How to be a Freelancer
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Did you know that more than a third of American workers are self-employed? Self-employment is also popular in Europe, and the number of self-employed has increased by 45% in the past five years. Around the world, small and large companies have greatly increased the use of self-employed workers.
If you decide to become a freelancer, the numbers indicate that you are working on something good. Whether your goal is to earn some extra money or turn freelancing into a full-time career, you will need to arm yourself with the knowledge, determination to learn, improve, and a lot of patience. Here’s how to get started freelancing.
How to be independent? or How to be a Freelancer
The self-employment market is growing day by day, and if you want to be competitive you have to prepare accordingly. Follow these six steps to get started.
How to be a Freelancer Step 1: Think about whether freelance work is right for you.
Freelance work has its ups and downs (more on that later), but overall, you need a certain mindset to be independent. Being the boss of yourself is great if you are disciplined and reliable. Freelancing allows you to set your own working hours, so that you can take a day off whenever you want, but you won’t get paid for that time because there is no paid vacation.
If you want to be self-employed, you need to maintain a daily routine, prepare to juggle multiple projects at the same time, and constantly look for new projects so you can maintain a steady flow of work.
If you are still working full time, do not quit your job immediately. Instead, combine freelance work with full-time work so that you have enough clients and connections to keep you independent. Working from a comfortable place to have a stable job and a secure income is a much better environment for developing your freelance business.
How to be a Freelancer Step 2: Find a platform.
Most of the self-employed use freelance platforms to find work. While recommendations and social media channels like LinkedIn can also be a great source of buggies, platforms are popular because they allow you to easily connect with clients looking for freelancers. There is always a job available.
Additionally, most of these platforms have policies and offer protections for both buyers and freelancers. On freelance platforms, every project you undertake is a small contract, and both you and the client must adhere to its terms.
Choosing a platform with the model that best suits your needs and salary expectations is critical to your success. Many freelance websites promote the so-called “race to the bottom”, where freelance translators provide poor-quality work for poor compensation. In the end, no one helps: Buyers can’t find a good job, and the self-employed can’t make enough money.
Some freelance platforms, like Hiremotely, base their business model on accepting only the best freelance developers and connecting them with clients based on very specific requirements. Being a member of such an exclusive platform allows you to communicate with serious clients and get paid for high-quality work. The admission process on these platforms can take several weeks and include several rounds of related exams.
How to be a Freelancer Step 3: build your profile.
You don’t have to make a classic resume, as most freelance websites have a pre-designed template that you need to fill in with your information, but you shouldn’t treat your freelance profile as a checkbox exercise.
Take the time to create a basic profile that shares your education, skills, experiences, and experiences with potential clients. You don’t have to write novels, keep them short and beautiful. List your skills, experiences, and accomplishments and explain why you are the best person for the position.
How to be a Freelancer Step 4: build your portfolio.
Your profile might indicate that you are an astronaut, but unless you upload your selfie from the International Space Station, potential clients are unlikely to believe you. Therefore, when creating your profile, be sure to present a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and experiences. This is an example of my internal marketing profile.
But what if you are a beginner in your chosen field? My suggestion is to spend some time building a portfolio with the model companies or just accepting several discounted jobs in exchange for experience.
How to be a Freelancer Step 5: Set your price.
Speaking of discounts, while the hourly or project rate is highly dependent on your skill set and experience, don’t run for peanuts. We have already mentioned how