The feast or famine aspect of freelancing doesn’t sit well with most people. Sometimes it can seem like a ton of work is coming in. Other times, it can be stressful as you struggle to just break even for the month. Getting consistent gigs as a freelancer can seem next to impossible.
I’m not a big fan of the fluctuating income aspect of freelancing either. But, I’ve been able to make a good living freelancing full time by landing contracts with clients who are able to give me consistent work.
It’s no secret that having consistent assignments can help you manage a more realistic and predictable workload. It can also help regulate your income better. Then, you’ll know how much you can expect to earn each month.
I personally like securing enough consistent work to meet my basic monthly budget. Then, anything extra I earn is a bonus. Here are a few of the best ways to land consistent gigs as a freelancer.
Knock It Out of the Park
One of the best ways to land consistent gigs as a freelancer is to do a killer job on the assignment. Follow all the instructions carefully and go above and beyond expectations if you can. Once you prove yourself and leave a good impression, the client will be more willing to have you on board to complete tasks regularly.
Some people like to set up trials with freelancers before committing to anything long-term. This is why it’s so important that you knock it out of the park on your first try to gain the client’s trust. Then, move in with your pitch for more consistent work.
Avoid Applying For One-Time Gigs
If you’re just getting started with freelancing, you’ll probably want to get your hands on whatever opportunities interest you. That being said, if you want consistent work, it’s best to avoid applying for one-time gigs with the hope that they can turn into something long-term in the future.
You can save yourself a lot of time and energy by simply cutting out that extra step and only pursuing recurring gigs until you meet an income level you’re happy with. If someone wants to work with you, see if they’ll accept your contract terms and at least commit to a long-term working relationship.
Offer a Recurring Service
Another easy thing you can do to ensure you get consistent work is to offer a recurring freelance service. Freelance writing, editing, and virtual assistant work are great recurring services. You can find clients who need your help weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly at a minimum.
If you offer a one-time service like designing websites or doing tech troubleshooting, you can offer a monthly maintenance program where you can help existing or new clients. If you’re a photographer for example, you can see out a contract with a local organization that hosts events every month that they need to be photographed.
Send Targeted Follow Ups
Freelancing is all about the hustle which means you should be sending regular follow ups to prospective clients to secure your opportunities and income. If you worked with someone in the past for a one-time assignment, be sure to send them a follow-up email thanking them for the opportunity.
In that email, also mention some recurring services you can provide or any other skills you think would be useful to them. You can also ask that they refer you to anyone else they know who may need your self. It only takes a few minutes to draft a brief follow-up email but it’s such an effective way to do a warm pitch and land some recurring work.
Summary
Freelancing doesn’t have to be feast or famine all the time. You can set up systems and processes to generate consistent gigs as a freelancer and income you can count on each month. Use these four tips to help you get started.
