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How Successful Freelancers Build a Great Reputation
Stand out from the crowd.
Job postings for freelancers often receive hundreds of applicants. Most do the same thing: share a link to their portfolio and hope for the best.
Other freelancers spend a lot of time cold pitching clients — a tactic that’s increasingly less effective. It’s hard to stand out from the “noise” all around.
Freelancers who maintain a steady stream of clients and inquiries often rely on referrals and testimonials. They rise to the top because they’ve proven that they’re good. For clients, it’s less risky to work with someone who came highly recommended.
To build a great reputation and stand out from the crowd, you have to do a few things differently than other freelancers.
Be reliable
This might sound obvious, but a shocking number of freelancers don’t deliver work on time or as promised. You can immediately rise to the top in your client’s eyes by meeting deadlines. That’s the first step to asking clients for testimonials (which I’ll discuss later).
Many freelancers struggle with deadlines because they don’t have good time management skills. They underestimate how much time a project will take. Or they’re not good at structuring their day around work so they…
