Maria Castle http://www.scholaradvisor.com 4m 898 #freelancing
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Opportunities in Freelancing
There are few categories of people interested in getting freelancing jobs:
- Full-time or part-time workers who want to make extra money in their free time;
- People who are between jobs;
- Recent graduates who are looking for their first opportunity on the market;
- People who want to make money while traveling, or
- Those who see a long-term opportunity in freelancing.
Whatever your reasons are, the answer is simple: there is always a chance to get a freelancing job if you have the needed skills, time, and commitment. Not everyone achieves success with freelancing, though. Most people make the same mistake: they don’t get these jobs seriously. Although this can be some easy task you do in your free time, it takes a lot of commitment if you want to be successful in it.
If you think clients would be willing to pay good money and give you better opportunities even when you miss deadlines and don’t meet the expectations, you should reconsider your motives.
Step One: Figuring Out the Best Opportunity
Clearly, you cannot start sending out applications for all freelancing positions you come across to. The first thing you need to do is self-evaluation. Which skills do you possess? Can you be a creative writer, copywriter, translator, blog commentator, designer, coder, web developer, video producer, marketing manager, accountant, customer service agent, or SEO specialist? The opportunities are literally endless.
Take a moment to reflect upon your skills and talents. Most people think they could become writers in a day, but get choked when they get a real job. There is nothing wrong in trying, but you cannot start from zero point. Most freelancing websites will require you to take some tests in order to assess your abilities. If you don’t think you’re capable to put your skills into use just yet, it would be best to work on your self-development before you start building a career in freelancing.
Getting a Job as a Freelancer
When you start looking for websites that enable you to work as a freelancer, you will be amazed by the number of opportunities out there. Don’t create dozens of profiles; they would only confuse you. Take your time to explore. See which platform offers the best positions for freelancers with your set of skills. Some websites are perfect for academic writers, while others work best for bloggers, web designers, or SEO experts.
Once you make a decision, create a profile at one website. Don’t worry; you can always explore other options if you don’t get tons of work from the first attempt. However, it would be best to focus on one platform at a time.
The profile needs to be very detailed. This is not the time to be modest about your achievements; you are allowed to brag about your skills and convince potential employers that you’re the right choice for the jobs they offer. Don’t forget to provide samples of your previous work; they are especially important when you’re new in the freelancing industry and you don’t have any recommendations from previous employers.
When you apply for a job, you will get a chance to show what makes you suitable for it. Write a polite message and tell the hiring manager what contributions you can make to their project. Double-check the message for spelling and grammar errors before sending it. When you get contacted for a particular position, feel free to ask relevant questions that would enable you to understand the project better.
Personal Experience: How I Became a Full-Time Freelance Writer
Throughout my 4-year experience as a freelance writer, my approach towards this job has been transformed. I have to admit: I started with the wrong attitude. Take a look at the categories of people interested in freelancing I listed above. I belonged in the third one – a recent graduate with minimal chances to get a job in a tough economy.
I saw an ad looking for freelance writers, and I thought it was time to put my inner writer into use. I started working for an individual employer who missed every possible payment, but kept me engaged with a contract, false promises, and even a promotion.
It took me a whole year to move forward, but that experience was worth something: I learned what freelance writing was all about. I found out I had a shot in this career, so I decided to look for other opportunities. That’s when I started exploring different freelancing platforms. Take my advice: they are your best bet! Although there are clients who offer low payments, there are plenty of opportunities for you to explore. Some of them are great!
When I started making a solid income with freelance writing, I suddenly realized: hey, I’m not unemployed anymore. I can proudly call myself a freelance writer! Here is my advice to everyone considering a career in freelancing: don’t give up. Even if things don’t turn out that well at the beginning, there are always other opportunities to explore. That’s the best thing about this career: you can never get fired!
About the Author
Maria is a freelance writer and blogger. She leads an educational portal for student, Scholaradvisor.com. Maris is an expert in writing, editing, social media and online education. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
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