All about freelancing

Introduction:

In simple language, freelancing is a way of making money using acquired skills. As a freelancer, you can experiment and try different services and offerings to see which ones make you more money and bring in more clients. People do freelance works because it may be their passion for developing skills, earning money using their skills or maybe just to pursue their career in freelancing. Freelancing jobs are massively available on the internet in different platforms and social media. Graphic designers, web developer, SEO, content creator, content writer, digital marketer, virtual assistant, video editors, uiux designers, coder etc and many more are highly in demand. We just don’t know how to reach out to these opportunities waiting for us. This blog is meant to be a step-by-step guidance to enter into a freelancing world. I will try to unfold all the information from the outset in simple way as much as possible. Before we begin, please do run over the pros and cons of freelancing listed below:

Pros:

You can use your skills to earn and learn more.

Age doesn’t matter. What matters is how you work.

Freelancing can serve you in long term if you completely engage yourself in freelancing.

Your interests and creativity can be promoted.

You can work from any corner of the world and according to your own timetable.

You can learn networking and interact with lots of people across the world, collaborate and create opportunities for yourself.

Cons:

You may struggle with time if you’re a student or if you already hold a job.

There is, however, chance of being ghosted by co-workers or clients if you’re not above board.

Payment can be very low in the beginning.

The jobs are not always permanent.

Things to consider before becoming a freelancer:

A freelancer must have some significant qualities like submitting the work to their client in time, taking responsibility of their work themselves, being able to work despite of being a student, fluency in English (to interact with people effectively) and so on. He/she should be able to manage their work and school/university themselves. Apart from that, freelancers are always supposed to be posted with new ideas and creativity. But let’s look at the big picture, the more we involve ourselves in freelancing the more we can do what we love.

Mistakes we make as a freelancer:

Waiting for opportunities

We all are in quest of opportunities. But the biggest mistake we are making is waiting. Opportunities don’t always come to you itself. In fact, I have read somewhere “if you’re waiting for an opportunity, you have already missed it” which turns out be absolutely true. If we have skills and already know how to use it, why not create opportunities ourselves? Instead of convincing ourselves that we’re not ready to take action, why not put our brain to work?

Self doubt

We often doubt ourselves and our potential because we have never executed the skills we have. We doubt our success besides trusting the process in the first place. So we end up not putting effort to achieve what we want. Doubting abates our confidence, believing in ourselves opens doors to opportunities and liberation from self doubt. Start believing that whatever you’ll do will be amazing and go for it. Then you’ll see your confidence shooting through the roof in short period of time.

"I will consider that in future."

From my point of view, this is the most common mistake we make. Saying “I will consider that in future” is a sign of procrastination. We think that we have enough time but to be honest, time is only the thing that doesn’t stop for us, right? Instead of wasting our time in social media and procrastinating, why not take action now? What’s wrong with now? You’re supposed to live in present. So instead of waiting for future, try it now!

B-b-b-but what if I fail?

‘If you’re afraid of losing, you have already lost it.’ I have been hearing this for so long and I totally believe that it’s right. I don’t know why people are so afraid of failure. Failure is a part of success. Failure tells us what mistakes we make. Every failure comes with a lesson and we are supposed to learn from it. Majority of people take action because they are afraid of failure, not because they are in love with success. Don’t be one of them.

How to get started?

Playing with algorithm

For the first time, I was introduced to this brilliant idea by someone online. If you’re a new folk or a beginner, it would be easy if you learn to play with algorithm. There are a lot of online communities that can help you find clients easily. Opportunities are everywhere if you play with algorithm. Here’s how I cracked the game. I am mostly into graphic designing and content writing. So I followed people who posted videos and shared ideas about graphic designing. I also followed professional graphic designers. After that, I liked 10+ posts of every people I followed. And then my feeds automatically started suggesting/recommending me similar users i.e other graphic designers and new ideas. By doing so, my feeds were filled with updates of graphic designers and their posts. I learn about designing on daily basis in this way.

Opportunities from proof of work.

In freelancing, your work is everything for you to get started. Create a personal account on any platform like linkedin, instagram or your website (in case you know how to create) and start posting your works as sample. Consider that account as your proof of work account. For example: if you are good in editing videos, you can post your best edited videos there. And if you get to know that someone is hiring video editors, you can just jump into their dm or email and send the link of the account where you had been posting your edited videos. Also, mention short description about you and your qualities to attract clients. If you keep sharing your works to clients consistently, there’s high probability of getting hired. You must share your original project and work.

Networking

Networking is a form of skill every freelancer requires. Networking increases the chances of getting opportunities. It’s very important to have contacts with different people. You can start with people especially those who have similar ideas and goals like you, who have already done what you’re planning to do and organization/company who posts hiring notices frequently. We must be able to reach out to them whenever needed. Get in touch and hopefully try collaborating with them. So expand your contacts and keep building your proof of work profile.

Cold emailing/dm

Cold dm is very simple. Whenever you get to know that someone is hiring, you can directly jump into their dm/inbox and tell them who you are and what you do. You don’t need to elaborate everything there. Here’s an example.

Hi, I am Neha. I am a freelance graphic designer. I am into logo designing and content writing more. Moreover, I work in XYZ company. I read your hiring notice and I’d love to work on your company. Here are some of the works/projects made by me.

Your proof of work link here: …………………………………….

Please let me know if you like my work and want me to work in your company. I’ll be waiting for your response. Thanks.

Cold dm/emailing don’t require additional information. You just need to talk about the work directly. That’s it. Once they hire you, you can discuss your rates and payment methods.

Consistency is the key!

It’s very important for beginners to become consistent towards their work. As a freelancer, you must keep yourself posted with new updates every single day and keep adding your projects and samples in your ‘proof of work’ profile on regular basis. I believe that being consistent can help you improve your work by at least 1% better daily. Keep learning and keep hustling. It will pay you off very soon.

Conclusion

Talking about me, I am also a freelancer. And currently, I am working with three online communities/organizations as a graphic designer, content writer, researcher and a basic level web developer. We are taught to learn first before we start working. My principle is just opposite. I work to learn as my motive is learning. Before we start earning, it’s best to spend time in creating a strong and impressive portfolio. And that’s what I am doing.

If we start working to learn, we create high possibility of making money easily in future. But if you’re interested in earning first then that would also work. Whatever is written here is completely based on my personal knowledge and experience. Hope you like it?