Want to thrive as a freelancer? This online guide is 98% off.

TL;DR: Kickstart your freelance career with this course bundle for $29.99, a 98% savings as of May 29. Not to alarm you or anything, but it’s a rough moment to be looking for a new gig. If you’re struggling to find work or searching for an additional stream of income, you may want to look into kickstarting a side hustle or pivoting to a freelance role and working for yourself. If you have a marketable skill perfect for freelancing (think copywriting, web design, digital marketing, and coding) but don’t want to enter the freelance world blind, the Kickstart Your Freelance Career Course Bundle will show you the ropes. For just $29.99 , you’ll receive eight courses, all of which are designed to help your freelance career thrive. Here’s a sneak peek: Kickstart a Freelance Editor and Proofreader Career on Upwork Upwork is pretty much the Facebook of freelancing — it’s the biggest platform there is. If editing and proofreading is your thing, this course will teach you how to create an effective cover letter for editing gigs. You’ll learn the most effective bidding principles, and how much to bid to score as many contracts as possible. To hone your skill, it also offers bonus tips for editing and proofreading that can result in a 97% client satisfaction rating for your profile. Fiverr: Start a Profitable Fiverr Freelance Business Today Another renowned freelancing platform is Fiverr, and with this course, you’ll get an insider view of the site. Think of it as a roadmap for gaining a competitive edge against other freelancers bidding for the same jobs. You’ll receive tips on how to identify skills that you can sell, create Fiverr gigs that match your interests and values, as well as gain access to resources that will make you profitable on the platform. Freelance Success For Artists: A Quick and Easy Guide Whether you’re a designer, illustrator, multimedia artist, or filmmaker, this course will fill you in on the tried-and-true best practices for clinching repeat clients. You’ll learn how to deliver your best work and excellent customer service to make any client want to hire you over and over again. You’ll also get tips on how to best build your portfolio, create a stellar reputation, set your prices so you can rake in more profit, piece together rock-solid contracts, and so much more. The Complete Freelance Writing Course Word wranglers out there will benefit from this course, which offers a step-by-step actionable roadmap that teaches you how to build a freelance writing business and secure your first paid writing gig ASAP. You’ll get help on finding a freelance writing niche that you’ll thrive in, and receive instruction on how to build a portfolio that clients will find a hard time saying no to. You’ll also learn how to craft a compelling pitch that will help you stand out against other writers. Freelance Kickstart: Start a Successful Business You Love Working for yourself and starting a business that capitalizes on your […]

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How to Start a Graphic Designer Career in 2020?

Graphic design is one of the fastest-growing, high demand creative industries, ranking among the top in the leading freelance services. Do you think you have what it takes to become a graphic designer , but you don’t really know where to start? Don’t worry! Our experts from Web Monkey Online are here to help you get through all the basics. If you want to learn more about what you need to do to launch a successful career, keep on reading! Work on your portfolio A professional portfolio is a document or a website that showcases your work. It allows your potential clients or hires to make themselves familiar with your work history and design capabilities. In graphic design, without a good portfolio , you won’t manage to build a stable client database and business contacts. Don’t worry, though – it will grow with time and experience. However, make sure you put serious effort into your personal branding. You’ll get the best results with a web portfolio. Treat it just the same as you would any other design project. Create a logo and make sure your website has a unique design that showcases your best work and highlights your abilities. Lastly, update your graphic design resume, contact information, and social media links regularly. Work on your bio as well! Put some serious thought into your professional portfolio, and you’ll be all set for a successful career. Organization is key If you’re trying to land freelance gigs, remember it’s going to be much different than a nine-to-five job. Clients come and go in cycles, but you can prepare yourself for this and establish a stable financial situation. Keep track of your income and expenses and make sure you don’t get yourself in the red. If you’re starting your own business, it’s good to have some savings to help you out during less busy months. To navigate your finances effectively, make an annual business plan. Be as realistic as you can and plan ahead so you’ll know when you can expect major expenses, and when you’ll need to take more gigs. Furthermore, remember about keeping that work-life balance! Set your limits early on and try not to work more than eight or nine hours a day. Take regular breaks, but keep your distractions to the minimum. Learn to manage and value your time – don’t go overtime but treat your job seriously. Finally, be aware that you can always say no. You don’t have to accept all projects that come your way, especially if you have tight deadlines to meet. Your professional path will lead you to success if you learn how to manage your time and organize your tasks effectively. Have an effective payment plan First things first: never work for free. That’s the worst practice that does more harm than good in every market. Your work and skills are valuable, and your clients require your services. Because of that, you deserve remuneration. Don’t settle for credit or exposure – unless […]

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Freelance Platforms Market – Key Opportunities & Development 2024

The Freelance Platforms Market report comprises the current size and trends with Assessment. It also provides with different types of product segments of the global market. The Freelance Platforms Market report offers the global market potential rates of the Freelance Platforms market along with various product segments. Freelance platforms are a marketplace for businesses and freelance workers from all over the world. They typically make money by taking a cut from both the employer and the freelancer. For the money they charge, these platforms provide a hassle-free and convenient business experience to both parties. The Global Freelance Platforms Market research report provides and in-depth analysis on industry- and economy-wide database for business management that could potentially offer development and profitability for players in this market. The rapidly changing market scenario and initial and future assessment of the impact is covered in the report. Our analysis involves the study of the market taking into consideration the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please get in touch with us to get your hands on an exhaustive coverage of the impact of the current situation on the market. Our expert team of analysts will provide as per report customized to your requirement. Request a sample of this premium research @ https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-sample/3794433?utm_source=Nilu-ND The report covers the forecast and analysis of the Freelance Platforms market on a global and regional level. The study provides historical data from 2014 to 2019 along with a forecast from 2019 to 2024 based on revenue (USD Million). The study includes drivers and restraints of the Freelance Platforms market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the Freelance Platforms market on a global level. This research will help both established and new entrants to identify and analyze market needs, market size and competition. It explains the supply and demand situation, the competitive scenario, and the challenges for market growth, market opportunities and the threats faced by key players. Top Companies in the Global Freelance Platforms Market Research Report: Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com, Envato Studio, PeoplePerHour, Toptal, Guru.com, DesignCrowd, Nexxt, Design Contest, Task Rabbit, crowdSPRING, Hireable.com, WriterAccess, 99Designs, Catalant, Design hill, Skyword, Bark, Gigster. A thorough examine of the competitive panorama of the Freelance Platforms Market has been supply imparting insights into the enterprise profiles, economic repute, latest traits, mergers and acquisitions, and the SWOT analysis. It gives a cultured view of the classifications, packages, segmentations, specifications and lots of extra for Freelance Platforms Market. This market studies is an intelligence record with meticulous efforts undertaken to take a look at the right and treasured data. Regulatory situations that have an effect on the diverse decisions in the Freelance Platforms Market are given a keen statement and have been explained. This study considers the Freelance Platforms value generated from the sales of the following segments: Global Freelance Platforms Type Outlook: Cloud Based Web Based Global Freelance Platforms Application Outlook: Large Enterprises SMEs Global Freelance Platforms Regions […]

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Alternatives to Upwork

Platform For Work From Home Opportunities

We understand that many of you are trying to get freelance work from home jobs for the first time.

Unfortunately, you may have lost your job recently due to COVID-19. Or maybe you had been thinking about entering the gig economy to supplement your income, and now you have the time to explore this option.

Whether you are unemployed or simply have a lot of time to kill, there are many different ways to enter the freelance marketplace.

You could reach out to companies that you already know. Working with your professional connections or through LinkedIn is a great way to start.

If you have a few professional connections, you may find the need to begin researching the best freelancing sites.

Today we would like to share some of those sites with you. While we have spent a lot of time on this website sharing Upwork skills that you need to succeed in that online freelance marketplace, we realize that there are other options available.

Here are some alternatives to Upwork that you may consider using to launch your freelancing career.

Toptal

Toptal markets themselves as the place to go to get quality freelance talent. In fact, the website says that they only hire 3% of the applicants that apply to work through their site.

The leadership of Toptal only hires freelancers with particular skills. They look for software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, or project managers.

If you are highly skilled with a lot of experience, Toptal may be the perfect place for you to begin life as a freelancer.
Workhoppers
Maybe you don’t need to work from home. Perhaps you are willing to complete jobs within your community. If so, Workhoppers may be the site for you.

Workhoppers will help you find freelance, contract, part-time, temporary, remote, gig, or casual jobs. While some of the positions will allow you to work from home, others may require that you work on-site.

As someone willing to work, you create a profile that details your skills and location. The site’s algorithm matches you with the perfect job. Unlike Upwork, freelancers working through Workhoppers do not bid for jobs.

Freelancer

Freelancer is similar in design to Upwork. You create a profile, detailing your skills and availability. Once you have a profile, you can begin bidding on jobs that interest you. The hiring manager can look at your reviews from previous customers and see your success ratings. Based on your reviews, your profile, and your bid, the hiring manager will hire you to complete projects.

Freelancer differs from Upwork in that anyone can apply for jobs. There is no vetting process. While this may appeal to people with little experience, it can be frustrating as well. You may find that other freelancers are constantly underbidding you.

Upwork, on the other hand, supposedly limits the number of profiles that they allow on their platform. For example, if Upwork’s algorithm says that they have an abundance of freelance copywriters, they may not allow new writers to join their freelance team.

Fiverr

The name Fiverr was meant to appeal to business owners and individuals who wanted to hire someone to complete a quick job for a “fiver.” For example, someone who needs a quick cover designed for an online book may hire a graphic artist from the other side of the world to create a quick design for less than $20.

Fiverr also has a different setup than Upwork. Instead of posting a job and having freelancers bid on it, a person needing to have a job done looks at an individual’s profile and asks them to complete a project.

Additional advice for a beginning freelancer

Whether you choose to work with Freelancer, Upwork, or Fiverr, know that it may take time before you land your first gig. Freelancing can be highly competitive, and businesses and individuals may be wary of hiring beginners. You may have to complete jobs for less than you would like just to get a few positive reviews.

While Upwork does a decent job removing questionable clients from their job listings, other sites may not be so careful. You may encounter individuals asking you to write fake reviews, term papers, or other pieces of questionable content. These individuals prey on beginners. Don’t go against your moral standards in an attempt to work as a freelancer. It is important that you feel good about the work you complete.

Other clients may immediately want to begin working “off-platform” to avoid paying extra fees. If you are working through Upwork, this is against their terms and conditions, and the administrators may remove your profile as a result of such behavior.

Once you have completed a few projects, let us know which freelance website you prefer.

This article was originally posted at Freelancing buzz.

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Eight Tips To Excel In Your First Freelancing Gig

Photo: Getty Many people have turned to freelancing as a way to survive after being laid off or having their hours cut. Times being hard doesn’t mean you just have to survive; it’s possible to thrive. It’s never the wrong time to chase your dream, and freelancing work can definitely help you do that. As someone who was laid off due to the pandemic, I know how freelancing can change your life, even in the most unlikely times. Maybe you are like me and have attempted freelancing in the past, or maybe this is your first time. No matter what your experience with freelancing is, it’s possible to succeed and grow your own business. Once you have secured your first gig, you might be asking, “What’s next?” It can be daunting to start work from scratch, especially when you don’t know the client that well and the pressure is on to prove yourself. Step back, and take a minute to breathe — you can do this! When I started freelancing, I had a good share of teachable moments. I want to help reduce these initial mistakes I discovered over the past two years of freelancing, and I believe they will help you excel. Here are my eight tips to help you not only maintain your first freelancing client but also grow your client base: 1. Ensure you are getting wins for your first client. The first client is crucial when expanding your freelancing opportunities. This is your chance to prove to yourself and others how much you are capable of. Make sure you focus and dedicate effort to providing results to your client. 2. Implement the two-hour rule. Whenever you receive any communication from your client, you should respond within two hours. This doesn’t mean you have to have answers for them immediately or that you should be checking your phone throughout the night. Rather, having this personal rule keeps you accountable to yourself and to your client. Sometimes it can be as simple as just acknowledging their note. This rule is critical for maintaining accountability and shows that you are engaged. 3. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Clear and open communication with your client is so important and can turn a project client into a monthly retainer client! Don’t just check in once a week. Make sure you are checking in with them regularly and updating them on your progress. This provides an opportunity to ask for important information you need to succeed in whatever project you are working on. Don’t let precious time go by. Approach your client as if you are working on the same team. Practicing this will let the client know what you’ve accomplished, and they will be informed of your value to them. 4. Be an advocate for your client. As a freelancer, you are directly accountable to your client. Make sure they are happy with what you are doing for them. You want to make sure you are getting the […]

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Tips on How to Find Best Remote Jobs

With the massive leap in internet technology, it seems logical to opt for work from home jobs. This is because of the flexibility these jobs offer, along with the reasonable payout they entail. However, finding these jobs is not a cakewalk because of the sheer number of platforms offering the same. You need to remain mindful of a number of aspects so that you can make a decent earning routine. This article aims to ease the process of scouring for remote jobs that can viably give you the upper hand. Acquire the skills The foremost thing is to figure out which field you want to tap into. Next up, get along with sources that can assist you in mastering the required skill set. This will come in handy when you’re actually starting the hunt for remote jobs. Make sure you don’t remain clueless when it comes to the knowledge needed to opt for the handpicked job. You can readily find numerous online platforms that can assist you in acquiring the skills in case you don’t want to spend a ton of money. Decide between full-time and freelance Yet another crucial aspect you must figure out is whether you’re going to proceed with a full-time job or just want some freelance gigs. This decision can massively impact your workflow, which is why you must be proactive about the same. You need to prepare yourself for the freelance setup if you’ve always worked as a full-time employee and vice versa. Having a prior idea about the same will help smoothen the transition. You should also get into an active discussion with the employer so that you can have a well-articulated idea of the underlying terms and conditions. Prepare your resume Opting for top remote jobs doesn’t mean that you don’t need to have a robust resume in place. This is because you’d be applying to a myriad of platforms in order to secure the best opportunity. While at it, focus on integrating relevant keywords in your resume because these documents are scanned using the software. More so, be mindful of keeping everything concise so that your resume doesn’t end up becoming too chunky. Lastly, you should apply to as many places as possible because this will improve your chances of getting a lead. There are many online sites that can let you find secure remote jobs so that you can reach starking heights in your career. Opt for training if needed Despite completing multiple courses, you might not be able to feel confident when it comes to taking the plunge. Therefore, your best bet is to go for suitable training that can actively eradicate all the doubts you might be brimming with. This will not only let you master your skills but also boost the confidence level so that you can readily reach out to employers. Training is of paramount importance if it’s your first time looking for remote jobs because it will prepare you for aspects you might not be […]

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How to Manage Freelancers: 9 Non-Hacks for Quality Content

freelance management There are an abundance of talented freelancers looking for their next gigs. If you play it right, these new independent contractors could rescue you from that steep drop-off in search traffic. But does your team know how to manage freelancers? You can’t engage with freelancers the same way you manage your in-house content team. How to properly manage your freelancers Unlike full-time employees, freelance writers get to choose their clients and projects. They may be working in different time zones or even different countries, and they may have minimal face-to-face contact with your team. Many companies work with freelance copywriters and agencies every day. Here are nine rules you should swear by to produce high-quality content while working as a cohesive unit with your freelancers. Stop treating them like freelancers Pay for content quality, not quantity Document and share your existing content strategy Create airtight project briefs Share what metrics matter most to you Assign an internal SEO gatekeeper Onboard and train them just like an employee Don’t micromanage Have a mutual agreement on a feedback process Scoring high-quality content starts with building high-quality relationships with your freelancers. That’s where we’ll begin today! 1. Stop treating them like freelancers You can find thousands of freelancers all over the world on sites like Upwork. But that doesn’t mean you should churn your way through stacks of them. Freelance workers are not all created equal. Some will be a better fit for your team than others. And when you find those gems, you should build strong relationships to hang on to them. To do this, make sure your freelance workforce feels like they’re part of your team. Try to use “us” and “we” in conversation to make sure they feel included. And don’t forget to dole out praise and recognition for jobs well done. You should also give your freelancers everything they need to succeed, just like your in-house employees. Invite them to virtual meetings , add them to your internal email lists, etc. Freelancing can be lonely and isolating. So efforts to get to know your remote team on a personal level go a long way. Celebrate birthdays or discuss weekend plans on your water-cooler Slack channel, for example. You’ll boost engagement and team camaraderie simultaneously. Churning through subpar or inexperienced freelancers wastes time, money, and company resources. You’ll need to find, onboard, and test out each new writer. Then they’ll need to become familiar with your brand’s content goals and tone. This trial period could last anywhere from a few weeks to a few projects. “The average U.S. employer spends $4,000 and 24 days to hire a new worker.” That’s why building relationships with freelancers is investing in your company’s future. When you find freelancers who deliver what you ask, they’ll be worth their weight in gold. Plus, giving them steady, repeat work may mean they’ll take on fewer clients and dedicate more time to your brand. 2. Pay for content quality, not quantity It’s best to […]

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Make extra cash online during quarantine

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in many people’s employment and financial goals. Unemployment rates are at an all-time high with over 20 million Americans applying for unemployment benefits in the last month alone. Whether you find yourself suddenly jobless because of economic impacts of the virus or simply want to take advantage of the time at home to make extra cash, an online gig could be a solution to your financial stress. The good news is that more people are working online than ever before. Even during this pandemic, there are many ways that you can make extra cash online, from full-time remote roles to one-time gigs. Here are some ideas to get you started: Online customer service Large companies are still in operation and need temporary customer service representatives. Due to the quarantine, many of these jobs are now online. These include inbound and outbound call center jobs and jobs manning the customer service line for national companies like eBay. Some of these jobs require you to live nearby certain cities, so take note. Freelance work If you have writing, design, or any other marketable skills, you may be able to get hired to do some freelance work. Create a portfolio and start asking neighborhood businesses if they need any writing or design work done for their newsletter or website. You can also try your hand at finding gigs with online bidding agencies; these sites are competitive, but sometimes good work is to be found. Online tutoring If you are a subject matter expert, you may be able to sell your services as an online tutor for children and university students. With online services, your potential customer base can be extended nationally or even internationally, increasing your chance for success. If you are a native English speaker and love kids, consider applying to a company to teach English online to international students. The advantage of these jobs are that there is no need to market your services, you can set your own hours, and they pay relatively well. Finding these opportunities takes a bit of research. Job search engines, like Indeed.com and others, are increasingly adding a remote work filter for their results, so that job seekers can easily search only for jobs that can be done online. There are job search engines that are specifically geared towards finding remote work, such as FlexJobs; keep in mind that there is a subscription fee for most of these types of sites. Lastly, particularly for freelance work, don’t rule out your local Craigslist page; many people post gigs here.

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How to work from home: Here are 10 Online jobs that you can do!

Many organizations are rapidly shifting to the ‘ Work from Home ’ culture. As per experts, the culture of work from home and remote login is going to be highly accepted and adapted in the coming times. The challenging times posed by the coronavirus pandemic have impacted businesses massively and affected almost all professions. Fortunately, several jobs can be accomplished remotely by working from home to earn well. So, let’s look at some viable work from home jobs through which you can continue making money even while staying at your house. Online jobs that you can do from home If you wish to earn by working from home, here is a list of some tech-related online jobs you can do: Social media manager Medical Transcription Cloud Designer Web Designer Software Developer Freelance Technical Writer SEO and Review Writers Mobile App Developer Online Training and Tutoring Digital Marketer. Let’s look at each of these job profiles in detail. 1] Social Media Manager Social media platforms have become one of the most prominent media of marketing and brand promotion wherein the biggest of the brands are leveraging the massive reach of the channels like Facebook , TikTok , LinkedIn , Twitter , and Instagram . Companies are tapping in the opportunity by prudently handling their social media campaigns to influence their potential buyers. Since not many businesses have a dedicated team to channelize their social media presence via accounts, many freelancers have taken up the role of social media managers and work remotely. In the coronavirus pandemic, digital marketing companies are also looking for social media managers who can help them efficiently plan, design, and implement their social media campaigns through their accounts on various platforms. This is a relatively new role, however, youngsters and people who have a good hold on writing catchy posts and understand the nerve of viral media campaigns, love socializing online and are interactive can make successful social media managers. If you have the right presence on social media, then in the coronavirus lockdown, you can earn good money handling social media accounts of others. Download : Microsoft’s Essential guide to working from home. 2] Medical Transcription Medical Transcriptionist typically works from the hospitals and physician’s office; however, with the increase in technological aids that enable people to connect remotely, most of the transcriptionists are now working from home. The Work of medical transcription includes efficiently transcribing the dictation by doctors. The healthcare professionals and people who have completed a medical transcriptionist program can take up this job from home. 3] Cloud Designer Cloud-based applications are much in demand these days as the technology is fast growing. If you are a well-versed cloud designer and architect, then you can earn well by working from home and providing cloud solutions to various companies. Many companies are looking for efficient cloud developers who can help them manage and develop cloud apps. Coronavirus lockdown has propelled companies to allow remote working, and the demand for freelancers has increased. Read […]

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New to freelancing because of COVID-19? Let us help you write your first proposal

Let Us Help You Write Your First Proposal

At Freelancing Buzz, we are teachers at heart. Our mission is to provide support for the beginning freelancer as he or she learns to navigate in the gig economy.

We know that because of the recent pandemic, we have many new followers. You probably have looked through our past blogs about top freelancing sites, Upwork skills, and the best freelance jobs.

Today, we would like to show our support to beginning freelancers by offering advice on how to land your first client from your favorite freelance job site.

Here are tips for writing your first proposal as a freelancer.

1. Make sure you have the skills for the job.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but make sure you really can complete the job that is described before you apply for it. Some beginning freelancers, in their excitement to land their first client, apply for every position on their feed.

What might happen is that you encounter a client who can sense desperation from your proposal. He or she may try to take advantage of this anxious attitude and hire you to complete the job dirt cheap. You may be fine working for a reduced rate to gain experience, but if you don’t have the necessary skills, your client may leave you a poor review.

At the same time, don’t sell yourself short. As a freelancer, it is essential to be flexible and learn on the job.

2. Begin your proposal by describing why you are the perfect person for the job.

Even if you don’t have any freelance experience, you have skills and knowledge. Begin your proposal by discussing how your expertise would translate to a job well done for your client.

For example, you may write: “as a freelance CPA, I have completed tax returns for hundreds of small businesses over the years.” or “I have worked in the agricultural industry for eight years, specializing in website design.”

3. Discuss how COVID-19 lead you to apply for jobs on a freelancing site.

After you explain your experience, you may want to quickly mention why you have so few reviews on the freelancing website.

For example, you may write, “My company recently furloughed me because of COVID-19, but I am excited to begin a career as a freelancer.

4. Answer specific questions that are listed in the job description and ask for clarification.

Some of your clients have been working with freelancers for years. They have learned to be as specific as possible when writing job descriptions because they know they will attract a better quality freelancer by doing so. If the job description is straight forward, repeat some of the details to show that you understand the expectations.

“I understand you are looking for someone to complete eight blog posts of 850 words each about gardening.”

“I would be happy to design a 20-page website for you with WordPress. I understand that I will be working with a writer on this project who will provide the text.”

Other clients will purposefully be nebulous in their job descriptions. Sometimes these individuals want to pay meager rates, and they leave out crucial details that would enable you to give an accurate proposal.

As you write your letter to the client, ask for those specifics.

“I understand that you need eight blog posts completed by April 30. How long would each post be?”

Or

“How many product descriptions will I be writing? What is the average number of words in each description?”

Don’t promise anything until you have all the specifics in writing. Know the scope of the work, the deadline, and the amount you will receive before accepting any job. Doing so will enable your freelancing website to be able to back you up should the deal go sour.

5. Include samples of your work.

Including work samples are tricky for a beginning freelancer. While you may have completed similar projects in the course of working your regular job, you may or may not have access to that work to share with potential clients.

You may need to complete sample projects to show that you are knowledgable and skilled. Just make sure that the potential client cannot use work without paying for it.

6. Write an original proposal for each job.

You may be tempted to send out the same proposal for each of the jobs you are seeking. This would be a mistake. Make sure you address the concerns listed in each job description and answer the pertinent questions.

Good luck as you begin your career as a freelancer. You may not like being forced into this type of work, but you may soon discover the many benefits of working in the gig economy.

This article was originally posted at Freelancing Buzz.

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8 Positive Aspects of Getting Online Freelancers vs. In-House

As a company owner, you are firstly a businessperson. And business people are after one thing which is making profits. Making profit starts by minimizing the costs of running the business which include salaries and wages. Well, you wouldn’t need to fire anyone, just hire smartly. One of the ways to hire smartly is by seeking the services of a freelancer. Usually, with an employee under your payroll, they are entitled to more than just the monthly salaries. You will probably need to give bonuses, trips, insurance, among other benefits that accrue to employees. Contrarily, freelancers usually do not qualify for these benefits; all ties are cut once you have paid for the service rendered. This is one of the advantages of hiring a freelancer over in-house employees. Below are more: Specialized skillset It is impossible to have all the skills under your payroll. Apart from it being expensive over-time, it is utterly unnecessary. Your team may be specialized in one form of skillset while missing another, you cannot hire an addition for one task. This necessitates hiring a freelancer to solve the problem. Also, it is easy to get freelance services with just a touch of a button. Most of the people who offer freelancing services have their services advertised along with their profiles. Just by checking the reviews and the work experience, it is easy to judge if they are a fit or a flop. Permanent hiring can be tedious. It may involve a series of interviews which can be costly and take a lot of time. To save yourself the trouble, opt for freelancing services. Right equipment Freelancers walk with their tools of work. These are equipment which they have used for some time and are used to them. The specialized tool is likely to add a lot of positivity and speed to your project saving you lots of precious hours. Also, the experience of working on tools brings about some level of confidence. Therefore, the chances of building quality a quality project are very high. Flexibility A freelancer can stay up the whole night to complete a project. They are used to having clients all over the world and can serve more than one customer at the same time. So, they are more than capable of handling your assignment any time especially if it is time-sensitive. On the other hand, an in-house employee will not engage in office work if it falls outside the working hours. One thing you will be assured of is timely quality work. And if it is late, there will be a communication of the same prior; so that you can plan your activities knowing the exact delivery date. Furthermore, freelancers take full responsibility for their work and any mistakes that may be found. This is unlike in-house projects where you will not locate the source of the problem fast so that it can be fixed early enough especially when your employees start engaging in blame games. Affordable Affordability comes in […]

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How to Become a Writer

Benzinga Money is a reader-supported publication. We may earn a commission when you click on links in this article. Learn more. Unlock Course Interested in becoming a professional writer? Essential Techniques to be a Professional Writer is a great course to get you prepared for your career. Do you have a way with words? Turn your unique skill set into a valuable career by becoming a professional writer. You can unleash your inner creativity in a professional setting as you complete assignments for your employer or you can become a freelance writer and work on projects that pique your interest. Benzinga is here to help you learn how to become a writer. There’s so much to know about the writing profession. You may wonder what types of roles are available, how much you can expect to earn as a writer or if you need a degree to get hired. We’ve included the answers to these questions and more in this detailed guide. Not all writers have the same roles and responsibilities. It depends on the type of writing career you select. Here’s a quick look at some of the popular writing paths: Biographers recount the lives of others. Bloggers write blog posts on particular topics. Content writers are versatile writers who can cover many topics. Copywriters specialize in written content intended to sell a product or service. Grant writers compose research proposals to request grant funds from governmental and private agencies. Novelists write fiction books. Playwrights produce scripts used in theatrical productions. Speechwriters create speeches delivered by others. Screenwriters write scripts for movies and television shows. Technical writers create documents that simplify complex concepts. Writers work in many industries, but the top employers are in the information, performing arts and spectator sports, religious, grant-making, civic, scientific and technical services sectors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . The average annual salary for writers is $63,200, which is equivalent to $30.39 per hour. The amount you earn will depend on the industry you work in. Here’s a quick look at the average salary for writers working in the top industries: Information: $60,440 Performing arts and spectator sports: $70,990 Religious, grantmaking and civic organizations: $68,560 Scientific and technical services: $63,920 If you plan to work as a salaried writer in a professional setting, your employer may require a bachelor’s degree in English or communication. A degree in journalism, creative writing or technical writing will also suffice. What if you already have a degree and your major isn’t related to writing? You may still get hired if your writing skills are up to par. However, most employers will want to see a well-rounded portfolio that showcases your skills. Seeking a career as a freelance writer? You can land clients even if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree. In fact, most may not inquire about your educational background. Their concern is that you can deliver high-quality content that resonates with their target market. You can demonstrate your abilities through a portfolio […]

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5 Top Places to Get Online Freelancer Advice

The world of freelancing isn’t just rapidly growing. It’s continuing to evolve at an accelerated rate. New techniques, technology, regulations, and job boards are frequently appearing in order to help you succeed as a freelancer. But, how can you keep up with all of these changes? Here are five places that provide the latest online freelancer advice for both newbies and seasoned solopreneurs. 1. Due Launched in 2015, Due is a free digital wallet that allows you to accept and make payments online. Due also includes features like time tracking and invoicing, which are both essential for successful freelancers. Due also provides sound online freelancer advice through its blog. Articles focus on productivity, organization, work-life balance, how to find new clients, and to ensure that you get paid each on-time. There are also priceless accounting and legal tips as well. Due also has published the Ultimate Guide to Freelancing , along with specific guides for consultants, photographers, designers, and developers. 2. Freelancer’s Union Freelancer’s Union is a non-profit organization that has been providing advocacy and health insurance to its members since 2001. It’s also a great place to find gigs though it’s exclusive Hives community, as well as networking opportunities via Spark events. Members also have access to exclusive deals for independent workers. While you can purchase their Freelancer’s Bible, the Freelancer’s Union also provides expert guides on health insurance, taxes, networking, and how to collect non-payments. There are also resources like templates for contracts and collection letters. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s a daily blog that covers the latest news regarding health care, taxes, and rates. 3. Red Lemon Club Set up in 2009 by nomadic illustrator Alex Mathers, Red Lemon Club focuses on helping artists, freelancers, and entrepreneurs “develop the mindset to be a success at what they do and grow their creative businesses.” Alex has also put together several eBooks and courses to help get your career underway, such as ‘52 Sleaze-Free Tips and Hacks to Promote Your Art, Business and Brand’ and ‘How to Win Creative Clients.’ On the blog front, Alex writes articles like ‘Why You Find Consistently Marketing Your Business So Hard, and How to Make it Effortless;’ ‘Why You Find Consistently Marketing Your Business So Hard, and How to Make it Effortless;’ and ‘The Three Pillars to Being Unstoppable in Life.’ If you want additional and exclusive tips, then you’ll want to subscribe to Alex’s newsletter. 4. Docracy When you freelance career takes-off you’re going to need legal advice and contracts to make sure that you get paid on-time, have the right business structure in place, and protect your intelligential property. That’s when a resource like Docracy becomes absolutely priceless. This is the only open collection of legal contracts online for freelancers. It includes graphic design, website development, photography, and consulting. Since the documents are created and shared by the community, they’re free for anyone to use. The Decracy blog shares online freelancer advice on how to make sure that you […]

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Unemployment options during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Finding Job during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As a freelance teacher, we feel as if it is necessary to, once again, write about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the gig industry.

In the past, Freelancing Buzz has helped individuals learn about top freelancing sites. While we have helped you improve your Upwork skills, we have also assisted you in finding the best freelance jobs. We have also given you plenty of work from home tips.

Since we have helped you get started on your freelance work from home jobs, we would like to continue assisting you by discussing what happens when you face unemployment as a freelancer.

Today, we would like to discuss a few options that you may consider if you are losing clients because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Consider changing your industry.

In the past, Freelancing Buzz has emphasized the importance of developing a niche within your industry. For example, we recommended that if you worked as a freelance content writer, that you try to find work in a particular sector, such as education, real estate, or gardening, which would enable you to become a niche writer.

While we stand behind that advice, we know that some of those industries right now are reeling because stay at home orders have disrupted their ability to earn money. If you are a travel writer, fashion writer, or interested in freelance sports writing, you are probably struggling to find clients right now.

Unfortunately, we don’t know when these industries will recover. Instead of waiting for new contracts to appear in your inbox, you may need to switch gears and refocus on a different sector that is not affected as much by COVID-19.

The good news is that even though you may know a lot about your particular subject matter, you are still a freelance CPA, freelance content writer, or freelance webpage designer at heart. This means that you are highly skilled in your area, and unlike other people who have worked for the same company for decades, you know how to be flexible.

So instead of working as a freelance travel writer, you may want to begin creating DIY content to help individuals who are stuck at home complete renovation projects. Instead of advertising your skills in fashion web page design on freelance job sites, you may want to help small business owners set up online stores.

Consider learning new skills.

When something terrible happens, it is incredible to watch how quickly some businesses scramble to provide support. Although some of the companies may indeed be philanthropic at heart, other companies know that showing support in a time of need is a great PR tactic.

Companies that offer online learning have recently opened up some of their content as a result of the pandemic. While some of the courses merely provide a diversion, others will teach you skills that can be marketed as a freelancer.

To find such courses, search for the knowledge you would like to acquire plus a “free online course.” You may also add “COVID-19” to your search to find classes that have been recently opened up to the general public as a result of the pandemic.

We know that training yourself a new skill is not going to be easy, but if you have worked as a freelancer, you must be good at figuring out problems on your own. Freelancers have a stick-with-it attitude that others may not have.

Consider collecting unemployment

You probably began your freelancing career slowly. In fact, you probably didn’t quit your day job until you had established several good clients.

Since you have been a part of the gig economy for a while, you know how many proposals you had to write before you landed your first job. And you know how many bad clients you had to work with before you found reliable, high-paying customers.

If you need to temporarily change your industry focus or retrain yourself for a different job, you may struggle to earn your regular income. In that case, you may need to apply for unemployment benefits.

The recently-passed CARES act expands unemployment benefits to those in the gig economy. To qualify for Pandemic Unemployed Assistance, you need to certify that you do not qualify for regular unemployment. You also need to show that you are able or available to work, but you can’t for one of the following reasons:

You have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms and seeking a diagnosis of the virus
A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19
You are providing care for a family member or household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
You are providing care for a child or other household member whose school or care facility has closed
Check your state’s unemployment website to learn how to apply and other restrictions.

This article was originally posted at Freelancing Buzz.

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Freelancing Marketplaces -How to Start

Signing up in top freelancing marketplaces is aneffective way to get your first few clients. Through freelancing sites like Upwork, Guru, and Freelancer.com, you have the chance to find the best jobs that matches your skill, work history, level of expertise, and expected salary. In this blog, we will cover what you need to know about freelancing marketplaces and how you can start your career using these platforms. Freelancing Marketplace: What Is It? A freelancing marketplace is a site where freelancers apply to jobs, and clients hire freelancersto help them with their business. Many freelancing job sites are available online, but not all of them perform the same in terms of effectiveness, ease of use, and technical support. You must learn the features of each platform and how to use them to your advantage. Creating a profile on several platforms helps increase your chances of getting clients, but also causes you more time to manage multiple sites. You can also use the site to discover top freelancers within your niche. You can use their profile as a way to assess your competencies and your rate. Take time to read their profiles and compare them to your own. By doing this, you can get an idea of how to improve your profile and make it stand out from your competitors. Some sites publish blogs that teach newbie freelancers different strategies to become competitive in their niche. For example, Upwork has a blog category where you can read success stories, market trends, tips and tricks, and other informative features that teach you how to create a better profile, send winning proposals, and develop marketing strategiesto reach more prospects. For more practical advice for freelancing, try Mike Volkins Freelancing Blog . Some freelancing platforms like Upwork use an algorithm to rank its freelancers based on several factors. The ranking is represented by its Job Success Score (JSS), where a freelancer can get the highest score of 100%. Clients can set the minimum JSS that they would like to hire for the job. A higher JSS means thatyou are qualified to apply to more posts. The same rule applies to Freelancer.com, where freelancers are ranked based on bids. Its ranking algorithm assigns a score to each freelancer. The clients will get to see the proposals coming from the top-rated freelancers first beforethe other bidders. If you know which factors affect your score, you can get an idea of how to rank better. Most freelancing platforms have internal communication feature which allows freelancers and clients to send and receive messages. They can also take payment from the client on behalf of the freelancer. The amount is released once the client approves the time stamp or the submitted works of the freelancer. How to Start in Freelancing Marketplaces One of the biggest mistakes most newbie freelancers make is joining all the freelancing sites available to them. You don’t have to this because you’re just wasting your time in creating a profile and sending proposals on […]

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Should my company bring digital marketing in-house or outsource? Try a combo of both

Shana Bull is a Santa Rosa-based marketing educator and digital storyteller, working with wine, food, hospitality businesses, teaching classes on marketing, and freelance writing. (RACHELLE RAWLINGS PHOTOGRAPHY) Shana Bull is a marketing educator and digital storyteller, working with wine, food, hospitality businesses, teaching classes on marketing, and freelance writing. Reach her with your questions about digital marketing at shana@shanabull.com , @sharayray on Instagram or at shanabull.com . Digital marketing has proven itself to be one of the most effective types of marketing. Email, social media, content marketing, search engine optimization, digital advertising — each of these tactics can be essential to business success in 2020. Especially during a crisis when your customers can’t make it into your retail location. That’s probably why as many as 95% of organizations have increased their digital marketing budgets in recent years, according to DigitalMarketingInstitute.com . Right now is the time to change your mindset when it comes to a “budget” for digital media marketing. Social media is the best way to communicate with your customers, and putting your dollars into creating content, and pushing digital ads should be on your radar. Especially for businesses that are currently pivoting to provide e-commerce products and services. We know that we need to put some of our marketing efforts toward social, but we’re often not sure where to start. Here are some of the things to think about when setting a realistic digital marketing budget for your business. How much you should spend depends on your business? According to Google Ad management company WorkStream, the general rule of thumb is that a brand-new business should spend more (about 12%-20% of their gross revenue) on their marketing efforts because they are not known. It typically costs more to gain new customers than to keep the ones you currently have. Established companies should be contributing 6%-12% of their gross revenue to marketing efforts, as a whole. Of course, this is definitely not a hard-and-fast rule. If you’re an established business looking to expand into new channels, you may want to temporarily increase your marketing budget to gain new customers. The same goes for smaller businesses: If you have more business than you know what to do with at the moment, scale your budget back for a bit and reinvest the allocated money into production efforts. Your budget is dependent on where you are in your business journey and what you realistically want to accomplish with your marketing. This part is key. Be realistic. If your company wants to spend zero dollars on digital marketing, then it’s really just a self-fulfilling prophecy that your social media and digital marketing efforts won’t work. You have to invest in it. Looking back on marketing efforts The beauty of digital marketing is that it allows you to gain an understanding of which tactics are working for your brand and which are a waste of resources. Before moving into the future, dive into your analytics to see what is currently working, what roadblocks […]

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