The concept of freelancing may not be one you take to heart if you are so into waking up every morning and beating the traffic to turn up in some office space or you may be a graduate who is been on the job hunt with the hope of getting that long awaited white collar. However, for those who love to have or do things in a more flexible and adventurous way, the prospect of not being tied to a routine while seeking to make a living will definitely make a great appeal.
To the latter group [of individuals]; freelancing presents a wonderful avenue of optimizing and/or increasing their streams of income. Though freelancing is nothing new as men and women have been doing things that fetch them a living without being confined to the authority of any organizational hierarchy. But beyond this, the digital age has effectively redefined the concept of freelancing, and now more than ever before, we see people making the most of the availability/advancement of the internet to log on to platforms where they can take up gigs and earn some cash.
With online freelancing, individuals are able to work from a remote space, particularly at home; doing projects - from article writing, web content development, website design, internet marketing and so on - that align with their skill-set. And, it is quite interesting to know that freelancing does not require so much capital to start up. All that you need is a personal computer, smartphone or modem [that guarantees internet connectivity] and of course, your effort - you have to be proactive about it. Lest I forget; considering the kind of setting we find ourselves in Nigeria, an alternate source of power - a solar charger or power bank should be a more economical option - will also be needed.
Key points every freelancer should bear in mind
Freelancing opens up ample opportunities to not only get employed but also create wealth, it is important that a freelancer - one hoping to make a living out of it to be precise - hold certain facts dear to heart, as these could determine the level of success he/she derives from it.
- Your flexibility could be your curate egg: One of the major reasons people are drawn to freelancing is because of the flexibility it offers. They can get to plan their work to suit their time, and can execute projects from anywhere - whether from home or while on the go. But as this flexibility could be seen as an advantage to a large extent so could it be a freelancer’s greatest undoing. This is most likely in a scenario whereby the freelancer fails to apply some time management skills in his/her while executing a particular project at hand. It is possible for such a person to feel there is enough time to finish up a project and end up getting entangled in frivolities, some of which could come from the internet as he/she source for information. Meanwhile, completing the project within or before the stipulated time will not only enable him/her to pick up a new project but also put him/her in good stead to earn the trust of the client. Plus, nothing boosts the reputation and income generation avenues of a freelancer than having a vibrant clientele base. So, in summary; discipline is key, and time is precious for a freelancer who desires to get the best out of this opportunity.
- Beware of exploiters: By virtue of the fact that you are not in proximate contact with the person giving out the project, you should be aware of the possibility of selling your services without making tangible earnings. So, you have to guard your business, and be careful about the kind of projects you will be bidding on. More so, you should demand some payment upfront and make sure your work is protected. Plus, it is important that you register on a trusted platform that is user-friendly and has relevant features for the purpose of freelancing.
- Communication is vital: One thing is being proactive in seeking out clients who have a need for the service you need and another is ensuring you keep them after you must have gotten the go ahead to handle their project(s). Lack of communication or miscommunication could however kill your dream of making much gain out of freelancing. To avert this; it is essential that you keep your clients posted on a regular basis as it regards the progress made on a particular project, and also build a rapport over time. Additionally, you should not hesitate to ask whenever you are not in the clear about an issue.