How to Setup a Standout Freelancing Profile
Picture this: You’ve finally taken the leap to start freelancing and signed up on a freelancing platform like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelance US! Ready to dive into the world of remote work, you open your laptop, head to set up your profile, and wonder: What exactly makes a good freelancing profile? Overwhelmed, you panic and shut your laptop.
Setting up a gig can be overwhelming! Luckily, there are some general guidelines you can follow to set yourself up for success. Between choosing the right profile picture, your bio, and a good gig description, here’s everything you need to know to create a standout profile and get your first order!
Nice niche
First, you need to decide what you’re going to sell and choose your niche. When it comes to a niche, you can either go broad or narrow. For instance, if you sell copywriting, you can list a general blog writing gig, going broad with your niche. Alternatively, you can set up a blog writing gig specifically about pets, going narrow with your niche. Of course, there are pros and cons to any niche, so the best thing to do is just start with what you’re most comfortable in. You can always adjust or switch up your niche later.
Pro Tip: Don’t know where to start? Think about the skills and topics you are most confident and interested in, then do some research to see what gigs are being offered regarding these topics. You’ll be surprised by the variety of what gig sellers offer.
Picture perfect
Your profile picture is a way to make a memorable first impression on buyers! Therefore, keep it simple: your profile picture should capture you smiling straight to the camera and looking professional. Overall, you just want to look trustworthy and approachable.
Pro Tip: Use a plain, non-distracting background, and ensure the picture is well-lit.
Time to design
Most freelancing platforms, such as Fiverr and Freelance US, require gig photos for each service. Don’t worry if you’re not a graphic designer because both Canva and PowerPoint are fantastic places to design your gig picture. Your gig picture should at least include a picture of yourself and an easily readable gig title. The key is to make the gig picture catchy but not overwhelming.
Pro Tip:
Streamline all of your gig templates so that buyers can recognize your brand just by its design.
Describe the vibe
The best thing you can do with gig descriptions is to be straightforward and describe what you offer. Remember, buyers are combing through dozens of profiles, so make yours easy to scan and understand! Start with why your gig is essential, then tie in your strengths and experience, and finally, move into the details of what your gig includes.
Pro Tip:
Don’t be afraid to use bullet points!
Beautify your bio
Approach your bio from a buyer-centric perspective. Buyers are looking for someone approachable, trustworthy, and capable. Your bio should include your related experience, niche (if you have one), special skills related to your gig, and a bit about you as a whole. If you’re stuck, find some other seller bios you like, and study their bio’s structure. Then, use it for inspiration. Don’t be afraid to show off a little personality in your bio–perhaps list a fun fact about yourself to pique readers’ interests– while tying in your strengths and skills as a seller!
Remember: Just like your gig descriptions, ensure your bio is free of spelling and grammar errors.
The price is right
When you start fresh on a freelancing platform, no matter how experienced you are outside of that platform, the best way to get into the algorithm is to begin with similar rates to your competitors on the platform. Then, once you build credibility with some excellent reviews, raise your rates!
Timeless tags
Tags are another way buyers can find your gig, based on what they search. So, figure out what tags are frequently searched to find your gig on the freelancing platform you’re on, and use that! Make sure to use all tags available. Take every chance possible to increase your profile’s visibility.
Pro Tip: There are many YouTube videos you can watch for this step if you’re stuck!
Too-cool titles
The key to creating a good gig title is using a lot of SEO keywords. For instance, you will see lots of gigs that say something like, “I will write a standout blog.” However, buyers are usually not searching for those titles. Instead, use SEO words that clients will be searching for. For example, “I will write an SEO article for your blog and website” is packed with popular search terms, including the words write, SEO, article, blog, and website.
Pro Tip: Use the same title that is listed on your gig picture to keep things consistent.
Practice makes perfect
Now that you’ve set up your gig, it’s time to test it out! If you’re getting many inquiries and impressions, your profile is working its magic and is most likely set up correctly. If not, keep tweaking your profile! Most freelancers with successful profiles readjust them frequently, and it’s always a good idea to spruce up your gigs every few months to ensure they’re in line with your competition and include updates to your skillset and business.
Pro Tip: Don’t hesitate to ask your family and friends to look over your gig! They might have some helpful feedback to catch errors that you missed.
When in doubt, (competitor) research it out
When in doubt, conduct competitor research. Checking out what your competition is doing is a surefire way to clear up any confusion, gain inspiration, and see where you need to improve. Additionally, freelancing profiles are public to all, which gives sellers a considerable advantage. Without conducting competitor research, you won’t know what works best and worst for other sellers and why.
The bottom line? Just start! By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to getting your first order in no time. Good luck!
This article was written by contributing author: mikaelab123 for inquiries email: mikaelabolker@gmail.com
Check out our previous blog “How to Leverage the Freelance Network as a Freelance Professional”
