Complete guide on how to make money with freelancing

Complete guide on how to make money with freelancing

Freelancing is one of the most popular online money making channels. Nowadays, thousands of online entrepreneurs are using freelancing as their major source of income. Reason? Freelancing offer a lot of benefits over other online money making channels. Some of the benefits include,
 

1. Legitimate and transparent

Due to the nature of freelancing, it is difficult to defraud people. Freelancing sites acts as a mediator between the employers and freelancers. Before a freelancer start to do a job, the employer must deposit fund in the account of the freelancing site. Therefore, the freelancing site holds the fund until the freelancer complete the job according to the terms of the contract.

2. Fast payment

Once a freelancer complete the task, he/she receives payment. Unlike other money making channels where you have to reach certain threshold or wait till the end of the month.

3. Diversified marketplace

This is one great benefits of freelancing I so much cherish. In freelancing any skill is marketable and can yield money for you.

4. Availability of jobs

A lot of people find it convenient to outsource some task through freelancing sites. Companies and organizations are also using freelancing to accomplish some task. Some of these companies prefer to outsource than hiring a professional which will be more expensive.
  Moreover, there are tons of freelancing marketplace where freelancers will find jobs online.

Skills that sells like hot cakes in freelancing

If you have any of the skills listed below, you can freelance it and make money with it. The skills listed below are extremely hot and are in demand;
A. Writing
B. Programming
C. Web designing
D. Translation
E.  Video production
F.  Editing ( video and article)
G. Writing reviews

 

Freelancing fundamentals- simple strategies you can use to get jobs.

 One of the disadvantage of freelancing is that it is highly competitive. Most times, it may take ages for some freelancers to get a job. If you want to excel in freelancing, you have to be very creative and unique.
 Below, I share some simple techniques a freelancer can use to get jobs consistently;
 

1. Create amazing portfolio

 In most freelancing sites, a freelancer is giving the opportunity to create a portfolio. This portfolio include profile, pictures, sample, qualification, experience, testimonial etc.

2. Buy premium membership

Some freelancing sites use to have premium membership. If you have the fund, it is better to go premium.

3.  Sample

Try to include work samples. Employers will like to see your previous work and use it to access your capability. Sample become more  important if you are a newbie with no work experience.

4. Join many freelancing sites.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Join many freelancing marketplace. This strategy will multiply your chances of getting jobs. As you are becoming more experience, you can specialize in one or two sites that favors you more.

5. Bid many jobs as much as you.

Once your qualification match a job specification, make sure you bid. Don't be intimidated by high numbers of bidders and their profiles. Luck may smile at your face.

6. Seek jobs from other sources

Don't be restricted to only freelancing marketplace. You can seek jobs from forums and message boards. Most internet marketing forums have a section for freelancing works. Check out;
Digitalpoint.com
Warriorforum.com

7.Lower the price a bit

 It is more advisable to lower your price when you don't have enough work experience. In your bidding include that the price is negotiable. But if the job specification include a price range don't tell them you can do the work at a lower price. It is unprofessional and a sign of desperation    

8. Keep your communication line open always.

        Don’t undermine the power of communication when it comes to
freelancing. It is not advisable to keep your customers and prospective
client waiting. Punctuality and efficiency in communication creates a very
positive impression about you and your services. Synchronize your e-mail
with your phone. Be the first in the line to bid contracts and respond
accordingly. 

9. Bid like a professional

        When bidding for writing contract, bid like a professional. Don’t
show sign of desperation, employers use to look for these silent points.
Appear confidence about your capacity and don’t sell your service so cheap.
Through as a new freelancer, your bid price suppose to be a little bit
below average. Create a balance, but don’t sell your services cheap!
 

10. Accept jobs you can finish

        Many jobs freelancers goes about bidding every contract and hopping
to outsource it to another writer at a lower price. That’s very wrong move,
because if the writer fails to live to expectation, it will directly affect
your business profile. Stay true to your ability and don’t accept writing
you cannot finish at a stipulated time
 

11. Use extra- mile strategy

Most freelancers that make money on freelancer sites use to go extra- mile
in delivering their service. Do everything possible in your capacity to
satisfy your customers. You can add bonus on your services. For example,
you agreed with your customers to write 500 words per content, you can give
extra 200 words as a bonus.

12. Create a link with your customers

You can create link with your customers through social media like facebook
or twitter. Though in most cases, freelancing sites doesn’t allow such
interaction. Therefore, you have to check the TOS of the freelancing sites
before linking with your employers. As relationship gets better, you can get jobs from without through a medium.
 

13.  Interat with other freelancers in your area of specialization 

Build a relationship with other  freelancers. If you are a writer find forum  where writers share ideas you can join.. if you are a programmer, find message board where  programmers interact and share ideas.  Some of the freelancers in your area of specialization may be your employers in disguise. Some of them may from time to time may outsource their jobs to you. If you are a writer you can check out these forums;

1.  Digitalpoint.com

2. Writers.net

3. Mywritingcircle.com

4. Absolutewrite.com

5.  Writingforums.com

  Comment on their threads and start discussions. Some of the writers are
established authors and freelancers who can give you solid guideline.  Believe!
Some of them are you clients in disguise. 

14.  Learn the art of negotiation

  Negotiation is veritable weapon in freelancing especially when business
goes wrong. Sometimes, the scope of work may be above your estimate or the
work need more time to finish in perfect sate. If you find yourself in this
kind of dilemma, discuss it with your client. Let your explanation  be straight
forward and don’t beat around the bush. If your client sees sincerity in
your explanation, there are chances him may reconsider his position.

  In the other round, if the ball is in your court, be flexible and allow
room for change. But in a situation where you are in doubt, stick to your
gun. 

 

List  of top freelancing site 

1.  www.odesk.com

2.  www.toptal.com

3.  www.guru.com

4.  www.elance.com

5.  www.fiverr.com

6.  www.problogger.com

7.  www.onsite.com

8.  www.theshelf.com

9.  www.freelancer.com