You’ve got the skills and the motivation to crank out some incredible work for clients, but how do they find you? Like any business, you have to stand out from the army of other freelancers out there—and this only happens by marketing yourself.

Setting up a freelancer profile is an essential step in establishing your online presence and attracting clients. However, marketing your freelance business is done a bit differently than other kinds of businesses. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a freelancer profile:

Choose your niche: Duh! Describe the type of freelance work you offer. Whether it's graphic design, copywriting, web development, marketing, or any other skill, being specific about your niche can help you stand out. You can take this one step further by being clear about the types of businesses, brands, or people you like working with.

Select your platforms: There are lots of freelancing sites where you can create a profile. Some popular options include Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, Toptal, and Guru. Choose platforms that align with your skills and target audience.

Create your account: Sign up for an account on your chosen platform. You may need to provide basic information such as your name, email address, and location.

Complete your profile: Once you have an account, it's time to create your freelancer profile. Follow these steps:

• Profile Photo: Use a professional looking photo of yourself.
• Username: Choose a professional username that reflects your niche or your real name.
• Profile Title: Write a catchy and descriptive title that summarizes your skills or services.
• Overview/Bio: Write a compelling introduction that explains who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique. Highlight your experience, skills, and accomplishments.
• Portfolio: Showcase your best work. Include samples, images, links, or documents that demonstrate your skills and expertise. Hopefully you’ve already created a website to highlight your work so you can just share a link to your work history and more about who you are. A powerful and easy way to create your own portfolio site that is popular among creative freelancers is the Squarespace platform—it's affordable and easy to use!
• Skills: List the specific skills and services you offer. Use SEO keywords related to your niche to make your profile more discoverable.
• Education and Certifications: Mention relevant degrees, certifications, or courses you've completed.
• Work Experience: Detail your previous work experience, especially if it's relevant to your freelance services.
• Hourly Rate or Pricing: Specify your rates or pricing structure. Be competitive but consider your experience and the market demand.
• Availability: Indicate your availability, including the number of hours you can work per week and your preferred working hours.
• Language Proficiency: List the languages you're proficient in, especially if you offer translation or content writing services.
• Contact Information: Provide a reliable means of communication, such as an email address or messaging platform username.

Set up payment methods: On most freelancing platforms, you'll need to set up your payment method. This typically includes linking your bank account or PayPal account for receiving payments.

Verify your identity: Some platforms may require identity verification to ensure trust and security. Follow the verification process if necessary.

Write a compelling proposal: When you start bidding on projects, write personalized and persuasive proposals. Tailor your response to each job posting to increase your chances of getting hired.

Start bidding: Browse through job listings that match your skills and submit proposals. Be patient, as it may take time to secure your first project.

Build reviews and ratings: As you complete projects, encourage happy clients to leave reviews and ratings on your profile. Positive feedback can significantly boost your credibility and chance of booking more work in the future.

Update and optimize: Regularly update your profile to reflect your latest work and skills. Stay active on the platform, respond promptly to messages, and continuously improve your services.

Market your freelance services on social media

Having a strong social media presence can boost your freelance business too. On Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and other social platforms, promote your business by sharing insight, advice, projects, and your experiences with followers. This can elevate your profile as an expert in your field and build trust with potential clients. Authenticity is important here! Let your personality shine so clients know that they’re hiring more than just a skillset. They’re hiring a person they want to work with for a long time to come!

It’s easy to stay consistent with your social posts too by using the Enji Marketing Calendar which will help you build a habit of creating content and scheduling it to post. And if you want help writing social media captions in your brand voice, Enji’s AI Copywriting Tool can save you a lot of time and headaches!

Remember that building a successful freelance career takes time and effort. Once you’ve started to get clients, word of mouth can become a powerful marketing tool too. Nothing is better than a strong review from a client that was pleased with what you delivered. Be persistent, deliver high-quality work, and continuously refine your profile and skills to attract more clients.

‍