Do you want to sell services online, but you’re unsure how to get started or what services to even consider? We have everything you need to know about selling freelance services online.
One of the best ways to start working from home is by freelancing. I’ve been freelancing for several years now, and I’ve come to realize that there are so many services you can offer to potential clients to provide value and help them grow their operations.
Providing freelance services is ideal for anyone who wants to work remotely on their own terms and trade their expertise for money. As a freelancer, you can work as little or as much as you want, and you have the freedom to choose your own clients and projects.
How to Sell Services Online
Before jumping into how to sell services online, it’s essential to understand the journey to becoming and working as a freelancer online.
Here’s a quick roadmap:
1. Define Your Niche
Think about your skills. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, focus on a specific area where you have expertise. For instance, “SEO-focused email copywriting” is more compelling than simply offering “writing services.”
You don’t want to be too vague so that potential clients in your target market don’t know what you do or specialize in. I made this mistake initially in the hopes of securing more clients. But when you’re too general, it just confuses people and doesn’t make them see you as an expert in your field.
2. Create a Compelling Portfolio of Your Work
Your portfolio is your proof of skill.
Utilize tools like Canva, Behance, or a personal website on platforms such as Medium or Substack to showcase your work. Include examples, testimonials, and details about the impact you’ve delivered.
If you don’t have any client work to showcase just yet, consider using practice projects or volunteer work until you have more samples.
Related: Create an Online Writing Portfolio With These 5 Platforms
3. Set Up an Online Presence
Whether you choose to build your own website or rely on marketplaces like Fiverr, Upwork, or LinkedIn, having a professional online presence is key. Ensure it’s easy for potential clients to learn about your services and reach out to you.
Having an online presence has been tremendously helpful in connecting with clients and marketing my services.
4. Price Your Services Competitively
Price is based on your expertise, the complexity of the project, and the value you deliver. Start with competitive rates, but don’t undervalue your work. Over time, you can adjust your rates to reflect your growing experience.
5. Market Yourself Consistently
Social media, email marketing, SEO, and online communities are powerful tools for freelancers to utilize. Engage your audience with useful tips and content that showcase your expertise.
6. Deliver Exceptional Results
Ultimately, the most crucial step is to ensure that your work exceeds client expectations. This is something that I always try to do as a freelancer. You’ll build strong client relationships by delivering on time, staying responsive, and maintaining quality.
With the foundation covered, let’s look at some highly sought-after freelance services that can help you break into the online market successfully.
7 Freelance Services to Consider Selling Online
1. Content Writing
The demand for high-quality content continues to increase as brands focus on digital growth and serving their audience with helpful and engaging written content. If writing is your strong suit, there are several services you can offer, from blog writing to copywriting and editing.
Despite what some may say, blog writing is still very popular, as many small and large blogs need to churn out lots of content for readers. Even small businesses still need to drive traffic and build authority through content writing. You can pitch yourself as someone who can deliver well-researched, engaging blog posts that drive SEO rankings.
Copywriting, on the other hand, can take the form of compelling website copy, product descriptions, and promotional material. Sales copy that converts is invaluable for businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking to sell a product or service to their audience.
2. Email Marketing
Email marketing is another freelance service you can offer in addition to content writing or as a standalone offering. As an email marketer, you can help businesses build smarter email campaigns by writing engaging subject lines and persuasive newsletters.
You’ll need strong writing and editing skills to excel in this service, and you’ll also need to be well-versed in certain email content marketing platforms so you can utilize them to your advantage.
Finally, you’ll need to know how to analyze email campaign results and create strategies to boost the number of subscribers who open emails, click, and complete the desired call to action. If you enjoy blending writing, creativity, and a love for marketing and analytics into one role, this could be an ideal freelance service to offer others.
3. Proofreading & Editing
If you have a keen eye for detail, you can help clients polish their written material to enhance the quality. Editors focus on ensuring that grammatical errors are corrected, as well as refining the tone and word choice as needed.
Proofreading is often one of the final steps before publication and involves carefully reviewing the draft to catch any previously missed errors or inconsistencies. Both roles require a lot of attention to detail, but if you have skills in this area, there is usually a lot of work available.
4. Graphic Design and Visual Services
If you’re creative and have an eye for design, consider providing graphic design services to help clients stand out, whether it’s their website design, logo, or branded marketing materials. Graphic designers offer everything from custom graphics to illustrations for businesses or individuals.
On a smaller scale, you can use your skills for simpler design projects like podcast artwork or social media graphics for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or LinkedIn. You can also offer presentation designs, brochures, and flyers for industry events.
5. Website Setup and VA Tech Support
Does the technical side of managing a website or using certain software programs come easily to you? For those comfortable with technology, tech and web services are always in demand. Many small businesses and entrepreneurs require assistance in managing their technical needs.
You can consider providing website setup services using platforms like WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, or Wix to create modern, efficient websites. As a longtime blogger-turned-freelancer myself, I’ve wasted a lot of time trying to update my website and install new programs. It’s something I wish I had outsourced to an expert, since it’s not an area I enjoy spending time in.
6. Email Newsletter Setup and Automation
Another way to start selling your services is by setting up and automating email newsletters for clients. Email is a highly effective tool for marketing, building brand awareness, increasing conversion rates for products, and driving affiliate sales.
There are numerous email platforms to choose from, including Mailchimp, MailerLite, Kit, ActiveCampaign, and Constant Contact. Therefore, it’s best to learn how to use more than one platform and understand basic features, such as creating a sign-up offer and a landing page for new subscribers.
7. Business Support and Admin
If you’re organized, enjoy structure, and appreciate a sense of completion in your work, there is a definite need for admin support and virtual secretary tasks. Virtual assistant work is common because most small business owners have a never-ending to-do list.
Narrow down some key professional services you can provide, whether managing someone’s social networks, email inbox, paying invoices, market research, booking travel, sending emails, or data entry. You can charge by the hour for these types of services and adjust your rates based on your experience and the scope of the work.
How to Sell Services Online: Conclusion
Breaking into the freelance world or scaling your existing services doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Start by identifying the services that match your skills, build a strong online presence, and deliver consistently excellent work. By following the steps and narrowing down your service offerings to some of the options discussed in this post, you’ll be well on your way to successfully selling your services online.
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