Congratulations, you’ve decided to go all in as a freelancer but how do you stand out from a million freelancers out there bidding for jobs by the second? How do you get prospects who have never worked with you to trust you? It’s pretty straight forward actually – you just have to look the “part” and the easiest way to do so is with an outstanding profile!

A good profile doesn’t just help the job board  match you with projects relevant to your skillset, it also gives your prospects information about you and helps them make an informed decision about whether or not to hire you.

Putting together the perfect profile can be overwhelming, so we’ve created this easy guide to help you out. Here’s how to create an outstanding freelancer profile.

Ingredients for a winning freelancer profile

• Your real name

Your freelancing job board is not a social media platform.  Nobody will take you seriously with a nickname like ”freshboy27”. That is why it is important to use your real name – using your real name will also help build a prospective client’s trust.

• An outstanding bio

 Your bio (summary of yourself)  can help you shine and stand out, especially because many freelancers are not intentional about it.  Creating a bio may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Start by explaining who you are, the type of projects you want to work on, and your areas of expertise.

Highlighting the certifications you’ve earned can help prove your specific knowledge or abilities, especially if they relate to particular project skillsets your clients are looking out for.

You may also add a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments in your previous roles (jobs) if they relate to the niche you’re creating for yourself.

• Professional headshot

Remember the saying, “A picture says a thousand words”? Well, it does! Another important element in your profile is your picture.

Your picture communicates information about your personality. You want to give the impression of warmth, cooperation and having your act together.

When selecting a picture to use, stick to clean, professional looking headshots with good lighting and a plain background. You may want to adopt a photo where your expression is relaxed and natural. A friendly smile also helps!

• Portfolio (if available)

Your portfolio is practically guaranteed to draw a potential client’s attention: It’s your chance to show—not just tell—the quality of your work and the value of your skills.

Be deliberate about the pieces you showcase on your profile.  Select those that reflect and help prove your specialization.

If your skills aren’t particularly “visual”, you may look for creative ways to showcase them.

• Regular Updates and Maintenance

By now, you’ve most likely successfully created your freelance profile. But don’t think you’re done for good. To ensure you remain relevant in business, you need to frequently update your profile and remove irrelevant skills and projects  to help reaffirm your credibility.

Having a consistent and defined profile is a great way to stand out. You will find out that over time, you become more discerning about the work you take on and the opportunities you are attracted to because you know specifically what you want out of your career, and what you need to do to advance your brand.