If you have heard this term before “I’m a freelancer” and have no idea what is freelancing and what does it mean to become a freelancer? No need to worry, we have covered you up. Freelancing is getting extremely popular, especially in current situation when people are preferring work from home than going out for work. Let’s discuss this in detail.
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What Is Freelancing?
A Freelancer is a self-employed person who offers services, can be working on several jobs at a time for multiple clients. Freelancers usually make money on a project basis, charging hourly or daily rates for their work. They do not do a 9 to 5 job and work for an employer. They don’t do the same work daily or stick to the one task. Freelancers tasks and projects changes with the requirement of the client and once the job is done they get paid for their work.
Freelancing jobs usually called gigs that allows you to work from home but don’t associate it as work from home job. A work from home job involves a contract between you and employer who gives you salary while freelancing does not. Mostly of the Freelancing work deliver through internet and doesn’t require to visit the company or client’s place.
Now almost every type of service needed by businesses/clients can be done by freelancers. Some of the most in demand freelancing services include:
How To Find A Freelance Work?
There are 100s of online freelance marketplaces where you can find work of your choice. If one website does not work for you then you can move to other and start selling your services. Now a days, finding a freelance work is very easy if you have good command on your skills.
Other than Online freelancing websites, you can find freelance work through social sites, ads, friends, connections, professional forums, and agencies.
Advantages Of Freelancing
Freelancing is one of the fast and most affordable way to be your own boss. There are numerous advantages of freelancing, some of them are mentioned below:
Easy To Start
If you have skills to deliver the certain task/project then most likely you also have the equipment or software to deliver it. All you need is to start working and in no time you will be able to make money through it.
Set Your Own Hours
You are not bound to work from 9 to 5. You can set your own working hours. “Time is money”, as they say. You will decide how many hours of a day or week you want to work.
Work Where You Want
You will not be told to work from certain office/location. Freelancing gives you leverage to work from anywhere you want to. You love travelling? You can work and travel together.
Pick Projects Yourself
You will probably want to get any project when you starting out, but you also have the option to not bid on any project that you don’t want to do. Pick the projects you feel interested in and bid on them, if the client like your bid he/she will approach you.
High Demand
As freelancing marketplaces are getting very competitive with time, there is always a need of quality and reliable freelancers. Many businesses prefer having a team of freelancers than employees as freelancers cost less to the companies as employees – because they don’t have payroll fees or other benefits.
The Disadvantages Of Freelancing
Freelancing is not for everyone, and not everyone is made for it. You can try your best in freelance marketplaces and still may not get any project. Here are some Disadvantages of freelancing:
There Is No Overnight Success
Having enough clients to support yourself and your family can take a while. You can also face ebb and flow in projects. You will have to work hard to get projects and deliver them on required time can also be challenging.
Managing Multiple Clients And Projects
Working on multiple projects with multiple clients can be very hard for some people. You need to be much focused to manage all the projects together.
Pay For your Own Benefits
There will not be any health insurance and retirement plans that you may get through freelancing career like companies give to their employees. You will have to manage all that yourself.
What Does It Mean To Become Freelancer In 2021?
Freelancing offers the freedom of choice. There many different paths that you can select to be successful as freelancer in 2021. You can start freelancing in spare time or full time, depending as you like. Regardless of our approach, the points listed below will guide you past many of the hurdles new freelancers face.
Define Your Services & Offerings
Turning your skill into services you will offer, is the first step to become a freelancer. You need to have an idea of how can your offer services may help your clients. Try to put yourself in the shoes of the client. What problems do they have and how your services can help your client to resolve the issue? Once you have understand this, you will be able to offer your services to the clients in a better way.
Find Your Target Audience
As a new freelancer, being great at your skill is not enough to get clients. You need to search for the clients that require the solutions you offer. You can find your target audience through freelance marketplaces, social sites and through advertising.
Decide Your Rates
Setting the right rate for your services is a balance of what you are worth, while also being attractive to the clients. If you charge less than what you worth, it might suggest your work don’t have value and it will not attract clients. If you charge more than what you worth, you may not find clients willing to pay you more.
Create Your Portfolio
Your portfolio should highlight all the services you are offering. Your portfolio should paint a clear picture of your contribution in the project that benefited the clients. You can include case studies, charts, data driven results, testimonials in your portfolio.
Write Eye-Catching Proposal
To ensure a successful start in your freelance career, your first project should match your work experience and required skills. When you find a project you think you can do, it is time to submit a proposal. You can use a 7 Rangi Formula to write eye-catching proposals.
Continue Polishing Your Skills
Continue polishing your skills help you understand what is on trend right now. You can stay up to date with new techniques and ways through LinkedIn, YouTube, Udemy, and Coursera etc.
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