Tips On How To Be A Successful Freelancer

Gone are the days when people only work in a physical office. Today, as countries become more developed and technology advances further, working anywhere and anytime becomes possible. In fact, more and more people want to try freelancing because of the many benefits it can give. For one, it reduces the stress of braving the traffic every day as you can do your tasks in the comfort of your homes. And since you don’t need to go to the office or at least it lessens the need to go to a physical workplace, your fare budget becomes an instant saving. Being a freelancer also allows more time with your family. One can work while also being able to supervise the needs of their loved ones. Aside from all these perks, freelancing is proven to be a good source of income. Imagine being able to work for multiple clients which mean multiple pay checks! There are many testimonials of office staff turned freelancers who swear that they are earning more than what they used to get in their previous corporate jobs.

It may sound exciting and easy but freelancing, especially when you are just starting, is a challenging job. It takes time to get used to it and at times can be frustrating. But if you are brave enough to take the risks and determined to succeed, in the end, you will soon be harvesting your sweet fruit of labor. Below are some tips on how to start your freelancing career and how to be successful in it.


Create An Attractive Portfolio
Being a freelancer is practically for everyone! Be it writing, sales, customer service, virtual assistant, graphics and web design, there would always be a job where you can showcase your talent and skills. Know your skill set and use these skills to get the job you wanted. Create your portfolio where you can highlight the work you have done in the past as well as your special skills that are suitable for the role you are applying. Aside from the usual resume, you can create your own website which is especially useful for writers, social media managers, graphics and web designers.


Be Patient In Looking For Clients
Now that you have your portfolio, the most challenging part is looking for your first client. There are many ways to look for potential clients. You can use online platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer and other sites where freelance jobs are posted. You can also ask your friends for referrals. Online forums are also a good way to learn about new job postings. Send as many applications as you can on a daily basis until you get hired. And yes! You can still look for some more even if you already landed a job. Just know how to multi-task and deliver on time and you will be fine.


Use Contracts
One of the most common problems of freelancers is being scammed. To serve as your protection, always secure a contract as soon as you find a client. It does not have to be too technical. It just needs to contain vital details like the scope of work, the number of hours, mode of payment and date when you will get paid. Most of the clients prefer to pay once a month but for new clients, ask for an upfront payment just to make sure your efforts won’t be wasted.


Update Your Skills
Always make time to level up your skills. There are many free online courses that can help you improve yourself. Don’t just settle for what you already know. Have the initiative to broaden your knowledge and develop new skills. Remember, having many skills can help you get more jobs and increase your rate as a freelancer.


Save Up
Although freelancers get a decent amount especially those with multiple clients, bear in mind that some of these jobs are only good for months. Learn to save a portion of your salary which you can use when your contract has ended and while looking for new opportunities.