by Every freelancer has a different story to tell. From how they got their first gig to the struggles they faced while building a sustainable freelancing career. The process of becoming self-sufficient is not easy and it takes time to adjust as a freelancer. If you are planning to leave your day job and become a full-time freelancer, here is an insider’s guide to getting started as an effective wordpress website development companies who can build long-term partnerships with clients and agencies. As a freelance WordPress developer, it is not just about finding the right opportunities or landing the next gig, but also about creating sustainable sources of income that let you live happily and securely. If you are ready to take this big step, keep reading.
Know your worth as a freelancer
Freelancing is not easy. You will have to hustle to find the right clients and negotiate great deals that let you earn good money while having complete control over your work hours and work-life balance. But when you completely own your work and finances, you have the power to shape your future and dictate your earning potential. As a freelancer, it is important to know your skill set and how much your services are worth.
You can only charge what others are willing to pay. If you want to earn $100 per hour, you have to charge $100 per hour. For this, you will have to research your industry and see what other WordPress developers are charging for their services. Also, you have to keep in mind that not all clients have the same budget and not everybody can afford $100 per hour. So, it is important to set realistic expectations upfront and charge a fair price according to the market.
Market research is key
Now that you are ready to go freelance, the first thing to do is to research the WordPress development industry and find out which are the most in-demand skills. You can use a freelancing platform like Upwork to discover which skills have the highest demand and are the best paid. You can also use our WordPress developer skills checklist to find out what skills are required for different types of WordPress projects.
Besides WordPress jobs and project types, you have to research the market and understand what kinds of clients search for WordPress developers. When you know who your ideal clients are, you can position yourself as an expert with the right experience, skill set, and communication style that clients are looking for.
Build your portfolio
Freelancing is all about building trust by showcasing your previous work and reviews from happy clients. A portfolio is like a calling card that lets you connect with potential clients and prove your worth and skill set. The portfolio not only shows what you have done in the past but also what you can do in the future. It is like a visual resume that lets you highlight your skills and past projects. A portfolio might be your best chance to get high-paying WordPress development projects and get your first freelance clients.
If you don’t have any past work, it is not easy to convince clients to trust you and hire you for their next WordPress project. You can showcase your past work and previous clients by creating a portfolio website or a WordPress plugin repository.
Networking is key to finding gigs
Freelancing is like any other business. You have to network, find the right clients, and build long-term relationships that let you build a sustainable business. You have to get out of your comfort zone and start meeting like-minded people. You can attend WordPress meetups and events to meet other WordPress developers and learn from their experiences.
When you are connected to the right people, it is much easier to find clients and grow your freelancing business. You can also use alternative marketing channels like content marketing, email marketing, and PR to connect with potential clients. But remember, it is not easy to find the right clients and it takes time, so don’t get frustrated if you don’t find the right clients right away. Stick with it and you will find the right clients for your WordPress development services.
Conclusion
Freelancing is not an easy way to earn money. It requires lots of hard work, perseverance, and patience. When you start freelancing, you have to find the right clients, build your portfolio, and network with other WordPress professionals to find consistent work. But once you get your first client and start getting consistent work from multiple sources, it becomes much easier as you will have enough work and can plan your work and finances accordingly.
