When you become a freelancer, you get the opportunity to choose what problem you want to solve and who you want to help. Freelancing can offer you independence, not to mention family-friendly flexibility. Whether you call it a sideline, consulting, or microentrepreneurship, there is no doubt that working for “YOURSELF” is an exceptionally alluring gig.
Upwork (formerly oDesk) is the world’s best and largest online marketplace for freelance jobs.
Btw, here’s a photo of me back in December 2013. We won a photo challenge at the time that’s why we made it to the cover of oDesk’s Facebook Page. #freepublicity
Upwork is a place where employers/clients can post jobs, and freelancers like writers, designers, programmers, virtual assistants and others, can browse through them. And the best part is, you can work from home, or anywhere you like.
However, freelancing is not as simple as it looks.
There will be times when the pay is low, and there will also be times when I don’t have any clients to work with. But when I do have clients, the emotional payout and the energy I get from doing what I love to do, make up for the down times.
Freelancing is an extraordinary web winning open door, however, just for those arranged to buckle down and devote themselves to making progress. So let me share the…
6 Questions you should ask yourself before you start Freelancing
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Can you afford start-up costs?
Even a freelancing business has start-up costs. You need at least to have a laptop or PC, and an internet connection. But if you already have a computer but no internet, you can always use your neighbor’s WiFi. No. Seriously. Find ways to make money for your startup costs.
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Do you have enough time?
Many new freelancers think that starting a freelancing business will give them more free time, but the truth is, freelancing takes a lot of time and energy. Make sure that you’re ready to commit with this kind of gig so you won’t end up sabotaging yourself. Don’t take projects that are more than you can handle. Your health is more important.
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Do you have a working space?
Even if it is possible to run a freelancing business from a laptop in your bathroom, it’s not an ideal work environment. It’s important for you to have a decent workplace so you can work comfortably and efficiently.
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Can you work independently?
If you’ve never been self-employed before, you may not fully understand what it’s like to work without supervision. Upwork has a Time Tracker that you can download from their website. This tool allows you to post screenshots of your activities in your Work Diary so that you’re client can see what you’re up to in real-time. As a freelancer, you won’t have a boss to remind you of deadlines or propose enhancements. Indeed, there won’t even be anybody to appoint tasks to you. You will go and get them yourself.
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Are you willing to market your talents?
Being a freelancer involves marketing your skills, yet many people hate to sell. If you’re not willing to sell your services, you may have trouble finding enough clients to stay in business, especially in the age of social media
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How much are your service fees?
The number one reason clients look for freelancers is because they’re on a conscious budget. Be fair with how much you charge, but do not charge less than what your talent is worth either (See USD to PHP exchange rate). Always keep in my mind that what you’re doing should benefit you, and your client. Don’t worry if the payout is small at first. Think that it’s job training or honing your skills. Remember, “small things turn big over time.”
Being successful in Upwork, or freelancing in general, is possible.
Always remember to think for yourself (I’m also talking to myself to remind myself to think for myself). Look at yourself in a new perspective and where you wanna be in the future. And how well you will do depends on YOU. Most importantly, you should “Love the way you work.” Coz if not, what’s the point?
Thanks for these useful tips. Freelancing is actually indeed very difficult and certainly not for everyone. But at the end of the day, our work should always be something that we're passionate about so that it won't even feel like work to us.
When I started my home based sweet goodies, Mama Dee's-serts, the heardest question I asked myself was "How much will I charge for each sweets?". Though it is true that freelance or home based would mean a cheaper version, the work and effort we exert to our services are equivalent to the ones who do it in a workplace. Thank you for this, it inspires me to look forward to becoming a fulltime WAHM soon.
Thank you for the tips. I signed up in Odesk a long time ago but I haven't got the chance to explore it yet. I have friends who are happy with it, too. I'd probably give it a try when I'm ready to work again.
My husband just started freelancing and got hired on odesk faster than I did! I agree with your tips and he did struggle with time at first since his clients were from Canada and the US but now he's adjusted. 🙂
Yes, it does need commitment and some amount of investment. When I decided to go back to freelancing, all I had was a laptop that I can use at night, haha. The one my husband brings home from work. And he would email my clients my finished work in the morning when he gets back to the office. It was not as fast a process as it is now for me, but it worked back then. It really is more of knowing how to make the most of what you have. 🙂
I want to try online jobs too. But now that Im busy managing our site and online business + homeschooling a toddler, I will have to pass for now
I want to learn more about this..but yes, I should think about it carefully.
Perfect insights! Thanks for sharing
Great tips! The hubby's been urging me to try sites like odesk but I feel that I don't have enough time for it yet. I think I'm okay with just referrals for now and not actually marketing my services yet.
I've been working freelance for more than two years already and so far, I am enjoying it. It's not financially rewarding for me but what I earn is not bad to sustain my needs. I haven't explored other possibilities yet and will do very soon. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Nice. I do freelance work part time but I hope I can do more hours and leave my office work. It's really great to be able to manage your own time.
Thanks for the tips! Freelancing is really harder because you are going to be a one man-army and do everything for yourself.
This is nice. I work as a freelance writer and I am loving all the perks. Keep it up 🙂 Im reading your posts 🙂
I haven't been successful in getting an online job at oDesk, but with the tips you gave, I'm sure I'll do better at online job hunting. Thanks!
I've been lucky to be able to freelance and work at home. You do need to be committed and dedicated. Discipline also plays a big part in making it as a successful freelancer.