A lot of people welcome the idea of being a freelance contractor so they can work from home, do a job they love, or to earn more. Would you like to be an online freelancer? If yes, here are sixteen success tips for you:
What kind of service can you offer? There are so many different jobs that you can do from a remote location which is why online freelancing can be a lucrative career. Choose a job that you enjoy and that you are good at. Remember that you have to contend with other freelancers so it’s very important to excel in your field.
2. Know your rights. As a freelancer, you should be aware of your rights and limits particularly when it comes to matters of payment, copyright ownership and other legalities. Before signing up for a project, make sure that you have read each and every statement in the contract and that you agree with the implications. For your protection, you may choose to provide an Agreement and have it signed by your client.
Never accept a deal unless you are clear about the terms and conditions. What does your client expect once the project is completed? How much is the compensation? When and how will payment be sent? Are you completely granting copyright of your work to your client? (Here’s an article which discusses the copyright issue in detail.) To avoid unpleasant surprises, everything should be explicitly stipulated in the contract.
3. Communicate with your client. Make sure that you understand exactly what the customer wants. It’s very important to see from your customer’s perspective to deliver a better job. The only way you can do this is to communicate effectively. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some clients will only give general instructions without specifying details.
Encourage your clients to speak out by asking relevant questions. You can also prepare a form to be filled out so you can get all the information you need before attempting to begin with the project. After submission, don't forget to ask for feedback so you'll know how well you did with your assignment.
4. Use social media to your advantage. Social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc. can be wonderful platforms to showcase your work and promote your services. Social sites can give you the exposure you need in the WWW so you can discover new job opportunities and potential employers can find you more easily as well.
5. Expand your professional network. Use social media sites to build your list of professional contacts. Join a group or a forum related to your niche. Establish ties with other freelancers. This is a great way to get support and grow as a freelancer.
6. Watch out for scams! Not all job opportunities online are legitimate so you need to be careful about accepting projects. You might come across inviting offers from clients who do not pay on time or do not pay at all. Others pretend to be hiring when all they’re really want is to steal your personal information.
Never give out your banking details, Social Security Number or other personal information even when a client insists that it is necessary for sending payment or for tax purposes. You can arrange to have the payment sent via XOOM or other wire money transfer services. You may also choose to receive payment via PayPal or Google Checkout as these are not linked to your personal bank account.
7. Protect your sample work. A scammer may require you to send work samples such as articles or art work through e-mail, with the intent of stealing your ideas or using the samples without your consent. Protect yourself by sending a link to your online portfolio where samples of your work can be viewed.
8. Live up to your promises. Make sure that with each project you do, you give it your 100% service. When you give a deadline for a project completion, see to it that you can submit on time. Give yourself a reasonable time frame to get the job done.
Do not accept multiple projects at once to make sure that the quality of your work is not compromised. If you want to build up an outstanding reputation in the freelancing industry, you must ensure that each client will be happy with your output.
9. Make your work space inspiring. If you do not have an extra room to create an office, you can designate an area in your home as your work space. Create a working space that is comfortable, functional and inspiring. See to it that you have enough storage to help you get organized and keep clutter out of sight.
Paint the wall with your favorite hue. Add beautiful, decorative pieces or art work that are a delight to the eyes. Place a mood board to stimulate creativity. Post motivational quotes on the wall to encourage positivity.
10. Save money from tax deductions. If you are a freelancer in the US, you are entitled to write off certain expenses from your taxes. (Examples are coffee and lunch during business meetings, business cell phone bills, home office expenses, etc.)
It is recommended that you consult a business attorney or a certified accountant regarding your rights and privileges to make sure that you’re not missing out on these important savings. (Check out this article: 10 Deductions Freelancers Can Grab.)
11. Manage your time. Freelancers have the freedom to work at their own pace and preferred time. However, just because you are the boss does not mean you should not follow a schedule.
I confess that this is one of my biggest challenges as a freelance writer. It can be tempting to put aside work for other things but such a habit spells trouble for a freelancer. It could result to poor quality of work because you’re rushing to beat the deadline; missing a deadline; or losing clients in the long run.
12. Present yourself as a specialist. As you gain experience and build-up a solid portfolio, you should become more confident in your abilities. For instance, experienced writers can afford to demand a higher compensation because they are confident about what they can do. If you present yourself as an expert, prospective customers would be more inclined to entrust you with an assignment and pay you with the compensation you deserve.
13. Build your own website or start a blog. Whether you are a freelance web designer, writer, web developer, a virtual assistant, having your own website is recommended if you want to offer freelance services. You can freely showcase your talent from your website or blog and you can even monetize it for extra income. Having your own site/blog would make you look more professional especially when an interested client tries to look up your name in the search engines.
14. Take charge of your finances. As a freelance contractor, you are in charge of your finances- from issuing invoices, marketing your services, monitoring payments, paying bills, preparing taxes, building up your savings, etc. Monitor your cash flow more effectively by using a simple small business accounting software.
15. Strive for excellence. No matter what it is you do or how long you’ve been freelancing, continue to work towards improvement. Keep yourself updated about the latest developments in your field. Discover tools that you can use to simplify your work and improve your output. Attend seminars, webinars or conferences to enhance your skills and strengthen your credentials.
Many small business owners who want to outsource tasks use these sites to find qualified candidates so if you are just starting out a career in freelancing, you can build up your portfolio by bidding on projects.
As you complete one project at a time, you will gain ratings and feedback from the clients you’ve worked with.
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Thanks,
Rachel:)
Rachel:)
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