3 Ways to Brand Yourself as a Freelancer

In the digital age, freelancers are growing daily by numbers. The trend of working at home or becoming a digital nomad is so popular that freelancing for almost any industry is highly saturated. In times like these, you want to make sure that you stand out from the crowd to be able to get clients and be hired for jobs with your expertise.

The way potential employers see how you present yourself in the virtual world can impact their decision of choosing you compared to other freelancers. Because of this, your branding is very crucial.

Here are three ways to brand yourself as a freelancer and score more clients and generate more income:

1. Know your client as a freelancer

One of the fundamentals in any business is to establish a target audience, and this isn’t an exception with branding for freelancers. It’s crucial to know your ideal client so that you can brand yourself in a way that appeals to them. For example, while many people need the expertise of a graphic designer, not everyone will see your style as suitable for their business. Here are some ways to figure out who your client is:

• Create a buyer persona. Determine the age, location, industry, income, gender, business size, and so on.
• Identify the problems. Know what challenges they have so that you can provide a solution.
• Decipher their motivation. While the ultimate goal of any business is to generate income, look at what drives them to do what they do. Look at other goals they want to achieve besides earning the profit.
• Know the platforms that they use. In other words, identify where they “hang out” to look for answers, interact with other businesses, or their potential clients. By doing this, you will know where to go to offer your services.

In identifying your clients, you can brand yourself appropriately using the language that your clients speak.

2. Create an online presence

As a freelancer, an online presence is critical for your business. It becomes your persona in the virtual space, your portfolio, and proof that you exist and have the expertise clients need. Since you already know where your ideal client is, ensure that you have a presence on that platform, besides your professional website. A few ways for you to create an online presence are:

• Use a recognizable name. Whether you decide to use your name or a business name, you should be recognized as your brand, regardless of the platform. For example, use a similar name on your website and social media channels.
• Start blogging. While blogging takes effort, it’s one of the best ways to showcase your expertise. Remember to blog in the same voice that you have established for your brand and appeals to your client.
• Join communities and engage. Whether it’s engaging with fellow freelancers or potential clients, it’s crucial that you participate in various communities and build positive relationships. People will want to work with other people who seem to be genuine and know more than just selling their pitch.
• Give back. Forget about selling all the time because it puts off people more than you think it does. Give honest opinions and suggestions, and refer other people or products that you know will meet their needs. You can also create downloadable products, tips, for free on your website every now and then. When you have something to give, more people will believe in what you can do, and you can gain their trust.

3. Add your personality as a freelancer

As a freelancer, don’t forget that you are your own brand. Your personality is what makes you unique in a saturated industry, and when you can incorporate that into your brand carefully and creatively, big things can happen. Here’s how to add your personality:

• Tell your story. Like any brand, your story will captivate the right clients more than any resume. Communicate your skills, how you work, and others, so that potential clients can decide if you are who they are looking for. This can also do you a favor because you want to work with someone who matches your personality.
• Have a particular style. While your website, logo, voice, and portfolio considers what appeals to your audience, don’t forget to incorporate your own taste. That way, you can be genuine in whatever you do, and it won’t be difficult to communicate your brand.
• Be consistent. It’s crucial that you don’t let your feelings or mood sabotage the brand you built. If you have warm colors to radiate a happy and inviting tone, don’t mix it up with intense colors that can come off as chaotic. If the voice you established is approachable with a sense of humor, be careful not to sound formal or rigid.

Final thoughts

Branding yourself is crucial as a freelancer because it helps you stand out from the crowd, gain trust, and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. Using the tips listed above will take time and effort, but branding correctly, in the beginning, will allow you to reach the results that you are aiming for.