Internet marketing is among the most prevalent and lucrative career paths nowadays. High-converting ads, lead funnels, and website landing pages are responsible for millions of dollars in new revenue for companies that invest in them. Since there's so much potential money to be made from online marketing, those who are able to create and manage campaigns are in high demand. It's not always easy to get started, but with the right strategy, it is possible to break into freelance marketing and make a great living. In this article, we will discuss the tips and strategies you need to get started in freelance marketing.

1. Find the skill you want to learn

Before you can do anything, you want to ensure you are knowledgeable in the area of freelance marketing you plan to pursue. You might not know exactly where you want to specialize, but knowing the basics will help you get a good start.

If you already have a job in the industry, finding the route you want to take is easy-you can just draw from the skills and knowledge you've already learned. If you're new to marketing, it's important to research different areas of focus - such as SEO, content writing, social media campaigns, or email marketing - so that you can have a better understanding of what each entails and choose the path most beneficial for you.

When done correctly, there is potential to make lots of money in just about any type of freelance marketing. If you are unsure of where to start, look into the different options available and decide which one would be the best fit as a freelance marketer.

2. Learn the basics

Once you know where you want to go with digital marketing, invest in free online materials (such as Neil Patel's free courses, Moz's tutorials, or Econsultancy articles) to learn the basics. You can also use paid courses and materials to learn more advanced concepts. Paid information often has additional materials, such as case studies and sample projects. One of the most popular courses is Legendary Marketer's 15 Day Challenge course, which covers the basics of digital marketing and provides a comprehensive introduction to how it works. You can check out this 15 Day Challenge review to get an idea of what it's all about.

3. Get certifications from reputable sources

You might not need to get certified for anything, but having a few certifications can make you seem more professional. Especially when you look for your first clients, certifications show them that you are serious about marketing and that you actually know what you're doing.

Some of the more popular certifications in the industry include Google's AdWords Certification, Microsoft Advertising Certification, HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification, Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification, and Facebook Blueprint Certification. Some of these are free, such as HubSpot's, while others are paid, but all of them will help you learn the ins and outs of digital marketing, as well as give you an edge over other freelancers who don't have certifications.

4. Get your first clients

Once you have the baseline knowledge and certifications, it's time to start marketing yourself and landing your first clients. There are a few ways to do this:

• Your personal network: Reach out to colleagues and people you know that might need your services. If you have already worked in the industry at an agency or for a company, you probably know a few people who need help with digital marketing.
• Freelance websites: There are many freelance websites, such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, where you can create a profile and bid on projects.
• Cold outreach: You can also reach out to companies directly through cold emails. This helps you stand out from other freelance marketers, as most companies don't receive many cold emails.

Once you start getting clients and gaining experience, the rest will take care of itself. You can then use your portfolio to attract higher-paying projects from larger companies.

5. Build your personal brand

If you want to maximize your potential as a freelance marketer, you should build your own personal brand. This includes creating your own website and social media accounts, so that people can find out more about you and the services you offer.

It also helps to create content related to digital marketing and share it on your website and social media profiles. Content creation builds trust with potential clients and shows them that you have expertise in the area. You could also write guest posts, create thought leadership articles for publications, or even start your own podcast. All of these help build up your name in the digital marketing community and get more high-quality clients.

6. Diversify your revenue streams

Once you have your freelance business up and running, you should try to diversify your income streams. This could mean offering multiple services, such as social media management, content marketing, SEO, or email marketing. You can also offer info products (whitepapers, courses, and ebooks) or start a membership site. This will help you create multiple income streams that can help sustain your freelance business in the long run. Some people start other businesses on the side, such as consulting or digital agencies, to add even more income streams.

7. Scale your company

If you decide that you want to, you could hire a team of marketers to help you scale your company. This could mean hiring more freelancers, full-time employees, or turning your freelance business into an agency. This will allow you to take on larger projects and serve more clients. You can also use outsourcing services to save time and money on certain tasks, giving you more time to focus on the next steps.

Endnote

Pursuing a career in freelance marketing can be both rewarding and challenging. It takes time, dedication, and hard work to get your business up and running. But with the right knowledge and tools, you can create a successful business that gives you the freedom to live life on your own terms.