How to make REAL money as a Freelancer

August 19th, 2019

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Freelancing your skills is quickly becoming a popular way to make money working from home.

It is often referred to as the ‘in between’ of a full time job and starting your very own business.

You can really work from anywhere in the world, if you have access to a computer and internet.

I love providing these detailed posts on how others can start making money online. This blog post is all about making money fast online by freelancing.

Take action today and you’re sure to succeed.

You are able to get paid for tasks that can actually help solve problems for people.

Read on to find out how you can work from home and make money freelancing in 2020..

What is Freelancing?

If you’re a stay at home mom, have been laid off or even somebody unable to travel, Freelancing is one of the best ways for you to make money, whilst working from home. 

Due to current circumstances, you may find yourself out of work but the good news is, you can make a lot of money by freelancing your services online.

Freelancing allows you to carry out tasks that other people don’t have the time or the skills to do themselves.

If you have spare time and access to the internet at home or elsewhere, then you can use your skills to make SERIOUS money freelancing online.

Here’s just some examples of online freelance skills out there:

  • Web designing
  • Graphic design
  • Photo and Video editing
  • Admin duties
  • Customer service skills
  • Proofreading
  • Editing
  • Creative writing
  • Ghostwriting
  • Translation
  • Accounting
  • and so much more

Some of the skills listed above, many of us actually already have, so turning that into a lucrative freelancing business is easier for some.

Online learning platforms such as Skillshare allow you to brush up on your skills as well as learn something completely new.

Thanks to the increase in freelancer requirements, there are now a number of platforms that make it that much easier to find your first client!

Find out more about this as you read on.

Benefits of Freelancing

The benefits of freelancing are aplenty. Freelancing is not only for the experienced and it can be a great step to get started working as your own boss, often from the comfort of your own home.

Here are some of the reasons freelancing is more popular now in 2020 than ever:

  • No fixed hours

You are basically able to work when and for how long you want and get to choose your own hours. Sleep in til 1pm? Sure! Take the weekend off to visit friends or relatives, it’s definitely possible. You dictate your own workload. Being a freelancer means you can work during your most productive hours, and those hours don’t have to fall in the typical 9 to 5. 

  • Workplace freedom

When you become a freelancer, you can choose where to work. Whether that’s a coffee shop, cafe or the beach! You’re no longer confined to working in an office (unless you want to). Find a place in which you work best. Working from home will eliminate a daily commute and save expenses of travel, parking, fuel and car maintenance. 

  • Income Control

Your income is the direct result of how much effort you actually put in. In other words, with Freelancing, the harder you work, the greater the financial reward. Once you have enough profits, you can then use it to scale up your business.

  • Be your own boss

Although being self employed does come with some stresses, you are effectively your own boss. When you have a regular job, you don’t get to choose who you work with. A regular 9 to 5 can cause a number of negative effects, such as depression, sleep problems, high blood pressure and weight issues.  Not to mention office politics happen in just about every workplace.

  • Work Life Balance

One of the best decisions I have ever made was to become a freelancer/self employed. This is because it has allowed me to find the perfect work/life balance.

As a full time mom, I can work my schedule around my child. I have more time to spend with family, I’m able to go to the gym and more importantly look after myself! Getting home at 8pm every night from my full time job just was not cutting it.

Related Posts:

How to Work from Home and be Extremely Productive

Be mindful!

Although I never like to focus on the disadvantages in any situation, you need to make sure that freelancing is really for you. Because you no longer work a full time job, there will initially be some drawbacks to being a freelancer:

  • No Employer Health Benefits

  • Have to keep a record of everything and file your own taxes

  • Fluctuating income (again this depends on the work you choose and effort you put in)

  • Can be competitive and overwhelming

The takeaway

Freelancing may not be for you!

It’s important to determine whether or not you’re willing to risk a stable 9 to 5 job for the freedom of a freelancing career.

If you are then you could very well be winning!

You’ll have the opportunity to build your name, brand and reputation and reach your professional goals.

Start now...

Fantastic!

You’ve decided you want to start freelancing to make extra cash or start a long term business, now where do you start?

There are a number of platforms that allow you to make money online quickly.

Freelancing for the big bucks will take time. Stick with it and it could turn into a profitable and sustainable long term freelancing business that will provide you with a full time income.

Here’s how to get started as a Freelancer in 2020..

1. SET ‘GOOD’ BUSINESS GOALS

becoming-successful-freelancer-2019-define-your-goals

Begin your freelancing journey by setting important GOOD goals for your freelance business.

It’s vital to set goals you (as the freelancer) are in control of.

It’s great to aspire to big goals of completing your first freelancing gig by a certain time, however you need to be clear enough as to what needs to be done in order to get there.

What makes a good goal?

  • Set a budget 

You probably know exactly how much money you want to make each month but knowing how much money you actually need provides you with a figure to shoot for. Setting a specific freelancing budget will allow you to determine how much money you want to earn every month. 

  • Be realistic

Your goals are there to be achieved and at the end of the term you want to be able to check these goals off as complete. The first step in goal-setting is to look at the month ahead and what you have planned. Do you have anything coming up that may delay your goal? Holiday? Money? Your life circumstances play a huge role here. 

  • Keep it simple

Being straightforward here really helps. Creating too many parameters and being too picky is a great way to talk yourself out of completing your goals.

  • Create a healthy mix of short-term & long-term goals

Short term goals are great for keeping you going and consistency. But long term goals help you to think ahead and make a sustainable plan for the future.

By creating a mix of the both it ensures you have consistency and future plans in mind.

Also create ongoing goals as a way of updating yourself & your brand but could also be a constant form of achievement for your business now and in the future. An example of an ongoing business goal would be; updating your website or portfolio every time you have new content/every month.

  • Reach for the sky

Don’t just write down goals you know you can achieve with ease. Challenge yourself a little. This way you keep pushing yourself and constantly learn and build new skills.

Don’t make those goals too easy otherwise you’ll never push yourself. 

2. CHOOSE A NICHE AND TARGET MARKET

finding a niche market make money freelancing

Finding your niche is an important and extremely crucial step.

First you need to find out what skills you have and the skills you’re able to sell.

Turn something you have experience with or something you absolutely love to do into a marketable skill. 

Whether it’s website developing, graphic design or an online video editing service, offer whatever you have got.

To help find your niche, ask yourself:

  • What would I like to do? What would I enjoy doing?

  • What am I interested in learning more about?

  • What am I currently good at?

  • What are other freelancers are doing in my broad niche?

  • What can I teach other people using my personal experience?

3. CREATE A PORTFOLIO

A portfolio on a website or social media platform not only showcases your skills but it allows your target audience to trust in your brand a little more.

It acts as the interface between you and prospective clients.

Even if you create a social media platform for your business, always back it up with a full fledged website to give your prospective client more information and make yourself look even more legit.

Your portfolio website is the backbone of your freelance career.

On your portfolio you should include: 

  • A short bio about yourself. You should express of bit of who your are but make sure to keep it short. 

  • A list of your best skills. Make sure to list your very best skills at the very beginning. Be sure to include all your accomplishments. 

  • Display your work. This is your chance to showcase the best of your talent. Don’t include subpar work, just to fill up your portfolio. Focus on the very best only. 

  • Testimonials. If you have quotes from previous clients, definitely include it here.  Don’t go to crazy with them though. 

When you’re just starting out you don’t always have a great deal of work, images or testimonials.

So I would recommend doing work for friends or family, wherever you turn there is always somebody that needs a cake, new website, photography, design work.

Use your network and you’ll be well on your way to an extensive, good looking portfolio!

Growing your portfolio is essential.

Once this is built up with high quality work, you will be able to make much more money and approach more clients. 

4. FIND OPPORTUNITIES

finding new opportunities make money freelancing

Depending on your niche, there are different ways to market yourself and get your foot in the door.

Remote jobs are in high demand, especially in 2020.

I have included a few examples below of different Niches, to help you decide how best to market yourself:

Photography services:

Instagram is one of the best ways to promote your business online. Because it’s a visual platform, a niche like photography is perfect.

It’s used across all niches and all experience levels, it’s that powerful!

The social media platform is an extremely effective way to show your potential clients your professional work.

Because of the ‘virality’ of this platform, the more high quality pictures you upload, increases the likelihood of bookings.

Cake baking/decorating services:

Whether it’s partnering with local non profit organisations, contacting event managers, or displaying work on instagram or facebook, there are several ways to market this sort of business.

Who doesn’t know someone with a birthday, wedding, christening, charity or work event, Christmas party? Get yourself out there!

Video editing/graphics/design work:

With platforms such as Fiverr, you don’t need to go searching for potential clients; they will come to you.

On Fiverr, you can create a “gig” and wait for clients to contact you with their requirements.

You could also use popular freelancing sites such as Upwork and Flexjobs.

These sites will allow you to make a full-time income online without the need to search your own clients.

become a freelancer and make money on upwork

You can find a wide range of jobs available on these sites. 

Related Posts:

10 Best Freelancing websites to Make Money in 2020.

The bottom line..

Whichever way you look at it, you won’t make money in freelancing if you are not bringing value and solving your clients’ problems, no matter how good you are at your job.

Make sure you outline your goals and work on building a great portfolio of clients. Start initially working from home and create a cute little office space that’s 100% yours and meant for business.

Keep on learning new things in whichever industry you choose. That and the above tips will ultimately bring you success in freelancing this year.

I created this blog to provide super helpful information and advice regarding all things health and wealth. I love creating content related to making money online and also ways to live a happy and healthy life. Enjoy!

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