This is the year of the freelancer, with around 5.1 million people in the UK now classifying themselves as self-employed. As such, competition is steep and it has never been more important to stand out from the crowd to find work in the industry.

There are countless articles telling you to set up a website, create a brand, understand your target audience - but in order to excel in your chosen profession, it's time to use your creativity to your advantage. We have spoken to freelancers across many different industries and compiled a selection of their top tips to help you pop.

1.    Look for opportunities to collaborate

The more skills you have, the more marketable you become - that much is obvious. However, going beyond your industry also means building connections and collaborations with other creatives, looking for opportunities for skill-sharing and putting yourself out there, even when the opportunity isn’t immediately obvious. Take an aspiring jewellery-maker, for example, who recently supplied all of the jewellery for a test shoot. In subsequent magazine reviews, the shoot team and the jewellery-maker got praised (and credited) leading to an uptick in sales. 

Collectives are also great opportunities, particularly if they involve a wide range of industries, such as photographers, marketers, designers, artists etc. Even if you are involved in a project that doesn’t immediately make money, you will be able to learn from the experiences of other freelancers in similar industries, add to your portfolio and get your named circulated. This is also a safer space in which to be experimental, as you aren’t working to strict deadlines and client’s briefs.

2.    Nurture client relationships

If the ultimate goal is to make your freelancing business your sole business, you need to treat is as such. Your clients are your most precious assets; they not only pay for your services but they champion you - therefore getting you more clients and expanding your business - or rebuke you.

A mistake one wedding photographer made was to assume the only worth of her services came from the images she produced. As such, she got so wrapped up in shooting that she ignored the feelings of the bride and bridal party. The photographs were beautiful but she got a bad review from the couple because she made them feel on edge and out of control on their special day. You are not only providing a service, you are providing an experience and this is perhaps one of the most important lessons to remember as a freelancer.
 

3. Be an emotional marketer

People buy into things either because they need them or because they want them, either way these buyer impulses are often triggered by emotions. Market your service to suit people’s emotional needs, whether that’s vanity, an easier life or a more efficient business process, find out what your audience wants and offer it to them.

In order to find out what your audience are after, either engage a market researcher or ask your existing customers how your service impacts their lives. Perhaps you can do a few case studies that will make them feel special while attracting new clients. This may feel uncomfortable but by marketing directly to the emotions of your prospective clients, you will better understand what they want and will make yourself a more well-rounded and personable professional. This attitude goes a long way in business.

 
4.    Be memorable

Networking is a fantastic way to get yourself out there but it's only worthwhile if you are remembered afterwards. How you present plays a part in this, as does your approach, attitude and confidence - all of this we already know. But once you walk away, it is what you leave behind that can have the most impact.

Get creative with your business cards - if you are a photographer, have a sample of your images as the background of your cards; designers get quirky and show off what you can do. A freelance baker once gave me a cookie with a QR code on it that linked to her details. Spending a bit more on a unique approach always trumps the default option. I've been given 1000s of business cards over the years and I still think of the baker on a regular basis. Look for the magic. It's worth the investment. 

 
5.    Don’t just use social media - utilise it

The importance of social media is unique to you alone. Follow the herd and your content will get swallowed up. Find your voice and you'll never have to spend a penny on marketing again. 

It is not always easy and you will meet many frustrations and challenges along the way, but in order to truly excel at your chosen profession, you must persevere and not be afraid to experiment. Consistency is important too though, so ensure you retain your brand image in all that you do. However, getting creative with the way in which you throw that image out to the world can be exciting. Your efforts may not always prove fruitful but will undoubtedly provide experiences from which to learn and become a better creative freelancer in the future. 

Photo: Trinity Kubassek | Airam Dato-on