How to Become a Freelance Digital Marketer in 2022

7 Tips for How to Become a Freelance Digital Marketer

Carolina

Everything is going digital these days.

As a result, the search for digital marketers is skyrocketing, making this year the one to begin or grow your career in this creative and strategic field.

You don’t have to sign on with an employer, however. Now is the perfect time and opportunity to become a freelance digital marketer.

As a freelancer, you can determine what services to offer, who to work for, and how many projects to take on at any given time.

And for businesses and professionals in need of marketing services, hiring a freelancer can also be a huge benefit, not only strategically but to the bottom line.

Whether you’re looking to start your own freelance career or are a professional wondering if hiring a freelance digital marketer will be beneficial, we tell you what you need to know.

4. Build a Digital Marketing Blog

Blogging is still one of the more effective marketing methods for your business as a freelancer and can be a major contributor to your positive online presence.

Build a digital marketing blog and publish posts that let potential clients know your capabilities and how you can help to reach their marketing goals.

Content is a powerful tool for expressing your abilities and showing your knowledge and skills.

Make the majority of your blog posts relate to what marketing services you offer clients.

Ironically, it’s not just about impressing others—writing can help clarify your own approach, too. Sometimes fleshing out a topic forces you to organize your thoughts and realize you know more (or less) about a subject than you thought. If you stumble over what to explain, that’s a sign to brush up. Nobody’s born an expert on keyword cannibalization or tracking link trees. You’re also more likely to spot trends if you regularly write about the work you’re doing—it all kind of comes together on the page.

On the flip side, don’t be scared if you’re not a “blogger” at heart. Some of the best freelance marketers get by with explainer videos or snappy LinkedIn posts (that platform’s not dead yet, for whatever it’s worth). The key, really, is about being visible and credible—pick a format you don’t hate and put yourself out there. You probably won’t go viral, but even a couple of genuine testimonials shared on a clunky blog can do more for your pipeline than you’d expect.

If you find yourself staring at a blank page, wondering what on earth to write about, start small. Jot down things you’ve actually tackled recently—a tricky client request, a campaign that totally flopped before you turned it around, or even your two cents on a trending topic. It doesn’t have to be “thought leadership” every time; giving folks a peek behind the curtain can be surprisingly relatable. And honestly, showing your process (including your “oops” moments) does more to build trust than pretending you’ve got it all figured out from day one.

Another thing—don’t underestimate the value of building a little community around your content, even if it’s just a handful of people commenting or sharing. Those early regulars? They often become your most loyal advocates. Stick with it. You’ll learn as you go, and your writing (or video editing, or meme game, whatever your calling) will get sharper the more you show up. Plus, these small wins usually lead to bigger ones down the line, especially when someone who’s been quietly following you finally reaches out for help.

5. Set Your Freelancing Rates

Determining your pricing as a freelancer can be challenging. Start by considering how you wish to structure your pricing. Options include:

By the hour
Per the project type
Per a monthly fee
Fixed price projects
Retainer projects
Any combination of those above

Will you offer discounts for clients who require a lot of services or are returning customers?

Are you a beginner or have several years’ experience already? If you are new, be open to working for a lower rate to gain experience, customer testimonials, and samples for your portfolio.

Stay flexible, however, so you can better fit your different customer needs.

The key is not to undersell yourself or overprice yourself out of contention with clients.

Stay up-to-date on fees of freelancers and that of employed digital marketers, and always know your own worth and abilities.

6. Compile Customer Reviews and Create a Portfolio

Back up your personal branding and showcase your experience by compiling customer reviews and creating a portfolio.

Always ask for reviews from clients, and use this social proof to further market your digital marketing services.

On your website, add the customer reviews or testimonials in strategic locations or on a separate page. Include customer names, websites, and positive quotes.

Website visitors considering you for work will check these out to gain a sense of how you work with others and how you and your work are perceived.

Also, create a portfolio of your completed work to showcase to potential clients. Dedicate a webpage specifically for your portfolio, making it easy to find and review.

7. Efficiently Organize your Schedule

To begin with, you may be able to fit all your work in neatly each week. As you grow, however, you’ll have more deadlines and tasks to perform.

You’ll need to determine the best way to organize your time efficiently.

Set up a time to answer emails, send out invoices, and meet with clients via Zoom or in person. Find a way to delegate your time for each client that works best for you.

Consider using a project management software to keep you on track for deliverables, deadlines, and communications.

Automate as many administrative-related tasks as possible, such as creating templates for proposals and invoices, which will allow you to spend most of your time on income-generating tasks.

Set aside time to work on your own marketing efforts as well, such as writing and posting to your blog. Also, continue learning by scheduling time for training and reading industry publications or blogs.

As a freelancer, you can quickly become overwhelmed and find yourself trying to work 24/7. To stay fresh, you need to allow yourself some free time to close your laptop and relax.

How Much Do Freelance Digital Marketers Earn?

Many factors can contribute to how much freelance digital marketers earn, including:

Experience level
Skillset
Value of your marketing services to clients
Type of clients you attract
Number of clients

Certain services may tend to trend higher in pay than others, with one example being email marketing.

Specific industries are also known to pay higher rates due to the expert knowledge needed. Such examples include technology, finance, and medicine.

Currently, full-time freelance digital marketers can make anywhere within a range of $45,000 to over $80,000.

The hourly rate for freelancers can be between $50 and $200, depending on specialty and experience.

Often, you’ll need to enter negotiations with a client, so it is essential to have a baseline that you will accept. While you need to remain flexible, you also need to earn a living, so stay confident.

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Wrap Up

The need for digital marketers continues to rise.

Businesses that are overwhelmed and need help with their digital marketing efforts can benefit from adding freelancers to their team, whether on a project-by-project basis or over the long-term.

By focusing on finding your niche, building up your skillset, creating a personal brand, blogging, setting flexible rates, utilizing social proof, and efficiently scheduling your time, you can make the most of a growing career.