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Many of these dreams are often fueled by our passion to leave the 9 to 5 and make money quickly so that we can retire early and sip Pina Coladas on a Caribbean beach.
This passion is fierce. However, there’s often an obstacle that stands in the way of us making that passion real: fear. Fear of the unknown can be crippling. How can leave a secure fulltime job to do what you love?
It does. You see, it’s possible to find freelancing jobs for beginners that set the stage for a lucrative freelancing career. It goes far beyond following the hype of becoming an Instagram influencer.
Instead, it’s about finding your niche and making your mark. Freelancing jobs for beginners are numerous. You just have to look in the right places and develop the patience to build a successful brand.
In fact, global consulting firm McKinsey and Company discovered that there are approximately 68 million freelancers in the US. These freelancers contributed $1 trillion to the US economy in 2016. The jobs are there and the freelancing economy continues to grow. So, how can you get a piece of the pie?
The answer lies in what we call the N-I-C-E framework.
Networking for freelancers
Networking is a powerful tool for breaking into an industry. People won’t know who you are and what you have to offer if you don’t put yourself out there. There are networking opportunities that provide freelancing jobs for beginners. Finding them, however, requires that you step outside of your box and challenge yourself to embrace new experiences.
One of the best starting points for finding networking opportunities is becoming a member of a professional organization in your niche. A quick Google search will help you find possible professional organizations to join. Here’re some questions you should answer when joining a professional organization:
• Is there a membership fee?
• How often are meetings held?
• Are there any professional development opportunities available for members?
• Is there a job board that members can access to look for jobs?
• Are there any events that provide in-person networking opportunities?
Professional organizations provide a good springboard for networking. Active membership in an organization, such as the Meetup.com or Chamber of Commerce is also a good way to network. There’s joy in doing good for others, but you may be surprised by the number of influential people and potential clients you’ll meet in these organizations.
Freelancer-specific networking opportunities also exist. Some of these opportunities can be found here. There is also a Freelancers Union of America which is an excellent free membership organization to find freelancing jobs for beginners. Members can participate in monthly SPARK networking events in their area.
Aligning yourself with a network of freelancers is important in order to get started freelancing. Freelancers too often feel like they must bear their struggles alone.
Active involvement in the Freelancers Union of America will provide you with support from people who understand first-hand what you’re going through. Some of these freelancers may even become your clients.
Articles that discuss how to find freelancing jobs for beginners sometimes focus too heavily on using freelancing platforms. Your vision must be bigger than that; networking must be where you begin. Some must-haves for any networking event you attend include:
• Confidence. Be confident enough to approach others and fit what you can offer into a conversion. Don’t be arrogant, but don’t hide under a shell.
• Business cards. Some feel that business cards are outdated. However, they’re good branding tools for in-person interactions. Well designed business cards can even be conversation starters and help keep your name at the forefront of a potential customer’s mind.
• Realistic expectations. Don’t approach a networking opportunity with a “What’s in it for me?” mindset. Go to genuinely participate in the event, have meaningful conversations, listen and get to know people. If the opportunity arises, you can explain how your services can help a member of the network solve a problem.
Although networking can be a strong way to find freelancing jobs for beginners, building a presence on an online freelancing platform gives you a stronger voice. Freelancing platforms shouldn’t solely be viewed as places to look for work. They’re more than that. Freelancers who use these platforms effectively build a strong portfolio backed by stellar reviews that prove their ability to deliver.
Essentially, these platforms show proof of concept. You may have a solid portfolio on your website, but potential clients want to see proof of the experience you’re providing.
Customers are looking for more than a service; they’re looking for someone with whom they can build a relationship. Your profile on a freelancing platform helps you do this.
Leading platforms to find freelancing jobs
• UpWork
• Fiverr
• Freelancer
• Envato studio
• PeoplePerHour
Successfully finding freelancing jobs for beginners on these platforms depends on three main factors:
• Your ability to identify a client’s pain point and convey, using written words, how you can solve that problem. This is expressed in your gig description, proposal, or bid. It almost means applying for jobs that match your skill set and interests.
• The strength of your profile. Freelancers who take the time to develop profiles that truly showcase their passion and how they’re able to address a client’s needs tend to get more jobs. Read this article on how to how to create a freelance profile that will win clients.
• How well you’re able to manage your time. You’ll have multiple projects to complete simultaneously. As your business grows, you’ll often find yourself trying to complete a balancing act. Proper time management will help you complete tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Both you and your customers will be delighted.
The best freelancing platform for you depends on the services you offer. For instance, a graphic designer may prefer to use Fiverr or 99 Designs because these sites tend to be more designer-friendly. Some other factors to consider include:
• How easy is it for you to get paid? This is particularly important for people who live outside of America or any of the G8 nations.
• Are good quality jobs posted?
• How easy is it to use the platform?
• How many other freelancers are using the platform?
• Is their customer service easily accessible?
One of the challenges new freelancers have getting started with freelancing platforms is how difficult it can be to find a job. Competition is rife. Some platforms, such as UpWork, require that freelancers submit proposals.
The trick is to be one of the first persons to apply for a job, write a well-worded proposal that speaks directly to the customer’s needs, and presenting relevant portfolio samples that make it hard for the client to say no. Do this every time and the probability of you winning new clients drastically increases.
Social media for freelancers
Social media is the norm. In fact, it has become so commonplace that social media users can sometimes feel inundated by too much content. Brands from all over the world are vying for their attention.
This doesn’t mean that your brand can’t make its mark. It’s all about playing the game and playing it well. Therefore, your social media presence shouldn’t rely solely on a dormant Facebook page and sporadic Instagram posts. That won’t make an impact if you want to find freelancing jobs for beginners.
A strong social media presence is more than a social media profile. It’s a well-developed and integrated website, a sound content marketing plan, and consistent engagement with followers. It takes work, but nothing worth having comes easily.
You’ll more than likely be balancing your freelancing career with a fulltime job until you can branch off into freelancing fulltime. The demands on your time will, therefore, be great. Add the pressure of taking care of your family to the mix and it’ll feel like you hardly have time to breathe. How’ll you find time for this social media gibberish?
Pause. Take a deep breath. You can do it! This is one of the areas where networking helps. You can find freelancers who can help you with creating consistent content for your social media pages. They can also help you plan and execute an effective content marketing plan. If you can’t afford to pay, you can arrange an exchange of services.
Results won’t be instantaneous. Months will go by with no real feedback, no one reaching out to hire you. Still do it anyways. You’ll never know how close you are to that big break unless you keep going.
The key is to be consistent and ensure that all your content comes together in an effective content marketing plan.
How to Start freelancing
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Think big. Your brand is more than what you offer on a freelancing platform. Each day provides a new opportunity for you to breathe new life into your business. Believe it or not, you’re creating a business. How to start freelancing and finding freelancing jobs for beginners is a stepping stone into a life of entrepreneurship.
Think about creative ways that you can use your skills to provide diverse services. It doesn’t have to stop with providing a service. You can expand into creating products. For instance, a graphic designer doesn’t have to be limited to producing online graphics. This person can create a line of T-Shirts, for instance, that showcase a high level of creativity.
It’s like creating a network of services and products that center on a specific skill. Create a vision board for your brand that displays where you see it going over the next 3 to 5 years. Put this board in a prominent place in your room as a daily reminder. That’s what you’re working towards. No excuses!
Growth is inevitable if you’re taking brand development seriously. You may even grow to a point where you need a team. A team can be created in several ways for a freelancer. Some possible options are:
• Working with a freelancer who has complementary skills. For instance, a writer could work with a graphic designer to create infographics, eBook covers, eBook interiors and so on.
• Hiring freelancer to carry out the support tasks of your role. For instance, a writer may hire a proofreader.
• An agency with three or more employees. Think of the company featured in the movie The Intern.
There are money and freedom in freelancing. Play your cards right and you can leave your 9 to 5 job to pursue freelancing fulltime within a year. Screw those who think you’re crazy.
Finding and pursuing your passion matters most for your happiness. You can find these jobs by networking, identifying the right freelancing platform, conquering social media, and expanding your brand.
Check out some of these great freelance websites . These sites have opportunities for a variety of skill sets- even as a beginner.
Don’t allow fear to hold you back. The task may initially seem daunting, but the reward is worthwhile. Take your freelancing game to the next level by playing N-I-C-E.