Growing Your Professional Reputation as a Freelancer
<p>Before spending thousands on ads, what can a freelancer do to improve their visibility and get their first contracts? Of course, there is word of mouth, but how can someone grow their professional reputation and become considered an expert? We discussed with many entrepreneurs over the years and noted down some efficient strategies to help you grow your professional reputation as a freelancer. Let us see this more closely.</p>
<h2><strong>What is professional reputation exactly?</strong></h2>
<p>Before we begin, let us take a moment to define what a professional reputation is and how it can significantly impact your business’ success. The definition is as follows: the state of being widely recognized, said of something known to many people. When we become freelancers or self-employed professionals, the stronger our network, online visibility, and social media presence are, the greater our chances of being considered the ideal person to meet a need.</p>
<p>Moreover, over time, we can be considered experts due to our strong professional reputation. Therefore, we can be invited to participate in conferences, podcasts, and academic courses, and even secure more significant contracts. In summary, it is not to be neglected, and it can be achieved by taking small actions as soon as you start your business.</p>
<h2><strong>5 strategies to help you improve your professional reputation</strong></h2>
<p>So, where do we start? Unless you have the necessary funds to get some giant billboards on the highway, here are some strategic ideas to help develop your professional reputation and promote your services.</p>
<h3>Aim for a representative and neat brand image</h3>
<p>First step: if you wish to have a chance to shine and stand out, you must have a neat brand image. It is not necessary to spend a fortune to get an analysis from a brand expert. Still, you should at least have some <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/why-do-you-need-professional-photos">professional photos</a> and a defined and representative business brand. In other words, when we first encounter you online, for example, on social media, we must feel that you are trustworthy and own a serious business.</p>
<p>Regarding the brand image, consistency will be the pillar of your presence. It is essential to maintain a consistent style throughout to capture people's attention. It can be achieved by using a logo, colour palette, specific fonts, tone, and other elements.</p>
<p>Let us say that a couple wants to find the best wedding photographer. They will surely choose a professional who has impeccable branding. In other words, your branding becomes the ambassador of your professionalism. </p>
<h3>Be the first result on search engines</h3>
<p>In the same vein, another way to grow your professional reputation and online presence is to improve your search engine ranking. Indeed, the higher you rank in the search results, the more you increase your chances of becoming the reference in your field and getting clients easily. You likely also want your website to rank first when someone looks for you on Google.</p>
<p>But what can we do to achieve this? It is indeed more complicated than before; it requires time and work. First, you need a professional-looking website. Second, you need to optimize it for search engines (also known as SEO, search engine optimization). </p>
<p>Optimization is achieved by following several criteria that change frequently; nonetheless, you need to write content that includes the most relevant keywords. For example, if you are a photographer in Ottawa, we should see these words at many places on your website. Do not hesitate to hire an expert if you need to rank in a very competitive market.</p>
<h3>Be active online</h3>
<p>It is not because you have created and optimized your website that there is nothing else to do regarding your online presence. On the contrary, another way to stand out from other businesses is to have an active online presence. In simpler terms, you need to create content that is both attractive and relevant. The more useful you are, the higher your chances of catching people's attention.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this strategy may not have the most significant impact on your professional reputation initially. Here is a tip to help you demonstrate your value and expertise: be active on social media platforms like LinkedIn by commenting, sharing your knowledge, and adding value to discussions. By giving a bit of your expertise, you will show that you know what you are talking about. Then, one thing leading to another, you will have the basis of a strong professional reputation among your network.</p>
<p>Here is a concrete example: you are on LinkedIn and see someone presenting their new logo. It happens that you are an experienced graphic designer and notice a branding component that could be improved. You decide to reply respectfully and intelligently. The person notes down your piece of advice and thanks you. Perhaps next time, she will reach out to you if she needs a graphic designer. Yes, it may take some time to be noticed, but it can be rewarding when done correctly. </p>
<h3>Get out of your house</h3>
<p>Another way to improve your professional reputation as a freelancer is to get out of your comfort zone. It can be achieved by working from a <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/9-benefits-of-working-from-a-coworking-space">coworking space</a> and participating in networking events. In sum, you need to leave your comfort zone to meet other entrepreneurs and develop your professional network. Once more, a good network can make a huge difference.</p>
<p>It is not necessary to go all in from day one, especially if you are an introvert. For example, you could occasionally work from a coworking space to expand your professional network and enhance your visibility. It is a place where other entrepreneurs who face similar challenges go to work. Please take a moment to introduce yourself and briefly describe your products and services. </p>
<p>Finally, networking events are also a great opportunity to improve your professional reputation. Look for events related to your field, like freelance or local entrepreneurs' soirées. Prepare a short presentation pitch and bring your business cards. The main goal here is not to sell at any cost, but to create authentic relationships. A simple conversation can lead to unexpected opportunities. Remember, every person you meet might know someone who could benefit from your services. Moreover, by leaving your home office regularly, you increase your chances of developing your business clientele while avoiding loneliness, the nemesis of many freelancers. </p>
<h3>Look for visibility opportunities</h3>
<p>Lastly, the final strategy presented focuses on actively pursuing visibility through specific marketing and communication initiatives. It can be done in many ways, but do not forget relevancy. For example, you can partner with professionals who work in complementary domains, offer webinars, create web content, or participate in specialized podcasts. Dare to contact people and offer your expertise; the worst that can happen is to get a refusal.</p>
<p>Of course, there are slight chances that you can manage to be on the moment's most popular podcast as soon as you become a freelancer. Consequently, do some research and try to communicate with smaller ones that remain relevant. Find interesting facts and demonstrate your knowledge of the field. The more you are present, the higher your chances of being requested for other types of projects.</p>
<p>And if you do not find anything or only receive refusals, why not take some time to create some visibility opportunities yourself? By organizing your own events, such as podcasts, webinars, or seminars, on a topic you are passionate about, and inviting partners or potential clients, you will increase your notoriety, develop your network, and showcase your expertise.</p>
<p>In conclusion, building your professional reputation is not a sprint, but a marathon that is achieved one step at a time. The five strategies we have explored together create a solid action plan to improve your notoriety and expertise. The most important thing to remember is to start somewhere, even in a modest way.</p>
<p>Select one or two strategies that appeal to you the most and gradually integrate them into your routine. Remember that all small gestures count: writing a relevant comment on LinkedIn, participating in a <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/networking-event-how-to-prepare-effectively">networking event</a> or improving your website are stones that build your professional reputation. </p>