The Freelancer's Guide to Landing High-Paying Gigs
- Andrew Flop
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
As an IT freelancer, selling your skills is crucial to landing gigs and job offers. In today's digital world, the competition is fierce, and it's essential to have a strategic approach to stand out from the crowd. In this post, we'll explore the techniques used by highly paid freelancers to sell themselves, from building connections on LinkedIn to attending agency parties, creating a website, and leveraging social media.
LinkedIn: The Old Reliable
In the past, LinkedIn was an essential channel for getting job offers from all around the world. Although its effectiveness has waned off since 2022-2023, it's still a great platform for getting gigs or job offers. The key is to build connections with people you know professionally, as they often have proposals or can introduce you to potential clients.
Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile
To get the most out of LinkedIn, optimize your profile by:
Using relevant keywords in your headline and summary
Adding a professional profile picture and background image
Showcasing your skills and endorsements from previous clients and colleagues
Publishing regular updates and engaging with others' content
Freelancer Agencies: A Professional Approach
Freelancer agencies are a convenient way to get gigs, as they know what you want and do it professionally. You can limit the projects to remote only, narrow the tech stack, and choose the project type. However, remember that they take their cut, which might be substantial.
Researching Freelancer Agencies
Before committing to an agency, research them thoroughly by:
Reading reviews from other freelancers
Checking their ratings
Asking about their commission rates and payment terms (don't fall into the 90 day payment pitfall some offer..)
Inquiring about the types of projects they typically offer
Agency Parties: Making Connections
Attending agency parties is an excellent way to connect with different people, such as salespeople, talent acquisition managers, and other freelancers. Act cool, dress nicely, and don't get too intoxicated – make a nice impression, and you'll notice that you've been shortlisted.
Tips for Agency Parties
To make the most out of agency parties:
Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself and your services
Bring business cards or a portfolio to showcase your work - not many use business cards anymore - at least you stand out
Engage in meaningful conversations and avoid being too pushy
Follow up with new contacts after the event
Website: A Supporting Channel
Having a website is "nice", but it's not as effective as it was in the early 2000s. It's good to have one to list your skills, but in the era of LinkedIn, it doesn't add much value. It may work together with a blog.
Creating a Website That Stands Out
To create a website that stands out:
Choose a unique and memorable domain name
Design a visually appealing layout with easy navigation
Write engaging content that showcases your expertise
Optimize for search engines to improve visibility
Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal: No thank you
Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal are overcrowded with freelancers competing against each other. As a developer, you'll compete against undercharging noobs from Nigeria or elsewhere, making it challenging to stand out. Can't compete with 10 USD / hour. And AI makes better logos for free, than the 1 000 000 000 "designers" listed on Fiverr.
Alternatives to Overcrowded Platforms
Instead of using overcrowded platforms:
Leverage your professional network for referrals
Attend industry events and conferences to meet potential clients
Offer unique services that set you apart from the competition. This is a hard task.
Social Media: Creating an Image
Creating a social media presence on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, or other platforms is easy, but how will it yield projects? Posting knowledgeable introductions, comparisons, or tips can help establish your authority, but be careful not to look desperate.
Tips for Social Media Success
To succeed on social media:
Post high-quality content that adds value to your audience
Engage with others by commenting and sharing their content
Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility
Avoid spamming or self-promoting too aggressively
Blog Writing: A Long-Term Strategy
Writing a blog works better in conjunction with a website. The posts last longer than on social media, and you can target your local market by writing in your native language.
Tips for Blogging Success
To succeed as a blogger:
Choose a specific niche or topic to focus on
Write high-quality, engaging content that solves problems
Optimize for search engines to improve visibility
Consistently post new content to keep your audience engaged
Cold Outreach: A Risky Approach
Cold outreach involves calling, mailing, or DMing ex-customers, ex-colleagues, or contacts to ask if they have a gig for you. This approach may annoy people, depending on your angle and communication skills.
Tips for Cold Outreach Success
To succeed with cold outreach:
Personalize your messages to show you've done research
Keep your message concise and to the point
Avoid being too pushy or aggressive
Follow up politely if you don't receive a response
Developing a Niche: A Long-Term Strategy
Developing a niche takes time and customers, but it's an effective way to establish yourself as an expert in a specific area. However, in today's world, it's more challenging due to global competition.
Tips for Developing a Niche
To develop a successful niche:
Identify a specific problem or pain point you can solve - or a specific platform or technology, that is not widely known. That might be a legacy tech stack you can't find anyone to work on anymore.
Create high-quality content that showcases your expertise
Engage with others in the industry to build relationships
Continuously educate yourself to stay ahead of the curve
By incorporating these techniques into your freelancing strategy, you'll increase your chances of success in today's competitive market - to land that long term gig. Remember to stay adaptable, continuously educate yourself, and focus on building good relationships with potential clients.
