6 Reasons Why Freelancers Need to Market Themselves

Freelancers need a lot more skills than their work-related competencies. Communication, time scheduling and finance management are a bunch of important ones. The skill of marketing oneself is another.

Yes, self-promotion is essential if you want to be successful like Jerry. Jerry who?

Oh, he is the travel photographer I follow on Instagram. Whether someone needs to feature wildlife, document tribes or book venue for a destination wedding, he is the guy. He works with hoteliers, trip planners and travel bloggers across the world.

And he promotes his skills through Instagram posts. That’s how random people, like me, know about him and talk about him.

Self-marketing helps you stand out in the crowd. It is necessary, whether you’re a freelance writer, a designer or a programmer. And here are six reasons why –

1. It helps you stand out

If you’re proud of something, share it with the world. Yes, your achievements are worth sharing, and as a freelancer, you are the one to talk about them.

Whether you grabbed a dream project, received the first raise or finally gained mastery over pizza photography, share the joy. Let the world acknowledge your skills and know you better. It will help you stand out among thousands of other freelancers.

2. It improves confidence

As you feel grateful for your achievements, you’ll gain a sense of accomplishment. And as you share your stories, you’ll come across other people with similar experiences.

The feeling of being a part of a bigger community can increase your confidence manifold.

Your shares might be a simple client appreciation message or about the first successful marketing campaign you carried out. A few praises here and there will keep you motivated.

“Through just the right amount of regular (and shameless) self-promotion, you grab the right eyeballs.”

3. It attracts collaboration

Through just the right amount of regular (and shameless) self-promotion, you grab the right eyeballs. You get to share ideas with other freelancers, bond over projects and grow together.

When wavelengths match, you will get to collaborate with others for mutual benefits. Jerry, for example, got an opportunity to work with a freelance copywriter for an upcoming hotel ad campaign. The job was to click appealing photos for YouTube videos and social media ads.

4. It establishes your value

Yes, self-promotion also helps you establish your value in the industry.

By marketing your skills and promoting your services, you become more memorable than others. And how does it benefit?

Well, people start recognising you for your work and they begin putting their trust in you.

Jerry once shared how he got to work for a travel magazine. He uploaded a series of portraits he clicked during a festival. Those images (and others in his portfolio) caught the attention of a TV show host, who referred him to the magazine’s editor.

“By marketing your skills and promoting your services, you become more memorable than others.”

5. It makes you proactive

Being proactive is an indirect benefit of self-marketing. How?

Well, as you actively market yourself, you are searching for ways to connect with people and grow your portfolio. And you keep generating new ideas to implement and test.

Marketing becomes a part of your job. Finding ways to collaborate with others, looking for events, engaging on social media and many other activities becomes a daily routine.

6. It brings clients

And the most important one…

Through self-promotion, you not only pile friendly collaborations and references but also direct clients. During one of his online workshops, Jerry mentioned a prospect stalking his profile and portfolio for six months, before setting the wheels in motion.

People connect with your stories, they see your work regularly and they begin to recognise you, like you and trust you. And they approach you for opportunities fitting your skill set.

A few final words…

Marketing yourself might feel uncomfortable at first; but if you don’t sing your praises, how else will people know?

When you do your marketing right, it will open doors to new clients, incredible opportunities and more promotions.

Too much self-promotion, however, could easily come across as bragging. Thus, an effective strategy is all about the balance between demonstrating your skills and boasting about them. Show you can be an asset to any team, and everything will work in your favour.

Note — Jerry, the travel photographer, is a fictional identity. Any resemblance to an actual person is purely coincidental.

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