Embarking on a freelance journey in Maryland can be a fulfilling and flexible career choice, offering the freedom to work on your own terms and create your own opportunities. However, successfully launching a freelance business involves more than just honing your skills and finding clients; it also requires understanding and adhering to various legal and practical requirements specific to the state.

In this simple guide, we will walk you through the essential steps to establish a thriving freelance business in Maryland, covering everything from registration and taxes to marketing and networking. By following this roadmap, you will be well-equipped to navigate the freelance landscape and build a sustainable business in the MD.

Determine your niche

Every market has different niches, and choosing a lucrative one is critical if you want to earn a living.

Because of their geographical location and reduced living costs, people are prepared to charge less than you. If you just promote on the same sites as they do (for example, Fiverr – Upwork), you’ll either work for peanuts or give up.

However, there are several niches in the literary industry (Ghost-writing, white-papers, blog-posts, long-form content, etc.) And the most lucrative ones hire the greatest writers rather than the cheapest.

Select three lucrative niches within your market. The key is to identify the sweet spot (niches that pay well and fascinate you); that way, you’ll earn what you need while having fun and avoiding price competition.

Decide on the sort of job you want to focus on, whether it’s tiny ad-hoc contracts, short-term initiatives, or long-term commitments. Building corporate websites, for example, may be a longer-term effort than aiding with a one-time marketing campaign. Making this decision early on will help you to arrange your time and stay focused, allowing you to prepare for a regular flow of projects (and ultimately income).

Read more: 7 Tips for Accelerating Business Growth

Register a freelancing business in Maryland

You will have to register your freelance business in Maryland in order to work as an agency which hires freelancers and get work done by them. You have three options, and which one you select depends on your goal.

SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP: Easy and inexpensive to start, low accounting costs, but you are financially responsible for the business)

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: More difficult and expensive to set up, higher accounting expenses, but you are not personally accountable for the company.

CORPORATION: Generally not chosen by freelancers due to the complexity, high costs, and unnecessary benefits.

If you intend to continue working as an independent freelance writer, registering as a sole proprietor is the least expensive and most straightforward alternative. However, many freelancers prefer a limited company since it allows them to avoid being personally accountable without the hassles of a corporation. You can lawfully carry out freelance business with other entities once you get registered.

Set up an office in Maryland & hire a team

Find an affordable location in Maryland for your office. You will be able to manage and monitor your staff from this office. If you want to recruit remote workers, you may set up an in-home office and manage them remotely.

Set prices of services

Pricing is usually challenging for new freelancers to figure out. If you price too much, you will not attract clients; if you charge too little, you will not earn your worth.

Fortunately, your specialization frequently dictates your price plan. You may look at your rivals’ prices to get an idea of where you stand.

Once you determine the perfect price plan, examine your market pricing average on websites such as PayScale, Glassdoor, Clippings, and Payoneer.

Clients can be charged in three ways:
1. Hourly rate: Charge for each hour worked.
2. Fixed amount: Charge a set fee regardless of how many hours you labor.
3. Project quotes: These vary each project and allow you to benefit from the hours you labor.

Pricing isn’t an exact science at first, and it takes time to determine a fee that reflects your skills and value.

Build a portfolio website

Build a well-structured website that is easy to use and has samples of your work which demonstrates to clients that you are trustworthy and competent. Choose a website design that matches your style. All you need is a simple website that exhibits your skills, portfolio, pricing list, and contact information.

Write blogs about it

Creating a blog with eye-catching, industry-related material is an excellent method to attract visitors to your website and convert them into paying customers.

Remember to keep it up to date because it strengthens your reputation and demonstrates that you are active in your specialty and an expert in your industry. Focusing on Maryland specific issues can attract local audiences to your website.

Create an online presence

You need an internet presence whether you operate a physical store, an in-home office, or do e-commerce purchasing. If you’re a new business, most people will Google you to check if you’re legitimate or a fraud.

Your internet presence does not have to be complex. It is sufficient to have a LinkedIn profile, a company Facebook page with testimonials, or a website.

If you do decide to develop a website, keep in mind that it might be costly. You will need to purchase a domain name, host it on a server, and design the website. Begin with a simple social media presence for your internet business, then progress to a website when you’re ready to use it.

Make a Google business profile

Social media and websites are also excellent options, especially if you want to promote a podcast or host videos. However, registering with directories such as Google My Business is a great place to start.

Google My Business and other similar directories allow you to create a free business profile. This tool gives you complete control over your company’s presence in Google Search and Maps. You provide information that you want potential consumers to see, such as your website, hours, and contact information.

It also allows you to communicate with consumers and share information, as well as take orders online and run your business in various ways.

Go to google.com/business to sign up for a free Google My Business account. Click “Manage Now,” then follow the instructions to set up your account.

After you’ve created your account, you’ll be sent to the next phase, where you may link and build your company profile.

Read more: Streamlining Productivity with the Right Tools

Look for clients

You’ve established yourself as a freelance company in Maryland. Now it’s time to start networking and finding clients for your freelancing agency.

Depending on the sort of business you perform and your present network of individuals in Maryland, you may already have a group to start with. Share your online profiles with your friends and family in Maryland and encourage others to do the same. This will gradually establish a large enough following to attract new clients. However, it is only a temporary remedy.

As you gain experience and confidence, you may go on to marketplaces and content marketing groups. These are locations where like-minded people may join to form a network and assist one other advertise their company.

For example, a freelance writer in need of a website might seek assistance on how to locate a decent web designer. If you want to expand your customer base, you may offer to undertake a few freelancing work at a discounted fee in return for paid recommendations.