Important Platforms Freelancers Can Use to Showcase Their Work

by Kelsey Taylor, Guest Contributor

​There’s a new nomadic lifestyle on the rise - one that allows for more freedom in your work schedule, and working from home. Freelance work is accessible in almost any trade, and has revolutionized many industries. According to a 2017 study conducted by Upwork, in 2027 the majority of the American workforce will be a part of the freelance economy in some form.

The latest platforms for your needs as a freelancer.

However, finding the right work can be a challenge, and maintaining a steady schedule and work flow can be unstable. Your to-do list may be jam packed one week, and barren the next. Especially with the pool of freelancers growing, the competition doesn’t make it easier. To avoid this inconsistency in your workload, it’s essential to stand out amongst others to attract the highest number of clients you can.

To get noticed, self promotion is critical. Your talent should be presented in the most appealing way possible, and the platform you use to showcase yourself should be appropriate for both your profession and skill set. Read on for the latest platforms for your needs as a freelancer.

LinkedIn ProFinder  
Built into your LinkedIn profile, there’s a tool that will get you the leads you need, bids on projects, and long term clients. The LinkedIn ProFinder is used among business professionals across varying industries, and users can bid on posted projects. Once picked to bid, you receive both an email and LinkedIn notification. Not only can you bid a price, but you can customize a pitch. Update the summary section of your profile with a detailed description of your job title, and utilize the recommendations section to build your credibility. This tool is excellent for freelance writers, especially as a marketing strategy, to grow your freelance business.

Guru
If you’re looking to bolster your network as a freelancer, Guru is fit for every kind of freelancer from IT to sales & marketing. Communication is made simple, and the SafePay system assures that the money exchange is clean and easy on both ends. You can see when a job is funded, and get paid either by task or hour. If you’re a developer, this is the platform for you.

Upwork
One of the largest freelance platforms out there, Upwork is available in over 180 countries. Formerly a platform merged together from Elance and oDesk, it caters to an experienced and talented pool of freelancers. When you’re looking for a fixed price contract or an hourly wage, Upwork offers both. The desktop app and work diary allow you to track your time spent on projects and take screenshots for transparency in payment. It highlights projects that you’re a fit for, provides tests for specific skill sets, and allows real time communication with Upwork Messenger. Keyword searches aren’t recommended, but searching for job headlines is effective. It’s been criticized as a competitive platform due to a lot of people applying for the same jobs, but for more experienced freelancers, this is a noteworthy resource.

Fiverr
Designed like an online shopping page, Fiverr offers a search bar asking clients what services they’re looking for from a variety of unique categories in the marketplace from logo design to voice overs. For specialized products and services for clients, it’s a great platform to learn, grow, and provide an assortment of outlets to market your services. It’s best suited for beginners, and can help freelancers build their portfolios. Opposite from Upwork, keywords are important to include in your gig title and job descriptions on Fiverr. Just like Yelp, Fiverr gives you a seller rating. The higher number of reviews you have, the more heads you’ll turn.

Toptal
Marketed as the platform used by the world’s leading brands to find talent, Toptal was created by engineers to grow an exclusive network of top freelancers in the world. If you’re a designer or freelance software developer, this platform is best suited for your talents. Thousands apply every month, and less than 3% are accepted, making Toptal a prestigious outlet. If you’re confident in your portfolio and experiences, you have the potential to work for companies like Google and Airbnb. For the problem solvers with elite industry experience, there are important projects waiting for you at Toptal!

If you’re an independent professional looking for short or long term contracts to showcase your talents, these platforms are sure to attract new jobs to further your career. And when paired with the right project management tool, there won’t be a limit to the amount of projects you can take on and manage.
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Author bio:

Kelsey Taylor is a creative writer and lover of all things digital media. She's a poet, educator, and regular contributor to TrustRadius where she continues to write about software and tips for B2B companies.