When you hear "freelancer", you immediately imagine a person with a laptop somewhere in Bali or in a cozy cafe near home. Not life, but a dream.
Undoubtedly, this work format gives its "owner" freedom - from working a five-day office, standing in traffic jams on the way to work and having no choice about who to work with and on what projects.
However, every coin has two sides. Let's find out if everything is so sweet in the life of a freelancer and where to start looking for a job. It's time to find out what freelancing is.
Freelance is a form of work, usually project-based, that allows you to work remotely, have a flexible schedule, and choose your clients and tasks yourself. Payment - hourly or fixed per project.
This direction is often confused with remote work. However, there is a big difference - unlike remote work, in freelancing you can choose when to work and when not to take on projects and give yourself a moment of rest. The same principle applies to orders and customers.
With the onset of the pandemic, this form of work is actively gaining popularity. Quarantine restrictions have deprived many people of offline work. The opportunity to freelance became their salvation.
This direction may be suitable:
- those who like to work at night;
– introverts who do not like working in a cramped office;
- for women on maternity leave who, by choosing freelance, will always be able to adjust their schedule to the needs of a small child
- students looking for part-time work;
- and to anyone who wants more freedom of choice at work and has a black belt in self-discipline and motivation.
How to become a freelancer
Step 1. Determine the direction of the services you will provide.
If you are already an expert in something, starting freelancing will be quite easy because you already have experience and a portfolio
It's more difficult when you decide to radically change your field and try something new. In this case, we advise you to accept orders in different directions - this will help you determine what tasks you are better at and what you like to do.
Step 2. Statements about yourself.
When creating pages on freelancer exchanges (we will write more about them later), make sure that your profile is as complete as possible and in line with the platform's requirements.
Show your customers how you can be useful to them:
- describe in detail professional skills and knowledge of tools;
- indicate your personal qualities that help you at work;
- demonstrate professional experience (preferably - publish a portfolio);
- list specific tasks you can perform.
However, don't limit yourself to exchanges. Post your CV on job portals, indicating that you are considering remote and project-based work.
Also, do not forget that your first customers can be found among your friends. Write a post on social media about the services you provide and ask your loved ones to share it.
Step 3. Place your first orders.
Don't expect your first order to be found easily and quickly. You will have to put in a lot of effort and send 10-15 requests for cooperation every day for the first 1-3 weeks of freelancing.
The price for the first few orders may be reduced to "outbid" more experienced specialists with reviews and portfolios.
It is also important to respond quickly to messages from potential customers, because this may determine whether we receive an order.
How to develop and earn money as a freelancer
and you already have 10-15 reviews, your portfolio is full of cases and you understand that starting as a freelancer was a very good choice. But what will help you develop in this direction and earn more?
The level of English is at least intermediate (B1). At this level you will be able to work not only with clients in your country, but also with foreign ones.
Proactivity. Take the initiative - for example, show your client temporary work results to keep them updated on the progress of the task.
Ability to build long-term relationships. After all, 2-3 regular customers will be able to save you from the need to constantly look for new projects and stress from the unknown.
Possibility of sale. Not only to complete the task, but also to learn about the client's needs, find out what else they may need and find opportunities for additional cooperation.
How to choose a freelancing direction
Once you know what knowledge you will be introduced to the stock exchange with, that's great. What to do if you want to work as a freelancer from scratch and don't know which field to choose?
According to the freelance marketplace Upwork, the best-paid freelance jobs are:
- Copywriter
- Website designer
- Digital Marketing Consultant
- SMM Manager
- Editor
- Website creator
– Contextual and targeted advertising specialist (PPC, Media Buyer)
- Photographer
- Data analyst
- Business consultant
– Programmer (programmer)
– Filmmaker (records and edits films)
- Accountant
- Virtual assistant
- PR Manager
After choosing and testing the type of activity, you will certainly understand whether it suits you or not.
The most common mistakes when working as a freelancer
You already see yourself as a successful freelancer with constant orders and a never-ending flow of transfers to your account (preferably somewhere in Bali). All this is true if, at the beginning, you know what mistakes it is better not to make in this job.
Inability to allocate time appropriately
This is the greatest risk of ruining your reputation from the very beginning. Some contractors indicate 20-30% less instead of real time. Beginners are especially guilty of this when trying to please a customer.
However, every time you don't complete an order within a certain time, you reduce the likelihood of receiving another one. Therefore, it is better to indicate a realistic time to the client (and preferably add 20% for unplanned risk).
Incorrect assessment of service costs
Dumping at the start is normal because you want to get your first orders by any means. However, it's worth stopping in time and remembering that you already have a portfolio and positive reviews, so it's time to start gradually increasing the price for your services.
It is also not worth overestimating your own work - because in this way you will scare away customers and, as a result, you will be left without new orders.
Biased assessment of one's own capabilities
Before you respond to a command, analyze whether you really have the strength to cope with the task.
The worst thing is to accept an order, spend your time, make the customer wait for the result and refuse to accept the order because you simply don't know how to do it. There will certainly be a negative review and a discount.
Work without planning
Without time planning, you will not be able to accept several orders at the same time and complete them all within the specified time.
If you don't plan to rest, you will start burning out after 2-3 months. After all, there will be no corrective actions on your lists apart from work tasks.
Remember that freelancing is a marathon, not a sprint. That's why you need to plan for the long term.
Without financial planning, you will be living from order to order, being constantly stressed on days when there are no new customers.
Remember
Freelancer ≠ Remote work
This is a form of work, most often project-based, that allows for remote work, a flexible schedule and independent selection of clients and tasks. Payment - hourly or fixed per project.
You can search for freelance projects:
- on independent exchanges
- notice boards
– job search portals (indicating project and remote work)
- among friends by posting about the scope of their services on social networks
When working with independent exchanges, it is better to use the "secure contract" feature. This way you will avoid fraud from the customer.
To be successful in freelancing, it is important to have well-developed self-discipline, time management and business communication skills.
To increase your income as a freelancer, it is important to know English at least at an intermediate level (B1) to be able to work with foreign clients.
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