I’ve been using Fiverr a lot lately. There are several options for hiring freelancers, but I like Fiverr for their customer support. I’m seeing all sorts of offerings for what freelancers can do: course writing, curriculum for teachers, content writing, work on websites and SEO, work on social media and affiliate marketing. It does seem that everything is available for hire on Fiverr. Bookkeepers, lawyers and even accountants. Freelancing work online can be a great way to live the digital nomad life while making plenty of money to live a comfortable remote life.
I hired a self-proclaimed MBA to write a financial plan template and instructions on how to use it. There is even a guy who will arrange your remote work environment. Yes, everything and everyone is available for hire as a freelancer.
Are you looking for ways to work online? Want to live the remote work lifestyle, or become a digital nomad? Maybe freelancing is the right move for you.
What Do Freelancers Do?
Before understanding what freelancers do, you have to know what freelancing means. This field lets people work independently, as opposed to being part of a corporation. So, you are your own contractor, and you can book as much or as little work as you choose. Freelancers are hired by other companies or people for a short time or as part time contractors. You can find work based on your skills, from content writing to web development, photography to graphic design. Being a freelancer is having the freedom to do what you enjoy, where you enjoy. You can work on a beach or on an airplane. The sky really is the limit.
The downside is you also have to figure out how to market yourself and find the work, of course. It can be nerve-wracking to wonder where your next paycheck is coming from, and it usually takes some time to develop enough clients or contracts to build a steady occupation with steady income. Plan to have another source of income while you build your freelance career.
Freelancers must have some interpersonal skills such as creative thinking, persistence, and good communication. Since freelancing happens online through various platforms, effective communication with clients is one of the most important attributes. Some freelancers may not enjoy the idea of hustling every day. For them, there is another option that could simplify their lives. It is called subcontracting. Simply put, a subcontractor is a freelancer working on a project on a company’s behalf. This can be either a full-time or a part-time job.
Freelancing is an excellent career choice for someone who wants to work on their own while also having the flexibility to do what they like.
How Do Freelancers Make Money?
It’s a very simple process. When someone hires a freelancer, they have to pay for the freelancer’s services according to the freelancer’s rates. It’s up to them to set their price, based on the market value. Payment methods vary from freelancer to freelancer, per their preferences. Many freelancers like to charge an hourly rate for their services. Each hour they work, they charge a fixed amount, so if they work more hours on your project, they make more money. For copywriting or content writing, the pay varies according to how much they write and research for the job.
Subcontractors usually pay freelancers weekly or monthly, depending on the number of hours they work. This set payment amount is known as a ‘retainer’. This is becoming increasingly popular and professional these days among young freelancers. It guarantees an income base and a predetermined amount of work on an ongoing basis.
For people who are unsure of how to set fair market-value rates, my advice would be to check other fellow freelancers in the same fields. It becomes difficult to find clients if you set the rates too high. You undercut the market and devalue yourself if you set them too low. So, it’s better to verify what the going rates are before you include the price on your freelancing profiles. If you offer something unique from others, feel free to mention that on your profile, so the clients can recruit you at a higher rate.
Personal Experiences from Some Successful Freelancers
1. Md Atikur Rahman (Article Writer on Fiverr)
Hi, my name is Atik and I have been working as a freelancer for over 7 years. Starting as a student, I began the journey as a way to earn some extra cash. Over time, I’ve started enjoying my work and figured out how rare it is for people to be able to feel that. Work is something we often associate with stress, isn’t it?
With freelancing, however, I did not have to face any stress, since I could work on my own. And since I was able to arrange my working hours, I felt my life became easier. Moreover, I enjoyed the convenience of working from home, at my own pace. So, all in all, everything is amazing!
I understand why people think freelancing is a difficult thing to manage. It takes time and patience to master it and get the money ball rolling.
But once you start and stay determined to improve, your abilities will be revealed to you in ways you never would have comprehended if you were working for corporate jobs. And, getting gigs and earning a lot of money becomes so much easier.
Apart from that, you get to meet so many talented and creative people in this field that it will leave you in awe! It’s a wonderful environment for people who seek novelty instead of a mundane life.
2. Katie Laurel Smith (Writer, Copy Editor, Freelance Creative Entrepreneur)
My name is Katie, and I became an online freelancer because of Covid. Previously, I worked in the talent and marketing industries as an actor, model, voiceover artist and event specialist. I’ve also been a musician and writer for most of my life, so I had to figure out what skills I could make money with remotely once the pandemic took down my in-person work world.
My first “digital nomad” stint began when I worked as an independent contract project manager for a web design and digital marketing company for about eight months during 2020 and 2021, but after my time in that position, I determined it wasn’t the right fit for me. I needed more flexibility than client-facing on-call remote work allowed. What did stick was the copy editing I was also doing for that company. I found what was natural and easy for me to do, and as I continued to write and share my own content online, I had a new client reach out and offer to hire me to copy edit/ghostwrite content for her company as well.
In the meantime, I continued writing for myself and my readers, and was contacted for my first commissioned piece. Just by sharing what I naturally love to do, I began to get paid for what I was good at and enjoyed.
There are other things I do online as well, such as occasional music licensing, music business coaching (from my former careers), some life and health coaching (once again, from sharing my writing online), and market surveys and online promo model/talent gigs. The more skills you have and the more diverse ways you can offer your talents in the digital marketplace while staying flexible, the more likely you’ll be able to piece together a sustainable income. Think through your passions, your skill sets, and even what you might want to learn to do, and you’ll find your niche!
Freelancing is a fantastic way to start your work online journey. You don’t need much experience, but if you can learn to specialize in something unique, you will find more clients paying you for your service. Have fun figuring out what you want to do, what you are good at, and most importantly, what you enjoy doing, and try your hand with a couple profiles on freelance sites. There’s one way to find out…try it! You’ll improve as you go. Subscribe for more business, sales, and investing posts. Have a lovely day
