Earning More: How to Become a Freelance Digital Marketer
- Remote Working & Freelancing
- Marketing
Digital marketing stands out as a vibrant and rewarding field, offering a plethora of opportunities for skilled professionals to thrive. But what exactly do freelance digital marketers earn, and how can aspiring freelancers break into this dynamic industry? In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of freelance digital marketing salaries, explore strategies for getting started, and provide essential tips for success along the way.
What can you charge as a freelance digital marketer?
Freelance digital marketing salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, expertise, specialization, and geographic location. While entry-level freelancers may start at around $25 to $50 per hour, seasoned professionals with specialized skills and a proven track record of success can command rates upwards of $100 to $200 per hour or more. Additionally, some freelancers may opt to charge project-based fees, with rates ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.
Some freelance digital marketers make anywhere from $2,800 per year to nearly $100,000 per year. With the hourly rate at anywhere from $25 - $50 per hour it has the potential to generate $4,000 a month in additional income. That being said, the great thing about being a freelancer in digital marketing is you get to set your own hours. So you could be making that $4,000 per month by charging $25/hour and working 40 hours a week - or you could be working 10-15 hours per week and charging $100/hour.
The biggest factors that affect freelance digital marketers rates is their experience, portfolio, and skillset. When you have a freelancer that has a ton of experience in digital marketing and understands the in's and out's of Facebook ads, Google ads, content writing, SEO, email marketing, PPC, content creation, and influencer marketing, you get a truly well-rounded and experienced designer that is able to charge more for their service offerings.
The online marketing landscape is ever changing, and it's important to not only understand what type of marketing services you can specialize in and offer to your clients as a freelance digital marketer, but also how to grow and develop your skills to go from freelancer to digital marketing business owner.
Freelance Rates: How to Price Your Freelance Services 💵
What responsibilities does a freelance digital marketer specialize in?
Growth marketing
More popular in the world of marketing and involves a freelance digital marketer building marketing strategies focused on growth - social media channel experiments, A/B testing on ads, and more.
SEO
Ensuring that all facets of a company's SEO are aligned with the keywords associated with its industry. This will also include SEO audits, strategy, and figuring out which SEO keywords the business should be creating content for.
Content marketing
Focuses on creating and developing content strategy, auditing what a business is already producing for content and how new ideas can be implemented.
Social media marketing
Focuses on the social media strategy for the business, how they are producing content for social media and what content they are producing. Often includes responding to comments and messaging on behalf of the company. Social media marketing can also include monitoring accounts for mentions while tracking analytics.
PPC
Ad campaigns are a huge part of a company's marketing strategy, and these consultants will create, manage, and report on ad campaigns for platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, Google and Youtube. Freelance marketers will typically do keyword research and track how well the paid ads are doing.
Conversion rate optimization
A freelance digital marketer will look at a company's conversion rates and try to optimize them by making improvements to UX (user experience), funnel optimization, landing pages and call-to-actions.
Brand marketing
A freelance digital marketer will manage the company's overall brand identity and ensuring brand awareness. They do this by PR and monitoring the brand through sponsorships, events, and overall research.
Email marketing
Email marketing will involve the management of email lists, planning, implementing, and reporting on the success of email campaigns. Freelance email marketers might also leverage third-party tools to help with automation and A/B testing of various campaigns.
Marketing analytics and marketing services
Taking a look at overall marketing analytics and strategies as a whole by measuring performance, customer segmentation, testing of campaigns and social media, and ultimately reporting on the data collected.
Affiliate or influencer marketing
This is a newer concept being leveraged by businesses, and a digital marketing freelancer will help by developing relationships with affiliates and influencers who will help promote a client's brand to their audiences. They will manage and report content campaigns and figure out new trends to leverage.
How to improve your skills and earn more as a freelance digital marketer
Define your niche and specialize
One of the keys to success as a freelance digital marketer is to define your niche and specialize in a specific area of digital marketing. Whether it's SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, or paid advertising with Facebook ads and Google ads, or influencer marketing, identifying your niche allows you to focus your efforts, differentiate yourself from the competition, and position yourself as an expert in your chosen field.
As a freelance marketer, specializing in a niche also enables you to command higher rates for your services, as clients are often willing to pay a premium for specialized expertise.
Build your skills and expertise
In addition to defining your niche, continuously building your skills and expertise is essential for success as a freelance digital marketer. Stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and technologies in the industry through online courses, workshops, and certifications. Invest time in mastering digital marketing and paid advertising platforms such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and email marketing tools, especially third-party email marketing tools that help with automation SEO.
Hone your skills in areas such as content creation, influencer marketing, copywriting and content writing, and data analytics. The more knowledgeable and skilled you are as a digital marketer, the more value you can offer to your clients, and the higher your earning potential becomes.
Create a professional online presence
As a freelance digital marketer, your online presence is your calling card. Build out your portfolio on Contra and consider creating a professional website that showcases your skills, experience, and portfolio of work (you can link the two). You can even utilizing your own content marketing strategy with your online presence as a path to your digital marketing career.
You can use the insights and growth you've created for your own account, to showcase your skills. Optimize your website for SEO to increase your visibility and attract potential clients. Utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn to network with other professionals in the industry, share your expertise, and connect with potential clients. A strong online presence not only helps you attract clients but also positions you as a credible and trustworthy authority in your field, enabling you to command higher rates for your services.
Develop a solid marketing strategy
Just as you help businesses develop marketing strategies to achieve their goals, you should also develop a solid marketing strategy for your freelance digital marketing business. Identify your target audience, define your unique selling proposition, and outline your marketing goals and objectives.
Utilize a mix of inbound and outbound marketing tactics, such as content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and networking, to attract clients and generate leads. Invest time and resources in marketing your services effectively to reach your target audience and stand out in a crowded marketplace and position yourself as an expert marketing consultant.
Leverage freelance platforms and networking opportunities
Freelance platforms such as Contra, offer valuable opportunities for freelance digital marketers to find clients, showcase their skills, and land lucrative projects. Create a compelling profile that highlights your expertise, experience, and portfolio of work, and actively apply for projects to expand your client base.
Additionally, network with other freelancers, industry professionals, and potential clients through online forums, networking events, and social media groups. Building relationships and connections within the industry can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and referrals, ultimately helping you boost your earnings as a freelance digital marketer.
Provide exceptional value and customer service
In the competitive world of freelance digital marketing, providing exceptional value and customer service is essential for building long-term relationships with clients and securing repeat business. Cater your marketing services to the client and offer specialized digital marketing insights that set you apart. Take the time to understand your clients' needs, goals, and objectives, and develop customized strategies to help them achieve success.
Communicate transparently and regularly with your clients, keeping them informed of the progress of their projects and addressing any concerns or questions they may have promptly. By consistently delivering high-quality work and exceeding your clients' expectations, you can establish yourself as a trusted and reliable digital marketing partner, enabling you to command premium rates for your services.
To recap
Becoming a successful freelance digital marketer and boosting your earnings requires a combination of specialized expertise, strategic thinking, and effective marketing tactics. By defining your niche and offering specialized marketing services, building your skills and expertise in, creating a professional online presence, developing a solid digital marketing strategy, leveraging freelance platforms like Contra, networking, and providing exceptional value and customer service, you can position yourself for success in the competitive world of freelance digital marketing.
Follow these strategies, stay persistent, and continue to invest in your growth and development as a digital marketer, and you'll be well on your way to achieving your goals and earning more in your freelance digital marketing career.
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