If marketing is your side gig, you may be wondering how to quit your day job and make it a full-time business.
Before you give up your regular income to pursue your passion, there are a few things you should know.
Whether you’re a freelance graphic designer, copywriter, SEO specialist, social media expert, web designer, or paid advertising guru, we’re here to help.
Read on to learn how you can turn your freelance marketing side gig into a scalable business.
Follow the Rules
When you transition from freelancer to business owner, you’ll want to start on the right foot. That means going through the business incorporation process and following any government regulations.
The rules may vary depending on where you live. We recommend checking with the business authority in your state.
If you plan to employ staff, you’ll need to think about their salary and benefits. You may need to find a workspace and a team that understands your vision.
You’ll also need to pay taxes and business expenses, such as rent and utilities. An accountant or financial advisor will be able to help you navigate your budget.
Be Adaptable
Marketing is a fast-paced industry. When you work in the digital space, the needs of your clients can change quickly.
To grow your marketing business, you need to be innovative and adaptable.
What does this mean for you? You should know your customers and stay up to date with industry news and trends.
You can follow industry experts on social media, subscribe to marketing publications, and attend seminars.
You may need to offer new services or find other professionals to partner with. For example, you may want to invite a product photographer or delivery route planner to join your team.
If you’re also thinking about rebranding your freelance website to a professional business one, you might want to seek help from web developers for seamless website migration.
Network, Network, Network
The best way to grow a marketing business is through word-of-mouth. As a marketer, you’ll know the power of advertising. But you’ll also know the value of positive reviews.
You can attend networking events and be active on social media platforms. You can also ask happy customers to tell their friends about you.
When you network, you’ll meet valuable connections. You may even learn something new.
Remember, networking works both ways. You can collaborate with others in complementary fields and promote each other’s brands.
For example, you may want to team up with a printing company and use them for your client’s printing needs. In return, they may refer you to their customers for design work.
Or, you may have a digital agency and outsource work to a freelance content writer.
If you’ve become great partners with a couple of individuals from your network, you might want to consider offering small gifts of gratitude like a social media shout out, a thank you card with cookies, or coupons and discounts to their favorite stores.
Work on Your Communication
To take your marketing business to the next level, you’ll need excellent communication and customer service skills.
You’ll be promoting yourself to potential customers, answering emails, and writing proposals.
Online proposal software can help you in the process of engaging businesses interested in collaborating with your company, by saving you time and increasing the conversion rate of your proposals.
But keep in mind that business is competitive, and even if you have the skills, experience and necessary tools, poor communication could let you down.
If you’re feeling nervous before making a pitch to a client, you can practice with a friend or a member of your team. Write down notes and be confident in your abilities as a marketer.
If you want to improve your business communication, you can brush up on your skills with the help of an online English tutor using platforms like Preply.
When you work with a tutor, you can choose the areas you want to get better at. For example, you may need help speaking on the phone, creating written presentations, or composing letters.
When you send emails, make sure you proofread your work. Make your subject line appealing, and personalize your message. Include your phone number in case they’d like to talk to you directly.
Remember, a personalized and professional approach will help you stand out to potential customers.
Know Your Target Market
Who’s your target market? Are they small businesses or large organizations? Are they in a specific industry, such as healthcare, retail, or hospitality?
When you know who your audience is, you can target the right people. Research and analytics can help you learn about your customers. They can also be useful for goal setting.
If you have a website, you can use Google Analytics to understand where, when, and why people are visiting your site.
You’ll also need to know about the industry, specifically regarding who your competition is. For example, if you decide to focus on B2B SaaS marketing (business-to-business Software-as-a-Service), you should prepare for tough competition.
But if you can master B2B SaaS marketing, the rewards will be well worth it.
Think about what strategies you can use to turn your side gig into consistent work. Are you looking for a few big customers, or would you prefer to work with multiple micro-clients?
Use Technology
Every marketing business should take advantage of technology. We live in a digital age, and some of your services will likely be online.
Make sure you have a professional website with a customized logo. It should be mobile-friendly and have fonts and images that are easy on the eyes.
Consider using software that will make the day-to-day running of the business easier. When you use the right tools, you’ll have more time to do paid work for your customers.
For example, most businesses benefit from using a powerful CRM (customer relationship management) software solution. These programs help you store customer details, notes, and history.
There are different types of CRM software on the market, so take the time to find the best fit for your business.
You may also like to use cloud-based accounting software for invoicing on the go. You can also use software to automatically send your email campaigns.
Build Your Reputation
There are plenty of marketing scams out there, and customers are wary of promises that are “too good to be true.”
Long-term and repeat customers will help the business flourish, but you’ll need to prove yourself.
To grow your business, you’ll need to build a good reputation. Treat every customer the same, meet deadlines, and be available if they need to talk. You want your services to be memorable for all the right reasons.
Spend time writing briefs and make sure you understand exactly what the customer has in mind. Check in with them along the way and get the job done right the first time.
With a good reputation and reliable and consistent service, your marketing business has more of a chance for success.
Turning Your Side Gig into a Full-Time Business
Are you ready to step up your marketing game? If you’ve had a marketing side gig for a while, you may be thinking about turning your freelance business into a scalable one.
To help you transition, we gave you our top tips. You should start by following the rules and adhering to local business laws.
You’ll need to be adaptable, flexible, and have excellent written and verbal communication.
Every business owner should know their target market and their niche. You’ll also benefit from networking both in-person and online.
Don’t forget to use technology such as CRM and accounting software, and build your reputation with consistent and reliable service.
Want more business tips? Read topics just like this one on our blog.
