Four tips to help you start earning money from home as a freelancer
Modern technology has made it easier than ever for many of us to work from home. And ensured that freelancing is a more viable option than it may have been a few years ago.
Today, millions of people around the world, many of them mothers, chose to work as freelancers. They love the flexibility of choosing when, where and how they work, and for who. And relish the variety of clients and projects, plus the opportunity to have more control over their income.
But could freelancing really be for you? And if so, how do you get started as a freelancer – and give your new career the best shot at success?
To answer these questions, here are four tips to help you start earning money at home through freelancing.
1) Look at the bigger picture and assess if freelancing is for you
As attractive as it may sometimes appear, freelancing isn’t for everyone. Yes you can usually choose when, where and how you work, but succeeding at freelancing will require commitment, time and consistent effort. You won’t attain financial stability if you’re only going to work as a freelancer for a short period.
So before you dive into the freelancing industry, it’s best if you spend some to know how freelancing works first. You can read this article, go through reviews online, or ask for information from people who have been working as freelancers.
Freelancing is a great way to earn money, but bear in mind that this working setup also has a lot of pros and cons. Look at the bigger picture and make sure you understand what it will require to establish a successful freelance business before leaping in.
Spending time on due diligence now will help manage your expectations so you won’t end up wasting your resources in finding a client only to realise later on that freelancing isn’t for you.
2) Choose your craft
Competition for freelance projects can be tough, so think carefully about the kind of skills and work you want to make money from. Every service you can possibly think of will already be offered by other freelancers, so try to niche down in some way by ensuring that your services are unique.
If you want to offer services as a graphic designer, for example, think about a specific sector you might want to specialise in, such as food, or childrens wear. Or think whether you have any secondary skills you can add that complement your key offering.
For example, you might want to offer services as a programmer or software developer, on top of being a programme designer. Working with different people with different tasks can be daunting, which is why clients often prefer to hire freelancers who can do more than one job.
Often, hiring students is your best option because these candidates have fresh ideas and are usually a lot cheaper than freelancers who have already graduated. If you’re looking for a pool of talented students from top tier universities who can get the job done at a reasonable price, check out Dormzi.com.
3) Build your profile
Just as when you’re applying for a job in an office, as a freelancer you need to prepare your resume to give freelance recruiters and potential clients an idea about your professional experience.
However, bear in mind that the entire application and hiring process for freelancers will often be done online.
Most freelancing websites offer pre-designed or generic templates for your resumes. Generally, you just have to answer the questions asked and then upload your photo. However, if you want to increase your chances of finding a client, it’s not enough to simply treat these resumes as mere checkbox exercises – take the time to create an impressive profile that will serve as an effective resume.
To achieve this goal, include important details about your education, skills, and professional experience in your online profile. Remember to keep the information brief though, and stick to the highlights, because most clients don’t have the time and patience to wade through pages of information.
4) Build a portfolio and source testimonials
Sometimes clients don’t handle freelancers because thy can’y do the work themselves. They hire them because they no longer have the time or capacity to manage it themselves.
For example, a new entrepreneur might no longer have the time and energy to handle the customer service of their business, which is why they would outsource call center agents from other locations.
And if you want to convince these clients that you are the best freelancer for the job, you need to demonstrate your skills by creating a high-quality portfolio. This portfolio should include results you’ve achieved and positive testimonials from previous clients. A high-quality portfolio can leave a positive impression about your skills as a freelancer and shows proof that you can actually ‘walk the talk’.
Get your freelancing career off to the right start
Freelancing can be a fantastic career option for lots of different people. But if you want to do it properly – and build a successful, profitable and satisfying freelance business – then it’s important to approach it in the right way from the beginning.
Photo by Sincerely Media
