The freelancing world is thriving globally, and it is widely regarded as a fiercely competitive business. The Nigerian freelancing business has risen at an incredible rate in the last couple of years. Many Nigerians have also joined the ranks of individuals who offer their professional skills through the internet.
This growth rate, in my opinion, is driven by people’s desire for financial independence as well as professional flexibility. Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, and even those who do want to have a career don’t want to work the usual 9–5 jobs, which is why freelancing’s flexibility is ideal for them.
You’re probably reading this because you want to work as a freelancer but are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.
First and foremost, I’m delighted you recognize the importance of financial freedom.
Second, by deciding to work as a freelancer, you have made an excellent decision.
Finally, this article is written specifically for you, so sit back, relax, grab a pen and paper, and read along as I share my insights on how to become a freelancer.
Before we get started, if you’re unfamiliar with the term “freelance,” welcome! I’ll simply go over the definition of the word quickly.
A freelancer is a person who is primarily self-employed and is hired to work for several companies on specialized projects. They are experts in their industries and are frequently hired by clients from all around the world. You get to negotiate your fees for your services as a freelancer, with no hassles from employers or the burden of commuting long distances on a regular basis. It’s simply a combination of your abilities, clients, flexible working hours, and a lot of money.
Are you interested in learning how to start freelancing? Especially now that you’ve heard there’s a lot of money to earn. There is, however, some excellent news. Starting a freelancing career is as simple as it seems; there are no complicated procedures to follow. All you have to do now is follow these simple steps:
Step 1:
Develop the right mindset: Before you begin anything, you must first create the right mindset for it. Let it ring in your ears all the time that you can and will succeed. We all have our own bad stories that we tell ourselves. Things like “I’m not sure I can do this,” “What if I don’t do it right,” and “How do I even get started without failing” should be discarded in favour of being open-minded. To be successful in freelancing, you must exemplify success.
Take a breather since you’re already one step closer to realizing your freelancing goal.
Step 2:
Select a Niche: You’d acknowledge that you can’t provide all of the services needed to everyone. Consider the entire globe as a market; you can’t sell everything to everyone, and your services aren’t required by everyone.
Choosing a niche involves determining your area of interest as well as the people who will benefit from it.
To find your niche, consider what piques your interest, then sell your hobby, skillset, or training to others who require it.
To put it another way, figuring out your niche means answering questions such as, “Who do I want to help, why do I want to help, and how can I help?” You already have a direction after getting these answers. You can start earning money by providing services to others.
Step 3:
Build and optimize your brand: While freelancing may appear to be flexible, autonomous, and simple to begin, you must realize that competition is increasingly strong, and you must stand out from others who provide similar services.
One simple solution is to create a distinct brand that will serve only as your identity; what you do, your area of expertise, and how you differ from others. A website or social media platforms could be used to promote your brand.
Your brand may be the first point of contact between you and potential customers.
Step 4:
Create a Portfolio: A portfolio is a collection or compilation of all of your skills, qualifications, training, and even job samples. Building a portfolio for someone with no experience can be difficult, but you must persuade potential clients that you are qualified for the position.
My recommendation is that you attend free online courses in your expertise or, better yet, volunteer to work for free for a certain period of time. At the end of the day, the goal is to thoroughly convert your prospective clients and persuade them that you have the necessary skills to deliver the work.
Step 5:
Join freelancing sites: Think of it this way: Freelancing sites are marketplaces; you go there to find what you’re looking for, get it, and go home. Joining a freelance site will allow you to connect with potential clients. There are numerous freelancing sites in Nigeria; all you have to do is choose one that best matches your needs. Fiver, upwork, Freelancer, Peopleperhour, and many others are examples of freelancing sites in Nigeria.
Step 6:
Pitch: Pitch, Sister pitch! Pitching is without a doubt one of the most significant aspects of being a freelancer because it is where you market your freelance services to potential clients. At this point, I’d like to believe you’ve established a niche, developed a brand, assembled a portfolio, and completed all necessary procedures.
You should learn how to pitch since it will help you communicate your brand, what you do, and how you assist people.
The following are some easy formulas to add to your pitching:
- Recognize a problem
- Apply your solution to it.
- . Establish yourself as an expert
- Provide evidence in the form of testimonials, samples, and results.
Step 7:
Set your rate: Now is the time to figure out how much your service charge will be. You must first study and understand the freelancing environment before determining your charge. It wouldn’t make sense to take a job at a high price and then be unable to do it.
Research your industry benchmark and the typical price other competitors charge for the same project you’re about to take on to figure out your rate. It will keep you from overcharging for a job and from being robbed outright by clients who propose outrageous fees.
Step 8:
Get your freelancing career off to a good start: It doesn’t matter if you crawl, walk, jump, or fly; the key thing is to get moving. You already have what it takes to get started if you followed the steps from top to bottom, and your questions about “how do I get started” have been answered. It’s time to hone your skills, and I’m here to tell you that you’ve got this!
In conclusion, freelancing allows you to be financially independent. The good news is that you can work as a freelancer while still a student, and you can combine freelancing with your 9–5 job. It allows you to be more flexible. Who doesn’t want to work from the convenience of their own home while earning extra money?
What’s my piece of advice for you to remember? While you’re at it, be consistent and establish a balance between your work and your studies, and you’ll do well.
Stay updated with the latest career and personal finance tips and resources. Join the HerVest community today and get instant access to these resources in your inbox. Sign up here!