Loved this post in Moz this week from Lucio Laria about how to start as an SEO freelancer and reach your first $10K: https://moz.com/blog/seo-freelancer and decided to start this post so we could all share our tips! Here are a few of mine:

• Since before you begin on your own, start establishing your authority/visibility in your target area/niche whatever it is (eg. ecommerce SEO, SaaS SEO, technical SEO, content optimization. etc) by contributing to the industry / community showing your know how: from blog posts, webinars, podcasts, speaking and networking in online or in-person events not only in SEO but also those events of your target industry (eg. travel, education, ecommerce, etc.)

• Sign contracts with your clients specifying conditions, from fees, payment timing, cancellation, who's in charge of implementation, etc.

• Charge the first 50% of a consulting project at the start.

• Always offer an ongoing SEO process rather than one off projects. Not only to have a retainer fee (which will minimize the need to have always the need to sell, but also to ensure that whatever you've recommended is correctly implemented).

  
  

What are your top tips for those starting as SEO freelancers/consultants?