What is Freelancing?
By: Chiemeziem Wisdom Irondi
Freelancing as a term appears to be difficult to understand and manage but this isn't quite so. You can understand freelancing and make money from it.
Yes, you can make money from it.
Before teaching you how to make money through freelancing, it's important I first walk you through the corridors of all that freelancing entails.
Ready?
What is Freelancing?
Freelancing simply means working for yourself. You are your own boss and this means that you're self employed.
In contrast to being employed by a company, freelancers decide when, how and where they work, how much their income will be and other working conditions like being flexible and remote.
As a freelancer, you are at a position to render your skills and services to help businesses and companies grow. This doesn't mean that you are an employee of that company. You are referred to as a contractor not employee.
Freelancers work mostly online and this means that you need to find websites where your skills and services are needed.
There are lots of websites designed specifically for freelancing both for Nigerians and for those all around the world. With these websites, you can work online and get paid. Just like that.
However, freelancing is not a way of getting quick money or hitting millions within weeks. You get money based on your expertize and your skills. Note: Professional skills are on high demand.
Also as a freelancer, you can take up multiple jobs at the same time for different companies. This will prove how competent you are and also boost your income.
The services you provide and the jobs you do are called gigs. Gigs are simply known as short term jobs that pay well.
I will be listing some of the freelance websites you can join to start working.
But, as rosy as freelancing appears alongside the beautiful advantages attached to it, it has it's own disadvantages.
You will not always get gigs, a client can leave you stranded in the middle of a project, you may have to meet two deadlines at the same time, you can not go on holidays when you are choked with jobs, etc.
Freelancing is not a guaranteed means of making money because your services or skills may not be in high demand at a time.
Anyone can be a freelancer.
A sit-at-home mom, a university undergraduate, an unemployed person, a graphic designer, a professional who wants to top up his income, anyone, anywhere. All you need is your expertise, your portfolios and your internet.
If you have agreed to begin freelancing, there are certain things you must do to increase your income.
1. Build your coutomer base
As a freelancer, you need people to place a demand on your skills. If you are not popular on the internet, you will struggle, be frustrated and probably quit freelancing.
You can build a larger customer base by using your social media platforms (very important) to publicize your new role as a freelancer, you can use words of mouth and you can as well do free jobs to increase your followership.
2. Be able to solve more than one problem
If you want to make money online through freelancing, you must be able to render more than one service. You must try to be at least a professional in at least two or more fields.
The more skills you have, the more jobs you will get and the more money you will have.
3. Be ready to help
Most times, businesses or individuals will meet you online and will not be ready to pay though they have a problem. As a professional, do not always be out for the money. Learn to help people and give professional advice even if it doesn't pay up.
This will help you understand the freelance structure and also prepare you for the paying jobs. Even if money is not in it, you can make a suggestion to help.
4. Be consistent
As a freelancer, the internet is your home. When you build a class for yourself, you must work to keep up with the standard. You must be consistent with what you do. People should know you for that so that you can be trusted with their projects.
5. Join Freelancing sites
Obviously, you can not be a freelancer without joining websites that are designed specially for this. In these websites, you register as a freelancer, indicate the skills you can offer and then wait for people to find you. In Nigeria, there are a lot of freelancing websites. Some of them are;
A. Upwork
B. Fiver
D. Freelancer
E. 99designers
F. Guru
G. Bloggingpro
6. Connect with other freelancers
No man is an island. You need other people in your field to guide you as you come in newly. There are freelancers who have years of experiences and could as well be useful in aiding your success. This post didn't cover all there is about freelancing.
Did you find this post useful?
Do you have topics about digital marketing, personal finance and social media that you don't understand?
Let me know in the comment section.
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wisdomirondi@gmail.com
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