Starting out as a freelancer what kind of organization should you adopt

Starting as a freelancer isn’t something you can just jump into! It requires careful planning and good organization to ensure a smooth transition into this new professional life. Discover the 4 essential steps to guarantee the sustainability and viability of your independent consulting business.

Choose the right legal status for your business

Which company is right for your business?

Micro-enterprise, EIRL, EURL, SASU, SAS… Each legal status has its own specific characteristics, and it’s not always easy to navigate them! There’s no single ideal answer, as choosing the best status depends primarily on your business and personal circumstances. For those starting os freelancers, the micro-enterprise is the preferred option for many independent professionals. It’s not strictly speaking a legal status, but rather a tax regime. The micro-enterprise has the advantage of being very simple to set up: accounting and administrative obligations are reduced. However, it’s not always the most suitable choice. It’s important to consider several criteria: your future expenses (you can’t deduct expenses from your revenue as a micro-enterprise), your staffing needs (employees, subcontractors), the social security system you wish to be affiliated with (employee-like, self-employed), your financing needs, and so on.

Have you considered umbrella company services?

Umbrella companies are a particularly attractive alternative when starting as an independent consultant. They offer an excellent compromise between freelancing and traditional employment. You enjoy the freedom of self-employment and the benefits of salaried work.

You choose your clients.
You set your own prices.
You are autonomous in the organization of your work;
You do not need to create a legal structure;
Administrative management is greatly simplified.
You benefit from full social protection (paid leave, supplementary insurance, unemployment insurance, pension contributions, mutual insurance, etc.);
You can declare your professional expenses.

Structure your business to get off to a good start as a freelancer

Define your service offering

Establishing your offering by precisely defining the types of services you will sell to your clients is an essential step for your business. It’s not an easy task, but here’s a first piece of advice: try to offer a fairly limited catalog of services to begin with. You can always expand your service offering later. A limited service offering has several advantages: firstly, you’ll find it easier to communicate about your services, and secondly, your potential clients will have a clear understanding of what you offer.

To target your offer, here are some questions you can ask yourself:

What are your areas of expertise?
What tasks do you enjoy working on the most?
What specific skills are particularly valued in you?

Set your freelance rates

Setting the right rate is a crucial step if you want to achieve profitability quickly. For most independent consultants, pricing is based on the average daily rate (ADR). It’s essential to value your experience and skills fairly while taking into account the going rates in your market. Now’s the time to get out your calculator and be as objective as possible to determine:

The income you wish to receive is based on your situation and ambitions.
The number of days you can bill.
The amount of your charges.
The amount of your professional expenses.

Know your target audience

Knowing your target audience well and defining an “ideal customer” have several advantages:

This helps you understand your target audience’s issues and better grasp their needs.
You can propose an offer that perfectly meets their expectations.
You know where to find your ideal client and how to get in touch with them.
You adapt your sales pitch to your target audience and prospect more effectively.

Develop your visibility

Work on your network

Word-of-mouth still has a bright future. Your professional network can open doors for you, provided you know how to nurture and develop it. A good network is, above all, a quality network, made up of the right people, with whom you genuinely want to communicate. Today, networking is as much about the real world as it is about the virtual world, which multiplies the opportunities for exchange!

Choose your communication channel

Starting as a freelancer is great. Getting the word out is even better! To attract future clients, you’ll need to make yourself visible and promote your services. Several options are available to you:

Create a showcase website where your prospects can learn about your services and return to it.
Depending on your activity, it may be relevant to present a portfolio that highlights the work you are proud of and representative of the quality of your work.
A blog can be an additional asset. It’s a space for expression that allows you to establish your expertise and attract qualified leads through organic search engine optimization.
Social media is also a great way to increase your online visibility. LinkedIn is THE professional network par excellence. You can share your expertise, connect with peers, clients, and prospects, expand your network, and build trust. Depending on your industry, you can also gain visibility on other platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
Joining a BNI-type entrepreneurs’ club can also be a good way to raise your local profile.

Optimize your LinkedIn profile

As an independent consultant, LinkedIn is a valuable platform for increasing your visibility. However, ensure your profile is up-to-date and optimized to entice potential clients to work with you! Here are a few recommendations:

a recent and professional profile picture ;
a clear and concise title ;
a relevant “info” section which allows readers to understand both who you are and what you do;
a brief description of your past experiences ;
The plus: recommendations from your former managers or former clients.

Find your first customers

Platforms for freelancers

Finding clients is one of the first concerns when starting as a freelancer. Platforms like Malt, 404works, or Upwork can be a good entry point into the world of freelancing. They connect companies looking for specific skills with freelancers seeking projects. Note that competition can be fierce, and prices aren’t always competitive. On the other hand, freelance platforms offer a secure environment for new independent workers. They can help you land your first projects and get recommendations. Once you feel confident enough, you can then approach clients directly.

Prospecting

Here’s another topic that sparks a lot of discussion among freelancers! How can you effectively prospect for clients? When looking for new clients, efficiency goes hand in hand with strategy. To prevent your prospecting from becoming too time-consuming, it needs to be optimized and organized. Here are a few tips:

Set yourself a specific goal;
Target your prospects as effectively as possible;
Update your prospect database.
Choose your prospecting methods (mailing, social networks, telephone, events, etc.);
establish an action plan;
Plan your prospecting.

Employees using umbrella companies who are taking their first steps as freelancers have a significant advantage over independent contractors starting on their own: the umbrella company that supports them considerably reduces their workload and mental burden. Issuing invoices, following up on missed payments, filing social security contributions… With umbrella company services, administrative tasks are not part of your daily routine! You also don’t need to go through the process of setting up a business. This frees up valuable time to focus on your core business and business development. At Cadres en Mission, our members benefit from close support. They have access to a network of consultants, training programs, and project opportunities. The ideal situation for starting as a freelancer with peace of mind  !