As a freelancer, you likely have enough experience and a specialized skill set needed to deliver high-quality work. However, talent alone simply won’t be enough, as most customers prefer working with reputable individuals they like and trust. Considering this fact, personal branding might be the ideal solution for improving your credibility, positioning yourself as an expert, and beating your competition in an effort to boost your career. To that end, here are some effective personal branding strategies that will help you achieve success as a freelancer:
Tell an enticing story
Developing an enticing story is one of the most effective personal branding strategies, as it attracts audiences, keeps them engaged, and allows them to make positive connections to your brand. For that reason, it would be a great idea to develop a compelling story about you or your brand as well.
Begin by thinking about what makes you unique and what helps you stand out from the crowd, as well as good reasons why customers should choose you over your competitors. This will help you create your unique selling point, giving you the opportunity to develop an interesting story that emphasizes your strengths and encaptures audiences with authenticity and individuality.
Invest in a personal website
In order to achieve success, every freelancer needs a personal website. Not only is this the perfect place to highlight your portfolio, CV, or previous achievements, but a personal site will also allow your audience to find you and your socials more easily, get more familiar with your unique services, and even be included in your marketing campaigns through newsletters and similar updates.
Whether you hire a professional developer or use a website builder to create a site yourself, keep in mind that a good domain name is crucial. Start by choosing a great personal website extension like .me that is custom, trusted, SEO-friendly, and a perfect call to action. Then, select a domain name that is simple, memorable, and personal, allowing your customers to easily locate your site and effortlessly connect it to your personal branding.
Be as authentic as possible
When it comes to personal branding, being open and honest about your personality is truly crucial. Authenticity is what sets you apart, not only creating a more personal and memorable brand persona, but also giving your audience something tangible to relate to, thus easily attracting and retaining more customers.
To that end, think about any unique traits, features, and characteristics you might have. Perhaps you have a distinct voice, dress differently than the rest, or even impulsively laugh during your talks. No matter what the trait might be, it’s important to accept those genuine little quirks that make you special and unique, in an effort to truly brand yourself as an individual.
Be active on social media
Apart from a personal website, social media platforms are another essential aspect of personal branding, as they help to expand your outreach, while allowing you to form connections with your audience. While the exact platforms you choose might depend on the industry you work in, social media websites such as Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and even LinkedIn can all be great options.
When creating social media profiles, make sure they are in line with your overall branding to allow customers to easily recognize you, whether that means using the same logos and color palettes or consistent wording and actions. Staying active on social media networks and regularly posting content is also important for brand loyalty, but make sure not to annoy your audience by being overactive.
Participate in several communities
Networking is quite an important part of any business, but it might be even more crucial when you’re a freelancer. As people tend to prefer doing business with people instead of companies, taking the time to form strong connections will bring great results. Whether you’re a designer, writer, or contractor, networking will allow potential clients to start seeing you as an expert and will be more likely to hire your services.
For that reason, you might want to find networking opportunities online, join local groups and organizations, or even partner with fellow freelancers who do related business. Participating in a number of different communities, sharing your knowledge, and adding value to the groups will give you the opportunity to expand your network and build a great personal brand reputation.
Even though quality work might be important, personal branding is truly essential for every freelancer wanting to attract more clients and increase their revenue. So, don’t be afraid to utilize some of the effective personal branding strategies mentioned above, and effortlessly pave your way to success.