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Starting you freelance career

gembanawa Level 1

December 27, 2018, 2:18 pm

45

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Starting you freelance career

How did you start freelancing? As a beginner, I know how hard it is to get clients and build up portfolio. There are also websites that offer online work, surveys and mobile applications that pay, but can these really be called freelance jobs? In your opinion, what categorize as a freelance job? For successful freelancers, tell us your story so beginners can learn tips on how to jump start their freelance career.

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Cristian

Cristian

This comment has been split into a new thread here.

8 years ago

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dullian

dullian

I wouldn't call online tasks like taking surveys, clicking ads, downloading apps, and that kind of stuff, freelancing. For me, freelancing is about having a skill and offering it as a service. There are certain sites that help you promote your services but in the long run, it's better if you do it by yourself and build your own reputation.

8 years ago

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Enyi

Enyi

I disagree with you, freelancing is all about working for self irrespective of the tasks involved. For the mere fact money is made no matter how small I think one is freelancing.i don't think it about the work but doing different tasks to earn money without necessarily working under anyone

8 years ago

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rose61

rose61

Freelancing does not include those online tasks,I agree with you.How can someone attempt to term typing and and clicking as freelancing?

8 years ago

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cmoneyspinner

cmoneyspinner

Your question says for “successful freelancers”. LOL. I'm not sure if I'm qualified to answer this question because I'm not so sure I'm “successful”. I can tell you that my definition of freelancers is anything you can do on your own to earn income. You are your own boss. You offer or advertise your services or your skills for a fee and if you get a buyer who is satisfied with your freelance work, then you get paid. I started with my husband trying to help him in a real estate notes business. Then I decided to do something on my own. I narrowed it down to writing. Found a site that didn't charge a fee for me to write for them. They accepted my articles and that's how it all started. That site gave me my confidence. I am now constantly looking for freelance writing opportunities and legitimate ways to use my writing skills to earn income. If success is defined as persistence, then I'm a successful freelancer. LOL.

8 years ago

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dullian

dullian

That's interesting. Personally, I consider success to be reaching a state where you're able to get job opportunities constantly. That sounds hard and even a bit unrealistic, but I'd be satisfied with at least gaining recognition, ability and especially self-confidence in my work.

8 years ago

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Alymae

Alymae

Wow! I agree with you about the description of freelancers. I am a beginner and what made me become a freelancer is that I am able to do things at my own pace and my own time. Persistence is definitely the way to success. I am happy to know that you are successful in your work. I hope I become one someday.

8 years ago

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NikSuks

NikSuks

Well, I think that completing surveys and writing stuff on the internet is freelancing. A freelancer is someone who works from home and makes up his/her own hours. For those who are starting their careers and are sending their CVs to many companies, I would recommend you to write a good portfolio. Not good but great!

8 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

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8 years ago

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jaymish2

jaymish2

I think as a freelancer you must be willing to do a bit of anything. Its not wise to categorize yourself at first. Try anything and see what you like. When you decide then you can specialize and perfect the skill that you have chosen. Most people as a default choose writing, however writing is not for everyone because in itself is a skill. Choose something that you are good at and not just something that you think can make you some money.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

I believe that any type of job or task without a contract is freelance. The first thing to do is to sign-up for PayPal or Payoneer. That's the most essential for me as without those you'll never receive your pay.

8 years ago

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Jelineex

Jelineex

i agree with you. Any job will do as long as it's decent and your capable of working for it. That's what matter. Opportunity only knocks one's and we need to grab it. It's also important to know the where about of the company especially online sites. It nice to read reviews.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

When you get hired for the first time after waiting for so long, make sure you get paid, and it's not a scam. Based on my experience, what I did was I asked my employer if he could pay me weekly at the beginning, to make sure it's legit. Then we shifted to a bi-weekly schedule after that.

8 years ago

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Enyi

Enyi

You're right any work without much rules or stiff contractual agreement is freelancing. It just like one being self employed you do your tasks the way and time you like and get paid afterwards.

8 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

The first thing to do is to exert effort so you'd know the how to's of freelancing. Also, it is important to be knowledgeable about what should be done.

8 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

In my opinion the first thing to do if your going to be a freelancer is to create a blogsite in any wellknown social media platform. This would help you in your freelancing career.

8 years ago

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Jelineex

Jelineex

I guess freelancing is define depending on your outlook. I am not choosy about the idea of doing different things so long as it get to the point of earning decent money. Opportunity is difficult to find especially these days. There are many competitors which is always better than ourselves. But, we need to take the challenge to be able to grow on our chosen field.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

You're right, especially now, here in our country. When I embarked on the journey of working online and gained a little success, people around me started asking about it. Meaning more competitors will be there as time goes by.

8 years ago

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Jelineex

Jelineex

Yes, people love intrigues. They have that interest to know what you are up to especially when it comes to money matters. It drives them crazy. However, it's good to have a healthy competition. It motivates us to do better in everything we do.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

It's just that people around me want to get all the information they want and need without exerting any effort to do proper research and stuff. When I get asked, I only tell them the platform where to apply and research more from there.

8 years ago

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Alania

Alania

To become a freelancer you gotta know how to type fast, how to socialize, speak (write & read) fluent English, and most importantly be patient, because you might not find your suitable freelancing job on your 1st day.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

I would also like to add that you need to make reading a habit. You need to have the willingness to learn things on your own because most of the time you are alone, and nobody will help you if you get stuck with something.

8 years ago

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Jelineex

Jelineex

Working alone is a great challenge. It enables your ability and capacity to go beyond it's limit. You are determine to finish each task with pride. It develop self confidence and trust. However, it also loses your ability to designate task to other and becoming anti social whenever your in a group.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

You're right, one of the drawbacks in it is you get to spend less physical time with people. If you're aspiring to work remotely, you need to get used to this or else you'll fail.

8 years ago

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MelanthaKrasos

MelanthaKrasos

My definition of freelancer is simply getting income online. I don't mind whether it's a small or big income earner. I consider myself to be quite new in the business although I've done freelancing stuff way back last 2 years. Skills that get most freelancer to the top are their good command of the English language. Aside from that, there are many IT- related freelancer works that pays great in the freelancing world.

8 years ago

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burgosmichael24

burgosmichael24

I don't consider myself as a successful freelancer but I am willing to answer your question. A freelancer or freelance worker, is a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. They are also the people who chose to do some pieces of work for different companies rather than working for a single company. However, this site is a good platform especially for beginners like us to develop our skills and enhance our knowledge and master our craft in the field of freelancing. Just take one step at a time. Remember, nobody starts at the finish line.

8 years ago

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Enyi

Enyi

What beginners really need is patience especially for those that really needs to make money off freelancing or those that sees it as a full time job.Acquired the needed skills if need be especially for those jobs that needs one with experience and be more active daily. Try to impress your clients to have good referrals from them and one will be growing from there.

8 years ago

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axl2468

axl2468

Do some small jobs related to your skills for a very small price or even for free. Painful, perhaps but it will greatly help you in the future because more people will want to hire you for your experience. It's also one way to bypass the "experience" requirement that so many freelancing jobs online require you to have.

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

I started building a portfolio by writing for free or for fairly low paid gigs at first - just to start getting my name in print and some stuff out there.

Once I’d had success with that it was a domino effect from there.

8 years ago

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knnon

knnon

Yes I think those work from those sites are still considered freelancing. Isn't the main concept of freelancing doing your work on your own time? That's still how it is even if you are a member of a site you still own your time and you still decide if you want to work or not. I did start freelancing because I just stay at home and I have a lot of spare time. So rather than doing unproductive things I opted to try out freelancing, and I love how rewarding it is. My tip for beginners is to have a lot of patience. And just because you own your time doesn't mean you can slack, the clock is ticking and there's deadlines. Also determination is the key to success. Don't let rejection sway you.

8 years ago

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dullian

dullian

The most stressing thing for me right now is deciding on a specialty. I'm still not sure what I should dedicate myself fully to. I seem to be starting something new every day and not completing what I previously started. I just can't make up my mind.

8 years ago

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knnon

knnon

Hey don't worry, there's no need to rush with a specialty. It's a good thing to try out everything. After you're done trying that's when you can fully decide which path to take. Even freelancing is a set of trial and errors, just enjoy the flow and try everything!

8 years ago

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overcast

overcast

Next year I am going to copy other successful freelancers. And see how they are getting new clients. And how they are establishing their own business in the process. For example, having skills which are needed for the job. And making sure to build things and service for the clients. I have not much yet controlled on this process. I hope that some day I can be of that level. And things change in the due process.

8 years ago

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Tehilah27

Tehilah27

I believe freelancing jobs are jobs you take on by yourself be it surveys, paid to click, advertising a skill and getting clients or bidding for a job and getting it. I started by signing up with Fiverr and advertising my proofreading and editing services. Didn't get clients so I applied on other freelancing sites and added other services like blog posting, surveys, article writing, etc. It is a gradual gruelling process but the beginning of every great venture is that way.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

Anything that pretty much earns you money without a contract is freelance. Be it surveys, PPC, micro jobs, etc. And you were right, it's tough to find clients at first, but you'll eventually get it along the way. Be patient and gradually add more and more skills to your arsenal and you're good to go.

8 years ago

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TeejObsena

TeejObsena

Freelancing seems like to work for someone else. According to my choice if you/we can combine freelancing with blogging, then without any single spot of doubt, that would be great.

8 years ago

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esteban123

esteban123

My freelancing career before started as a hobby since I really enjoyed it very much because of the money that I am receiving from it. I never expected that as time goes by I would really be consistent with it because I am doing it now everyday as often as I am available to work on it. I really appreciate the benefits that it gives to me because it helps me to pay for my monthly bills which is really something that I am very happy. It turns out now to be a work for me rather than a hobby anymore as it gives me a good living.

8 years ago

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foxprojects

foxprojects

If you freelance, it may take a while to build up a list of clients and a solid reputation in your niche. You need to consider that you probably won't be making much in the beginning. It may take a few months before you can get everything running right.
It's always a good idea to diversify and work with different freelancing platforms, clients, etc. That way, if one of them has problems or shuts down, you'll have other sources of work.

8 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

I was a stranger in freelancing but I had the courage to try when I saw in one forum that you can earn money online. Trying that forum for paid posting was too difficult at first but when I finally earned my first $5 it was very gratifying and that pushed me to go on. That was a fairly good start without help from anyone. I could say that it is not easy but not hard either. Just have patience and perseverance.

8 years ago

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