How To Become A Freelancer?
Becoming a freelancer is just as easy as ordering something over the Internet. You visit sites that offer freelance jobs and tasks and take them on. This is a wonderful way of starting out and getting your name out there.
Here are a few sites that you can try for freelancing jobs:
- Fiverr: the world’s largest marketplace to look for freelance jobs. Just create an account post what you can do, add few links and you’re done.
- 99Designs: A perfect place to find freelancing jobs if you’re a designer.
- Upwork: Upwork is a more professional looking freelance marketplace where you’ll find more business clients.
- Freelancer.com: Freelancer.com is among the oldest freelance job marketplace which you can choose in your initial year when you have little or no freelance experience.
(We have a complete list of best outsourcing websites here if you want to check out more options)
Working on a few gigs from these sites helps in understanding how freelancing as a job goes along and helps you get the hang of it.
But before heading to these freelance websites, you need to set up a freelance brand for yourself. Follow these steps for the same –
- Decide what services you’ll offer.
- Determine your target market.
- Find the platforms (freelancing websites) you’ll be serving on. Choose a uniform username on all of them. It helps you build your brand identity.
- Decide your rates.
- Create an online portfolio on your niche-specific portfolio platforms; GitHub for developers, Behance for designers, etc. We also suggest you create a personal portfolio website to showcase your skills and talent.
- Market your services: market on social media, offer something for free or at a very less cost (helps in getting more traction), ask for referrals, and use email marketing.