Rebranding yourself as a freelancer is about giving your business a fresh start with a new look and feel. It's about creating something that feels more true to who you are as an individual and better reflects the type of freelancer you want to be. It's also about creating something that resonates more with your current and potential clients.
Discover if a freelancer rebrand is right for you and find concrete action steps you can take to get the changes made smoothly.
While the scenario described above is a common reason to rebrand, it's not the only one. So let’s explore other scenarios that might lead you down this path.
When you started freelancing, you might have envisioned yourself writing about a particular topic or offering a specific service. But time has a way of changing us, and sometimes, the freelancer services you used to provide no longer align with your interests.
In this case, it might be time for a freelancer rebrand so that you can pivot your services to match what you’re interested in now.
As you gain experience working with different clients, you may find that your target audience has changed.
For example, maybe you used to focus on small businesses but now want to work with larger corporations. Or perhaps you’re ready to shift gears, move away from the corporate market, and freelance for individual entrepreneurs instead.
A freelancer rebrand can help you make this shift. Adjust your branding, services, and messaging to appeal to your new target market as you work through the process.
Today's marketplace is constantly changing. What used to be popular and in demand a few years ago may be less popular now.
Sometimes, freelancers find they need to make changes to their freelancer services if they want to stay competitive. This is where rebranding your freelancing business can come in handy.
You can adjust your branding, services, and messaging to keep up with the current freelancing market. This can also be an excellent way to raise your rates and ensure you're paid fairly.
Regardless of why you choose to rebrand yourself as a freelancer, the process can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. It's a time to reflect, get creative, and take action.
To inspire you to keep moving forward, here's a peek at a few of the benefits that this process can bring:
Now that you know why a freelancer rebrand can help revitalize your business, here are eight steps to getting started with your own rebrand.
If you don't think through your rebrand, you’re liable to wind up with a brand that doesn't resonate with you. So before you jump straight into the process, you should first define your freelance business goals.
These questions can help you pinpoint your goals:
Once you’ve decided on some basics, use that information to create goals. What would make you feel like the process was successful? The more specific your goals, the easier it will be to measure your successes and failures.
Now that you know what path you’re taking with your freelancer rebrand, it’s time to get started on the research phase.
Though this might not seem important, it is one of the most critical steps in the process. As you research, you gain insight into the freelancing industry and current market trends and discover how to leverage them to your advantage.
You’ll also want to do some market research on your new target audience. That way, you can ensure the changes you make align with that demographic’s wants, needs, and preferences.
Take a look at your portfolio and do some reflection. What does it say about you, your talents, and your services? Does it speak to the type of clients you want to work with?
If not, spend some time updating your freelancer website and portfolio. Make sure it reflects who you are and the freelancing services you offer.
Curate your portfolio so it showcases your top samples. Review your freelancer bio, and make sure all the contact information is current.
Once you’ve revamped the content, switch your attention to the visual elements. Choose fonts, colors, and images that speak to you and your target audience. This will create a cohesive freelancer brand image that you can use consistently across the web.
More than just your portfolio website needs updating. You'll also want to freshen up your freelancer LinkedIn profile.
Review each section of your profile, update any outdated information, and make sure you’re highlighting the freelancing services that are most relevant to your rebrand.
Remember to add a professional photo to give your profile a personal touch.
Does your current email address reflect the freelancer you are today? If not, it might be time to get a new one.
Your freelancer email address is integral to your freelancing identity, and you want to ensure it resonates with potential clients.
Once your email is set up, remember to include a signature. This should include a link to your freelancer website and any social media profiles, so people know where to learn more about you and your services.
A freelancer rebrand is only complete with a new logo! An eye-catching freelancer logo can help your freelancing business stand out.
Whether you create a DIY logo or hire a professional, make sure it resonates with your new direction. Then, include your logo on marketing materials and your social media profiles.
While you don't need a certificate or course to start as a freelancer, investing in some education can help level up your business. Certificates and courses in topics like marketing, business management, and freelancing best practices can be beneficial for freelancers who are rebranding.
You can also use courses to help with a freelancer pivot. For example, if you used to write blog posts, you can take a class on copywriting to expand your freelancer services and better target specific clients.
Courses and certificates also help you stand out as an expert in your field. This can give you an edge over your competition, so be sure to include these details in your portfolio so clients can see that you’re well-versed in the topic at hand.
Once you've completed your rebrand, it's time to share it with the world.
Post about your freelancer rebrand on social media, email your freelancer network, and update any freelancing profiles you have online. You can also write guest posts for other freelancers to help generate more business leads.
A freelancer rebrand can be a great way to freshen up your business and attract more clients. But it's important to do your research and take the time to plan out each step of the process. Otherwise, you may end up taking your brand backward instead of forward.
By following the eight steps outlined above, you'll be well on your way to a successful freelancer rebrand.
