A Step-by-Step Guide to Freelancing

Making money is not a difficult job, thanks to technology. If you have skills, you can connect to global markets and showcase your expertise to get going. Yes, we are talking about freelancing, which has become a full-fledged career for many across the world as it is highly rewarding.

There are multiple reasons why you would want to choose a freelance career. For example, you may want to have a work-life balance, spend more time with your family and friends, prefer traveling a lot, be your boss, make more money, etc. No matter what, job seekers today want to achieve personal and professional goals, which is only possible when they work independently.

But what lures most people into freelancing, including me, is the feasibility of working from literally anywhere. However, you should not take it for granted. In essence, you cannot be on the top of your game unless you do not have the resources to start freelancing. For example, you need a computer and an internet.

The internet, especially, has to be reliable and pretty fast. Anything like Kinetic Internet will be perfect for freelancing. It offers uber-fast internet with no data caps, allowing you to make the most of it. Browse through Kinetic Internet español to learn more about it (For Spanish Customers).

Anyway, we see that you, like many others, are interested in freelancing. If you have already decided to dip your feet in the industry, you need to have a better understanding of how you can set up yourself for success.

In this article, we will cruise you through the process of not only becoming a freelancer bur becoming a successful freelancer.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Identify Your Expertise

The editor from The Small Business Blog explains that the most important part of freelancing is to find the skill that you wish to offer on the freelancing sites. If you already have skills, then it is just brilliant to pursue them. If you are ambiguous about your skills, you may look for a marketable skill and learn it in a selected period.

Again, technology is your strongest link to find online resources to hone in on your skills. For example, you can benefit from online learning platforms like LinkedIn, Coursera, Udemy, and FreeLearn. These platforms do not only offer you the skills but award a certificate that can add value to your credibility and expertise in the skill.

However, it is important to note that you can find a skill as simple as transcribing a podcast to as complex as writing codes. However, it is essential to find a skill that has enough demand in the marketplace. Some of the most popular freelancing jobs include software development, writing, digital marketing, web development, and graphic design.

Create a Portfolio

When you are done with building your skills, it is time to create a portfolio that substantiates you have top expertise. Moreover, the buyers on the freelancing sites get the opportunity to quickly skim through your experience to decide whether they should hand over the project or not. Remember, a strong portfolio can win you many projects, so it is important to add your work experience to the board.

But how do you do that?

You can do it by starting small. You can take small projects from people you know or work with a firm to establish that you have proven your skills. Plus, as you propagate later in your freelancing career, you will keep adding your experience.

Choose the Platforms

There are many freelancing sites available, each with an extensive market range. Since you can’t just get started on a platform, it is key to choose one or a few platforms that you find a valuable platform.

One of the common mistakes that novice freelancers make is choosing the most popular freelancing site to get started. The popular freelancing sites have lots of candidates placing gigs on the projects. To land the job, you eventually have to lower your price. Therefore, it is a pro tip to start your journey on a freelancing site that is fairly new in the market.

Write a Powerful Proposal

Once you create a profile on a freelancing site, it is time to search for projects. Make sure you find projects that closely align with your work experience and expertise. Once you find any such project, you will have to submit a proposal. While different platforms have different ways of placing your gig, you will be required to add a few lines about your expertise.

This proposal is the main part of the story; it determines whether you will get the project or not. Therefore, it is key to ensure the proposal is clear and succinctly provides a picture of your experience and expertise.

Deliver with Excellence

At the end of the day, what matters the most is producing quality work with consistency. You must consider every project as a breakthrough to elixir. Work on each project with passion and commitment to build a reputation in the market that anyone can trust. You must understand that ratings on freelancing sites are key determinants of your credibility. A couple of bad feedbacks will lead to your profile taking a nosedive.

Bottom Line

If you are starting off your journey as a freelancer, good for you. It has emerged as a highly rewarding career; plus, it offers feasibility. But before you get started, take out few minutes to read the guidelines above to make a successful career.