You’ve just created an account. The screen in front of you shows a big, blank space where your profile is supposed to be. Your cursor blinks and waits.
You don’t know what to write. But you know you can do the work. You’ve assisted friends, constructed things, studied diligently.
But when it comes time to explain yourself to unfamiliar people who may hire you, your mind has gone blank. Welcome to the moment every freelancer in Romania has to deal with.. It’s not about your skill, but what you say when you attempt to market yourself.
Sweat trickles down your face. It can feel a bit too daunting to build a freelancer profile compared to the CV ready template offered during job applications.
In these situations, consider what makes up your story. The narrative that represents you when you are miles away and offline. This is a story that convinces strangers with no context to your identity.
That is the challenge, and that is the reason this article was written. This article does not aim to provide you with tricks, but real steps to build something that stays honest to your skill, strong, and will attract the work you deserve.
Key Takeaways
- A profile is judged on the basis of the connection it can offer as compared to perfection.
- Your profile needs to be personalized to evoke a sense of approachability highlighting empathy instead of mastery on topics.
- Bringing a smile and showcasing basic project yeilds credibility.
- Begin with modest prices and heighten them as your business expands.
- Hitting the publish button marks the start of something new.
Why Clients Choose Words Before They Choose You
It’s acceptable to say, people make judgments. Specifically on the internet. So before the client attends to your proposal or checks your portfolio, they quickly go over your profile with a single glance. Decisions are made in seconds. If it’s absent, sparse, or vague, they will skip away. If it’s warm, inviting, and interesting, they will look further into it. And this snapshot is your opportunity.
Clear the air, it’s not about fabricating lies, or juicing and cooking everything Everything to make it engaging. It’s about bringing forth what you have, and organizing it in a way to build trust. If you are new to the scene, it’s perfectly acceptable. There are full-time unskilled workers looking to be put in to work every single day – that’s what isn’t hired, is a blank stare, contracted description, or cold, generic technical writings. When talking becomes easy, connection happens. And when it does, captivating and surprising. Not being famous, but sounding simple.
The Profile Starts Before You Ever Type A Word
The real work begins before writing anything. Before working on a profile, they first need to define their value proposition. What skills do people ask them for help with? What activities do they enjoy doing frequently without getting bored? What could be posited as asking for help from the perspective of a branding consultant. These questions come deeply concerning and self-reflective.
Thinking clearly means having a set offer. Not writing skimming files in the way you have trained yourself to do in school, where “standing out” meant getting attention. Everything becomes far easier, and a profile is much easier to create when there is self-offer clarity. Writing is do put on paper their thoughts.
What You Say In Your First Line Tells The Whole Story
Consider how individuals socialize in real life. It starts with a handshake, a smile, and a friendly greeting like, “Hi, I’m here and this is what I do.” The same energy can be applied to your freelancer profile. Avoid starting with access to your university or revealing your degree. Also do not start with “I am passionate about…” followed by ten jargon words lifted off another profile. Address the reader as if you are explaining things to a potential partner.
Your starting statement should capture the interest of the reader from the very first sentence. Offer something that shows comprehension of the type of issue they are facing while expressing a willingness to offer assistance. Such qualities do not need a diploma, only awareness and forceful language. Don’t appeal to a checklist—approach the audience on a human level. That is how you gain trust.
Writing About Your Skills Without Sounding Like A Brochure
This is where people often tend to start using jargon or phrases that they wouldn’t normally use in day to day conversations. Synergy. Optimization. Dynamic communicator. Although these words might sound impressive, they definitely are lacking warmth. Instead, try telling what you do the same way you would explain it to a family member or a neighbor.
If you write blogs, tell them you assist people in telling their stories on the Internet. If you edit videos, explain to them that you turn raw footage into something people actually want to watch and enjoy. If you translate, say that you help move ideas across different languages with ease.
Don’t attempt to appear sophisticated. Attempt to appear clear. Trust is not built with big words. It is built with clear words. And remember, you’re not here to impress; you’re here to step up, show how you do things including what you’ve done. If you’re still learning, say that, but explain what you’re doing to make things better. Progress is always respected, and all that needs to be known is whether or not you’re pretending.
Showing Your Face Makes You Real
Forget about getting neckline professional grade photos done. A fancy studio or a business suit is not necessary. All that matters is that you have a photo of yourself that captures you feeling your best. A clean frame with proper lighting and a hint of a smile will get the job done. Eyes on the lens. Done. Why is it so important? Because individuals place more trust in faces as compared to usernames. When a client receives a photograph, they recall that they are employing an actual human, not a pseudonym. Which is more important than you can fathom.
If you don’t have a likeness that you appreciate, capture one today. Get a window in the background while you’re at it. Get a phone and someone willing to snap one picture, preferably from the side. Remember, in essence, you are attempting to win a modeling contest. Displaying is what freelancing entails.
Your Past Projects Don’t Need To Be Perfect — Just Honest
This section terrifies almost every novice. “But I don’t have experience.” In fact, you do. You just didn’t recognize it as such. Did you ever write an article for your school? Create a logo for your cousin’s business? Did you help someone write a CV? Did you record a podcast? These activities can be classified as projects. There is no need for you to have a contract or paycheck to showcase your skill. What you need is proof of work. That’s what clients wish to see.
Select two or three of them. Make them presentable. Put in a little description. That’s your portfolio. It doesn’t have to be huge. It needs to be authentic. But as long as it presents the type of work you want to be compensated for, it fulfills the objective. And if for some reason you have nothing at the moment, then create something this weekend. A single blog post. A single design. A single voiceover sample. You are free to establish your own baseline.
Price Yourself With Courage And Context
Now, what in the world freezes you? What is your price? Answer: To command enough respect, but not so much that you frighten off the first few clients. In Romania, you can begin with rates that approximately correlate with the worth of your time and the effort you will put in. But keep in mind, your price does not dictate your value, only your starting point.
If you price yourself too low, you attract the wrong set of clients. If you set a higher price without any experience, you risk being ignored. So, find a middle ground. Between something and anything that feels fair. After gathering a few reviews, slowly, confidently, raise it. Your price should increase as your proof increases. That’s not ego, that’s progress.
One Last Read Before You Hit Publish
Before you hit “save,” do this: check your profile in the manner of speech where you can hear yourself. If it aligns with your speech, then great. If it reads like company jargon, return to the previous step. Alter the phrases until it resembles speech, not an application form. Your grammar should be assessed, yes. But more importantly, your demeanor. Is your approach friendly? Are you perceptive? Are you self-assured but not boastful? If yes, you are all set.
The moment you hit publish on your profile may feel trivial, but it isn’t. In fact, it’s you declaring, “I exist. Here is what I can do. My services are at your disposal. I am ready to commence.” This isn’t just a mechanical action. It signifies a transformation about you. From an aspirant to a seasoned professional From a voyeur to a participant. That moment is something to cherish.
My Opinion
You composed something that was meant to psoke your voice. Don’t stress over it being perfect. Strive for it to be authentic. You’ve done the hard part. You don’t need to go through a plethora of tutorials or muster more self-assurance. You’ve taken the first step by arriving. You’ve submitted your identity — your name, your work, your face, voice, everything — and effortlessly sent it off into the world. That is courageous, and more than enough.
And, when that first client responds, when that first euro drops into your account, and when a complete stranger appreciates your work, you will remember this page; this blank box you filled, this space you staked a claim to, this story you told—everything began with this story.
