How to Be a Successful Freelancer in 10 Practical Steps

Are you considering becoming a freelancer? Well, you’re not alone; freelancers make up 49% of the self-employed workforce.

Freelancing offers incredible freedom but comes with its own set of challenges that demand smart decisions and strategies. It’s a career path that’s both rewarding and demanding.

In this article, we’ll walk you through 10 practical steps to help you become a successful freelancer, along with tips on how to make the most of Tramshed Tech’s resources, including co-working spaces, events, and training.

10 Steps to Becoming a Successful Freelancer

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Freelancing is all about adaptability; while it's important to be a great planner, you also need to stay flexible and handle unexpected challenges calmly.

Setbacks are part of the journey, so resilience is essential. You’ll grow as a freelancer if you start taking calculated risks; just remember, there’s a big difference between a thoughtful decision and an impulsive one.

2. Choose a Niche

There’s a lot to gain from honing in on a niche for your freelancing career. It’ll add value to your business as you’ll stand out from the crowd and be able to command higher rates, as customers will see the value in your expert opinion on the niche.

But how do you find your niche? Well, you need to consider three things: what you’re passionate about, what you have experience in, and what the current and future market demands look like.

3. Define Your Goals

Setting both short and long-term goals is essential for any business, not just freelancers. However, unlike when you’re an employee at a business, freelancers must hold themselves accountable for achieving them.

You can do this with the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Taking time to reflect on your goals using this framework helps ensure they stay realistic and focused.

Accountability is very important when defining your goals. That’s why having a supportive network around you is a huge benefit. As a freelancer, you can access co-working spaces such as Tramshed Tech, where you can connect with other small businesses and entrepreneurs who can help keep you on track.

4. Create a Memorable Brand

Even if you find the perfect niche which has a high market demand, unless you have a memorable and trustworthy brand, you’ll find clients won’t come to you.

You’ll need a standout portfolio filled with your best work, as well as a professional website to house the portfolio, and don’t forget about the visuals; they're crucial to converting interest into paid work.

When creating all these elements, remember that tone of voice and language matter, and depending on what sector your niche falls into, you’ll need to tailor your messaging to speak directly to your target audience.

Social media plays a big role in creating a memorable brand. So, make sure to utilise LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, X, and others to reach your customers. However, remember to carry out market research. There’s no point investing time in Facebook if your ideal client base lives on Instagram; be strategic.

5. Set Your Rates

Speaking of resources, you need to make sure you’re setting realistic and competitive rates for your time and service. This can be a challenging part of being a freelancer, but it’s also a fantastic benefit as you get to be in control of your finances.

You need to consider your hourly rate, how much profit you want to make, the value of your work, and competitor rates. As your expertise grows and you build a solid client base, you’ll be in a better position to raise your rates. It’s important to set realistic targets.

Tools like Toggl, FreshBooks, or Bonsai can help you track time and manage invoices as your business grows.

6. Promote Your Work & Services

Social media is essential for getting your brand and services across to your target audience. However, other tactics such as email marketing, content marketing, SEO, and cold outreach are just as effective.

Market research will help you decide which platforms and strategies best reach your audience. From this research, you’ll also find out if customers prefer consistent communication or fewer yet meaningful interactions.

Once you know all this, you’ll be able to promote your freelance work and business in the best way possible for maximum engagement.

At Tramshed Tech, we’re filled to the brim with creative and innovative startups and entrepreneurs who not only utilise our co-working spaces but also make the most of our digital skills workshops, designed to give your freelance business a boost.

7. Keep Up with Industry Trends

Not only do you need to keep your audience up to date with your business and work, but as a freelancer, you also need to keep up with industry trends and changes.

Subscribe to relevant newsletters, listen to expert-led podcasts, and engage with similar businesses online. Staying connected helps you stay current.

Attending events is another great way to learn while also improving your knowledge and understanding of your niche. We offer a wide range of events throughout the year, one of the many benefits of becoming a Tramshed Tech member.

8. Invest in Continuous Learning

Again, as a freelancer, you need to constantly be learning and improving your skills so you can enhance your offering.

Whether that’s through courses, events, or joining specialised programmes which support your career from start to finish, investing in your skills is the same as investing in your future.

Platforms like Skillshare, Coursera, or even free YouTube tutorials are great places to start, and in-person workshops (like those at Tramshed Tech) can make learning feel more personal and impactful.

9. Create Work-Life Balance

One of the many benefits of becoming a freelancer is being your own boss. However, with that comes the challenge of knowing when to switch off.

To avoid this and the subsequent burnout you’ll experience, make sure to set working hours for yourself. Again, use being a freelancer to your advantage; your working hours don’t need to be 9–5 if you work best in the evening, or you don’t need to work in the evening if you’re a parent.

If you want to create healthy boundaries and separate your work from home life, co-working spaces like Tramshed Tech can help you reset that balance.

10. Network with Other Freelancers

Although freelancing allows you to pursue your passions, it can be lonely working by yourself. So, make sure to meet up with people, whether that’s other freelancers or community members from your niche.

This can be in person or online, what matters is building genuine connections. In doing so, you’ll gain insight into the market, pick up new ideas, and grow a valuable support network. 

Tramshed Tech’s collaborative community and regular events make it easy to meet potential collaborators, mentors, and even clients.

How We Can Help You Become a Successful Freelancer

Breaking down freelancing success into these 10 practical steps makes the journey feel much more achievable. Remember to adopt the right mindset, set clear goals, build a memorable brand, keep learning and networking, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

And don’t forget, Tramshed Tech offers a range of services to support your freelance journey, from co-working spaces and workshops to community events.

Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with one of our team members at 029 2010 3090 to find out more.