Freelance work is the new norm and there are many ways in which one can derive advertising revenue without having to be affiliated with any company. Learn the necessary skills and start earning an extra income today!
Decide what type of freelancing you are interested in
Decide what type of freelancing you are interested in - photography, graphic design, content creation. If you're considering any type of graphic design, it's also a good idea to take some time and learn about the different styles of graphic design and which ones might be best for your portfolio.
The next step would be to advertise yourself and your services on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook Groups that only professionals (or people considering themselves as such) would join.
Once you've started building up a name for yourself, the next step is to network with these groups of professionals by engaging with them at various networking events or virtual groups like this one.
To find out which of these services might be best for you (or if you have talents in other areas not mentioned), it's best to take a look at the different kinds of freelance work available. You can start your journey by familiarizing yourself with these websites that are dedicated exclusively to matching freelancers with job offers.
Research the market to see what skills are currently needed for that type of work
Research the market to see what skills are currently needed for that type of work. When you have found a skillset, search for jobs related to that skill. You will be surprised by the different types of jobs available. Pick one that you think you will enjoy and spend the next few weeks practicing. When you are feeling ready for your first job, apply!
Freelancing is flexible work so it might be best to set up a blog or website where potential employers can find you when they need help with that particular skill.
Most people advise not to try and sell your freelancing services in person but instead offer them online through sites like Craigslist. Once somebody has accepted your bid for a certain project, let them know how long it will take and give an estimated timeline for when it should be done by.
Always make sure to follow instructions exactly as they are given to ensure quality results. You can negotiate payment arrangements if needed but websites like UpWork allow clients to leave feedback and ratings on freelancers so it is important to go above and beyond expectations.
Make a portfolio website or blog
I recommend making a portfolio website or blog to include examples of your best work. A portfolio site allows prospective clients to get an idea of your capabilities. A portfolio site can be as simple as storing your work on the web on any server and uploading it to your hosting provider, or you can utilize a variety of free or paid applications available for purchase across the Internet.
If you have the budget for it, building a customized, standalone website design with WordPress is a worthwhile investment so that you can control what content is publicly posted and easily update posts from anywhere in the world.
Create a social media profile
On LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, you can create an account with any name you want. Add your photo and all the information that's available about you here. This includes your email address, phone number, the title of your work, skills that you have, etc. You should also upload a headshot of yourself to each one. Be sure to make it professional-looking if possible.
Then search for other professionals in your field on these sites and connect with them. They might be able to provide some leads for work if they didn't mention anything about their business in their profile or posting history.
Finally, get creative when it comes to the types of jobs that are available. Research what kind of freelance jobs are trending as well as what skills are in demand. That way you will be the first to know when a new opportunity is posted and can apply for it before your competitors do.
Identify your strengths and how they will be valuable to different types of companies
Identify your strengths and how they will be valuable to different types of companies
1. Identify your strengths
2. What are some different types of companies that you can use these skills for
3. How would the company benefit from hiring someone with these skills
4. Why should they hire you specifically, what do you have to offer them that no one else does
5. What is your plan if they don't want to hire you or are not interested in any of your ideas - how will it affect your plans and goals
Every person is born with a certain set of skills. Some individuals are excellent at building things out of Legos, while others have an eye for art and can draw the most detailed landscapes.
An individual's skill set is typically something they develop throughout their entire life, based on a variety of interests and factors. It's important to understand your strengths before you move forward because it will allow you to determine what possible jobs you could get within the freelance career path.
One type of company that typically hires freelancers is small businesses or start-ups that need assistance advertising through the internet but don't necessarily have enough capital to hire a full-time employee.
Typically these companies may not be able to afford someone who demands $10 per hour or more, so they will hire freelancers to do one-time projects for them. Freelance work is an excellent way to get your foot in the door for any company that you're interested in.
Another type of company that's always looking for freelancers is design companies that specialize in creating website advertisements and promotional material.
An example of companies like this would be Internet Marketing Company Ltd., a company that creates websites and brochures specifically designed with internet advertising in mind. Regardless of what you may be skilled at, a creative agency is going to have plenty of job opportunities available to you as long as you know how to market yourself effectively.
A third way to become free is through offering business services such as professional writing or providing advice on any particular subject. No matter what a person's profession is, there are always going to be people who need help in certain areas and will turn to freelancers for assistance.
For example, if you have a degree in education or have extensive knowledge about a particular topic then you can advertise your services online through your website or blog.
Freelance work is the new norm and there are many ways in which one can derive advertising revenue without having to be affiliated with any company. Learn the necessary skills and start earning an extra income today!