FFN #13: Struggling to Land Your Next Gig? We Can Help!

 👩🏼‍💻Collaborate & Pitch Proactively!

Applying and losing out on positions or projects gets tiring and emotionally draining. We’ve found success in seeking out opportunities that aren’t listed. By reaching out proactively to companies or agencies that regularly work with freelancers as they often have a steady stream of projects and can provide consistent work or referrals. Craft personalized pitches for potential clients, showcasing how your skills can add value to their projects and provide samples of your past work that align with their needs. Not sure how to pitch? We’ve got you! Check out this super-effective pitch guide. If you’re struggling to find businesses that often hire for freelance positions, keep an eye on our jobs board! There you’ll find plenty of companies that are regularly seeking freelancers and new quality gigs posted consistently.

👯Become a Partner

It goes without saying that becoming a trusted expert in your field doesn’t happen overnight; it's a reputation and perception earned over time with each client relationship. If you’re still building your skills, don’t panic during these competitive times. What's often underestimated is the need for freelancers to be all-around professionals. Don't overlook your soft skills. Building trust and reliability within every team you engage with is key. It's the foundation for earning your client's confidence and trust, a crucial element for landing lucrative projects that sustain your workflow and referrals for the future. So even if you aren’t the best at what you do yet, being a reliable professional who keeps to deadlines and communicates openly is often seen as indispensable. Being a wonderful team member will leave clients raving about you in their network!

🥷🏽Promote Your Broad Skillset

Diversifying income as a solopreneur is just one piece of the puzzle for success. Acquiring a wide range of experiences and skills is a freelancer's secret weapon. Working on multiple projects each month not only strengthens your resume but builds a compelling portfolio, enhancing your agility in a unique way. Even in corporate environments, employees who change roles regularly remain confined to one corporate culture. As freelancers, we encounter various business cultures and utilize diverse skill sets. These are valuable assets to businesses with workforce gaps due to layoffs. In this competitive job market, being agile, possessing a range of skills, a current portfolio, and strong testimonials gives you a competitive edge and ensures a steady flow of work. So take this as your reminder to update your portfolio and show off your broad skillset!

🔬Research Market Trends

Sounds boring we know… but in this competitive market, it’s vital to stay up to date with trends and changes in your industry. Doing this allows you to pinpoint skills that are in high demand which you can then emphasize in your portfolio. If you’ve identified a sought-after skill that you lack experience in, consider acquiring it through relevant courses to enhance your credibility. We’ve found the best way to stay up to date with trends is by networking with people in our industry offline or online in places like our Facebook group, subscribing to industry blogs and newsletters, participating in webinars or industry events and listening to or following industry leaders on socials. This proactive approach makes us well-equipped with the latest knowledge and skills, enhancing our competitiveness in the job market.

Partake

My sweet tooth has been unhinged lately, so my snack hours have been filled with these goodies. Partake's crunchy cookies are gluten-free, vegan, and crafted from wholesome ingredients—free from the top 9 allergens. Founded by CEO Denise after her daughter's food allergies diagnosis, Partake goes beyond tasty treats. They collaborate with organizations like No Kid Hungry to support food access for insecure families. Denise also champions diversity through the Black Futures in Food & Beverage fellowship, mentoring HBCU students for internships and jobs.