4-Step Guide to Identifying Services You Can Offer as a New Freelancer
Thinking about freelancing but not sure what services you can offer? Whether you feel like you have no experience or just too many ideas, this guide is here to help you figure it all out. Let's dive in with a simple four-step process called the PUP formula. Ready? Let's get started!
Step 1: Mindset Shift
First things first, let's get our mindset in the right place. It's easy to think about all the things you can't do, but that's not helpful. Instead, ask yourself, "What can I do?" or "What can I learn to do?" Your brain is a powerful problem solver, and if you give it the right questions, you'll get the right answers. Remember, there was a time when you didn’t know how to do so many things that you now do with ease. Believe in your ability to learn and grow!
Step 2: List What You Can Offer
Grab a piece of paper or open a digital note and start a brain dump of everything you can do or are interested in learning to do. No editing, no filtering, just let it all out. Here are some categories to help you brainstorm:
Work Experience: What jobs have you done before? (e.g., teaching, tutoring)
Things People Ask You For Help With: What do friends and family ask you to help them with? (e.g., organizing, planning)
Things You Learned in School: What subjects or skills did you study? (e.g., finance, marketing)
Skills Learned from Mentors: What have you learned from others? (e.g., leadership, languages)
Self-Taught Skills: What have you learned on your own? (e.g., Photoshop, public speaking)
Soft Skills: What are you naturally good at? (e.g., empathy, teamwork)
Hobbies: What do you love doing for fun? (e.g., blogging, photography)
Write down at least 20 things. If you get stuck, ask friends or family for ideas. You have more skills than you think!
Step 3: Apply the PUP Formula
Now that you have a mega list of potential services, it’s time to narrow it down using the PUP Formula: Passion, Unique, and Profitable.
Passion: How passionate are you about offering this service? Does it sound fun and engaging to you? Your interest level is crucial because you'll be more motivated and likely to stick with it long-term if you love what you're doing.
Unique: How unique is this skill to you? Is this service something that sets you apart from others? Consider your education, experience, or any special flair you bring to the table. The more distinctive the skill, the less competition you’ll face.
Profitable: How profitable is this service? Is there a demand for it, and will it generate income? Research if clients are willing to pay for this service and how much they are likely to pay.
Rate each service on a scale of 1 to 5 for Passion, Unique, and Profitable. Then, add the scores for P and U, and multiply by P. For example, if teaching English scores 4 for Passion, 3 for Unique, and 3 for Profitable, the score is (4+3)×3 = 21.
By applying the PUP formula, you'll be able to identify which services are worth pursuing based on your passion, how unique the service is, and its profitability.
Step 4: Begin!
Take the top-scoring services from your PUP formula and learn how to monetize them by downloading your free 4-step guide, Lightening Launch, to learn how to launch a freelancing business in just 30 days. Grab your copy here.
Advanced Tip: Combine Skills
Think about ways to combine your top skills into unique service offerings. For example, if you love organizing and are good at planning travel, maybe you could offer a travel planning service. Combining skills can make your offerings more unique and valuable.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A simple, actionable process to identify what services you can offer as a freelancer. Remember, the journey of freelancing is a marathon, not a sprint. Take it one step at a time, and you'll figure it out as you go. Now, get out there and start your freelancing journey!
