Do you have a specific skill set? Is there something you can do that people would pay money for? There is currently a massive demand for freelancers. In a recent survey by PeoplePerHour, 60% of businesses who responded said they plan to use freelancers more this year. However, being your own boss is not as easy as it seems. Many sacrifices are required, and you have to put in a certain amount of effort when it comes to finding clients. All of which must be done before you can do the work.
There are also specific skills you’ll need to develop if you want to be successful. You’ll need to learn how to market yourself, pitch to potential clients, provide support, budget, and manage your time.
There’s also a tremendous amount of competition, which means you also need to think about a strategy. You’ll find plenty of resources to help you online, so don’t fret about it too much.
Let’s look at the steps you’ll need to take before moving on to the areas with the most potential.
Step 1: Choose your niche: something you’re passionate or knowledgeable about.
Step 2: Be specific about the services you provide.
Step 3: Build an impressive portfolio of your work.
Step 4: Define your customer base.
Step 5: Test the waters before you give up your day job.
Step 6: Hone your skills.
Step 7: Search for clients on popular freelance sites such as Upwork, Freelancer, Toptal, and Fiverr. Be prepared to work harder than in your 9-5 job, enjoy fewer vacations, work through holidays, and often into the night. Now let’s look at some of the most popular niches for freelancers.
Web Development
Increasing demand for websites means jobs that revolve around this need are also on the rise. It’s a job that lends itself well to working from home because all you need is knowledge, a computer, and a reliable internet connection. The most popular jobs include front-end developing, back-end developing, and full-stack development.
Writing
Professional writers are highly sought after. This role involves writing content for clients’ websites that promotes their business and helps them stay relevant. How much money you make depends on the niche you choose and your skillset.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is a vast field so you’ll help potential customers by creating a portfolio, pitching to clients, and setting your rates according to your expertise. To hone your skills even further, consider taking certified courses and watching tutorials. Digital Marketing If you’ve got a creative mind, this might be the industry for you.
Digital marketing
plays a critical role in helping industries and brands stay relevant. There’s a variety of work available, even for the beginner. Opt for smaller projects such as social media posts and banners or more complex projects that require you to create a brand identity or manage a marketing campaign on social media. Virtual Assistance This is another area that’s becoming increasingly popular. Hiring one remote person to undertake a wide range of tasks such as receptionist, customer support, typist, admin, or email assistant saves money, especially for a small business with a tight budget. Work for several different companies, and you’ll be able to maximize your freelancing income.
Photography
Visuals have become equally important in the advertising industry and are considered to have as much influence as the written word. If you’re a photographer, you don’t have to limit yourself to covering weddings and events. It’s possible to earn money in food design and product photography disciplines, for example. You could also post your work on stock websites or sell editing presets.
Level of expertise: Beginner, intermediate, expert
Requirements: Knowledge or skill that people are willing to pay for Time: Instant
Tools: Your website or an account with a freelancing site Income Potential: up to $80,000/month
