Finding Freelance Work

To those of you who think that freelancing is easy: you may want to think again. There have never been more freelancers in the marketplace, and they are often stiff competition. But the good news is that there have never been more companies looking for freelancers, and there are many ways to reach them. For the same reason there are so many freelancers on the market, there are companies taking advantage of this manpower. Workers are often laid off because the company can't afford to have that particular skill set on staff full-time. However, they still have projects that require those skills. By using freelancers to complete projects instead of full-time workers, businesses can cut costs. Freelancers just need to know how to approach these kinds of companies.

Many people start out freelancing thinking that work will somehow just land in their laps. But it takes time to build up contacts and get your name out there. Freelancers should have a bit of a nest egg saved to turn to if you have trouble finding work in the beginning. Of course, when starting out freelancing it is important to identify your main skills. By defining what you best, you let companies know what needs they can fill with you. You could make a list of the top three things you do best, and make sure they are easy to see in your resume, your website, and your blog if you have one.

Even if you are new to freelancing and it can seem intimidating, don't despair. There are countless sources of information and advice on the Internet to help you find your way. The freelance community is generally very open to sharing their own experiences with those who are new to the freelance market. They have plenty of advice to contribute to new freelancers. There are a huge amount of websites that are filled to the brim with useful information for freelancers.

You may even be wondering if there is a freelance need for your particular skill. While in the past freelancing was mostly relegated to writing and photography, there is now part-time consulting and contract work for almost every industry. This is especially true in today's economic climate, where businesses cannot afford to have as many full-time workers. Companies are in need of many skill sets, and the key is to find what companies are in need of your abilities. One way this can be accomplished is by checking out company websites to see what needs to be done, then contact them and let them know that you have the skills needed for the job.

With all the technological advancements of the last 20 years, locating freelance work has become infinitely easier. There are thousands of sites that show freelance job openings and allow you to post your information online for employers to check out. Some of the more popular sites include ODesk.com, Elance.com and Guru.com. It is now an immensely more simple process to link up with employers and start freelance work. They save time and allow employers to target relevant freelance workers better.

As mentioned above, however, there have also never been more people looking for freelance work so it pays to make yourself stand out. A professional website is essential (obviously even more so for web designers). It demonstrates to potential employers that you are a freelancer who they should take seriously. It's often the first place companies will look to learn more about you. Freelancers should include descriptions of specific skills, past work experience, and if possible, examples of your work with testimonials. A blog could also be useful, a way to demonstrate your expertise in your field. You can also seek and give freelancing advice on your site.

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