WHAT IS FREELANCING?
SOMETIMES LIFE CAN GET TOUGH, AND YOU PROBABLY ARE THINKING, LET ME QUIT MY JOB AND WORK FOR MYSELF. IN SHORT, FREELANCING DEFINITION IS, WORKING FOR YOUR SELF; THIS IS A PLAIN AND SIMPLE EXPLANATION.
HOW TO START FREELANCING
FREELANCING - THE MENTION OF THE WORD ALONE PROVES TO BE QUITE INSPIRING FOR MOST PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY TODAY IN A WORLD OF MODERN DIGITAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND FAST COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS. FOR MOST PEOPLE, THIS MEANS FREEDOM FROM ALL THE HASSLES BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE CONVENTIONAL 9 TO 5 SLAVE-TO-THE-GRIND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT POPULATE THE BUSINESS WORLD. BUT BEFORE YOU GO AND GO ALL GUNG-HO AND VIOLENT WITH YOUR SUPERVISORS, BOSSES, AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO ALL JUST SEEM TO CONTROL YOUR TIME WHENEVER YOU'RE AT THE OFFICE, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER PLANNING AHEAD IN ORDER TO PAVE A SUCCESSFUL ROAD TO FREELANCING FREEDOM.
FINALLY, YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR RATES AS COMPETITIVE AS THE CHEAPEST RATES OUT THERE IN THE OUTSOURCED MARKETS. BUT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HUMILITY NEEDS SOME FORM OF DIGNITY, SO YOU SHOULDN'T WORK DOUBLY HARD FREELANCING WHEN YOU COULD GET THE SAME RATES AT HALF OF YOUR OUTPUT FROM A CONVENTIONAL PART-TIME JOB BEING OFFERED BY A BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT NEAR YOU. YOU SHOULD NEVER COMPENSATE THE QUALITY OF YOUR SERVICES FOR YOUR RATES, SO STAY AS COMPETITIVE AND ON TOP OF YOUR COMPETITORS BY ALWAYS PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES TO YOUR CLIENTS. WORD-OF-THE-MOUTH ADVERTISING IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE FORM OF MARKETING, AND YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR CLIENTS TALKING ABOUT YOU AND YOUR SERVICES AT ALL TIMES. OF COURSE, IT IS BUT COMMON SENSE TO STAY OUT OF SCAMS, SO DO YOUR OWN CREDIT INVESTIGATIONS ON CLIENTS THAT SEEM TO BE TOO GOOD TO ACTUALLY BE TRUE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR INTENTIONS OF HIRING YOUR SERVICES - THIS GOES THE SAME FOR THOSE WEBSITES THAT SEEK FREELANCERS TO WORK FOR THEM.
FINALLY, YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR RATES AS COMPETITIVE AS THE CHEAPEST RATES OUT THERE IN THE OUTSOURCED MARKETS. BUT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HUMILITY NEEDS SOME FORM OF DIGNITY, SO YOU SHOULDN'T WORK DOUBLY HARD FREELANCING WHEN YOU COULD GET THE SAME RATES AT HALF OF YOUR OUTPUT FROM A CONVENTIONAL PART-TIME JOB BEING OFFERED BY A BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT NEAR YOU. YOU SHOULD NEVER COMPENSATE THE QUALITY OF YOUR SERVICES FOR YOUR RATES, SO STAY AS COMPETITIVE AND ON TOP OF YOUR COMPETITORS BY ALWAYS PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES TO YOUR CLIENTS. WORD-OF-THE-MOUTH ADVERTISING IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE FORM OF MARKETING, AND YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR CLIENTS TALKING ABOUT YOU AND YOUR SERVICES AT ALL TIMES. OF COURSE, IT IS BUT COMMON SENSE TO STAY OUT OF SCAMS, SO DO YOUR OWN CREDIT INVESTIGATIONS ON CLIENTS THAT SEEM TO BE TOO GOOD TO ACTUALLY BE TRUE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR INTENTIONS OF HIRING YOUR SERVICES - THIS GOES THE SAME FOR THOSE WEBSITES THAT SEEK FREELANCERS TO WORK FOR THEM.
WHERE TO START
FOR FREELANCING ASSIGNMENTS, THERES NO SHORTAGE OF REQUESTS FOR WORK AND ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW IS WHERE TO LOOK AND TO ESTABLISH YOUR REPUTATION IN ONLINE COMMUNITY. WHETHER YOU WANT TO START FREELANCING ASSIGNMENTS AS PROGRAMMER, CONTENT DEVELOPMENT OR A LEGAL EXPERT, YOU CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF PROJECTS FROM ANY COUNTRY. ESTABLISHING AS A FREELANCER MAY TAKE SOMETIME BEFORE YOU CROSS THE STAGE OF INEVITABLE DRY SPOTS IN THE BUSINESS.
MOST OF THE FREELANCING ASSIGNMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE THROUGH REGISTRATION WITH A PORTAL. YOU CAN REGISTER WITH SUCH PORTALS AS BUYER OR SELLER FOR FREE FOR BASIC SERVICES AND PAY NOMINAL COMMISSION FOR THE JOBS ACCEPTED, HOWEVER SOME SITES DO ASK FOR SOME FEE FOR PREMIUM SERVICES THEY OFFER. MEMBERS OF THE PORTAL, WHETHER BUYER OR SELLER, CAN RATE EACH OTHER ON THE BASIS OF THEIR EXPERIENCE WHILE DEALING WITH SUCH PERSON. ANY POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE FEEDBACK HISTORY PROVES QUITE HANDY FOR USERS BEFORE DECIDING TO DEAL WITH SUCH PERSON.
RECOMMENDED ESSENTIALS FOR STARTING AS A FREELANCER:
THERE ARE NO ENTRY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PROFESSION. HOWEVER, SOME COUNTRIES MAY HAVE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME SECTORS SUCH AS FOR RADIOLOGISTS REPORTING ON X-RAYS, CT SCANS, MRI SCANS BY LOOKING AT FILMS.
FIRST STEP BEFORE STARTING AS FREELANCER IS TO ASSESS THE COMPETITION IN THE NICHE SELECTED, SIZE OF MARKET, ITS ABILITY TO ABSORB NEW PLAYERS ETC.
PROMOTE YOUR VISIBILITY AS A FREELANCER:
BEST RESOURCE ON THE NET TO GET FREELANCING WORK IS YOUR PROFILE. AS A FREELANCER, YOU MUST WORK ON PROMOTE YOUR VISIBILITY IN THE MARKETPLACE. A WEBSITE WOULD HELP YOU A LOT AS WHERE YOU CAN DISPLAY EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK. CONTRIBUTE ARTICLE TO RELEVANT DIRECTORIES WITH YOUR AUTHOR INFORMATION.
IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER, DO SOME JOBS AS VOLUNTEER TO HELP PEOPLE NOTICE YOU AND RATE YOUR WORK.
WHERE TO LOOK FOR FREELANCING ASSIGNMENTS:
WEBSITES ARE VERY CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF FREELANCERS. WHILE MOST PORTALS ALLOW ANY TYPE OF JOB TO BE FLOATED, THERE ARE SOME SPECIALIZED PORTALS THAT OFFER ASSIGNMENTS IN A PARTICULAR FIELD ONLY. SOME RESOURCES FOR FREELANCING JOBS ARE:
1. SOME PORTALS AS GURU.COM, ELANCE, GETACODER AND PAJAMANATION, RENTACODER, GETAFREELANCER.COM ARE SOME OF THE BUSTLING MARKETPLACES TO LOOK FOR THE BUSINESS. THE BIDS AT THESE SITES ARE GENERALLY ACCEPTED BY THE METHOD OF REVERSE AUCTION; HOWEVER, THOSE PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES NEED NOT UNDER SELL THEMSELVES. THESE SITES ALSO HAVE EXTENSIVE DISPUTE RESOLVING MECHANISM AS ARBITRATION OR ESCROW ACCOUNT TO PROTECT PARTICIPANTS FROM FRAUD.
2. LOOK FOR ESTABLISHED FREELANCERS. THEY GENERALLY SUBCONTRACT PART OF THEIR WORK.
3. TUTOPIA THIS PORTAL PROVIDES FREELANCING JOBS TO TEACHERS AND IS QUITE HELPFUL FOR DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE. REGISTRATION IS FREE. REMUNERATION CAN BE QUOTED PER ASSIGNMENT, OR PER HOUR BASIS. SOME COMMISSION TO THE PORTAL IS PAYABLE AT THE TIME OF AWARD OF A JOB TO TEACHER. SKILLS LIKE PLAYING THE PIANO, LEARNING GOLF ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS PORTAL.
4. INDUSTRY CONFERENCES AND TRADE SHOWS: NOT ALL THE FREELANCING JOBS ARE AWARDED ONLINE. ATTENDING INDUSTRY TRADE SHOWS ARE A GREAT WAY TO GET BUSINESS FOR MANY FREELANCING JOBS AS LEGAL EXPERTS, LEADERSHIP CONSULTANTS AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS WHERE SUCH FREELANCERS ARE APPROACHED BY IMPRESSED PARTICIPANTS.
5. ONLINE CONSUMER MAGAZINES, LITERARY MAGAZINES, EZINES AND TRADE JOURNALS SOURCE THEIR REQUIREMENTS FROM FREELANCERS. YOU MAY LOOK FOR SUCH JOURNALS THAT FIT IN YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE. NOT ALL SUCH MAGAZINES PAY WELL BUT THEY ADD TO YOUR PRESTIGE AND IMPROVE YOUR VISIBILITY ON THE NET.
6. WHILE BROWSING THOROUGH VARIOUS SITES, TRY TO NOTICE IF THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WRITERS. MOST SITES POST THEIR REQUIREMENT OF WRITERS ON THEIR SITE. SIMPLY CHOSE A SITE WHICH TOPIC OF YOUR CORE COMPETENCE.
7. YOU MAY FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE BUT RESUME WRITING AND COVER LETTERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST PAYING FREELANCING JOBS. YOU NEED TO HAVE EXPERTISE IN WRITING CHRONOLOGIC AND FUNCTIONAL RESUMES.
8. ARTICLESGRATUITS.COM IS ANOTHER GREAT RESOURCE FOR FREELANCING. THE PORTAL OFFERS YOU TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE AND FIX ITS PRICE. THE PORTAL OFFERS YOU TWO OPTIONS; ONE, YOU CAN OFFER THE ARTICLE FOR SALE AND THE PORTAL WOULD CHARGE 75% COMMISSION AND SECOND; IT WOULD SHARE AD REVENUE WITH YOU.
BESIDES ABOVE, THERE ARE MANY SITES THAT OFFER FREELANCING JOBS IN TRANSLATION, PROOFREADING, SOFTWARE LOCALIZATION, SUBTITLING, WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER SERVICES. CHOOSE A RESOURCE CONSIDERING YOUR CORE COMPETENCE.
MOST OF THE FREELANCING ASSIGNMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE THROUGH REGISTRATION WITH A PORTAL. YOU CAN REGISTER WITH SUCH PORTALS AS BUYER OR SELLER FOR FREE FOR BASIC SERVICES AND PAY NOMINAL COMMISSION FOR THE JOBS ACCEPTED, HOWEVER SOME SITES DO ASK FOR SOME FEE FOR PREMIUM SERVICES THEY OFFER. MEMBERS OF THE PORTAL, WHETHER BUYER OR SELLER, CAN RATE EACH OTHER ON THE BASIS OF THEIR EXPERIENCE WHILE DEALING WITH SUCH PERSON. ANY POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE FEEDBACK HISTORY PROVES QUITE HANDY FOR USERS BEFORE DECIDING TO DEAL WITH SUCH PERSON.
RECOMMENDED ESSENTIALS FOR STARTING AS A FREELANCER:
THERE ARE NO ENTRY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PROFESSION. HOWEVER, SOME COUNTRIES MAY HAVE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME SECTORS SUCH AS FOR RADIOLOGISTS REPORTING ON X-RAYS, CT SCANS, MRI SCANS BY LOOKING AT FILMS.
FIRST STEP BEFORE STARTING AS FREELANCER IS TO ASSESS THE COMPETITION IN THE NICHE SELECTED, SIZE OF MARKET, ITS ABILITY TO ABSORB NEW PLAYERS ETC.
PROMOTE YOUR VISIBILITY AS A FREELANCER:
BEST RESOURCE ON THE NET TO GET FREELANCING WORK IS YOUR PROFILE. AS A FREELANCER, YOU MUST WORK ON PROMOTE YOUR VISIBILITY IN THE MARKETPLACE. A WEBSITE WOULD HELP YOU A LOT AS WHERE YOU CAN DISPLAY EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK. CONTRIBUTE ARTICLE TO RELEVANT DIRECTORIES WITH YOUR AUTHOR INFORMATION.
IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER, DO SOME JOBS AS VOLUNTEER TO HELP PEOPLE NOTICE YOU AND RATE YOUR WORK.
WHERE TO LOOK FOR FREELANCING ASSIGNMENTS:
WEBSITES ARE VERY CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF FREELANCERS. WHILE MOST PORTALS ALLOW ANY TYPE OF JOB TO BE FLOATED, THERE ARE SOME SPECIALIZED PORTALS THAT OFFER ASSIGNMENTS IN A PARTICULAR FIELD ONLY. SOME RESOURCES FOR FREELANCING JOBS ARE:
1. SOME PORTALS AS GURU.COM, ELANCE, GETACODER AND PAJAMANATION, RENTACODER, GETAFREELANCER.COM ARE SOME OF THE BUSTLING MARKETPLACES TO LOOK FOR THE BUSINESS. THE BIDS AT THESE SITES ARE GENERALLY ACCEPTED BY THE METHOD OF REVERSE AUCTION; HOWEVER, THOSE PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES NEED NOT UNDER SELL THEMSELVES. THESE SITES ALSO HAVE EXTENSIVE DISPUTE RESOLVING MECHANISM AS ARBITRATION OR ESCROW ACCOUNT TO PROTECT PARTICIPANTS FROM FRAUD.
2. LOOK FOR ESTABLISHED FREELANCERS. THEY GENERALLY SUBCONTRACT PART OF THEIR WORK.
3. TUTOPIA THIS PORTAL PROVIDES FREELANCING JOBS TO TEACHERS AND IS QUITE HELPFUL FOR DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE. REGISTRATION IS FREE. REMUNERATION CAN BE QUOTED PER ASSIGNMENT, OR PER HOUR BASIS. SOME COMMISSION TO THE PORTAL IS PAYABLE AT THE TIME OF AWARD OF A JOB TO TEACHER. SKILLS LIKE PLAYING THE PIANO, LEARNING GOLF ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS PORTAL.
4. INDUSTRY CONFERENCES AND TRADE SHOWS: NOT ALL THE FREELANCING JOBS ARE AWARDED ONLINE. ATTENDING INDUSTRY TRADE SHOWS ARE A GREAT WAY TO GET BUSINESS FOR MANY FREELANCING JOBS AS LEGAL EXPERTS, LEADERSHIP CONSULTANTS AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS WHERE SUCH FREELANCERS ARE APPROACHED BY IMPRESSED PARTICIPANTS.
5. ONLINE CONSUMER MAGAZINES, LITERARY MAGAZINES, EZINES AND TRADE JOURNALS SOURCE THEIR REQUIREMENTS FROM FREELANCERS. YOU MAY LOOK FOR SUCH JOURNALS THAT FIT IN YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE. NOT ALL SUCH MAGAZINES PAY WELL BUT THEY ADD TO YOUR PRESTIGE AND IMPROVE YOUR VISIBILITY ON THE NET.
6. WHILE BROWSING THOROUGH VARIOUS SITES, TRY TO NOTICE IF THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WRITERS. MOST SITES POST THEIR REQUIREMENT OF WRITERS ON THEIR SITE. SIMPLY CHOSE A SITE WHICH TOPIC OF YOUR CORE COMPETENCE.
7. YOU MAY FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE BUT RESUME WRITING AND COVER LETTERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST PAYING FREELANCING JOBS. YOU NEED TO HAVE EXPERTISE IN WRITING CHRONOLOGIC AND FUNCTIONAL RESUMES.
8. ARTICLESGRATUITS.COM IS ANOTHER GREAT RESOURCE FOR FREELANCING. THE PORTAL OFFERS YOU TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE AND FIX ITS PRICE. THE PORTAL OFFERS YOU TWO OPTIONS; ONE, YOU CAN OFFER THE ARTICLE FOR SALE AND THE PORTAL WOULD CHARGE 75% COMMISSION AND SECOND; IT WOULD SHARE AD REVENUE WITH YOU.
BESIDES ABOVE, THERE ARE MANY SITES THAT OFFER FREELANCING JOBS IN TRANSLATION, PROOFREADING, SOFTWARE LOCALIZATION, SUBTITLING, WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER SERVICES. CHOOSE A RESOURCE CONSIDERING YOUR CORE COMPETENCE.
HOW TO BEGIN FREELANCING?
TODAY A NEW WORD CATCHING EVERYONES ATTENTION IS FREELANCING. TECHNICALLY FREELANCER IS A PROFESSIONAL WHO SELLS SERVICES TO EMPLOYERS WITHOUT A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO ANY OF THEM.
RESEARCH TELLS US THAT PEOPLE ARE NATURALLY SKEPTICAL OF ANY PROSPECTING FREELANCER. CONVINCING THEM WITH YOUR IDEAS AND SAMPLES CAN BE A GOOD IDEA FOR GETTING A DESIRED PROJECT. BUT YOU SHOULD NEVER SET SUCH HIGH TARGETS FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE LEAVING YOU FEEL DISAPPOINTED. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR A FREELANCER IS TO FIND ASSURED WORK AND ON GOING PROJECTS ALL YEAR LONG.
THUS IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO LONGS FOR INDEPENDENCE AND CONTROL, A CAREER IN FREELANCING MAY BE A PERFECT CHOICE FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT WHEN YOU FREELANCE, YOU BECOME YOUR OWN BOSS. SO WITH A POSITIVE FRAME OF MIND AND A DETERMINED ATTITUDE, GIVE YOUR FREELANCING CAREER A STARTER.
PROBLEMS AND DRAWBACKS OF FREELANCING :
FREELANCING IS SELF-EMPLOYMENT OR WORKING IN A PROFESSION OR TRADE IN WHICH FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT IS ALSO COMMON. FIELDS WHERE FREELANCING IS ESPECIALLY COMMON INCLUDE JOURNALISM AND OTHER FORMS OF WRITING, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN, CONSULTING, AND MANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL AND CREATIVE SERVICES. THOUGH WORKING AT YOUR OWN PACE IN THE LEISURE OF YOUR HOUSE MAY SEEM VERY TEMPTING BUT AS THE COIN HAVE TWO FACES THERE ARE SOME DRAWBACKS ALSO, WHICH SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BEFORE PLUNGING INTO THE FREELANCING MARKET. SOME OF THESE DRAWBACKS AND PROBLEMS ARE:INABILITY TO DELIVER VOLUME OF WORK: - FREELANCERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SATISFY THEIR CUSTOMERS IN TERMS OF VOLUME WHICH CAN TURN AWAY THEIR CUSTOMERS TO BIG HOUSES WHICH HAVE CAPACITY TO GENERATE MORE OUTPUT. BEING THE SOLE WORKING HAND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR A FREELANCER TO GENERATE HUGE VOLUME OF WORK.SOLE RESPONSIBILITY: - AS A FREELANCER, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE ASPECTS OF YOUR BUSINESS, WITHOUT HAVING THE POSSIBILITY TO DELEGATE TASKS TO PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MORE SUITABLE FOR THEM THAN YOURSELF. SO YOU WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PAYMENT OF YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL, MANAGING YOUR ACCOUNTS, PROCURING ORDERS AND MAINTAINING RELATIONS WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS APART FROM DELIVERING THE JOB ON TIME. THIS CAN BE FRUSTRATING ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WORKLOAD IS MUCH AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO DELIVER YOUR ASSIGNMENT ON TIME.NO PERKS OR BENEFITS: - AS A FREELANCER, YOU DO NOT GET BONUS, PENSION, HEALTH OR MEDICAL INSURANCE. SO YOU HAVE TO DIG INTO YOUR POCKET IF YOU NEED YOUR INSURANCES AND OTHER BENEFITS. WITH NO PERKS AND NO BENEFITS, YOUR ACTUAL INCOME IS GENERALLY LOWER THAN THAT OF A SALARY EARNER.DISTRACTION: - AT HOME YOU HAVE NO EYES TO PEER AT YOU MAKING SURE THAT YOU COMPLETE YOUR WORK ON TIME. SO FREELANCERS HAVE TO BE VERY SELF-MOTIVATED AND DISCIPLINED IN ORDER TO GET THEIR WORK DONE ON TIME AND CORRECTLY. DISTRACTIONS LIKE THE TELEVISION, INTERNET AND HOUSEWORK CAN BE HINDRANCES TO YOUR WORK AT HOME SUCCESS. IF YOU ARE THE ONE WHO GETS EASILY DISTRACTED BY OUTSIDE INFLUENCES, THEN FREELANCING IS NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA.ISOLATION: - THIS IS ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR FREELANCERS. WORKING AT HOME ALONE CAN GET FRUSTRATING AND LONELY. APART FROM BEING LONELY, WORKING ALONE PROHIBITS YOUR LEARNING OF NEW IDEAS THAT COMES AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU INTERACT WITH YOUR SENIORS AND COLLEAGUES IN OFFICE.UNCERTAINTY OF WORK: - AS A FREELANCER, THERE IS NO FIXED SALARY AT THE END OF THE MONTH. ALSO THE AMOUNT OF WORK KEEPS FLUCTUATING, THUS LEADING TO UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME. THIS IS A MAJOR POINT TO BE CONSIDERED ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY TO LOOK AFTER.ERRATIC WORK SCHEDULE: - THIS AGAIN SAYS THAT THERE IS NO FIXED TIME OR OFFICE HOURS FOR DOING YOUR JOB. SO YOU MAY ACTUALLY TURN INTO A COUCH POTATO WHO KEEPS POSTPONING HIS WORK TILL THE LAST MOMENT, SLEEPS LATE AT NIGHT AND GETS UP WHEN THE SUN IS OVERHEAD AT NOON. AGAIN, TOO MUCH WORKLOAD CAN MAKE YOU WORK MORE, WHICH BEING A DETRIMENT TO YOUR HEALTH ALSO.
RESEARCH TELLS US THAT PEOPLE ARE NATURALLY SKEPTICAL OF ANY PROSPECTING FREELANCER. CONVINCING THEM WITH YOUR IDEAS AND SAMPLES CAN BE A GOOD IDEA FOR GETTING A DESIRED PROJECT. BUT YOU SHOULD NEVER SET SUCH HIGH TARGETS FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE LEAVING YOU FEEL DISAPPOINTED. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR A FREELANCER IS TO FIND ASSURED WORK AND ON GOING PROJECTS ALL YEAR LONG.
THUS IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO LONGS FOR INDEPENDENCE AND CONTROL, A CAREER IN FREELANCING MAY BE A PERFECT CHOICE FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT WHEN YOU FREELANCE, YOU BECOME YOUR OWN BOSS. SO WITH A POSITIVE FRAME OF MIND AND A DETERMINED ATTITUDE, GIVE YOUR FREELANCING CAREER A STARTER.
PROBLEMS AND DRAWBACKS OF FREELANCING :
FREELANCING IS SELF-EMPLOYMENT OR WORKING IN A PROFESSION OR TRADE IN WHICH FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT IS ALSO COMMON. FIELDS WHERE FREELANCING IS ESPECIALLY COMMON INCLUDE JOURNALISM AND OTHER FORMS OF WRITING, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN, CONSULTING, AND MANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL AND CREATIVE SERVICES. THOUGH WORKING AT YOUR OWN PACE IN THE LEISURE OF YOUR HOUSE MAY SEEM VERY TEMPTING BUT AS THE COIN HAVE TWO FACES THERE ARE SOME DRAWBACKS ALSO, WHICH SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BEFORE PLUNGING INTO THE FREELANCING MARKET. SOME OF THESE DRAWBACKS AND PROBLEMS ARE:INABILITY TO DELIVER VOLUME OF WORK: - FREELANCERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SATISFY THEIR CUSTOMERS IN TERMS OF VOLUME WHICH CAN TURN AWAY THEIR CUSTOMERS TO BIG HOUSES WHICH HAVE CAPACITY TO GENERATE MORE OUTPUT. BEING THE SOLE WORKING HAND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR A FREELANCER TO GENERATE HUGE VOLUME OF WORK.SOLE RESPONSIBILITY: - AS A FREELANCER, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE ASPECTS OF YOUR BUSINESS, WITHOUT HAVING THE POSSIBILITY TO DELEGATE TASKS TO PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MORE SUITABLE FOR THEM THAN YOURSELF. SO YOU WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PAYMENT OF YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL, MANAGING YOUR ACCOUNTS, PROCURING ORDERS AND MAINTAINING RELATIONS WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS APART FROM DELIVERING THE JOB ON TIME. THIS CAN BE FRUSTRATING ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WORKLOAD IS MUCH AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO DELIVER YOUR ASSIGNMENT ON TIME.NO PERKS OR BENEFITS: - AS A FREELANCER, YOU DO NOT GET BONUS, PENSION, HEALTH OR MEDICAL INSURANCE. SO YOU HAVE TO DIG INTO YOUR POCKET IF YOU NEED YOUR INSURANCES AND OTHER BENEFITS. WITH NO PERKS AND NO BENEFITS, YOUR ACTUAL INCOME IS GENERALLY LOWER THAN THAT OF A SALARY EARNER.DISTRACTION: - AT HOME YOU HAVE NO EYES TO PEER AT YOU MAKING SURE THAT YOU COMPLETE YOUR WORK ON TIME. SO FREELANCERS HAVE TO BE VERY SELF-MOTIVATED AND DISCIPLINED IN ORDER TO GET THEIR WORK DONE ON TIME AND CORRECTLY. DISTRACTIONS LIKE THE TELEVISION, INTERNET AND HOUSEWORK CAN BE HINDRANCES TO YOUR WORK AT HOME SUCCESS. IF YOU ARE THE ONE WHO GETS EASILY DISTRACTED BY OUTSIDE INFLUENCES, THEN FREELANCING IS NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA.ISOLATION: - THIS IS ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR FREELANCERS. WORKING AT HOME ALONE CAN GET FRUSTRATING AND LONELY. APART FROM BEING LONELY, WORKING ALONE PROHIBITS YOUR LEARNING OF NEW IDEAS THAT COMES AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU INTERACT WITH YOUR SENIORS AND COLLEAGUES IN OFFICE.UNCERTAINTY OF WORK: - AS A FREELANCER, THERE IS NO FIXED SALARY AT THE END OF THE MONTH. ALSO THE AMOUNT OF WORK KEEPS FLUCTUATING, THUS LEADING TO UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME. THIS IS A MAJOR POINT TO BE CONSIDERED ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY TO LOOK AFTER.ERRATIC WORK SCHEDULE: - THIS AGAIN SAYS THAT THERE IS NO FIXED TIME OR OFFICE HOURS FOR DOING YOUR JOB. SO YOU MAY ACTUALLY TURN INTO A COUCH POTATO WHO KEEPS POSTPONING HIS WORK TILL THE LAST MOMENT, SLEEPS LATE AT NIGHT AND GETS UP WHEN THE SUN IS OVERHEAD AT NOON. AGAIN, TOO MUCH WORKLOAD CAN MAKE YOU WORK MORE, WHICH BEING A DETRIMENT TO YOUR HEALTH ALSO.
WORKING AS A FREELANCER
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT FREELANCING WHICH COULD BE HALF-TRUTHS IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK AND WHAT EXACTLY TO LOOK FOR WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUAL SUCCESSFUL FREELANCING STORIES TOGETHER WITH THE ADVANTAGES OR DISADVANTAGES THAT CAN BE OFFERED BY FREELANCING. IF SO, YOU MAY HAVE NEVER SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED TAKING A FREELANCING CAREER SINCE YOU WOULD NEED TO MAKE A LIST OF THE ACTUAL ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES THAT CAN BE BROUGHT ABOUT BY FREELANCING AND AT THE SAME TIME GAINED BY REAL FREELANCERS BEFORE YOU TAKE A FREELANCING CAREER HEAD-ON.
HOW TO EARN FREELANCE WRITING INCOME
FREELANCE WRITING IS A FIELD TO EARN GOOD MONEY, AND TO WORK FROM HOME. AS A JOURNALIST FOR MANY YEARS, I EXPLORED FREELANCE WRITING ON OCCASION. OFTEN, THESE LED TO RESULTS, BUT IT TAKES TIME. THESE STEPS ARE THE WAYS I HAVE LEARNED THAT A QUICK FREELANCE INCOME CAN BE MADE. THESE ARE NO SET-IN-STONE RULES; JUST A FEW IDEAS FOR HOW TO EARN AS A FREELANCE WRITER.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. STEP1
IF YOU ARE BEGINNING: ONE THING YOU MUST DO IS START ASKING QUESTIONS. THIS WILL LEAD TO MORE SALES, BECAUSE ASKING QUESTIONS ALWAYS LEADS TO GOOD THINGS. A WRITER CAN TELL YOU OF A MARKET YOU NEVER HEARD ABOUT. ANOTHER FREELANCER CAN GIVE YOU A SHORT CRITIQUE ON ONE OF YOUR ARTICLES, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A SALE.
2. STEP2
JOIN A WRITING GROUP. SOMETIMES, FREELANCE WRITERS WILL BE TOO BUSY TO OFFER YOU CRITIQUES. HOWEVER, MANY TIMES A GOOD WRITING GROUP CAN HELP A WRITER FIND THAT HIDDEN VOICE. SOME OF THE BEST, IN MY EXPERIENCE, ARE URBIS.COM AND CRITIQUECIRCLE.COM. THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS, BUT THESE ARE THE TWO BEST. CRITIQUE CIRCLE IS SLANTED MORE TOWARD FICTION, BUT YOU CAN GET HELP THERE. ALSO, CONSIDER YAHOO! GROUPS: THERE ARE DOZENS OF WRITING GROUPS, SOME BETTER THAN OTHERS.
3. STEP3
WRITE FOR NEWSPAPERS. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF NEWSPAPERS THAT ARE OFTEN IN NEED OF CONTENT OR FILLERS FOR THEIR PAPERS. THE COMPETITION IS LESS STIFF HERE, BUT SO IS THE PAYOUT. FREELANCE WRITING FOR NEWSPAPERS IS GETTING HARDER BECAUSE MOST OF THE MATERIAL IS WRITTEN BY THOSE EITHER WORKING FOR THE PAPER OR WRITERS WITH BIG NAMES. QUERY THE EDITORS WITH ARTICLE POSSIBILITIES ON A WEEKLY BASIS. FIND OUT WHICH PAPERS ACCEPT FREELANCE CONTENT (OFTEN FREE PAPERS WILL, ALONG WITH COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS).
4. STEP4
WRITE FOR CONTENT SITES. THESE ARE ANY SITES THAT HAVE RECURRING OR CONSISTENTLY REFRESHED INFORMATION FOR USERS. MANY SAY, "NEVER WRITE FOR A CONTENT SITE, THEY WASTE YOUR TIME, AND THEY'RE NOT REAL CLIPS." THAT MAY BE TRUE, BUT FOR THE BEGINNER FOR THE STRUGGLING FREELANCE WRITER, A FEW EXTRA PAYCHECKS AT THE END OF THE MONTH CAN DO WONDERS. YES, CONTENT WRITING IS USUALLY ABOUT THE MONEY, BUT SOME PUBLICATIONS WILL ACCEPT THESE AS CLIPS. THE TRICK IS TO WRITE WELL FROM THE START, TAKING TIME TO WRITE SOMETHING OF QUALITY EVEN FOR LOW-PAYMENT. CONTENT SITES ARE EVER-CHANGING, BUT SOME OF THE BEST ARE CONSTANT-CONTENT AND ASSOCIATED CONTENT.
5. STEP5
QUERY ASAP. SEND AS MANY QUALITY QUERIES YOU CAN EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE WEEK. THIS IS CRUCIAL TO GETTING THE NEEDED INCOME. SOME SAY TO WRITE FIVE QUERIES A DAY, WHICH SOMETIMES CAN TAKE A WHOLE DAY. TRY TO GET OUT AT LEAST ONE A DAY, WHILE CONTINUING TO WRITE FEATURE ARTICLES.
6. STEP6
WRITE AN EBOOK. EBOOKS WON'T BRING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, BUT THEY CAN HELP YOU GET EXPERIENCE. AS A RULE, FICTION RARELY SELLS AS WELL AS NON-FICTION (A FACT MANY E-WRITERS WILL AGREE WITH). BUT, MANY OF US ARE EXPERTS IN SOME OTHER FIELD. IF YOU ARE A THERAPIST, YOU COULD WRITE A BOOK ON DEPRESSION. THE LIST COULD GO ON; FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. SOME QUALITY E-PUBLISHERS INCLUDE LULU.COM AND BOOKLOCKER.COM. MOST EBOOKS THAT SELL WELL ARE HOW-TO. SO A "HOW TO FIGHT DEPRESSION" WOULD SELL BETTER THAN "WHY I COLLECT TRADING CARDS." THIS IS NOT A GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEME AS EBOOKS ARE A GROWING FIELD.
7. STEP7
DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS. SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU ARE HAVING NO SUCCESS, IT CAN BE HARD TO WRITE AT ALL. YOU NEED NO CONNECTIONS TO SUCCEED IN FREELANCE WRITING, BUT IT SURE HELPS. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EDITORS-EVEN IF THEY REJECT ALL YOUR ARTICLES-WILL HELP ALONG THE WAY. BE COURTEOUS AND SEND LINKS OR CLIPS OF YOUR LATEST ARTICLES. ALSO, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER WRITERS, AND KEEPING CONTACT WITH THEM, IS CRUCIAL TO LEARNING OF NEW MARKETS OR IMPROVING YOUR WRITING ABILITY.
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