Ask Freelance Switch: Promoting Yourself and Pricing

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In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at promoting yourself as a freelancer and pricing. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com.

Question 1

Hello, I am a Publicity student, in my last year of college and I’m starting doing some freelancing. I want to know if the use of online portfolios and also talking in specifics communities in the social networks is a good thing to try to catch some freelancing jobs?!

Creating an online portfolio is a must for freelancers these days. While you used to be able to take your portfolio around to prospective clients, you’ll find most of them will prefer to look at your work online. It’s also far more efficient than lugging around a big portfolio. The big question is whether to use a portfolio site or set up your own website — and I absolutely recommend setting up your own site. You have no control over whether a portfolio site might go down at some point, but you do have a lot more control over your own website.

Promoting your work on social networks can also be useful in building up prospective clients’ awareness that you’re out there — but only if you take care to network with people who actually might buy your services. After all, you might enjoy talking to other freelancers, but most of us aren’t likely to offer you a project to work on. Seek out different networks where the types of clients you would like to work with hang out.

Question 2

I’m looking at the opportunity to work on my own doing websites. I would like to get an idea of prices.

For example, if you can charge per page or per project? If I can charge a monthly fee for hosting and maintenance?

I know it depends on many things, but it is just to get an idea.

You’re going to hate this, but it does depend! That said, you do have a lot of options in how you price a website. The first step is to take a look at what you’re providing: Are you just offering to complete a project? Are you hosting it? Are you subcontracting any part of it?

If you expect to have an on-going relationship with a client — such as if you’re hosting their website, as well as designing it — monthly or yearly fees are highly likely. That’s perfectly fine, provided your client knows they’re coming. Don’t let yourself be surprised by what some clients expect — I’ve met people who expected to be able to pay a flat fee and have their site hosted forever and ever.

You’ll also want to take a look at both your comfort zone and that of your client. If you feel like you’re leaving yourself open to trouble if you don’t make it clear to a client that each page comes with its own price tag, that’s fair. But it’s also worth noting that many clients will have expectations on how you will price your work, from past projects they’ve worked on with freelancer or from what’s become industry standard. Do some research before you make a final decision.