Taking care of freelancers, above and beyond paying them for the work they do, is crucial to making the partnership both meaningful and productive. In the past few years, businesses are gradually turning to freelance workers to fill talent shortages and build more versatile teams. And while it can be a perfect solution to reach out to freelancers to fill these gaps in your workforce, here’s our take on the importance of taking care of freelancers beyond the paycheck, and how to do it well.

Why Taking Care of Freelancers Is Important

The practical Perspective:

• When freelancers feel valued and cared for, there is a higher chance that they’ll keep working with you. This way, you will save time and cost on the hiring and training process.
• Your freelancers are already familiar with what your business is about including your mission and vision, your brand, and more, making the turnaround time faster than before.
• Freelancers will usually go the extra mile when they have developed an overall healthy client relationship.

The Catholic Perspective:

• Every single person matters. From God’s perspective, there is no better worker. Maybe some people are more efficient than others, however every person deserves a good place to work and a fair wage.
• Maybe your business doesn’t have the funds to take on an additional full-time employee, and that’s why you’ve turned to a freelancer for a short-term project. If that’s the case, consider that you are doing your small part to help this individual, and perhaps their family, make a decent living.
• The Catholic Church has always supported the dignity of work. Work is a concrete way for all of God’s children to sanctify their lives. Providing a safe and fulfilling workplace, even for just a few projects, can be your way to help freelancers find holiness and fulfillment in their lives.

9 Ways to Take Care of Freelancers

#1. Foster a Positive Freelancer Relationship

Just because they are freelancers, doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate the care you can offer. Although it may be different from a usual employer-employee relationship, fostering a relationship with your freelancers matters.

Instead of looking at them simply as a company add-on, treat them as part of your team. The feeling of being able to talk freely and comfortably to you as a client creates a positive atmosphere. And knowing what matters to them is of great importance if you want to have a positive relationship.

#2. Communicate Consistently

While freelancers like to work independently, communicating with them regularly and consistently matters. These conversations build trust which is essential for quality production. This is because when trust is established, freelancers become confident to share new ideas and discuss them further with the team. Taking care of freelancers in this way fosters greater creativity and higher-quality content.

#3. Show Appreciation

A short message expressing your appreciation for a job well done, or simply for being part of a team, uplifts the spirit of your freelancer to continue working with you.

One of the primary reasons why freelancers ventured into the online world is the hope of avoiding an unhealthy working environment and starting a stress-free lifestyle. So be sure to show some appreciation from time to time.

#4. Provide Feedback

Sadly, for some freelancers, feedback only comes when they’ve done something wrong. Giving honest feedback to your freelancers is probably one of the best ways you can help them build their careers. Freelancers appreciate it if you can spot possible improvement, and if you take the time to share with them in a way that is purely giving.

Feedback can be an essential part of helping freelancers build out a resume, which can serve as an ongoing marketing tool for attracting potential clients.

#5. Set Your Expectations Right

Most freelancers, if not all, are niche-driven and would want to focus on their respective specializations. This doesn’t mean they can’t do other things you would want them to do, but setting your expectations too high may disappoint both parties.

Freelancers only expect to deliver the service you hired them for, and going overboard as a client can lead to trouble.

#6. Step In, if necessary

Although most freelancers are well-trained in their respective specializations, there will be a time when freelancers don’t make significant progress.

Freelancers can sometimes have a hard time taking on a task and would greatly appreciate it if clients would step in to give insights. 

#7. Never Micromanage

Freelancers ventured into the online world with the hope of being their own boss—no control-freak management, no more nags, memos, and salary deductions because of heavy traffic. That means micromanagement is out of the picture.

Freelancers won’t want to be controlled in every part of their job, although occasional consultation is a positive.

Give motivation and input, but don’t micromanage their actions. There must be a sense of trust that the freelancers are doing their job and at their best.

#8. Pay Freelancers Fairly

Hiring a freelancer is probably your best choice regardless of if you are a start-up business or not.

It might be more inexpensive to hire a freelancer than to add a full-time employee to your company, but don’t think of it as a way of offering lowball rates to them.

Freelancers are experts in their fields and deserve to be reasonably paid. This is an essential part of taking care of freelancers. 

#9. Recognize and Reward Your Freelancers

The short-term goals of freelancers are to complete a project, get paid, and move to the next job. But is that how it is supposed to end? How do you inspire them?

Everybody loves that they are appreciated and thanked. If a project goes well, consider offering the freelancer a small gift or token of your gratitude. This can come in a form of constructive feedback, recommendations, and if possible, a monetary bonus.

Looking at how businesses opt to hire independent talent, there is a great chance that your freelancers will leave you if they don’t receive the care they deserve. These freelancers are a valuable skill set on their own, so knowing why and how you should take care of them is very important.

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post 9 Tips for Taking Care of Your Catholic Freelancers appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

Introduction

Imagine having a powerful digital tool that serves as your resume but goes beyond, reflecting your unique talents, beliefs, and values. If you’re a Catholic freelancer, this guide is designed to assist you in creating precisely that—a portfolio that not only highlights your skills but also resonates with your faith. We’ll break down the process into simple, manageable steps, ensuring that you can grasp and follow each one comfortably.

1. Finding Your Passion

At the heart of your freelancing journey lies your passion. Think about what genuinely excites you—whether it’s writing, drawing, event promotion, or any other creative pursuit. This passion will serve as your cornerstone in the world of freelancing, so choose something that truly ignites your enthusiasm.

2. Getting Better at What You Love

While you may already excel at your chosen passion, there’s always room for improvement. Consider enrolling in online courses or participating in workshops to enhance your skills. The path to excellence is marked by a commitment to continuous learning.

3. Collecting Experience

Even if you’re just beginning, you likely have experiences that relate to your chosen passion. These could include school projects, volunteer work, or personal projects. Gather these experiences as they will prove valuable when constructing your portfolio.

4. Where to Showcase Your Work

Now, let’s decide where to display your portfolio. We recommend creating your own free Catholic Freelancer Portfolio right here on Catholic Professionals.
However, options abound, including creating your own freelance website, utilizing a platform like LinkedIn, or showcasing your work on specialized websites like Behance. Opt for the platform that aligns with your technical comfort and suits your style.

5. Crafting Your Portfolio

Think of your portfolio as a story about yourself. Craft a brief bio that introduces you and highlights your passion. Incorporate examples of your work—whether they are images, articles, or other representations of your skills. Don’t hesitate to ask individuals you’ve collaborated with or assisted to provide testimonials. And, of course, ensure that your contact information is easily accessible.

Here’s a list of a few things that you’ll want to remember to include:

• Introduction: Brief bio and professional photo.
• Work Samples: Showcase your best projects.
• Project Descriptions: Explain project details.
• Client Testimonials: Display client feedback.
• Skills and Expertise: List core competencies.
• Contact Information: Provide clear contact details.
• Services Offered: Outline your services.
• Resume/CV: Offer a downloadable resume.

6. Showcasing Your Best Work

Remember, your portfolio should be a curated collection, not an exhaustive inventory. Choose your finest work to feature, the pieces that make you most proud. Organize your portfolio in a logical manner, ensuring that visitors can readily discern your strengths.

“A curated collection, not an exhaustive inventory.”

7. Meeting Other People

Connecting with like-minded individuals can be a rewarding aspect of freelancing. It’s akin to forming friendships that may lead to exciting opportunities. Explore online avenues such as groups and forums where individuals who share your interests congregate.

8. Sharing Your Work with the World

Don’t forget, it’s important to find clients to fill your Catholic freelancer portfolio.

Once your Catholic freelancer portfolio is ready, it’s time to share it with the world. Utilize social media and other digital platforms to spread the word about your work. Be strategic in your sharing, focusing on content that both captivates and demonstrates your skills and passion.

Luckily, you don’t need to bring a heap of printouts in a manila envelope in our modern world. Put your website on all of your social media, on LinkedIn, and on any gig work sites. You want to leverage a professional-looking portfolio in every way possible. Maybe consider a QR code that goes to your site for the more tech-inclined clients you could have. For those less technologically savvy, business cards are old school, but they work.

9. Working Collaboratively

When you secure a project, it’s essential to approach it with professionalism and dedication. Maintaining good client relationships can be a huge help in your journey to crafting your Catholic freelancer portfolio. Communicate effectively with your clients, efficiently manage your projects, and establish clear expectations. If your projects touch upon the Catholic faith, always exhibit respect and sensitivity.

10. Keep Growing and Learning

Freelancing is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Strive for continuous improvement by learning from your experiences, seeking feedback, and regularly updating your portfolio to showcase your evolving talents.

Conclusion

Creating your Catholic Freelancer Portfolio is akin to narrating a compelling story about yourself and your passions. By following these steps, you can construct a portfolio that not only spotlights your skills but also reflects your faith. Approach this journey with confidence, knowing that your portfolio represents not only your capabilities but also your convictions and your unwavering commitment to excellence. Embrace the world of freelancing with enthusiasm and a determination to make your mark. Happy freelancing!

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post How to Create a FREE Catholic Freelancer Portfolio appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

Express your Appreciation

This is the easiest way to thank a freelance, and is unfortunately the one most companies limit themselves to.

Let’s be real. Most Catholic freelancers are never going to afford mega-mansions because of their freelancing fees. We don’t do it for the money; we do it because we love what we do and the flexibility that freelancing affords us.

So throwing in some gratitude for a job well done every once in a while is very appreciated!

I can’t tell you how lovely it is to receive affirmation from a client in this way. It seems to always come when I’m having a bad day, and it reminds me that the work I’m doing is valuable.

Physical cards or small gifts are certainly nice of course. But even a quick email expressing your satisfaction or an online review singing his or her praises will go a long way. Sometimes, these gestures are the best way to thank a freelancer. They are nice sentiments and can help them grow their business!

Value their Opinion and Expertise

My co-workers and I always have a good laugh when we send a design project for approval and the receiver responds, “I’m not sure about x, y, and z…what do you think?”

Um…what I think is what I sent you originally. I wouldn’t send you something I didn’t think was good!

In all seriousness, I would wager that one of the biggest pet peeves of Catholic freelancers is when our experience or opinion is undermined. We completely recognize that you are the client, and at the end of the day, we’ll do whatever you’d like.

But the best way to show your Catholic freelancer that you value him or her is by simply listening to and respecting his or her expertise. In fact, 70% of full-time freelancers have participated in training for their field within the last six months, whereas only 49% of the regular workforce has. Your freelancer has likely had extensive training in this topic, and while your input is needed and valued, don’t be afraid to trust their judgment as well. You hired them to help you, so let them do their work.

Respond to Emails Promptly

I get it. We’re all busy. Our inboxes are never ending. And when it comes to someone who is paying you versus someone you’re paying … I understand why the freelancer is often the last person to be responded to.

However, freelancers can’t do the work you hired them to do without your input!

Of course, responding to emails in a timely manner is just basic business etiquette. But even more so, taking a long time before responding to email is disrespectful of the freelancer’s time, and your own.

By not responding to your freelancer promptly, you’re actually wasting time and money. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been on the clock rehashing what I need from a client in order to proceed with a project. A month or two later, we go over the parameters again. The project never gets done, and the client keeps paying me to simply go over what I need again.

Additionally, the longer you wait to respond, often the longer it takes for the freelancer to get paid. He or she may decide to look elsewhere for clients who will respond and pay more rapidly. They may give up hope that you will ever respond, leading you to lose out on Catholic talent!

Show your Catholic freelancer you respect him or her by responding within a day or two, and you’ll have one very happy (and efficient!) person working for you.

Pray for Them!

Here’s an easy one that often gets overlooked.

I do my best to remember to pray for my clients and their missions. Praying for your Catholic freelancers, and letting them know that you do, helps them to feel like they are part of the team. And prayers certainly express appreciation as well!

Thank a Freelancer by Asking for Advice

Have you ever asked the guy you were hiring for advice? Maybe this is one way to thank a freelancer you haven’t considered.

Honestly, in my experience, it’s the rare client who comes to me, presents me with a problem, and asks for my advice on how I would fix it. As a Catholic marketer, however, this is where I can really shine and provide the best service.

What normally happens, however, is that I have prospective clients approach me saying they need help with social media or SEO. However, when looking over their offerings, I realize they actually need something quite different than what they’ve requested. They actually need a website upgrade, content development, or something else before social media or SEO will ever be effective.

The next time you hire a Catholic freelancer, go general rather than specific. Hiring someone to design a poster for you when you don’t have a branding guide isn’t going to go well. Starting with social media when you aren’t producing any regular content won’t produce the results you’re hoping for. By letting your freelancer look over some of your assets, you may find a need you didn’t even know existed.

In Summary:

As Catholics, we value people and the work that they do. Appreciation is a huge part of showing each other respect in the workplace. The more we promote truly caring about each other in the workplace, the easier it will be to make the world a better place – one project at at a time.

About the Author:

Emily Ricci is the president of Gloriam Marketing, and works as a marketing content and social media specialist at a Catholic college and previously worked at a church for over 7 years. Her past church titles and responsibilities have included working as a Parish Office secretary, sacristan, Weekend Coordinator (ministry supervisor and event coordinator), youth minister, bulletin writer, coordinator of the baptism program, and Faith Formation teacher and assistant. After years in church work, Emily recognized the need for solid Catholic marketing and promotion, but realized that there were no marketing firms in the area that specialized in faith-based marketing.

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post 4 Catholic Ways to Thank a Freelancer (and 1 You Haven’t Considered) appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

When building client relationships as a Catholic freelancer, as much as your endgame may be to make profits, you have to ask yourself if you’re delivering value to your clients. Freelancing, just like any other commercial venture, requires a level of engagement that focuses on client relationships. When you are communicating with your clients you need to dig deeper and find out some of their specific needs which will aid in creating better working client relationships. These few tips will help you foster healthy client relationships as a freelancing contractor.

1. Define the Scale and Scope of the Project

Before you start working on any project it is important to discuss the finer details of the undertaking which ultimately define the level of engagement. A meeting is recommended at this point so that you can understand what is required of you as a freelancer and also your expectations of your client relationships. Understanding each other’s objectives and standpoints on a project will make it easier to achieve all the expected objectives.

At this foundational stage, you should define the timeframe of the entire project and the expected date of completion. Making this clear will help iron out any issues and keep you and your client on the same page. After defining the terms of engagement you can decide to draw up a contract or agreement that will hold you both accountable.  

This initial stage will focus on the manner and method of engagement, with the main goal being client satisfaction.

2. Communication of Progress

Many clients seeking the services of freelancers are often afraid that their deadlines will not be adhered to. Sometimes freelancers, for one reason or another, become unresponsive or fail to report on the progress of assigned projects. This is very frustrating for the client. As a freelancer, you can alleviate a client’s worries by always keeping them in the loop. A simple email detailing the work you have done and the expected time of completion will give the client confidence that the project is progressing well.

Apart from issuing regular progress reports, it is also important to let your client know when you are available to discuss any issues regarding the ongoing work. Always provide your contact information and the specific hours when you are available. This is crucial especially when you are working with international clients who are in different time zones. Communication tools such as email, video calls, and instant messaging services make it easy to keep in touch, so use them wisely.

If you ever encounter a problem when working on a client’s project, keep them informed and mention all the steps you’re taking to correct the situation. Many issue end up being simple miscommunications and are cleared up with proper communication.

3. Be Cordial and Professional

The nature of client engagement has become less formal over time. Formal business communication has evolved to friendly, less business-like communication. However, as a freelancer, you should always strive to keep all your interactions respectful and professional. You can add some pleasantries in your emails but ensure that you still maintain a respectable professional distance. Getting too personal with your client is likely to setback any gains you’ve made at maintaining a business relationship.

4. Nurture Existing Clients

The gig economy is growing fast and there seems to be an obsession with growing your network. While this is true, it’s also just as important to nurture your ongoing client relationships. Always give your best to your existing clients and they will surely notice your dedication.

In business (and this includes freelancing too) it takes more effort and resources to seek new customers than maintaining your current clientele and keeping them happy. Statistics on customer retention show that approximately 65% of business income comes from repeat customers. This ‘Bird in Hand’ concept is valuable if you are looking to cultivate long term professional client relationships. So, even as you look for new opportunities elsewhere, make sure that your current clients are happy and well cared for.
And maybe it goes without saying, that it’s almost easier to network, by letting your happy clients share about the successes you’ve had together.

5. Add a Personal Touch

I know I mentioned earlier the importance of maintaining a professional demeanor when interacting with clients, but it is sometimes okay to build an interpersonal rapport. For instance, you can wish them a happy birthday or ask how their family is doing. If, for instance, the client hits a major milestone in their life, you can go ahead and congratulate them. Some of these thoughtful gestures help in creating a healthy professional relationship that is not only about work.

You can note down important dates or events in your calendar and reach out to them when it counts. You could also set Google alerts for any relevant info that will help in your future discussions.

Please note that this does not apply to all clients. It is important to follow the lead of the client. Take cues from your interactions to find out if your client is comfortable engaging in friendly banter from time-to-time. 

6. Give Back Whenever Possible

Show gratitude for your client’s loyalty by offering some tokens of appreciation. You could give some discounts to your long-term clients or those who always pay for your services promptly. You could also offer a referral discount if your services are recommended to new clients. By doing this, you are showing your appreciation and at the same time building brand loyalty. Everyone loves a discount, don’t you think?

7. Always Ask

Whenever you’re in doubt, never hesitate to ask questions. Never assume that your clients’ expectations will always align with your viewpoint, especially if you are not clear about a particular issue. Some clients may have some reservations about certain topics so before you use your initiative to complete a task, always ask for direction or consent.

8. Clear Payment Procedures

Make it a point to specify all the payment methods from the start to avoid future disagreements. This should include issues such as up-front payments, payment deadlines, extra fees or surcharges, invoices, and how to deal with late payments. Ensure the invoicing process is consistent as well to ensure that your business processes are as reliable as possible.

Some payment gateways have invoicing features as well as automated payment requests to make funds disbursement easier.

9. Go Above and Beyond

It’s not enough to give minimal effort to your client’s work. Always strive to add value to everything you do. For instance, if you’re a freelance writer you can increase your word count, add infographics, and even search for appropriate images even if the client had not requested this. It will prove your dedication to your work and endear you to the client.  

Try as much as possible to make suggestions that will improve the client’s work and make it stand out from the rest. 

For example, if you’re a web designer, always make it a point to highlight some of the new trends and improvements that would enhance your client’s website. Remember, it doesn’t cost much to over-deliver and the returns are likely to be much greater than you can imagine. 

10. The Bottom-line

As your freelancing career grows, you’ll get better at implementing these strategies and you will execute some better than others. These concepts may take you out of your comfort zone and it’s a good thing because this is the only way to improve your craft and grow your business.

Be mindful of your client’s needs. Always keep this in mind; the more challenging the task, the greater the reward. It doesn’t matter what the business is, people will always matter most. Seek to provide value first and the benefits will always follow.

Submitted by the Editor

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post Client Relationships – 10 Tips for Catholic Freelancers appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

Well I’m guessing you’ve already started your freelance career. You might even have a couple of Catholic freelancing clients who are keeping your business afloat. Freelancing is a fascinating job, but its alluring flexibility and freedom only exists if you manage to grow and maintain your freelancing business.

It’ll be necessary to maintain high quality if you want to build self-brand credibility and attract many Catholic freelancing clients to work with on a regular basis.

Here are some sure-fire methods that you can use to find and keep new Catholic freelancing clients.

Professional Development

If you want to grow your network, often you’ll need to start with yourself. Professional development is crucial as a freelancer, because your clients have many contractors to choose from. If you want to attract new Catholic freelancing clients and keep the ones you already have on board, you should constantly work on your skills. You want to stand out from the crowd. There are two key perspectives to keep in mind:

Self Analysis

Whether you just started out as a freelancer or you’ve been doing this for a while, there should always be time for you to take a step back, analyze what you’ve done so far, and find your strengths and weaknesses.

While reviewing your work, ask yourself: What am I best at? But also, what are the things I need to change to improve my services? Use this information to evaluate your lows and your highs, and make a list of things to improve in the future. You obviously want to provide the very best service you can.

The longer you are in this business, the more hands-on experience you’ll get, however regular self analysis will speed up your progress.

Client Feedback

As you evaluate your own work, it’ll be crucial to ask clients for feedback about what it is that they like about your work and where they think you could improve. Use their positive and negative feedback to focus your services on what you do best, and then pay close attention to mend the areas where they suggest improvement.

In the Catholic world, humility is an attractive thing. When you recognize your own weaknesses, and ask for feedback, your Catholic freelancing clients will appreciate it and surely be willing to offer kind advice.

Service Optimization

When you start doing freelance work, you usually focus on what you already know. After a while there may come a point where you’ll need to discern how to grow in order to optimize your services. There are two directions you could take.

Specialize

Specialists are those who know more and more about less and less. That is, your scope is more focused, and that allows you to be better at what you do, and usually you can also charge more for your services. Expertise comes naturally as you gain experience, however dedicating regular time to update your knowledge with the latest best practices will set you apart. Today there are many resources at your fingertips that can help you to improve regularly. Make sure your bedside stand has a good book or two on your areas of expertise, or find online courses that can keep you up to late on the latest developments in your field.

Grow Your Services

Sometimes the very fact that you are working forces you to learn about related fields. As this happens, you can increase the number of services you offer based on what you’ve learned since you started the career. If you’re a content writer, you can collaborate with book editors or graphic designers to offer a full package to clients. If you’re an e-book writer or editor, you can also work on your SEO skills and establish yourself as an SEO expert. 

Marketing

Word-of-Mouth Referrals

Referrals are a freelancer’s most powerful tool in attracting new Catholic freelancing clients. It doesn’t hurt to ask clients to talk about you, but the most powerful tool for referrals is to actually care about your clients, and to do everything possible to make sure they know that, I would almost say, that they feel it. If they are impressed, it will not be because you did what you promised, but only if you go beyond what you promise. You have to break their expectations if you want them to be surprised and to talk about you to their friends.

Testimonials

Most people don’t have the natural habit of leaving comments or providing feedback, even if they worked with an amazing freelancer. Get in the habit of asking your Catholic freelancing clients to give you a quick testimonial or review and make sure that your new clients can find these easily on your portfolio or website.

Work on Your Marketing Strategy

Once you’ve built a portfolio, you can show people what you can deliver by providing them with actual proof of your capabilities. Figure out where your target clients hang out and get your work out there. Create a LinkedIn profile, pay for ads on Facebook and Instagram, and join websites like Upwork and Freelancer to find work. 

Technology, online marketing, and social media give freelancers many opportunities to widen their reach. As a Catholic freelancer, you can look for clients on many different websites, place ads on social media, and even ask for assistance from marketing professionals.

Make Connections

Connections open doors you didn’t even know existed. Networking should be one of your top priorities if you work as a freelancer.

Set up a profile on Catholic Professionals to let people know what you can offer them. Scour platforms like LinkedIn to find people with similar interests, as well as potential clients that might want to hire you.

Don’t just reach out to people that can become your Catholic freelancing clients. Work on your connections with other freelance writers and professionals. Join groups for freelance writers and Catholic professionals, write on forums, and share your expertise and portfolio with other experts in the field. You never know where an opportunity can come from.

If you leave an impact on people simply in your interactions with them, they are much more likely to remember you and possibly reach back out in the future, or even share your work with a friend.

Final Thoughts

Building your clientele takes time, effort and a long term strategy.

If your heart is in the right place, then you will begin with yourself and strive to become better and better at what you do. You will also genuinely care about your Catholic freelancing clients and will put their success as your top priority.

These two strategies alone will bring you to stand out, and with time, people will notice your heart, and your efforts will be rewarded.

Submitted by the Editor

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post Catholic Freelancing Clients: How to Grow Your Network appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

Now the only thing left to do is, well, find work.

*Crickets chirping*

And you hear yourself ask: “Where can I find a good job as a Catholic freelancer? Did God just give me this calling and then abandon me?”

I won’t lie to you: finding work as a Catholic freelancer can be more difficult than being a secular freelancer. When I first started out, it took me several months to find where all this freelancer work was hiding. But the opportunities are definitely out there. You just need to know where to look!

Build a Catholic freelancer portfolio with your parish

Chances are, the skills you hope to profit from as a Catholic freelancer can be put to use at your parish. Here’s a thought: volunteer your time in exchange for the pastor’s review of your skills and photos and testimonials for your portfolio. You’ll have real life examples to point to, and it’s easy to get involved and be trusted even without prior work experience, simply because it’s your parish. After that, you’ll have your parish to point to as a concrete example of your skills.

Keep in mind, your priests won’t be at your parish forever. If you do a good enough job, they’ll remember you and possibly hire you for real at their next parish. It’s worth it to put in the time now as an investment for the future!

Another alternative could be visiting your local Catholic store or Catholic Charities and offer to volunteer in exchange for building your portfolio.

Join a Facebook group for Catholic freelancers

Trust me. Social media isn’t just for posting pictures of dogs and babies anymore (although please don’t stop doing that, lol). Facebook job groups are a land mine for finding job opportunities as a Catholic freelancer.

For one thing, it’s a great place to grow your skills. All of the professional Facebook groups I am in are focused on a particular area I work in: social media, marketing, writing, etc. The days of keeping secrets from your competitors are over. Freelancers and small business owners have realized that the only way to survive is by helping each other out. You’ll find Facebook groups are a fantastic opportunity for free professional development.

At the same time, many small business owners especially turn to these Facebook groups to find freelancers to help carry their load. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve seen posts that begin with “HELP! Can anyone build a website or edit my book or fill in the blank for me?” This is a great opportunity for you to jump in and offer to help. (Even better, some professional-based Facebook groups will even have specific job threads where you can find open positions.)

But remember an important rule to follow: Don’t just be there to find gigs or self promote your business. Meaningfully contribute to the conversations and offer some pro bono advice here and there. It will increase the goodwill towards you among the members, and they’ll remember your help when it comes time for hiring.

Start a Catholic freelancer blog

But wait, I can hear you say it: “Isn’t having a blog just unpaid work?”

Yes and no. While you can’t pay yourself for your own posts, they can help you establish your professional credibility, thereby helping people to discover your freelancing services and trust you with their needs.

For example, if you are an IT freelancer, write a blog post about the number one mistake people make when creating a new password or setting up a website. If you are a copywriting freelancer, write a post about finding the best subject lines for emails or developing branding language for your company. Spend some time curating great keywords and subheads for SEO purposes and then wait for the internet to find you! In short, make sure you are answering their needs.

At the end of every blog post, make sure you always include a way to contact you for additional help and include references to the services you offer.

Connect with people on LinkedIn, especially other Catholic freelancers

All of them. Everyone you can find.

LinkedIn is an untapped resource for Catholic professionals, in my opinion. Just type in local Catholic organizations like your diocese or Catholic organizations and start connecting away with the professionals who work there. People who you don’t know in person are much more likely to accept your connection requests on LinkedIn than on other, more personal platforms. A great tip is to include a personal note about why you want to connect! Often, the simple fact that you share the same faith will open doors for you.

You’ll not only learn from some of the best people in your industry, but you also open up a way of subtly communicating to these potential clients. Pose questions, comment on their posts, and share your blog posts and professional opinions on your own page to establish your credibility.

Additionally, you could try the Catholic version of LinkedIn, called OSV Inspire. It’s a new up and coming social media hub for Catholic professionals.

Create a profile on CatholicProfessionals.net and search open jobs! 

Obviously, this is our favorite. 🙂 But seriously, connecting with Catholic professionals has never been easier thanks to our platform. Make sure you sign up for a freelancer profile today and start finding work!

About the Author:

Emily Ricci is the president of Gloriam Marketing, and works as a marketing content and social media specialist at a Catholic college and previously worked at a church for over 7 years. Her past church titles and responsibilities have included working as a Parish Office secretary, sacristan, Weekend Coordinator (ministry supervisor and event coordinator), youth minister, bulletin writer, coordinator of the baptism program, and Faith Formation teacher and assistant. After years in church work, Emily recognized the need for solid Catholic marketing and promotion, but realized that there were no marketing firms in the area that specialized in faith-based marketing.

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post How to Find Work as a Catholic Freelancer appeared first on Catholic Professionals.

How can you begin to work as a Catholic freelance writer?

1. Identify Your Areas of Expertise

What specific areas do you know the most about? Have you volunteered or worked in a particular area of Catholic ministry? Do you know about Catholic doctrine, saints, or practices? Are you a single person navigating the Catholic dating world? Do you teach in a Catholic school or homeschool your children? Are you working to create a domestic church with your spouse and children? Do you know a great deal about Catholic social teaching and working for justice? Are you a businessperson who has worked to integrate your faith with corporate life?

Think about what makes you qualified to write about a particular aspect of Catholic life. We each have unique perspectives and experiences. What makes you special? What story can you tell well? This does not mean that you’ll never get to work on a topic outside of this area, but it gives you a place to begin.

2. Write Sample Articles

Your chance of being hired as a Catholic freelance writer without any experience is slim. Editors are going to want to see samples. One of the easiest ways to show others how you write is to start your own blog.  As a freelance writer, you are going to want a website where you can direct clients to find out more about you. A blog can serve that purpose.

Find a topic you care about and write about it. If you are interested in a subject, chances are there are others out there who are interested as well. Stumped for ideas? Read new Catholic books on your topic of interest and review or respond to them. Ask to interview people connected to your topic of interest. Read Catholic publications and websites. Keep a working list of ideas that appeal to you or questions that you would like to explore.

Write the best articles you can, making sure that they are grammatically correct. If grammar is not your strong point, find a friend or relative who is a strong writer to review your articles before you publish them. If a professional editor is in your budget, you can certainly enlist their services. Many people have wonderful ideas to share, but need some help with editing. You want your samples to be as close to perfect as you can get them.

3. Connect with Your Audience and other Catholic Freelance Writers

As is the case with most professions, networking is important. The contacts you make can help open doors and provide opportunities as a Catholic freelance writer. First, set up a profile here on Catholic Professionals to let people know what services you can provide.

Social media can help so much with this. Create a LinkedIn profile where you can highlight your professional qualifications. In addition, use LinkedIn to connect with other Catholic professionals and Catholic freelance writers. You can also share your blog posts or even write articles within that platform.

Other social media accounts you may want to consider are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You may want to just focus on one to start. On Facebook, for example, you can set up a professional page devoted to your writing services where you can share your blog posts. In addition, you can join groups for Catholic freelance writers. These groups are usually very welcoming to beginners and can offer much support and advice. You may also wish to follow Catholic publications and websites you are interested in writing for.

The Catholic Writer’s Guild is a great resource for Catholic writers. Once you join, you will have access to a private Facebook group which often posts job opportunities.

4. Share Your Articles with Others

While in an ideal world, we would always get paid for our writing, the reality is that at least at the beginning of our career, we sometimes need to be willing to share our work for free in order to gain exposure and good will. Reach out to your favorite blogs and/or websites and ask if you can write a guest post. Every publishing credential helps build your portfolio and your experience.

5. Send Query Letters to Editors

Once you have some solid samples of your work to offer, the time has come to reach out to editors to attempt to get some paid work. Research magazines and websites you might like to write for. Get a feel for what type of articles that they publish. Figure out what you can offer them. Be sure to read any writer’s guidelines that they might have available. Find out who the editor is so that you can personalize your query email and send it to the correct person. For more information on writing a query letter, visit WritersDigest.com.

6. Get Comfortable with Rejection

Unfortunately, rejection goes hand in hand with being a Catholic freelance writer. Sometimes, you will simply get no response to your queries. While it is perfectly acceptable to follow up after a month or so, in most cases, silence means no. Other times you will get a form rejection letter.  On other occasions, you will get an actual email that states that while your current piece wasn’t a good fit, they’d like to consider other pitches from you in the future. While rejection always hurts, these types of rejections are “positive” rejections. One way to ease the pain of rejection is to have many queries out at once. If one doesn’t work out, the chances are another one will. Always keep querying and networking. In time, doors will open for you.

7. Do Your Best Work

You’ve received an acceptance letter and now you have an article to work on. Take a moment to celebrate and then get to work. Follow the publication’s guidelines. Use the correct word count, spacing, and font size. Meet your deadlines. Even better, beat them. Make sure your article is free from spelling and grammatical errors. If you make an editor’s life easy, he or she will be more likely to work with you in the future.

Congratulations! You achieved your goal of becoming a Catholic freelance writer. It is the beginning of a wonderful career!  

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is a lifelong Roman Catholic, homeschooling mom, and freelance writer on topics of women’s spirituality. She is a senior editor at Catholic Lane and the author of Letters to Mary from a Young Mother. She holds a bachelor of arts in history and fine art and a master of arts in applied theology. MacArthur lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and two children.

Search here for Catholic job postings, or Catholic Professionals you can hire.

The post Catholic Freelance Writer – 7 Tips to Start Your Career appeared first on Catholic Professionals.