A Freelancer's Guide to Find freelance jobs and Earn Money


Freelancing can be very attractive because you can work from the comfort of your own home. Which means you don’t have to invest in uniform, it will eliminate the hassle of waking up early and drag yourself to get a ride on time as you need to be in the office on a specific time or else you won’t get your full salary. But despite the appealing advantages it may have, there are still factors that prevent other people to pursue freelancing.

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Nowadays, it has been popular with people who don’t want to get the stressful commute from home to work. It is well-known to parents who don’t want to leave their kids at home. The type of job is enticing. You have the chance of choosing where and when to work on freelance projects.

You might wonder, how does it work? In what way you can make money from freelancing? Will be getting the same benefits as that of people working in an office? How can you get started? What are the requirements? Is this stable and can support your family?

In case you are in doubt and have those questions in your mind, you might want to continue reading, so you’ll understand why people stick to this type of work.

What is freelancing?

Freelancing is a unique way of working. Instead of getting employed by a company and has a specific title and job, this one is considered self-employed. You can apply a different type of skills and get a job from various sources. Furthermore, you can even have more than one client or employer. You can get it by a full-time, part-time or one-time project to complete. Also, with freelancing, you will be responsible for paying your taxes, insurance, etc.

Once hired or awarded with a project, you have the autonomy to choose the nature of your work. For example, how, when, and where to start work. You don't need to worry as long as you have a stable internet connection and laptop. It will be an advantage if you have your internet at home. Some work in freelancing hubs or for others, they prefer in a coffee shop.

For you to start, you must sign up to any freelance platform. There can be a lot of them. We will discuss it further on the latter part of this article. When you set up your profile, make sure to fill in the necessary information, especially your skills. The platforms will allow you to gain clients or employers. Some freelancers set up own website to advertise their skills and get work. You also take advantage of social networking sites to promote your services. Most freelancers mix different methods for more chances of getting work.

As for the benefits, it depends on the work you can get. For a part-time job, it is more likely you won’t get some perks, but only the payment for the task assign. Some are lucky enough to have a full-time job that provides them with bonuses and other extra treats.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Freelancing

After understanding the concept of freelancing, we now tackle the advantages and disadvantages of the nature of work for you to weigh if the work is for you.

Benefits of online freelancing

1. Flexible Hours

The most visible advantage you get is you can work whenever you want. You can choose your schedule. Besides, you have the freedom to choose the time of your work. You may opt to have the time which you feel productive. And, it doesn't have to be within the regular business hour.

2. Control over clients or job

Unlike being employed by a company, you have the chance of picking which clients you prefer to serve or work with, with freelancing you have that autonomy. If you don’t agree with the terms laid to you, you can skip the opportunity and move on to the next clients who want your service.

3. Work wherever you want

Along with the freedom to set your schedule is the liberty to choose your location where you want to work. You don’t have to skip work when you want to go out of town. So, you can bring along with you your laptop, and you can do your job in your free time. Moreover, you can even complete your task by the beach when you are on vacation.

4. You are the boss

You don’t have to answer anymore to anyone but your client and yourself. It can reduce pressure and no stressful demands from other people. You can do the job in your own pace as you please. Just like any other boss though, you have the responsibility to make tough decisions but bottom line, you have control over your business.

5. You can have all the profits

When you work for an organization, you always get the same amount no matter how big the project is. But with freelancing, you can control your earnings. You can work more, to get more money and you can keep all the profit, and yes, you are free to spend them in any way you want.

6. Better work-life balance

You don’t have to hurry to be able to catch that bus so you can reach work on time. The stress of commuting is no longer a concern. You can take care of other personal stuff, and you don’t have to go through the same routine of work every day. You have the option to change your daily routine.

Drawbacks of working as a freelancer

1. Unsteady workload

In freelancing, you are the one responsible for looking for your clients or projects. Which means that once one project has been completed, you have to work on getting another one to keep the money coming. The inconsistency of the workload can be the reason for inconsistent income. The higher workload would mean, higher earnings.

2. Distinguishing personal and work time

As earlier indicated, you are your boss, and you can work in any location including working in the comfort of your home. With this, it can be challenging to recognize personal life and work time. Which can mean, you work long hours and having no time to address your interest. It may also mean budgeting your time and organize your schedule.

3. Require a lot of research

Depending on your chosen skill, you need to be precise in research. Thus, for you to acquire more knowledge on the field you wanted or get information for effective approaches on the assigned task, you have to do a lot of research. For some, they enroll in classes that could help them improve. Freelancing gives you the responsibility to wear many hats. It may include marketing, sales, promotion, even travel guru.

4. Not being able to get payment

As a freelancer, you are exposed to the risk of not being paid for the completed work. The case is typical to the freelance world. Most of the freelancers may have experienced this. Everybody is aware of such, but even so, you won’t realize the risk until its too late. Also if you got the work from a reliable freelance platform, still it is not an assurance.

5. No employer benefits

Good for those who have full-time work in freelancing and given health benefits, but most freelancers don’t have this benefit. You can get one for yourself at own cost. But this means additional expenses out from your pocket. Most freelancers who have stable earnings, get their insurance. It can be expensive to get sick, and health insurance is your back up especially if you are freelancing.

Are you suitable for freelancing?

Freelancing is an equal chance of positive and negative acquisition. You must weigh these things for you to decide whether this kind of job works for you. You must take the risk if you want to get started. It may not fit for everyone. If you are one of those who took the first step, it may take a year to get the full swing.

Why do you want to freelance?

You might be looking for a flexible schedule, or you want to eliminate the stressful commute from home to work. You may be that someone who wants to expand your opportunities. The recorded perks of freelancing are real, but it takes a lot of courage and risk. You must have the right intention to pursue freelancing, or you will end up one day with no money coming in. So, before deciding to quit your present job and pursue freelancing, make sure you have established your field and the how in-demand the skill.

Can you Afford to Freelance?

Same with other businesses, you need to invest. In your first few months, you might not see the excellent flow of money. You may have to establish your network to be able for you to advertise your services. For some, they need to get their website and showcase their skills. It looks like an excellent way of getting your more clients.

It is essential to assess how much money you need and followed it with the question if it is enough for you and your family. Given that cases, you must know your strategy early on. Identify the rates and calculate for you to know what effort you need to exert.

Are You Ready with the Uncomfortable Phases of Freelancing?

With freelancing, you won’t be able to know when you are getting paid. There can be a time that your works don’t meet the client’s requirements which may result in non-payment. When you come to that phase, you might reconsider coming back, and your main intention for freelancing is forgotten entirely. This part of freelancing is normal.

Throughout the journey, you will experience such cases. The rejected works are considered lessons which you can learn and opportunity to improve.

One of the huge misconceptions about freelancing is you sit at home, and the work will keep coming. However, the truth is you need to work hard for it. You have to fight for your job, and you have to be convincing to win a client or be awarded projects. You have to work for it.

Freelancing is a world of competition so what you need is determination and grit for you to be awarded a project.

What are you good at?

When you start freelancing, you don’t have to be expert on something. You only have to know what you are good at and improve them along the way. Decide as early as day one on what you want to concentrate and stick to it. Having a specific field of specialization will give you a greater chance to focus and improve.

In freelancing, you are your brand, and with that, you need to promote your brand. As a brand, you must own something to present. And identifying your brand is a good way of knowing how to sell your services to your prospected clients.

Will freelancing give you joy?

As they always said, not every day is Christmas. Same is true with freelancing. There can be moments that you don’t feel like working, and there are those times that you want to get more workload. That’s the reason why you must choose the right field to concentrate. There can be a lot of skills but focusing on the one thing you love to do and use it for to earn, that may bring you joy and can be a factor of your smooth freelance journey.

For you to be a successful and happy freelancer, you must be honest with yourself on things that are appealing to you. Ranking your desires and passions can be a good start. Consider the most important and less essential. Weigh things accordingly because once you started, it could be harder to go back to the corporate world.

Tips in Getting Freelancing to Work

By now, you might have decided to pursue freelancing. After establishing the information and comprehending what to expect from freelancing, you are now ready to get your first work as a freelancer.

Most freelancers who start pursuing their passion have established their business and promote themselves. You may begin with building your portfolio by creating a website that will allow you to showcase your skills. It is the stage where you launch your business. You must let people know that you are offering your service. Alternatively, you can set up a profile in social media and start promoting yourself. Remember this is just the first step. You can’t expect for work to flow right to your direction.

Consider these few things that will help you land your first job in freelancing.

Promote your services (freelance business) offline

Your family and friends

The best way to find a client is by checking your existing network—your family and friends. These are the people who are very much willing to support you with your venture. Select influencers, business owners, or those who are connected to a more extensive network. They can help you with getting more clients. This circle will be more than happy to refer you to their other system.

Previous Employers

Your former employer can be your excellent target. You can rebuild the relationship with them, but this time, it will be a business-to-business partnership. It is for the reason that people in your previous organization know you—how you work and how you value work ethics and professionalism. The trust has been established already, and they are confident with the quality of work you can provide for them.

Of course, this is effective if you end your employment with them well and both of you are on good terms. So, if such is possible, then it is worth considering.

Establishments where you are a customer

These can be the coffee shop you used to buy your coffee every morning, or a bakeshop, or restaurants where you usually dine. Think of the shops and stores which you are a loyal customer that you were able to build your friendship with. Offer your services to them. You can study the needs of the store and match them with your service. If you think the store needs to get more customers and you have the skills in social media, you can help them regarding developing product presence. In today's era, one way of getting new customers is through online advertisement.

Other Freelancers

On a brighter note, your fellow freelancer can be your friend and a good avenue for client referrals. There is a greater possibility of getting clients when other freelancers refer you. These freelancers may have a good relationship with the client, and it is easier for them to trust you because they believe in the one who referred you.

How about you just started, and you still don’t know any freelancer? The answer would be joining an existing network of freelancers. You will notice that all freelancers have online groups.

So, these group can turn out your source of information. Different people post job opportunities and vacancies in such groups. The best people who understand your struggle of getting clients are the ones who had gone through the same thing when they also started the business. Most of these community or groups are open in social media, and once you ask for help or questions, they are willing to answer each of them. Learn from the experts, and these experts can be found in one of the freelancing groups online.

Existing clients

If you can get a client and have built a good relationship with them, ask them for referrals. When they are confident with your work, they will not hesitate to give you another client or clients. So, it is essential that to keep your partnership healthy, in that way you will also end up with a good mark. Remember that one of the most effective marketing tools is word of mouth.

Attending Job fairs

There can be job fairs in your area that best fits your kind of job. Consider attending to these events. There can be opportunities for getting clients that might be interested in getting your services. But before going to the fair, you must know the participating companies. Know the nature of their businesses and which of them can be potential employers or clients. Then prepare to visit those that are relevant to your skills or services. And since this is offline, you must bring with you a copy of CV or portfolio. If your portfolio is online, you can print it, or you can provide the employer with a link.

Networking events

There can be a lot of networking events you know existed. You must check each of them and choose the one that is related to your business. Once you have selected one, prepare your speech. Provide informative information that will give them the idea of what service you are offering. Remember that what you are doing here is selling the service you can offer, and a good and convincing sales speech may be your tool on getting that client.

Freelancing Online

Another way of getting clients are online freelancing. There is a lot of platforms that will help you take the first step. The platform will introduce you to the freelancing world and will help you build your business. Platforms are the places where business post their needs, and they hire them based on the requirements.

First, you have to sign up to at least one platform of your choice. Complete the information needed. Most of these freelancing sites offer free exams, take advantage of these. Choose those that relate to your skills. If you are a writer, you can take the English proficiency exam to let the potential clients that you have good English communication skills.

To help you with freelancing online, we have laid down a list that will help you decide in getting stared.

Freelancing websites/platforms for all types of freelancers

Upwork (formally knows as oDesk and Elance)

Previously oDesk, this freelancing site operates for companies to hire and meet independent professionals that are offering their services. You can find work opportunities for short or long-term contracts. It can be treated per hour or project basis. The global platform is suitable for all types of skilled freelancers.

Freelancer

Freelancer is a global crowdsourcing website for freelancers wherein business can post jobs and then independent professionals will bid to compete. So, if you love competition and want to fight for your worth, then the platform is an excellent site for you. Your bid will be visible to your co-bidders. The scheme works best to freelancers who are confident in their skills and be able to present themselves well to be awarded the project.

Flexjobs

This freelancing site has a variety of available jobs that you apply. They aim to provide freelancers with scam-free job opportunities. Therefore, they provide verified jobs in part-time or full-time work. Besides, they provide you with the description of the company to ensure you that the business is existing. However, Flexjobs is not free. For you to join, the monthly subscription will cost $14.95. It may be a lot of dollars, but some freelancers believe that the cost is justifiable because they screen all the jobs carefully against scammers. Also, they have 50 different skill test which you can take advantage of free to gauge your strength and weaknesses. The site is useful for all types of job seekers.

Guru

Guru is one of the many free platforms suitable for all skilled freelancers. Same as other mentioned freelancing site, the site allows businesses and freelancers to communicate. As a freelancer, you can build your portfolio that will enable you to present your skills.

Hubstaff Talent

Hubstaff Talent is another free platform that can be utilized by freelancers. You can start by signing up and complete the necessary information. The information you key in will be visible to business seeking for professionals. Once they see your skills fit their qualification, they will contact you. You also have the choice to check for job posts from another section of the site then apply.

People Per Hour

The UK based service marketplace website is giving business access to experts on the different field. You can sign up for the job and create your resume, after which you can check available job posts that can be your first client.

Project4Hire

Some freelancers go for Project4Hire marketplace to look for potential work. It operates for freelancers with different fields. With Project4Hire, the pricing scheme different than any other platforms. They base it in the length of time you can complete the project and not on the usual flat rate.

GrooveJob (formally knows as iFreelance)

iFreelance is famous for newbies in the field of freelancing as they let you keep 100% of your earnings. If you are starting your business, it can be a good platform for you. However, most of the posts are for writers, editors, coders, and marketers only.

Skillbridge (Acquired by TopTal)

Skillbridge is one of the online marketplaces that offer quality freelancers. The platform will give more opportunity to top-tier freelance consultants and experts in the industry. The website provides job posting for short services only.

OzLance

If you are a freelancer from either New Zealand or Australia, OzLance is the best platform for you. The objective of this site is to connect professionals from certain countries to business and business owners of the states.

ServiceScape

The site is intended for freelancers in the field of writing, translation, graphic design and editing. Freelancer will have to sign up and provide information and portfolio, and you will then be included on the freelancer directory. There will be no bidding process available on site. Freelancer may be able to get work if the business owners choose you. So, if you plan to start your freelancing journey with ServiceScape, your portfolio must be convincing to be selected.

Find freelance work on Tech and Creative fields

Toptal

Designers and software developers are the targets of Toptal. The site connects qualified applicant of the field with top companies that specialized in high-end technology. Freelancers can get a chance to join meetups and events if you join Toptal community.

Envato Studio

The site suits to freelancers that specialized on graphic and web designs, as well as programming. Envato Studio makes sure to deliver high-quality products by setting deadlines and turn around time. They also limit the number of revisions which made it more attractive to client companies.

Stack Overflow

Stack overflow allows freelancers to search opportunities and companies to send their samples and works. Intended for programmers, the freelancers who joined the community may have a greater chance to be hired by involving themselves in the Q&A forum.

Freelancermap

Freelancers with specialization in IT related works may find a good project from the site where reputable companies post their jobs requirements.

PowerToFly

The PowertoFly is a freelancing site that focuses on connecting techy women to available projects and job anywhere in the world. However, applicants may go through the strict screening process that may take 2 to 4 weeks, and they are advised to invest in paid trials. It is to make sure that job seekers are fit to the job they applied

Smashing Magazine

Smashing magazine is a job board for freelancers good in web designing. Job posts vary for a product designer to UX developers.

WordPress Jobs

WordPress jobs are affiliated to WordPress website. The site intends to hire freelancers for Word press related work like developing plugins, them customization, and more. So if you see brilliant plugin and themes, those are works of freelancers hired through WordPress Jobs.

Krop

Krop is a site that allows techies and creatives to upload their created personalized website that will showcase their skills that can be reviewed by hiring employers. The job posts are searchable by location and keywords with a mix job types - full time contract, part time contract and per project.

WPHired

WPHired is for freelancers with high passion for developing WordPress. The site allows freelancers to get an internship work as well as full time or part time projects.

99Designs

Designers may feel at home with 99Design where they can show their skills on the site by completing the designing contest hosted by companies or clients. If your designs are competitive enough and are chosen, then you will be paid.

DesignCrowd

Another freelancing site for designers. DesignCrowd allowed you to earn by participating in a contest and if you win, you will be paid with the work. Other clients provide base pay for you to join.

Behance

Behance attracts freelancers specializing in advertising, architecture, animation or computer animation, character design, art director, cinematography and many more. Creatives can showcase their skills by uploading portfolios that can be visible to employers or hiring individuals.

Dribbble

Same with Behance, Dribble allows freelancers to showcase their talent by uploading their work to the profile. The job must be excellent to entice clients to take a more in-depth look at your work.

Squadhelp

Squadhelp is a site that helps freelance creatives. You can join it if you have mastery in creating company names, slogan or tagline, company or business logos, viral marketing materials and many more. They also need to participate in contests. The chosen work will receive payment from the host clients.

The Loop

The loop is an Australian base platform for Australian freelancers. They get a chance to post their works or portfolio into the site where an employer can see. The job posts may be for a different location, but they are for writers, marketers, photographers, and designers.

CloudPeeps

The site is for experienced marketers. The site will be the aid for freelancers and companies to work together on a lot of marketing projects from SEO to copywriting, strategy and content.

Freelance Platforms for Micro Jobs

Fiverr

The site allows freelancers to get a short and one-time project that can be done in a short period. To do that, freelancers need to create own profile where they advertise themselves. They do small works based on their field.

Damongo

Mostly landed by freelancers who have experienced the kind of job searching in Fiverr. Damongo offers the same opportunity as Fiverr. Freelancers post their skills in both sites usually for a higher chance of getting more projects.

Freelance website to find Writing jobs and Media gigs

To be a freelance writer, you must have a passion for writing and open to write about different niches. It is one of the freelancing jobs that can allow you to get more than one client to earn more. Usually, the writer is being paid per piece or article. And once you make clients happy, they keep coming back to you for more items to write. The field as writer offers you a lot of specialization. You can be a blogger who promotes products and services through blog posting. Besides, there is also a content writer who focuses more on writing informative articles. Some are SEO Writer, Content Strategist, and more.

Freelance Writing Gigs

Freelance Writing Gigs is the most common freelancing website that suits for writers. The developers' purpose is to grow, learn and discuss issues of writers. The site is created to help newbies in the field to improve their writing skills.

Problogger

The site is an online job board design for freelance bloggers. It has been improved regularly to make sure freelancers get a greater chance of landing a useful and meaningful work. Since the site is for bloggers, job posts are related to the blogging field only. However, certain positions may not solely connect to the blogging area.

TextBroker

The site is for the freelancers who offer writing services or a client that needs content. It allows you to post your work relating to different niches. Once the client liked it, then you will be contacted for more requirements or get the one you posted and pay you.

Naming Force

The Naming Force website is for the talented freelancers who can create a catchy name for a business. A client posts the need for a name, then freelancers will provide their entry, and once the idea is selected, you will be paid for it.

SloganSlingers

The site allows freelancers to submit slogans to clients. The best slogan will be awarded $55 – $999. Registering to the site is free, and it is open to everyone with great talents of making slogans.

Get a Slogan

Just like SloganSlingers, GetaSlogan is a site wherein freelancers has the chance to show their brilliance in giving catchy and smart company slogan. And once chosen, the author will be awarded a certain amount of money.

Media Bistro

Madia Bistro is a freelancing site that connects writers, bloggers or journalists to a reputable trade and magazine publishers. It is free to join the community but to be able to take advantage of the perks you can upgrade to AvantGuild that costs $45.

Websites For Online Tutorial Jobs

Online tutorial jobs may not require you to have past teaching experience. But you need a fast internet connection and proper computer specifications as they expect you to download several software applications to be used for tutoring. Most of the online tutorial company provides you with software that you need to run the job, including your system login. These companies may offer part-time or full-time jobs.

To start freelancing as an online tutor, you must invest in some equipment to be able for you to perform the job well. You might need an external microphone and a noise cancellation headset.

For Remote Jobs

For Transcription and Translation

To be a transcriber, you need to have excellent English communication skills. A person must also have a good listening skill. To be a successful transcriber, you must be familiar with the different accents of different countries.

You can check any of the sites listed above to land your first job. Start signing up and know your skills.


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