Did you know that by 2028, there could be as many as 90 million freelancers working in the US?
Many of us have caught the freelancing bug, offering the chance to work for an exciting, varied clientele and work the hours that suit our lives.
And if you want to move to a freelancer, there is no brighter prospect than to become a freelancer in online marketing. Here is our guide on how to become a freelance digital marketer and turn your career dreams into a success story.
Choose a Specialism
The best way to capture the attention of a potential customer is if you can offer something different to every other freelance digital marketer already out there.
And a good option for differentiating yourself is to specialize in one area of digital marketing. You could choose one of these niche areas, for example:
- Web design
- SEO
- Email marketing
- Marketing funnels
- Social media marketing
- PPC advertising
There are many more specialist areas, so take the time to find something that interests you. You could also specialize in a specific business type or industry to position yourself in a highly specialist field.
Read Around the Subject
You don’t need a college degree to become a digital marketer. Still, you need to know your topic and speak confidently to your clients. Take time to read around the subject.
It’s also worth considering paying for an online training course or a digital marketing guide to help you get to know some of the latest techniques and strategies.
You should also familiarize yourself with the best marketing software to know what tools to recommend to your customers.
Create Your Social Media Presence
You’ll need to walk the walk if you want to succeed in marketing. The first thing your clients will check out is your social media.
That doesn’t mean you need thousands of followers, but you should create a profile that looks professional. Carefully curate some relevant content to add to your feed and remove anything irrelevant or personal.
Build a Basic Website
Another area to showcase your professionalism and expertise is your website.
It doesn’t have to be extensive or high-tech, but you must have a beautifully designed brand image and a clear message to your customers to understand who you are and what you do.
If you’ve already mastered some marketing campaigns (even for a friend or family member), add it to your site as a case study. That will help customers better understand what you can do.
Run a Short Ads Campaign
In the beginning, you won’t have many website visitors, and you’ll probably have a small social media following. So, how can you win the attention of your first customer?
The answer is to run a paid ad.
Put together a promotional campaign and run it on a popular platform with your target audience. Run the ad to a free offer such as a consultation so you can encourage those visitors to book a call.
Pitch to Your First Leads
Once you’ve got your first customer leads on a phone call, it’s time to pitch your services! But don’t go straight in with the sales talk. Use the phone call to show your value first, offering plenty of free and helpful advice.
How to Become a Freelance Digital Marketer
You now know how to become a freelance digital marketer. So, nothing is stopping you from following your dreams. Use this step-by-step guide to quit the corporate world and make freelance life a reality for you this year.
You can find more tips on launching your freelance startup by heading across to our business section.