Content Strategy is a rewarding and creative field, but it can also be challenging to find consistent and well-paid projects as a freelancer. How can you maintain a steady income and avoid the feast or famine cycle? Here are some tips to help you succeed as a Content Strategy freelancer.
Content Strategy is not a one-size-fits-all discipline. It encompasses various skills and tasks, such as content audits, content modeling, content writing, content governance, and more. By offering a range of services, you can increase your value and appeal to different clients and projects. You can also leverage your existing skills and knowledge to expand into related areas, such as SEO, UX, or copywriting.
Diversifying your services is key to ensuring a steady income as a Content Strategy freelancer. Beyond crafting compelling content, offer related services like SEO optimization, social media management, or content audits. This not only broadens your clientele but positions you as a comprehensive solution in the dynamic freelance landscape.
Freelance success is a symphony, not a solo. Diversify your service repertoire like a multi-genre artist. It's not just about playing one instrument; it's about orchestrating a complete melody. Offer a harmonious mix, and your income will sing a steady tune, resilient to market variations.
Expanding beyond traditional content strategy tasks to provide a broader skill set is key to ensuring a steady income as a Content Strategy freelancer. Effective income maintenance requires strategic planning and marketing, with optimization involving: 1. Diversifying Services: Offer content audits, competitor analysis, content marketing plans, and SEO optimization to meet diverse client needs. 2. Resume Building: Provide services for crafting professional resumes and portfolios. 3. Passive Income: Explore passive streams through online courses, eBooks, or templates. 4. Portfolio Showcasing: Establish a robust website showcasing successful case studies for increased visibility.
For Content Strategy freelancers, steady income flows from diversification. Face volatile markets and fierce competition by sticking to more than one service or client type. Here is how you can diversify; - Broaden services to include SEO, social media, & email marketing. Offer packages for various budgets. - Establish retainer contracts for regular income. - Conduct workshops and consultancies to share knowledge. - Specialize in niches for higher rates. - Engage in affiliate marketing for extra earnings. - Create and monetize e-books or courses. - Network relentlessly for fresh opportunities. - Showcase across different online platforms. - Collect client testimonials to build credibility. - Stay updated with trends to ensure relevance.
Here are some of the ways: -Build your know, like and trust. No one will want to hire you if there is nothing interesting about you. -Share content consistently. -Build your network. If you have quality people in your network, chances are that you may be booked all through the year. -Build your portfolio. This will make it easier for clients to see what you have done in the past. If you don't have clients you have worked with, you can volunteer to serve people for free. -Join freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr etc. -Optimise your profile here with your niche's keywords so that people can find you easily. -You can utilise the service page option too.
Networking is essential for any freelancer, but especially for Content Strategy freelancers. By building your network, you can get referrals, recommendations, and feedback from other professionals in your field. You can also learn from their experiences and insights, and find new opportunities and collaborations. You can network online, through platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Medium, or offline, through events, meetups, or conferences.
Your network is your networth. Your network are the best people to showcase your work so that they can understand the credibility and quality of work you bring to the table. It’s easier to get recommendations & referrals once you are in public eyes and constantly delivering quality work to your clients. Your client testimonials are a true testament to you getting referrals and recommendations to grow your work and get more opportunities.
The network is very important but the ques. is what type of network, this will be decided by you and your content. Build your network with good content and authentic content, because that network will last for a long time.
One more important thing is to appreciate every opportunity, even if it doesn't seem too promising at first. These chances allow you to build your personal brand in the professional network. And last but not least, prioritize quality over money; earnings will follow.
As a BtoB video content creator, I am focused on one main market and attend trade shows almost every month. Meeting people face to face is your best sales skill.
Remember that content strategy starts with "content". Learn as much as you can about audience behavior through linked in and other trade publications, and how different demographic groups like to receive their content, and what kind of stories THEY react to. Being conversant in that -- and being audience focused -- helps you bring outside perspectives to new clients.
Your portfolio is your best tool to demonstrate your skills and expertise as a Content Strategy freelancer. It should include samples of your work, such as content plans, wireframes, user journeys, or case studies. You should also explain the goals, challenges, and results of each project, and how you applied Content Strategy principles and methods. Your portfolio should be updated regularly, and reflect your niche and style.
By consistently delivering high-quality, results-driven content, I've cultivated lasting relationships with clients. My portfolio showcases a diverse range of successful projects, demonstrating expertise in crafting compelling narratives and strategic content. This track record has not only secured repeat business but also positioned me as a reliable go-to content strategist.
If you work online, the most important piece of advice I can give you: save a PDF of all your work (e.g., web pages, articles, blog posts.) Content Management Systems change. Companies go under. But you need to keep an archive of your own work, and then build a portfolio on your own site!
There are so many sites online to show your work. However, there are two where you will see the most immediate results. The first one is definitely linkedin where you can grow your circle very fast and the second one is TikTok where you can show your work through your videos.
A portfolio takes you ahead of 90% of the content strategy creators. If you can prove that your content strategy works and that you have a solid portfolio, any client will happily invest in your services. I highly suggest having something of your own, for example, a blog site, because you have complete control over it.
Highlighting your niche is great, when you have one. If just starting out, fill your portfolio with past and current project samples along with any personal, published articles and even your own branding campaign materials. Indicate B2B v B2C. Once experienced, you should have a specialty and/or niche to highlight. Case studies are great since the narrative of your success is baked-in.
One of the most difficult aspects of freelancing is setting your rates. You want to charge what you are worth, but also be competitive and realistic. There are different ways to set your rates, such as hourly, project-based, or value-based. You should consider factors such as your experience, skills, location, and market demand. You should also research what other Content Strategy freelancers are charging, and adjust your rates accordingly.
Setting competitive and value-driven rates is key. Understand your expertise, the market, and client needs. Price reflects not just your skills but the unique value you bring. It's a delicate balance between industry standards and your worth. Regularly review and adjust rates to align with your evolving experience and market demand.
Don’t work on spec. Too many editors ask freelance journalists to investigate issues on a vague promise of assigning a story if you find something they like. Either they assign a story or they don’t. And don’t work until it’s commissioned.
Before you set your rates, know the worth of your content. I remember raising my rates so late because I was not confident about my content at all. Now people are paying my good money even for one write-up. The point is, to trust in your content quality. There's someone out there with less talent than you yet earning more than you because they have confidence in their skills.
Now, when I was a newbie, I used to offer free trials, and that’s where I made a mistake. As you start out, go for short 7-day trials. Charge a bit—it’s your time and skill. Once experienced, research your audience before adjusting rates. Tips: Offer diverse plans, explain changes well, and check your skills often for fair rates.
Never offer your services for free. Do try to set rates based on the project, and see if you're able to keep ownership over the content matter in case you want to utilize them again for other projects. It they're looking for a crash deadline, try to use that to your advantage when setting a fee since many content creators may not be able to turn things around quickly.
As a Content Strategy freelancer, you are responsible for managing your own finances. This means you have to track your income and expenses, pay your taxes, and save for emergencies and retirement. You should also have a clear contract with your clients, outlining the scope, deliverables, deadlines, and payment terms of each project. You should also invoice your clients promptly, and follow up on any late payments.
To maintain a steady income as a Content Strategy freelancer, meticulous financial management is key. Create a detailed budget, prioritize essential expenses, and set aside savings. Regularly reassess rates, negotiate contracts wisely, and diversify your client base for a resilient financial foundation.
Yikes. I never met a person who likes admin work, but you got to do what you got to do. Here are a few tips to get you going: 1) Keep a tracker of your finances and time spent on clients work. 2) Schedule a weekly time in your calendar, preferably beginning of the week, for you to visit all of your finances and tracker. 3) Make sure you are sharing your invoices on time and are receiving PO and getting paid on time.
Recuerda que si tus clientes tuvieran un flujo constante en la demanda de tus servicios, te ofrecerían un trabajo de planta. Si recurren a tus servicios como freelance es para responder a picos de demanda alta, que caducan. Lo más inteligente es detectar cuándo, de dónde y por qué vienen esos picos, para poder anticiparte y preparar contenidos. De esa forma puedes capitalizarte cuando la demanda es baja con trabajo anticipado que, si no es útil para un cliente, lo puede ser para otro en el mismo sector, pues esos picos de demanda son de la industria y no de un cliente en específico. De hecho la planeación y anticipación pueden hacer que aceptes más proyectos para que tú mismo captes más ingresos en tiempos de abundancia.
Separating your business and personal finances is something that helped me a lot. I recommend having a separate account for your business income and paying yourself a 'salary'. This saves up enough for times when you're in between projects, or when a client has delayed payment.
Unfortunately, as a Freelancer you are also the financing department, the CEO, the HR director and so much more. Either get software or an accountant that can help you keep track of your expenses and your earnings. Make sure you’re getting the tax deductions you’re allowed- for example if you pay for health insurance. Budgeting is also paramount. I know this from experience - you WILL underbid a few projects, and you will have dry spells. Make sure you budget for those instances. AND make sure to budget in time off into your rates, project, and expense planning.
Content Strategy is a dynamic and evolving field, and you need to keep up with the latest trends and best practices. You should also invest in your professional development, and learn new skills and tools that can enhance your work. You can find many online courses, podcasts, blogs, books, and webinars on Content Strategy topics. You can also join online communities, such as Content Strategy Network or Content + UX, where you can ask questions, share ideas, and get feedback.
Learning is essential in content writing because the digital landscape is constantly evolving. By staying updated with the latest trends, techniques, and tools, you can deliver high-quality and engaging content that resonates with your audience. Continuous learning helps you refine your skills, explore new strategies, and adapt to changing algorithms. It allows you to provide fresh and relevant content that stands out in a competitive market. For me it's always exciting to expand knowledge and grow as a content writer.
There is no alternative to learning, especially when AI is doing 50% of the tasks with excellent accuracy. If you want to be paid more, learn to invest in your skills. A few helpful tips: - Don't splurge on old-school courses. - Learn from the industry experts. - Get yourself a mentor.
El ciclo de aprendizaje nunca termina cuando trabajas en estrategias de contenidos. En particular me ha servido mucho tratar de estar siempre al día y entender por qué las tendencias logran su auge, cómo han llegado a conectar con el público. Aprende sin miedo y no le tengas miedo a lo desconocido.
You know they say that learning never stops, this is true even in content strategy. It is an evolving field and you need to be on top of the trend and best practices. Learn to invest in your development, personal or professional. Learn new skills, just keep learning.
I’ve loved learning from courses through LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and HubSpot Academy. These have been great sources of information that I’ve been able to apply to my career. Google is also a best friend! Lots of times you can find blogs and articles that answer your exact questions. Just make sure to check the publication date to make sure the information isn’t outdated.
A few things need to come together to earn a consistent income: - Build the right skills and strengthen your value proposition: people pay for value. Be the best at what you do and clearly articulate the value you bring to the table. - Build the right network: find people and companies who would recognize your worth and be willing to pay for it. - Be obsessive about client retention: one good client is worth 10 in the bush. Make their life easier and get them to depend on you so much that they take you along wherever they go
If the client has agreed to pay what you have quoted, don't assume that you've won the game. Most clients keep their hunt ongoing, hoping to find someone cheaper than you. - Make sure to walk the talk by delivering what's promised. - Justify the price you've quoted by offering extras. - Make sure your client makes money before you do.
"Keep Learning" is the best advice! In my experience, when clients hire anyone as a strategist, they look for someone not based on what they "do" but what they know. Constantly doing your homework on new trends, platforms, and storytelling methods means you can bring something new to the party, and clients really appreciate it!
The interesting thing is seeing this while I’m listening to a session on financial growth. My 3 rules to 3x your pocket weight as a content freelancer are; 1. Treat it like a job: A lot of people see content as a side gig, and as much as it can that it should be seen as a Job and be intentional about making it work. My rule is, if I fail, I sleep and wake up and go again! 2. Build: consistency is a super key to increase your financial growth in content. Get working, forget about the money and just work. Get your hands in the mud! Do Content. Be versatile, experiment with different types of content. 3. Move away from content: Easy! To make it big, look beyond just the internet, take your money away and diversify into other hobbies.
Build Long-Term Relationships: Foster strong connections with existing clients to encourage repeat business and referrals. Satisfied clients can become your best advocates. Market Yourself: Actively market your services through a professional website, social media, and online portfolios. Showcase your expertise, share case studies. Time Management: Efficiently manage your time to handle multiple projects effectively. Use tools and techniques to organize tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Professional Development: Invest in your professional development by attending conferences, joining relevant associations, and participating in webinars. Networking can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.