You’re a freelancer with a unique style. How can you take it to the next level?

Your "Weirdness" is Your Superpower! Too many freelancers try to be all things to all people. Boring! Your unique style is your selling point. Let's lean into that: Own Your Language: I specialize in copy that's witty, not jargon-heavy. So my portfolio uses that same voice. Clients know what they're getting upfront. Niche Down, Personality Up: Maybe you're the tech freelancer who's ALSO into rock climbing. Infuse that into your case studies! Shows you get their niche. Become a Community Hub: Love data viz? Start a newsletter on that, NOT generic freelancing. Builds an audience drawn to YOUR specific take. Narrowing your focus to showcase what makes you unique can attract clients seeking those qualities.

To elevate your freelancing career, leverage your unique style while demonstrating business acumen: Highlight Uniqueness: Showcase your style through portfolios, emphasizing what sets you apart creatively. Emphasize Skills: Highlight expertise and past successes, supported by testimonials and relevant qualifications. Understand Business: Demonstrate a grasp of market dynamics and client objectives, aligning your approach with their goals. Drive Sales: Showcase successes in tangible outcomes like increased engagement or sales conversions. Position as Investment: Present yourself as a strategic asset, offering fresh perspectives to help clients stand out.

The question is how, right? I call this "putting the ear on the market". Because this is the only way to really understand the coherent approach to market analysis and feedback integration. This relationship of observation and adaptation enables organizations to achieve harmonious success in the ever-evolving market landscape. Furthermore, specializing in a specific niche enhances expertise and effectiveness. This not only positions marketers as thought leaders but also increases their credibility and trustworthiness. One piece of advice: Always look for maximizing the impact of marketing efforts through tailored solutions. As this trully represents "Continuous Improvement".

Absolutely! Identifying niche is crucial for establishing yourself as an authority in your field. By concentrating on a specific industry or area you're passionate about, you can refine your expertise and provide unparalleled value to your target audience. This enables you to deeply comprehend the needs and challenges of your market, distinguishing you from generic marketers by offering customized solutions that directly address your audience's pain points. Becoming a thought leader in your niche not only enhances your credibility but also ensures that your services are highly sought after. So, whether it's fashion, technology, health, or any other field that sparks your interest, dive in and carve out your unique space in the market!

Identify your uniqueness and build your niche, this would be the toughest part, but you should be able to list down the kind of work you like, may be the industry, domain, or the type of rich media format. Once the above is clear, you'll be able to focus on an apt group of prospects. Constantly grow on your skillset, improve and excel.

Crafting a standout portfolio is essential for demonstrating your unique style and expertise in B2B marketing to prospective clients. It's not just a collection of work samples; it's a showcase of your creativity, skills, and proven results. Incorporating testimonials, case studies, and measurable metrics adds credibility and illustrates the tangible impact of your efforts. Regular updates, clear organization by categories, and user-friendly navigation are crucial for making your portfolio easily accessible and engaging.

It's imperative that freelancers build a portfolio, having one can elevate their unique brand and style of work via showcasing projects, case studies, and testimonials that highlight their skillset and creativity. Additionally, as an extension to their a portfolio, freelancers can engage with their audience through social media and other content creation platforms to further establish their brand and build trust. On top of that, seeking feedback and updating your portfiolo ensures constant improvement and client satisfaction. Proper use of a portfolio is the foundation to building, connecting, innovating, and evolving in the freelance world.

I believe in the power of disruptive innovation. And because of this I advocate for prioritizing the cultivation of a personal or company brand over traditional portfolio building. Inspired by the ethos of "proof of work" from my experience in the blockchain space, I emphasize demonstrating tangible value and expertise through real-world applications. While portfolios showcase past achievements, they often lack in conveying the holistic narrative of capabilities and vision. In contrast, a well-crafted brand encompasses tangible outcomes alongside principles, values, and thought leadership. Foster trust.

As a B2B marketer, you might have done the following for a great many clients. It’s time now to do it for yourself. Going from being a freelancer to an agency - you got to have your “sales enablement” kit ready. So here’s a few things you’ll need in your portfolio (or call it arsenal): 1. Make a 10-15 slide pitch deck 2. Create 3 slides featuring 3 crisp case studies - your previous projects or clients. The ideal Challenge/Solution/Benefit - write measurable KPIs. 3. Create a pricing model and possibly a jumpstart package. 4. As in any good pitch deck - feature some testimonials. Good luck!

In addition to filling in gaps on your portfolio, you should also *recover* your existing portfolio. I have over 1,000 articles, blogs, and guides to my name on various websites that I am in the process of sampling and linking to on my new freelancing website. No doubt that it might take some work, but the web allows you to recover work you have done in the deep past and rediscover it. Copy it and feature it on your own website, LinkedIn profile, or wherever else it is relevant to grab attention. If you don't have a website featurette yet, at least make sure you have a companion doc to your CV with links to samples OR links to *copies* of those recovered samples (publicly available on Google Drive or your website).

Market Your Journey, Not Just the Results! Freelancers and clients want your unique style, but also want to know you're invested in GROWTH. Here's how to turn that into content: The "I Used to Suck at This" Post: Be honest about a skill you struggled with, then document how you tackled it. Proves commitment to improvement. Behind-the-Scenes Process Shares: Mini-case studies, but not just the polished outcome. Show the messy thinking stage too...clients love seeing the brain at work! Celebrate Your Learning: Just finished a course? Share the cert, and a few key takeaways! Shows you're not resting on your laurels. Your style is about your abilities and the mindset you bring. It helps build the long-term client loyalty that freelancers desire!

Adapt your style to the evolving B2B marketing landscape. Stay updated on trends, tools, and techniques. Seek feedback, invest in professional development through online courses, webinars, and communities. Evolving and learning will help you deliver better results.

Broadening your skill set not only enhances your versatility but also attracts a wider range of clients. For instance, if you're a graphic designer with a distinctive illustration style, consider learning motion graphics or 3D design. This expansion allows you to offer more comprehensive design solutions, attracting clients seeking diverse visual content. Attend workshops, enroll in online courses, or join communities to stay abreast of industry trends. Additionally, networking with professionals in related fields can provide valuable insights and collaborative opportunities, further amplifying the impact of your unique style.

In my view, this is the heart of it, you must unlearn and learn each and everyday. Focussed 30 mins of learning what's new in the industry in terms of tools, skills, techniques and competition will augment your knowledge each and every day

Establish and expand your network by collaborating with various consultancies and participating in forums. Prior to this, develop your own portfolio for showcasing your expertise. Building a network requires dedication and persistence, as it takes time and effort. Engage with different platforms and prioritize attendance at meetups and forums, aiming to connect with as many attendees as possible. Approach interactions with positivity and confidence to maximize networking opportunities.

This for me is 3 step process- -Reach out- To understand what's the business needing, what's the interest - Network- to have your connect remember you as a person who brings value -Engage- to ensure that you are relevant with what the requirement of the hour is

IMPORTANT: As far as the B2B IT realm, referrals and word-of-mouth play a pivotal role in establishing credibility and expanding opportunities. Networking online through platforms like LinkedIn and offline at industry events enables professionals to forge valuable connections and partnerships, leading to new client engagements. Participation in collaborative projects reinforces credibility and visibility, opening doors to new opportunities. Active engagement in networking and collaboration is essential for professionals to elevate their influence and create greater value in the B2B IT industry.

I cannot emphasise enough on this point. As a freelancer especially, you have to figure out many things by yourself. You probably don’t have a team and/or colleagues. That can be scary and frustrating sometimes. Having a support system of like-minded individuals who understand your situation can definitely alleviate some of that mental stress.

The true power of freelancing lies in strategic networking and collaboration. Immerse yourself in online communities and offline events to exponentially expand your reach and forge connections that spark new opportunities. Embrace the spirit of co-opetition - partner with other specialists to merge complementary skillsets into an unbeatable client solution. Collaborative projects expose you to fresh perspectives and approaches that catalyze innovation.

This spirit of curiosity and willingness to take calculated risks opens doors to game-changing opportunities and unique, memorable experiences that captivate audiences. Document your experiments diligently, using successes and failures as case studies that showcase your pioneering style and strategic prowess. By insatiably pursuing the new, you elevate your brand as an industry vanguard, pioneering fresh paths to B2B marketing mastery.

As a freelance writer, embracing experimentation and innovation is key to standing out. Trying new styles, formats, and approaches can attract diverse clients and projects. By thinking creatively and offering unique services, freelancers can differentiate themselves and build a reputation as innovators in their field.

Before any of these things you need to understand what your unique style is and how it supports or weakens your offering. Do a little research - interview clients and peers to get an external view on what makes you unique, and get them to lean in on what factors are most important. And don't be too precious, go with what works. I've become known for several things including a hat that I objectively don't like and for some time resented (long story, but beware of asking opinions on purchases on social media) but as a marketer I know it has become a powerful distinctive asset. I'm still known for my deep expertise, straight talking and potty mouth, but the hat acts as a beacon for these things. Bloody hat.

In my role, where I frequently hire freelancers, it's the ones who craft an experience rather than merely complete a task that truly stand out. They weave personalized communication and a distinctive brand presence across all touchpoints into a seamless narrative that resonates on a personal level. Their proposals are not just offers but visions of what could be, blending innovation with keen insights into our unique challenges. Transparency in their workflow fosters a foundation of trust, and their engagement extends beyond project delivery, offering strategic advice that anticipates future needs. This depth of interaction transforms a simple hire into a partnership, setting them apart in a sea of competitors.

Specialize Further: Narrow your focus to become the go-to expert in a niche area. Continuous Learning: Invest in courses or workshops to refine your skills and integrate new trends. Collaborate: Partner with others whose skills complement yours to offer more comprehensive solutions. Showcase Work: Update your portfolio with your best work, emphasizing your unique style and successful projects. Seek Feedback: Ask clients and peers for constructive feedback to understand your style’s impact and areas for growth. Brand Yourself: Develop a strong personal brand that reflects your style and professional values across all platforms.