Four Steps To Starting Out As A Freelance Paralegal

If working as a paralegal is the perfect job for you but you want to be your own boss, then the great news is that you can have a successful career as a freelance paralegal. Offering freelance paralegal services can be an inexpensive and effective venture, if you know what you are doing and use the right strategies for building your client base. We’ve put together some of the essential steps to take when getting started as a freelance paralegal.

#1. Set Up A Website:

First and foremost, it’s important to have an online presence when offering freelance services of any kind today. If you want to make money as a self-employed paralegal, then it’s important to bear in mind that the majority of your clients are likely to find you online. The first step to building your online presence is setting up a professional website which details your services, experience, and qualifications to allow prospective clients to get to know you a little better. You might even want to consider starting a blog as part of your site, where you can post regularly to offer legal advice and tips. This will not only provide more content for SEO purposes, it’s also one of the best ways to establish yourself as an online authority.

#2. Create A Portfolio:

If you’re currently studying for an online paralegal program or have little experience in this field so far, this part of setting up as a freelancer may prove a little tricky for you. As a freelancer, it’s vital to understand the importance of past work to prospective clients, since they will want to know exactly what you’ve done in the past and take a look at what you’ve delivered to determine whether you’ll be a good fit for them. You might want to consider offering your services at cut prices for the simple purpose of creating a legal portfolio and client testimonials that you can then use to attract more work.

#3. Get On Social Media:

Social media isn’t just for keeping up with your friends, reuniting with people you haven’t seen for a while, and browsing memes and videos. In fact, with more and more businesses now on social media, it’s essential for freelancers in every industry to have an active social account. By getting set up your business on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn you can share your blog posts, allow clients to leave reviews, and expand your online presence to gain exposure to further individuals and companies that may be interested in the services that you provide.

#4. Look For Jobs:

Bear in mind that even if you have a top grade for your online master in paralegal studies, clients aren’t always going to just land at your feet. Although you may be lucky enough to have a few clients that look online and like what they find, for the most part, you’ll need to be proactive in looking for freelance contracts. Search job sites, dedicated freelancer job boards and even sites such as Craigslist for ads placed by people looking for legal services.

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