels, or stickers? When you begin branding, these are questions you need to ask yourself before coming up with the right strategy to take.
From here, you can find your niche, audience, and create a brand name for yourself and your business. Make sure it is memorable, stands out, and is related to your business niche.
Suggested reading: 5 Simple Remote Work Opportunities to Make Money from Home
2. How to Attract Visitors To Your Business
You might be wondering how you are going to drive traffic to your website before creating it. The answer is simple. Go where your audience is!
If your business is service-based, you want to create a website that resonates well within your niche by using images of your work, the areas you serve, and why they should use you. Make the areas you serve their own pages and target those locations.
On the other hand, if you are creating a website based on online work like graphics or content creation, you should focus on visual appeal and a website that would be easy to promote with social media.
Obviously, social media is based more on visuals, so create a social media presence, but have a website created as a landing page after you convert your social media followers into customers or clients.
Understanding where you will place your website and who you will show it to makes the process of creating it so much easier!
Suggested reading: How to Start A WordPress Blog On Bluehost
3. Build Your Website
To start a website, you’ll need a platform that suits your needs. WordPress is my favorite choice because of how diverse and fast it is. it’s also what I use for my blog.
WordPress is where you create and manage all your content. You can log in, write new posts, add pictures or links, and publish them for your audience. It’s a simple tool that makes running a business as easy as possible.
Plus, one of the best things about WordPress is that you don’t need to know how to code. It’s user-friendly and has lots of ways to customize your site.
The transition from freelancing to starting a business and a website has never been as easy as it is today. Here are the steps to start a self-hosted WordPress website and create your business:
- Get a web hosting service. A popular choice for newcomers looking to start a website or blog is Bluehost (you can start your own website for $1.99 per month when you use this link).
- Install WordPress. Most web hosts have a one-click installation to make it as painless as possible.
- After signing up on Bluehost, you will be provided walk through tutorials on how to get started in creating your website to capture leads for your business.
Suggested reading: Setting Up a Business from scratch- with little to no money
say goodbye to Freelancing
Now that your website is created or is at least in the process of being created, its time to start earning. By now you have everything you need to grow and start your own business:
- An easier way to earn than searching for freelance work
- A business strategy
- Your Bluehost website
- A business that you can now grow and scale
Suggested reading: Starting a service based business? Heres What You Need To Know First
Going From Freelancing To Business Owner
With your website live, focus on promoting it. Use social media, list your business on directories like Google Business and Yelp, and expand your visibility through various platforms.
Owning a business gives you control over your future and the freedom to scale at your own pace. Say goodbye to freelancing struggles and hello to a streamlined way of earning through your own website!
You are your business. Remember that!! If you were able to find leads for yourself, it proves you have what it takes to operate your own business and get leads that come to you.
This approach will save you time, resources, and make you a lot more money! So get to it, and get that business started. You will thank yourself later.
