The world is changing fast and so is the attitude towards work. The Global Business Survey found out that, on average, 54% of the workforce in 1,500 businesses around the world surveyed in 2012 will be online in 2017, while a study by Intuit revealed that freelancers could increase to a staggering 40% of the workforce by 2020. The predictions are manifesting already as there are many freelance workers springing out of Africa today.
One unique component of a freelance business is that it requires little or no capital to start it up. And there are so many freelance websites where one can freely register and start making enormous amounts of money.
Almost every skill is sought after in the freelance business but first, I would put a touch on who a freelancer really is;
A freelancer is a person who works as a service provider for multiple companies on a part-time basis instead of working as an employee for one company full-time.
These sort of people sell work or services by the hour, day or month. These people have skills like writing, editing, web development, web programming, marketing skill, proofreading, research, web designing and they are high on demand. It’s also a mobile business that can be operated in any place and location as long as there are internet facilities, power and your gadgets.
However, the big question is; how can one enhance his/her freelance profitability?
1. It’s okay to have a physical freelance office.
As a freelancer, working from home is the coolest aspect of been a freelancer but distractions can come in various ways when in your comfort zone; watching television or lying on the bed while working, unannounced visit of friends and family members and the temptation of regular visits to the kitchen which may eventually cause unplanned sleep and yes, more calorie accumulated in your body.
Setting up a freelance business office is totally a sign that you are serious with your business and a remedy to the aforementioned distractions. But this doesn’t in anyway mean you cannot actually set up an office at home and abide by standard work ethics to get the best out of your freelance business — bottom line, do what best works for you.
2. You have to put in more time to work.
A freelancer is that ‘crazy’ person who gives 100 hours to his work instead of 45 hours to his employee, yes! Before you try to make sure your ‘Freelancing’ is profitable enough, you need to understand that is not magic or a network marketing business where you sow little time and expect much profit. You have to focus and give it your time, blood, sweat and tears — but mostly time though. For instance, registering on freelance sites like Freelancer.com and Upwork can take some time. Also, to convince clients of your capacity to accomplish job assignments takes time too, and doing the job itself (if you are given) is also a function of time. So you have to give more time in a day in order to fully complete all tasks.
For already established freelancers with clients, time is also devoted to meet business deadlines in other to improve one’s job reviews which are reputation boosters. So, in a nutshell, one must devote enormous time in his/her freelance business in order to make a fortune from freelancing in 2017.
3. Register on more freelance sites.
If you want to make money as a freelancer, you have to be more visible, simple! A freelancer who is focused and determined should never be contented with being a member of one or two freelance sites. There are lots of freelance sites where you can make cool cash. By being a member of five or more freelance sites keeps you in a position to attract many clients to your business even more than you can deal with. Hence being a member of these reputable sites enhances your chance of getting online jobs and yes, being profitable.
4. You have to own one multi-tasking gadget.
Freelancers always have to be ready for work as it is thrown at them. Another reason a freelancer should have a multi-tasking gadget too is to always to be abreast with minute by minute happenings in your industry. The most important of these gadgets are big or mini laptops, palmtop, tablets and phones.
As a freelancer, you could get a phone that will enable you to work anywhere when you are not with my laptop. With its improved battery life, storage capacity and faster modems which significantly improve internet and download speeds, life as a freelancer could not have been better.
5. Get the Job done before the deadlines.
Always get the assigned duty or job done before the deadline, this will go a long way in building a good reputation for you. A good name or perhaps a good review about your recent and past work accomplishments is a big boost to your freelance career, trust me. It is either more work assignments are given to you or your satisfied clients are recommending you to other prospective clients.
At the end of the day, your clients’ base suddenly grows beyond your imagination. And as this happen, your work load increases as well as cash in your bank account.
6. Leverage on social media to advertise your services.
The social media is no doubt a world of it’s own, with billions of people on social media — you can eat you cake and have it (Make money without spending money). Social media has become a veritable platform for freelancers to showcase their skills and services. Social media platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, and Instagram can actually showcase your skills and services to billions of social network users who are prospective employers.
To achieve this, make sure you write whatever your skill or service as the Bio of your profile. You never can tell who will land on your profile and need your service.
7. Plan for tough times today.
Invest the big bucks you make! A freelancer with his finance at heart should consider investing in key future industrial sectors. Invest in key future sectors like Agriculture, mining, ICT, forestry, construction, transportation, sports and so on. Investing in these keys sectors that are guaranteed to yield steady returns in the future is the surest way to make the best out of your hard-earned income.