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[[How do I start working as a freelancer?]] Did you know that in more than 33% of U.S. workers are freelancers? Freelancing is famous in Europe too, and the number of people who freelance, increased by 45% over the last five years. Across the world, small and large organizations have significantly expanded their use of freelancers (http://bit.ly/3099IVx). If you've chosen to become a freelancer, the numbers state you're on to something great. Regardless of whether you will likely gain some money from your part-time job or make freelancing a full-time profession, you'll have to arm yourself with knowledge, determination to learn and improve, and lots of patience. Here's the simple way to begin freelancing. [[How would you become a freelancer?]] The freelance market is developing continuously, and if you need to be competitive, you need to get ready accordingly. Follow these six steps to begin. [[Step 1: Consider whether freelancing is right for you]] [[Step 1 Consider whether freelancing is right for you]] Freelancing has its upsides and downsides, but as a rule, you should have a particular mindset to be a freelancer. Working as your own boss is an incredible thing if you're disciplined and committed. Freelancing allows you to set your own schedule, so you can take a day-off whenever you need it. However, you won't be paid for that time because there is nothing as a paid leave in freelancing. If you want to be a freelancer, you should maintain a daily work schedule. Be prepared to handle different projects simultaneously. And constantly searching for new tasks so you can maintain a steady flow of work. In case you're still working full-day, don't leave your job immediately. Rather, combine freelancing and all-day work until you collect enough customers and connections to support yourself as a freelancer. Working from a comfortable place of steady work and safe pay is a much better environment for building up your freelance business. [[Step 2: Find a Platform]] [[Step 2 Find a Platform]] Most freelancers use freelancing platforms to find work. While recommendations and websites, apps & social media channels like LinkedIn can also be an incredible source of gigs. Platforms are great because they enable you to easily associate with customers searching for freelancers. There is always work available there. Additionally, the majority of these platforms have policies and offer protection both for clients and freelance workers. On freelance platforms, each task you take on is a small agreement, and both you and the customer are required to adhere to its terms. Picking the platform with the model that meets your requirements and pay desires is incredibly significant for your success. A lot of freelancing sites encourage the so-called "race to the bottom," where freelancers provide low quality work in return for poor compensation. At last, it doesn't help anybody – buyers can't discover the great quality of work and freelancers can't earn enough money. Some freelancing platforms (https://iconnectengineers.com/blog/role-freelancers-todays-engineering-market/), like FieldEngineer, base their business model on admitting only top freelance engineers and connect them with companies based on quite specific requirements. Being a member of such a selective platform enables you to connect with genuine customers and get paid for your top-quality work. The sign-up procedure on such platforms is easy and FREE Registration(http://bit.ly/2NehlVj) available. But you will have to submit the required information to become a verified freelancer. [[Step 3: Build your profile]] [[Step 3 Build your profile]] You don't need to set up a traditional CV, as most freelancing sites have a predesigned format that you have to fill out with your data, however, you shouldn't treat your freelancing profile as a checkbox exercise. Take time to make a considerable profile that will inform potential customers about your education, skills, expertise, and experience. You don't need to write novels – keep it short and sweet. List your skills, experiences, special achievements and explain why you're really the best person for the job. [[Stage 4: Build your portfolio]] [[Stage 4 Build your portfolio]] Your profile may express that you're an astronaut, however, unless you upload your selfie from the international space station, potential customers are probably not going to trust you. Thus, when you make your profile, make sure that you give a portfolio that represents your skills and experience. In any case, imagine a scenario in which you're a beginner in your chosen field. It is recommended to either take time to make a portfolio with sample works or just accept a few jobs at a discounted rate in exchange for experience. [[Stage 5: Determine your Charges]] [[Stage 5 Determine your Charges]] Talking about discounts, while your hourly rate or project cost heavily depends upon your range of skills and experience, don't work for peanuts. We already mentioned how this cheapens both freelancers and the quality of work. If you have just two or three years of experience, obviously, you can't charge the same rate as freelancers with 10 years of work under their belts. Nonetheless, if you eventually need to transform freelancing into your all-day work, the rate should cover your month to month costs if you have steady work, no matter how experienced you are. [[Stage 6: Find work]] [[Stage 6 Find work]] In case you're seriously searching for projects and clients, here are a couple of tips to assist you with finding them. To begin with, apply just for the freelance jobs you are certain you can do. There is no reason for applying for a task you can't finish on time with satisfactory results. As a freelancer, you're building your reputation without any training and particularly at the beginning, it's of utmost importance to verify positive feedback. When you apply to jobs, ensure you make an important cover letter that explains why you're really the best choice for that specific job or project. Feature the skills and experience that are relevant to requirements. Over time, freelancing platforms reward top-rated freelancers(http://bit.ly/2R3qDoj) with badges, lower charges and access to specially tailored employment bids. So it's to your greatest advantage to keep your customers happy. A few freelancers avoid online marketplaces since they accompany the charges (usually between 5% and 20% of your income) that can truly include before the months over. All things considered, try to utilize various groups on Facebook and LinkedIn to look for works. In any case, know that with these gigs, there is no agreement set up and no assurance that somebody won't take your work and never pay for it. Article Source: https://qr.ae/TlHycc
