Becoming a freelancer is a fast and affordable way to start earning an income from home. Especially if you freelance a skill you already have, you can get started offering your services today.
What Is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is a self-employed person who offers services, often working on several jobs for multiple clients at one time.
Freelancers usually earn money on a per-job basis, charging hourly or daily rates for their work. Freelance work is usually short-term.
Some of the most common freelance jobs are within creative industries such as graphic design, copy-writing, website development, or photography; however, freelancers can work in almost any service-based industry, such as translation, consulting, or catering.
What Do You Need to Get Started?
To freelance, you need to have a skill you can offer to potential clients. Most people draw on their employment experience, offering services using the talents they already have. Along with a service, some things to consider putting together include:
A business plan. While you may not be setting up an official home business, contact your city or county to determine if you need a business license to freelance. You will still need a plan that outlines what service you'll provide, the market you'll cater too, and marketing strategies.
A website that tells about you and your services, and includes a portfolio of your work, and testimonials.
A LinkedIn profile. While all social media can be a great resource to network for freelance work, LinkedIn is an online resume located in a place where professionals connect. It's also a great resource for finding freelance jobs.
A dedicated business phone or cell phone number on which prospects can reach you
A business card.
A menu of services and your freelance rates.
How Do You Find Work?
Freelance work can be found just about everywhere. Places to consider include those within your social network, online and off.
Go to where your target market hangs out and look and ask around there. The best place to find clients is where clients look for help. Learn about your market, what it reads, and where it goes to get support and be available to provide help, ideas, and resources.
There are many great freelance sites to find work, including Upwork, OnlineJobs.ph, Guru, and Freelancer. You can also look for freelance work on sites targeting your skill — for example, Toptal for programmers or BloggingPro for freelance writing jobs. Some job sites focus on U.S. workers and others will focus on international workers.
Joining an association within your industry provides you with some clout. It also offers many networking opportunities, job listings, or a newsletter you can advertise or write to show off your expertise.
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