Upwork vs. Fiverr: Which freelance job site is best?

Remote work is increasingly taking off as technological developments continue to change and shape how we live and, more importantly, how we earn. Freelance job sites have become a new lifeline to both old and new professionals who need a new start, a new client, or simply a new challenge. Two of the most popular sites for freelance work include Upwork and Fiverr. These are both popular sites within the digital and virtual employment realm, but which one is better for freelance services? Here ZDNet takes a deep dive into the differences between Upwork and Fiverr. Upwork is home to big-name clients, including Microsoft, Airbnb, Bissell, and GoDaddy, giving instant credibility for curious freelancers. There are three ways to find work on the platform: the Talent Marketplace , where you can post jobs and get hired, the Project Catalog to post and sell projects, and Talent Scout for recruiter services that pairs talent with employers. Job opportunities are expansive and include areas like development & IT, design & creative, sales & marketing, writing & translation, admin & customer support, finance & accounting, and more. To get started, create a free profile and filter between domestic and international jobs. Upwork uses its own virtual currency called Connects, which allow you to apply to jobs. You get ten Connects with the basic free plan, but if you upgrade your plan, you get 80 each month. Connects can be used to apply to jobs directly, or you can simply post projects that are available for hire and wait for employers to come to you. Or, if you can benefit from professional help, recruiters will do the heavy lifting with a skills-based approach to your job search. You can also add Badges that quickly and easily showcase your qualifications to employers visiting your profile. Payment works a few different ways: traditional hourly pay or fixed-price protection that uses project milestones to release payments in full or over time. You can choose how you get paid, with options that include traditional direct deposit and wire transfer, in addition to PayPal and Payoneer. There is an invoicing feature available to simplify things and keep your records organized in one place. View Now at Upwork Upwork is free to join. The free plan gives you the ability to create your own profile, add a video introduction, perform job searches, and create your own projects. You have ten Connects to use to apply to jobs on the platform. If you want to purchase additional Connects, they are $0.15 each and are sold in the following bundles: You also have the option to upgrade your plan to Freelancer Plus for $14.99 per month. This gives a total of 80 Connects each month instead of the standard ten that come with the free plan. Freelancer Plus also provides increased visibility to employers and exclusive insights regarding competitor’s bids so you can price your bid accordingly. Upwork uses a commission-based fee structure based on a sliding scale for your jobs […]

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How to Become a Chef – and Work for Yourself

Dreaming of becoming a chef but also working for yourself? You could become a freelance chef and prepare and cook food in restaurants, client kitchens, or even private yachts. Going it alone as a chef is challenging though, so it’s a good idea to have some experience in the kitchen before you take the leap into self-employment. What does a chef do? A chef not only prepares and cooks food, but also has an eye for food presentation. Chefs can work in pubs, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and even private households. This article focuses on how to become a chef on a self-employed basis, whether that’s as a freelance chef or a personal chef for individual people and families. What is a personal chef? A personal chef can help clients by coming into their homes to cook for them if they have busy schedules or just don’t enjoy cooking. This typically involves: Depending on your contract, you might prepare everything from breakfast through to dinner, or you might just work one or two evenings a week. Your clients could be anyone from busy professionals with disposable incomes to athletes who need meals that’ll complement their training, or even families living on a private yacht. What is a freelance chef? Often chefs will be employed full-time by a pub or restaurant for example, but sometimes businesses might need a chef on a short-term or temporary basis. For example, if they need specialist skills, last-minute cover, or are putting on a particular event. As a freelance chef you’ll be looking after the running of a kitchen, creating menus, and checking the food going out. Depending on the size of the event or type of client, you could be managing kitchen staff too. Reasons to become a self-employed chef Be creative – from designing menus, to learning skills, to jumping on new trends, you can be in control of your cooking. Choose your hours – the working hours of a chef are known for being long and physically demanding, but if you’re self-employed you’ll have more flexibility to choose your hours – and you’ll be paid for every hour you work. Work with a range of clients – whether it’s stepping into different restaurants and cuisines, supporting families with their cooking, or joining a cruise ship for the summer, you can embrace variety and build new skills. Chef skills you’ll need Chef skills and qualities you need include: passion for food food production methods, such as roasting and frying As a chef you’re legally required to have a Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering Certificate . For more information, check guidance on health and safety law for the catering and hospitality industry and food hygiene requirements . To work as a self-employed chef, you’ll also need to be adaptable to any kitchen and able to cook many different dishes and cuisines . Chef courses You don’t need specific training to be a chef, but a formal catering qualification may be a […]

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Top 5 Side Hustles for Lawyers to Adopt

Side hustles for lawyers may seem like an unimaginable tasks alongside an already busy practice. Law is an all-consuming profession, but that doesn’t mean that lawyers are limited to doing one thing for their whole lives. Far from it, on the contrary – while every line of work has the potential to allow for side hustles and freelance gigs, the legal profession is especially suited to side hustles . Many lawyers have developed skills in diverse areas such as writing, research, management, and public speaking, meaning that they’re well equipped to take on many different side gigs. Not only can these part-time projects provide a welcome stream of additional income, but they can also deliver personal fulfillment and enrichment by shaking up the typical work week routine. The rapid growth of online work in recent years means that there’s no time like the present for lawyers to pursue extra jobs and projects. If you’re looking to add some variety to your workweek routine, then consider jumping into these six excellent side hustles for lawyers. Freelance writing There was once a time when freelance writing was a risky business that required either working with advertising agencies or collaborating with elusive big-name magazines. However, companies across nearly all industries need high-quality written content to boost their search engine rankings, establish their reputations, and grow their audiences. With professionally honed skills in crafting legal documents and arguments, lawyers are excellent candidates to fill this need for freelance writing. The best part about freelance writing is that it can be such a versatile and varied pursuit. Sometimes, you may have to write clickbait-y listicles for clients to help them earn more clicks. Other times, you might land a project writing an exhaustive case study for a client drawing from detailed data and real-world evidence. Whatever your specialties or interests are, there is an incredibly high chance that there’s someone out there willing to pay you to write about them. Sites like UpWork and Fiverr make it simpler than ever to find freelance writing projects. It can be tough to stand out in these crowded marketplaces when you’re first starting – after all, tens of millions of people advertise their services on these sites every day. However, once you have a few successful projects under your belt, it’s easy to start gaining traction with a steady stream of additional projects. With the ability to tailor your workload to your interests and current capacity, freelancing provides a healthy avenue for lawyers to take on extra rewarding work. If you’re not quite ready for freelance work, starting a blog for your law firm is a great way to exercise your writing skills and figure out your writing strengths. Writing an eBook If writing blogs and articles on a freelance basis isn’t enough to satiate your ambition, then you may be an excellent candidate to pen an eBook. Writing an eBook is incredibly accessible and removes almost all the barriers involved with publishing a book traditionally while […]

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Pros & Cons of Hiring Independent Contractor

Employers may have the dilemma of hiring employees or acquiring the services of an independent contractor (IC). These include freelancers, consultants, seasonal workers, and other temporary professionals. Trends change now and then, which can sometimes confuse companies with which one to choose. A recent study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that between 6.9 percent and 9.6 percent of all workers are independent contractors, equivalent to 10.5 million to 15 million workers. RELATED: Top Pros and Cons of Contract Work in the Life Sciences Industry Why Do Companies Work With Independent Contractors? Small business owners may opt to hire ICs to help ease the workload and relieve some pressure and stress. Independent contractors are individuals whose job tasks are controlled by the individual rather than the employer. Their skillset helps these companies go about work without the need of hiring full-time workers. Companies that work with ICs reap tremendous benefits and take on sizable risks. Here are the pros and cons you need to consider. Advantages Of Hiring Independent Contractors 1. Cost-Effective Even though most employers pay ICs more per hour than they would pay their employees to perform the same roles, it may still cost them more if they hire employees. Hiring employees will mean paying additional expenses, such as health insurance, social security, state unemployment compensation insurance, retirement benefits, and paid leaves. These types of costs can increase the total payroll and benefits expenses by as much as 20 to 50 percent more per year. Also, you don’t need to worry about buying new equipment, providing office space, travel allowances, and administrative requirements. 2. Additional Help Just like regular employees, ICs can provide the workforce a small business or start-up needs to thrive. Small business owners may have a hard time hiring regular employees because of the additional expenses. ICs have the same skillset that regular employees have, and they are cheaper in the long run. Hence, hiring them can provide additional help and, at the same time, reduced costs. 3. Staffing Flexibility Working with ICs allows the companies greater flexibility and leeway in hiring and letting go of workers. Hiring an IC enables you to hire people when you need them the most. You can increase the workload of ICs when you need their services and not hire them when you do not need them. Hence, the company can’t be sued or face legal trouble that can accompany lay-offs and firings. 4. Reduce Lawsuits Employers who opt for hiring ICs may reduce their exposure to lawsuits. Employees in the country have a broad range of rights under state and federal laws. Since ICs are independent and are not connected with the company, they are not protected by many of these laws. 5. Access to Special Skills When hiring ICs, you can hire freelancers with specialized skills. You don’t have to spend ages finding one person, but you can employ ICs until you find your perfect match equipped with the needed skills and expertise. Also, […]

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Best Freelance Websites 2021

As the shadowy cover of COVID-19 slowly lifts, America is getting back to work. For many, however, the workplace looks a little different than you remember from before, and many Americans do not have the option to just return to their pre-pandemic jobs. Enormous nationwide layoffs and business closures prompted federal stimulus support just to make it through, but as vaccinations work to help make the world safe again, it has also come time to return to work so we can rebuild and prepare for our futures. Today, there are many job websites that claim to help you find immediate employment, but the freelance gig industry is a world of its own. As a freelancer, your needs are far different from the average commuter and salaried employee, which is why a specialized freelance job website can better suit your needs. Though seemingly similar, these services are much different from one another, not only in available jobs but also your membership structure. Pricing can include whatever charges and finder’s fees come with using a third-party provider of this nature. Accessibility and job quality can also vary based on the freelance website you choose. To help, we have compiled the five best freelance websites to find work in 2021. This is how they compare. Hardware specifications: Desktop, Android, iOS Current pricing details: $0-$14.99 per month Upwork is great for jobs both domestic and international. You can make a free profile to advertise your skills, and then you can either wait for jobs to find you, or you can take a more proactive stance to find and apply to jobs yourself. Upwork uses a currency called Connects that allows you to apply to jobs. Connects are refreshed on a monthly basis, and up to 200 can roll over each month. There are two plans that you can choose from. The Basic Freelancer plan is standard, or you can opt for the Freelancer Plus at a monthly subscription rate of $14.99 per month. With the Freelancer Plus, you receive a total of 80 Connects per month, plus a customized profile URL, confidential earnings reporting, and competitor insights when bidding on a job. Regardless of your plan, payment is pretty simple. Jobs pay via project milestones at a fixed price agreed upon in the future, or you can choose to accept jobs that pay on an hourly basis. Upwork takes a service fee from all earnings, but the amount varies depending on your total billings. Pros Cons Must pay service fees Limited job applications View Now at Upwork Hardware specifications: Desktop, Android, iOS Current pricing details: $0 Fiverr advertises that it has been used by over “11 million satisfied businesses” for freelance projects. It has an impressive client roster that includes notable companies like Facebook, Netflix, and Google. Through the Fiverr business plan, entire teams can use the platform to connect with freelancers who have proven business experience. For freelancers, there are over 200 different categories with gig work and ongoing projects. It services […]

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Business Insurance for Freelancers

Freelancers are self-employed entrepreneurs who manage their own business and earn wages on a per-task or per-job basis. They are their own business owner and therefore are held responsible for any property damages, injuries, or liabilities while on the job. Business insurance for freelancers can offer protection from client lawsuits, work oversights, lease agreements, or common hazards that may occur. Looking for the best freelance insurance options for freelance or contract workers? Use our guide to learn more. What is Business Insurance? Business insurance is a type of insurance coverage for businesses that seek protection from potential lawsuits, contract disputes, or property damage. Freelancers evaluate their coverage needs based on possible risk factors, which can vary based on how and where they operate. Nonetheless, having business insurance can prevent business owners from facing devastating losses that may spring up during their regular line of work. After all, emergencies and unfortunate events can occur at any time. Business Insurance Explained The U.S. Small Business Administration encourages freelancers to get business insurance to protect themselves from unexpected costs and to keep personal assets safe. There are several types of business insurance that you may need depending on your situation. Types of Business Insurance Here are several types of business insurance all business owners, including freelance or contract workers who own their business, may want to consider. General Liability Insurance Any business can purchase general liability insurance to protect against financial losses due to bodily injuries, medical expenses, and property damage occurring on your premises or resulting from your work. Advertising injuries such as slander, copyright infringements, and libel are also covered. Professional Liability Insurance Self-employed workers benefit from professional liability insurance since it covers legal fees, administrative costs, and settlement costs in the case of a lawsuit. Common problems can be delivering products past the deadline or miscommunicating project deliverables, therefore being accused of being professionally negligent. Product Liability Insurance Self-employed business insurance can include product liability insurance, which protects your company from lawsuits based on a product’s manufacturing, delivery, installations, and overall supply process. There is also protection in case a product malfunctions or has a defect, resulting in bodily injuries or property damage. Examples include having misleading instructions, production flaws, or design deficiencies. Commercial Property Insurance Whether you work from home or own an office, commercial property insurance can cover the cost to replace or repair business property that gets damaged due to a break-in, vandalism, hail storm, or fire. It is thereby essential to take stock of all your physical assets and property in case a burst pipe or theft occurs. Workers’ Compensation Freelancers often work with others to meet a task or job. Thus, having workers’ compensation insurance offers wage benefits and medical care in case employees fall ill or get injured on the job, no matter who is at fault. Injuries can also include natural disasters, violence at the workplace, or terrorist attacks. Commercial Auto Insurance Many businesses need to get to and from clients and […]

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Expert Tips to Start Freelancing Online

geralt / Pixabay The Internet is creating limitless opportunities for users worldwide and freelancing seems to be one of the most exciting things to do online. To freelance is to be an independent worker who earns wages on a per-job or per-task basis. Given the advantages of being self-employed and considering the numerous freelance jobs and opportunities online, the demand for freelance workers is increasing in different industries. In this post, I want to help you with some expert tips to start freelancing online and turn it into a successful and lucrative business. Whether you have some skills already or you still need to develop your skills, you can be successful with some hard work, excellence and persistence. Expert tips to help you build a successful freelancing business online. 1 – Begin with an idea There is a long list of freelancing ideas in the digital world today to pick from but if you are already an expert in a particular field, you may want to develop it into a freelance business. Without a doubt, that would be the easiest way to get started. Many freelancers today used to have 9 to 5 jobs where they developed their skills and then went out on their own and started freelancing or consulting in the same field. You just need to think about what you are good at and what interests you. For example, if you are creative and somewhat tech-savvy, you can consider becoming a freelance UX designer. Or, if you are a great writer, you can be a freelance blogger. The possibilities are endless. 2 – Get the skills Whether you are stepping into a completely new industry, moving from a full-time job to freelancing or becoming a freelance consultant, there will always be a need to acquire the skills necessary to be productive in your new income generating activity. In any industry, freelance jobs always require excellence and fine skills. There is no room for try and error. Investing in training and courses is highly recommended to stand the challenges of the market. 3 – Get the tools Whether you are getting into UI/UX design, website creation, writing or proofreading, logo design or any other freelancing activity, you will need tools that can propel your career forward. Tools allow you to perform and deliver on time and with efficiency. Every freelance job has its set of tools . Some of these are free and others require a one time or recurring fee. As a professional who wants to stand out and dominate the market, buying licences of the tools you need is the best option so that you don’t run into resource limitations that may cause delays in delivery and loss. Being an online worker, most of the tools you will require are software and personal computers. You may need a comfortable home office environment with permanent Internet connection. While many get swept away with visions of working on the beach, the beach site will not be your […]

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Preparing for a Successful Freelance Career

According to the Bangladesh Government’s ICT Division, there are well over 500,000 active freelancers currently residing in the country. In 2019, this made Bangladesh the country with the 8th largest number of freelancers globally. Although payment rate for freelancers from developing countries like Bangladesh is comparatively low, one can still earn up to USD 50 dollar or more from offshore freelance jobs with high level skills and experience. While freelancers work on a contractual basis with and for other organisations, they can avail offshore freelance jobs with required skills and experience. Many companies outsource certain services or parts of their production process to developing nations where they have a better bargain for their money. This low-cost labour opportunity, apart from the skilled group of individuals, is what gives countries like Bangladesh an edge when it comes to the freelancing market. Skills on Demand Some of the most highly valued freelance skills today include web development, SEO optimisation, digital marketing, graphic designing, content writing, translating articles and so on. However, there is a plethora of other well-defined skill sets on every freelance marketplace online. It is crucial to do a sufficient level of research regarding the various marketplaces to find out what sort of skills are searched by clients and which online platform will help leverage one’s own individual abilities. Where to find There are currently numerous marketplaces available in the country for individuals interested in the field including Fiverr, Upwork, Peopleperhour and freelancer.com, etc. Visiting the sites thoroughly and going through the requirements is a primary need. In some cases, by looking into the profiles of those already affiliated with the marketplace, it is possible to figure out which skills are in demand and are likely to have the most job offerings and better pay. However, it is important for people to select the skill that they can naturally relate to. Just because another skill seems to garner better jobs does not, by any means, suggest that it would do the same for everyone. Never rush Zakaria Tasrik is a first-year student of Robotics and Mechatronics at the University of Dhaka. He has been working as a freelance 3D artist on Fiverr since 2020. While sharing his experience, Tasrik mentioned, “When I first identified the field of work, I was interested in developing my skills in that specific area which made my work much more encaptivating to me”. Whatever skill set an individual chooses to work on must be optimised. Some of the methods Tasrik claimed that worked for him included completing relevant courses online, reading up blogs and articles, and watching youtube videos on related topics. Well, Tasrik didn’t forget to warn about learning satisfaction. One must not begin working till s/he is satisfied with his/her skills. Making a profile Then comes the part of setting up a profile on the platform. While doing this, there is nothing wrong with taking some level of inspiration from others working on the same platform in order to learn how to […]

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How to Balance Freelance Work With Your Full-Time Job

Working on freelancing gigs while having a full-time job can often be overwhelming. If you fail to manage your time efficiently, your work-life balance will drastically suffer. Despite the challenge of balancing both jobs, you can achieve this with the right set of plans. Use these tips to help you balance your full-time job and freelancing work. 1. Avoid Working on Overlapping Hours You’ll be making a mistake if you choose to work on your permanent job and freelancing tasks on overlapping hours. Setting a boundary between the two worlds is always the key to balancing. You’re committed to the employer of your permanent job to perform your best. Doing some freelancing work during office hours will result in lower quality work on both sides. Instead, you may utilize the lunch and other breaks in the office to unwind and refresh. It will give you the energy to work on freelance projects. 2. Don’t Overlook the Full-Time Work As passionate as you are about your freelance work, remember to keep your employment commitment. Your office duties include turning in work on time, finishing tasks before deadlines, contributing ideas in meetings, and working with enthusiasm. Make sure you get proper rest at night and come to work in an energetic mood. Don’t talk about your freelance projects with your office colleagues during breaks and office time. 3. Use Different Set of Tools and Devices One of the best ways to keep the worlds apart is to use a different set of applications and devices for your full-time job and freelancing job. You’ll need separate tools or apps for project management, time management, work schedule, virtual meeting, and real-time communication. If attainable, use different devices for freelance work and full-time jobs. Using the office laptop for freelancing is not recommended at all. If you can’t afford to use a separate device for freelance work, use different browsers, browser profiles, and user accounts on the same computer. 4. Say No Whenever Necessary Some freelance projects may simply not work out due to reasons like time constraints, advanced design skills, high-end devices, etc. Don’t take a freelance project just because you got it. Never hesitate to say no if you know the gig is not going to work. It’s okay to say no even to the perfect freelance project if you can’t fit it into your schedule. You may pass it on to some other freelancer you know. So, you can retain a good relationship with the client and fellow freelancers. 5. Try Freelancing With Partners Working as a freelancer means doing all the administrative and accounting tasks by yourself. It can even leave you with little time to work on the actual project. However, you can easily split these responsibilities by partnering with a qualified freelancer. Choose someone trustworthy to work with you on freelancing projects and share the administrative tasks. You two can have different fortes and still work together as a team. If you two can work at opposite times […]

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Benefits of Having a Side Hustle

Image source: Getty Images Extra income is one benefit that can come with working a side hustle. Here are some other great benefits. Side hustles are becoming more common. Many people are going to a regular job during the day and then working a part-time job, gig, or other opportunity that brings in additional income. Some people choose to do freelance work or start their own business, while others work a part-time job. The nice thing about working a side hustle is it allows you to bring in more money. If your regular job doesn’t offer the chance to work overtime hours or pick up extra projects, working a side hustle may make sense. According to Zapier, one in three Americans works a side hustle . That number could rise significantly this year as more people explore new gigs and opportunities. The survey also found that 24% of Americans plan to start a side hustle this year. These stats show the popularity of working extra gigs and exploring new work opportunities while working a full-time job. Why is this kind of lifestyle so popular? It’s likely because of the benefits that side hustles offer. By submitting your email address, you consent to us sending you money tips along with products and services that we think might interest you. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please read our Privacy Statement and Terms & Conditions . Increase income Unless you work a job in sales or have a position where you get regular yearly raises, it may be difficult or impossible to increase your income. Many employers pay a set salary and don’t offer the opportunity for money growth. If you’re trying to save for a larger purchase or your living expenses have gone up, it can be hard to continue on the same salary that you’ve always had. Luckily, a side hustle can give you the chance to bring in more money. If you were to work a side hustle that provided an additional $200 per week, that would result in $10,400 of extra income each year. Pay down debt faster Some people choose to work a side hustle to pay down debt quickly. Whether you’re sick of staring at piles of bills or credit card debt , there may be a solution. Working a side hustle can help you increase your income. This can, in turn, give you more of an opportunity to pay down your debt faster. Paying your debt off sooner can result in less interest paid over time and can help you improve your overall financial situation. Save more Having a side hustle also provides another benefit: You can put more money into a savings account . This can help you prepare for a significant future expense, like a down payment for a home or a new baby. Another option is to work on increasing your emergency fund so you’re prepared for the unexpected. If you worked a side hustle that brought in an extra $1,200 […]

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Things You Need To Consider Before Going Freelance

There’s a lot to consider about your personal finances if you choose to go freelance and work from home There are lots of reasons that people decide to change up their working life, either by starting a side hustle while continuing with their principal job or by stepping off the corporate ladder and going freelance in their current profession. For some, the extra income is handy and a side hustle is framed as a monetised hobby. However, for many others, the goal of turning such a project into a principal source of income is the real dream. You become your own boss and set your own path, answering to yourself on your own schedule. No side hustle? No problem. Many more people are taking the plunge and leaving their jobs to go freelance in their current profession – be it design, accounting, writing, or any number of other industries. Either way, even if you are just supplementing your income with a side hustle, there are lots of things to consider if you choose to develop it further and work for yourself. Most pressingly, what moves do you need to keep your personal finances in top condition? Recommended A number of personal finance experts and certified financial planners gave The Independent their top tips for striking out on your own. Prepare to live off a lean budget Make sure you have money set aside in the bank as a cash cushion to live on, especially if going completely freelance, says Autumn Lax, CFP, financial planner at Drucker Wealth. “If you are thinking about leaving dependable income, we recommend at least six months worth of living expenses saved in your bank account.” Come up with a bare-bones budget in order to understand exactly what the essential expenses are that you need to run your life. “Make it lean,” says Mark Wernig, CFP and principal at Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors. “Revisit all budgets and financial plans that you have in place and run them leaner than you usually do.” Certified financial planner Shannah Compton Game and host of the Millennial Money podcast says that it is important to know your “foundation number”. Most watched “This is the number that you absolutely have to pay each and every month,” she explains. “Your foundation number is made up of your fixed expenses, like your rent or mortgage, car payment, credit card minimum payment, groceries, etc. Once you know this number you have an understanding of how much you need to make to cover your monthly needs.” This is also a moment to review how much you are investing. Ms Compton Game suggests considering a pause on investments until you secure new employment in order to stay on top of your financial needs. Keep your business and personal finances separate This might seem an obvious piece of advice, but it is frequently overlooked in the rush to start a new venture. “Work out how much money you’ll need to get your business started – […]

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How To Make Money on Upwork

What Is Upwork? Upwork is a marketplace that connects freelancer contractors to potential clients. Clients post jobs they need to be completed, and the freelancers can bid on the jobs they’re interested in. Upwork is currently the largest freelance marketplace in the world. One of the advantages of using Upwork is that it’s a non-vetted marketplace, making it easier for beginners to get started. Upwork does require new freelancers to get their profile approved to ensure there’s a need for the service they offer. But unlike other platforms like Lemon.io or Toptal, it doesn’t only accept freelancers in certain specialties . Overall, Upwork makes it easy for freelancers to get started and begin making money right away. But make sure you’re thoughtful about the clients and jobs you take on, so you aren’t taken advantage of. How To Make Money on Upwork 1. Set Up Your Profile The first step to making money on Upwork is setting up your freelancer profile. To get started, you’ll click the “Sign Up” button and use a Gmail or work email address or an Apple ID to create your account. From there, you’ll add in your personal information, work history, and highlight the services you plan to offer. Make sure you fill out all of the information, or at least until Upwork says your profile is 100% complete. 2. Verify Your Identity One of the changes Upwork has implemented in recent years is that it requires freelancers to verify their identity before they can apply for work. Once you’re verified, you’ll have a badge on your profile that potential clients can see. This helps you build trust and credibility with potential clients. The first step to verifying your identity is to use a government-issued ID, like a driver’s license or passport. From there, you’ll go through a video verification process where an Upwork employee will ask you a few questions about your profile. 3. Choose Your Pricing The next step is to choose your pricing. You can either set up hourly or fixed-rate projects with clients, and there are pros and cons to both options. If you use the hourly pricing option, you’ll log your time on the Upwork app. The advantage of hourly pricing is that Upwork guarantees you’ll get paid for the work you’ve already completed. However, as you get faster and more efficient at your work, an hourly price could cause you to lose money. With fixed-rate pricing, you and the client will agree to a set amount for the entire project. This ensures you aren’t just trading time for money, but it can be easy to undercharge for big projects if you’re new to freelancing. 4. Start Applying for Jobs Next, it’s time to start applying for jobs so you can find your first client. Fortunately, you can never run out of jobs to apply for on Upwork . For your first couple of jobs, you may have to accept a lower rate until you have some social proof. […]

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5 Essential Software for Every Freelancing Creative

Freelancing comes with its own set of challenges. Much like remote work, being productive and accomplishing tasks on time are the basic requirements. To make work easier every day, these five unique essential software are necessities of every creative freelancer. HP ENVY x360 1. Time management apps Simplify freelancing work and get more tasks done efficiently with the help of a time management app. A time-tracking software allows one to make daily plans to organize their work and schedule tasks more proficiently. One example would be Time Doctor, which provides reports with detailed insights of one’s accomplishments, weekly. 2. Software for notes Note-taking is vital when identifying the valuable parts and notable highlights during meetings. Jot down thoughts and ideas, down to the most important revision, with a note software like Evernote. With this app, be able to record the discussions from meetings and be able to backtrack the most important agreements, which might otherwise be missed. Taking down notes during meetings is more fun and efficient with the HP Envy x360 in tablet mode. 3. File-sharing software Sharing files between freelancers is a non-negotiable aspect when doing freelancing work. In most cases, one has to deal with large files, and transfer them from one device to another, all for the sake of collaborative work. Most, if not all, file-sharing software, need an internet connection, but there are apps now such as SuperBeam, which allows sharing files via Wi-Fi direct technology or even with a QR code. 4. Project management tools Setting milestones for a particular project is one of the most tedious tasks for freelancers. To sort out tasks and optimize collaboration, a project management software is a must-have. Download apps like Freedcamp and be able to manage your calendar, schedule the project, form to-do lists, and create various tasks Work on projects with comfort and ease and meet deadlines with an efficient & smart laptop like the HP Envy x360 that fulfills the needs of freelancers. 5. Accounting software Apart from successfully achieving proper time management, freelancing also requires managing finances, precisely. If writing invoices or anything that has to do with accounting is a dreadful thought, use a tool that offers these benefits and more. One good example of a software that can easily get this done is Due, which is a secure way to manage invoicing systems, including payments from employers. These various software options will make every freelancer a productive and efficient worker. But downloading these apps also requires a powerful device that is capable of delivering consistent high performance while dealing with volumes of tasks. With the help of the HP Envy x360, easily bring creations to life without limits. This laptop can work up to 10 hours and 45 minutes without any disruptions, thanks to its AMD Ryzen™ processor. The laptop also comes with high-grade security features and as an added bonus, the screen is likewise equipped with a 360-degree hinge allowing it to either be used as a tent or a […]

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How To Pick A Freelancing Niche

How To Pick A Freelancing Niche – Beginners Guide If you’re new to the freelancing world and don’t know where to start, this is the guide you need to read to find out how to pick the right niche for you. LOS ANGELES , CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, July 21, 2021 / EINPresswire.com / — Once you decide to enter the freelance world, you’ll hear this a lot – pick your niche! It’s everywhere – in the freelancing guides you’ll read, in the podcasts you’ll listen to, even in the random conversation you’ll have with fellow freelancers , you’ll hear this quote. However, one question arises itself – how to choose your niche if you’re only a beginner at freelancing, don’t know where to start, and don’t have the slightest clue what you want to do? Well, that’s why we’re here. The editors at Brybe Marketplace decided to create this guide for all of you new freelancers out there and help you choose a freelance niche that fits your skills, lifestyle, and desires. Let’s start by answering one simple question. What’s A Niche? Simply put, a niche is a particular part of the market that suits your needs and passion and helps you differentiate from your competition. A niche is not always an entire industry – like real estate, for example – it can be just a part of it, but a part where you can utilize your skills the most, enjoy your work and make quite the profit from it. There are two factors to consider when picking out your niche: working experience and your USP (unique selling point). If you have experience in specific fields, it can give you the confidence to better sell and promote yourself and get the job done. So, when picking out your niche, you should focus on your past working experience. But, as experience is something that everyone will make over time, you should focus on building your Unique Selling Point, too – the thing that separates you from your competition. Find the uniqueness in your services or skills and present it in a way that’s both admirable and effective. It may sound easy, but actually, the road to get here can be pretty bumpy. Plus, many freelancers, especially those who are new at this, think that narrowing down their skills will limit their options, and that’s the next point we need to clarify for you. Why Do You Need To Niche Down Your Skills? So, just for the sake of our arguments, picture this: you’re opening your web design and development company, and you need someone to build your website together with you. So, you start your search for a qualified copywriter. You run into two types of freelancers. One of them is all like, “Sure, I can do that for you! I can create the content for any kind of website you like, no problem!” – too confident and not personalized at all. But the other one starts to ask questions […]

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Best Gig Economy Jobs

Gig jobs can go by many names — freelancing, side hustles, temp jobs or contract work — but they all operate under the same basic principle. Workers move from one assignment to the next, selecting the jobs they want and working under conditions they choose. “The gig economy gives you ultimate flexibility,” says Ross Buhrdorf, founder and CEO of ZenBusiness, a company that provides tools to freelancers and entrepreneurs who want to start a business. The platform has helped 150,000 new businesses launch since March 2020, compared to 30,000 in the year before. While gig work is traditionally thought of as relatively unskilled side hustles, such as driving for ridesharing services, the scope of this sector is actually much larger. There are plenty of opportunities for white collar workers as well, says Austin Fox, CEO of digital staffing firm PeopleCaddie. Here are five examples of great gig jobs across a variety of industries: — Delivery Driver. — Writer/Editor. — Accounting/Finance Professional. — Software Developer/IT Consultant. — Environmental, Health and Safety Worker. [ SEE: 10 Best Part-Time Jobs to Pay the Bills. ] Delivery Driver For traditional short-term gig jobs that let you work when and where you want, being a delivery driver provides maximum flexibility plus good earning potential. Whether they are delivering food via DoorDash, groceries through Shipt or home improvement purchases on the Roadie app, drivers often receive a flat fee for deliveries plus customer tips. Delivery work is especially good for those who don’t want to commit to future jobs. Today’s delivery app companies make it easy for workers to log on at any time to find jobs that can be completed immediately. Writer/Editor Journalists and writers are among the popular professions for freelance workers, says Morten Petersen, founder and CEO of freelance marketplace Worksome. While some in this profession write for traditional publishers such as newspapers and magazines, digital media has opened up new avenues of work. Professionals are needed to write, edit and proofread online articles, website content and marketing materials, for instance. Freelance writers and editors may find assignments through referrals from their network, or they may pitch story ideas to publications. Websites such as Worksome, Upwork and FlexJobs can also connect writers to available opportunities. [ SEE: 20 Best Jobs You’ve Never Heard Of. ] Accounting/Finance Professional Tax associates, auditors and accountants are among the professional workers that are in demand for contract work, according to Fox. “Anybody that is basically in the client services field,” he says. Contingent labor providers such as PeopleCaddie can connect companies with freelancers, or work may be available through platforms such as Worksome and Upwork. Some professionals may decide to go the self-employment route as financial advisors and find individual, rather than corporate, clients. Software Developer/IT Consultant Software consultants were among the most popular businesses launched via ZenBusiness since last spring, Buhrdorf says. However, any occupation in the field of informational technology may be a good choice for gig work. Companies often need graphic designers, website […]

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11 Tools Every Freelancer Should Use

Best Freelancer Tools 2021 Being a freelancer is not easy. You’re the boss, the employee, the accountant, everything. Here are some tools that can simplify the life of any freelancer. LOS ANGELES , CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, July 20, 2021 / EINPresswire.com / — By now, you’re probably aware of the fact that the freelance market is on the rise. We’ve talked about it in one of our previous blog posts – Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out on Starting Your Freelance Career in 2021? Working from anywhere, being your boss, choosing your own clients doesn’t sound like a bad way to earn a living, right? But, just as Peter Parker, many freelancers-to-be should learn the same lesson – with great power comes great responsibility. Freelancers need to wear many hats to maintain their lifestyle and income, which can be stressful. Luckily, we live in a time where technology is on our side, and freelancers can use it to improve their productivity, effectiveness, and overall job success. That’s why Brybe’s editorial team will share 11 tools that can help any freelancer become better at their job. Let’s start. Working & Organizational Tools There’s one tool that freelancers from all industries can use – Google Drive. Google Drive You’ve probably heard about Google Drive one way or another – it’s a cloud storage service by Google, enabling you to have access to all the files, media, and other important files for you. It’s free, and you can access it only by creating a Gmail account. Google Drive offers 15GB free storage and for any additional storage, you can check out the paid plans. Most freelancers choose Google Drive as their all-in-one tool because of its simple interface, easy synchronization, and access from all devices- especially iOS, and Android. Google Drive enables you access to their software tools – Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets, Google Forms, etc. You can use them all to write documentation, organize your work, prepare presentations, and many more. You can share all these files and documents with your clients. Plus, you can use Google Meet for your meetings – once you schedule a meeting, it’ll automatically get added to your Google Calendar too. As a freelancer, it’s important to keep track of meetings and deadlines, so the best way to be organized is to use a calendar. Next, let’s check out other tools as well. Project Management Tools If you’re one of those lucky freelancers who work with one client only, you might not even need a project management tool. But, many freelancers out there prefer to work with multiple clients. The freelancers at our Brybe Marketplace like that way of working, too – it gives them flexibility and a chance to learn and work for numerous clients. It sounds impressive, but it’s a challenge to keep everything going smoothly. That’s why you need to use certain project management tools to make things easy on yourself. Asana Asana is an all-in-one project management tool designed to help teams and […]

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Here’s Exactly How to Retire a Millionaire

A quick internet search will yield hundreds of recommendations on how to become a millionaire next week. There will always be people peddling questionable methods to reach millionaire status in no time, with very little — if any — work to get there. The reality, however, is that most people who follow the trending fads often do more to lose themselves money than anything else. There are tried and true ways to become a millionaire, and if you happen to get lucky by winning the lottery, then that’ll be nothing more than a fortunate bonus. Here, we’ll take a look at the core behaviors that can help you retire — and help you stay — a millionaire. 1. Actively earn an income While most of us have heard of the dream of passive income, you’ll need to actively earn an income to develop a capital base, first. Living off of your investment income is a great idea, but the starting money has to come from somewhere. While you don’t need to earn a massive income, it’s a good idea to do something that actively brings in money — at least when you’re starting out. Over time, as your investment accounts grow, you should have passive income in the form of dividends and capital gains, in addition to your active income in the form of W-2 wages or freelance income. 2. Max out your tax-advantaged accounts For most people, this means contributing the annual maximum to your Roth IRA and employer-sponsored retirement plan , like a 401(k). Not only does this allow your investments to grow unencumbered, but it also allows you to limit annual taxation. Making it a habit of contributing the maximum (or as much as possible if you don’t immediately have the cash to contribute) should make it relatively easy to push your net worth to new heights. An important point to remember: Once you’ve contributed money to these accounts, make sure it’s invested. A vast number of people will simply contribute money to these accounts and the money will sit there in cash, earning little to no interest. It’s usually best to take the active step to invest the money in broad market index funds for sustainable results over time . 3. Don’t micromanage your investments Substantial research has shown that actively trading your account is likely to cost you in taxes, fees, and investment results. Savvy millionaires know better than to trade in and out of the market, with many opting for passively managed, broad-market, low-cost index funds . This method of investing allows you to take advantage of long-term capital gains rates (which are lower than ordinary income tax rates) and frequently provides greater returns than if you were to try and pick stocks based on feel. Passive investing is also a great demonstration of humility: None of us knows for certain where the market is headed next. If someone says they know, reiterate to yourself that they don’t. By focusing on asset allocation […]

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9 Mistakes to Avoid with Your Side Hustle

The Motley Fool Starting a side hustle can be a great way to boost your income , improve your skills, and save more money. A study done by Zapier found that one in three Americans currently have a side hustle. That number is expected to grow this year and beyond. While this kind of opportunity can be great for your finances and life, you want to make sure that you’re prepared. Doing your research and knowing what to expect can help you avoid frustrating hurdles along the way. Do you want to begin a side hustle ? Here are some mistakes to avoid when starting out. 1. Choosing a side hustle that requires a big financial investment >Some side hustles require no financial investment or almost no money to start. These opportunities can provide a great way to bring in extra funds without having to spend a lot upfront. Unfortunately, some people don’t do research and choose opportunities that require a significant financial investment. This can make the whole process more stressful, and for some, it may result in wasted money if they don’t continue to pursue the side hustle long-term. 2. Ignoring marketing efforts Many side hustles require you to handle your marketing and sales efforts. If you’re working through a platform, there may be a lot of other people offering the same services as you. That means it’ll be harder to get noticed. You need to consider what marketing and sales strategies you will use to bring in more business. Additionally, you need to allow time in your schedule for marketing efforts. If you ignore marketing completely, you may struggle to get business, or your extra income may not amount to much. 3. Charging too little You may decide to freelance or do consulting work as a side hustle. Doing this can be an excellent way to use your skills and knowledge to bring in extra income. But you should consider your level of experience and charge accordingly. If you charge too little, it can be challenging to bring in enough extra money, and you may end up feeling burnt out too quickly. Charge enough to make your time worthwhile. If anyone has a problem with your higher rates, remind them that they get what they pay for, and they’re paying you for your expertise. 4. Overworking yourself Some people struggle with managing their time when they have a side hustle. They may get too excited about the prospect of an extra work opportunity and overbook themselves. It’s important to give yourself plenty of time for your regular work commitments, family and friend responsibilities, and enough time to rest. 5. Choosing a side hustle that you don’t love >You want to choose a side hustle that you enjoy. Otherwise, it will become a chore, and you won’t want to devote your time or energy to it. Consider your passions and interests and see if you can find a side hustle that brings you joy. If you don’t, […]

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Finding Freelancers: Web Developers

As a charity, your website has a big job to do. It can be your core communication channel, merchandising platform, fundraising tool, and a vital source of information and support. You need to get it right. And to do that you need the right people. If you haven’t got the in-house expertise, hiring a freelancer can be the way forward. And while there are pros and cons to hiring freelancers , the biggest pro is being able to buy in expertise that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford (or need) full-time. What is a web developer? The first thing to note is that a web developer is different from a web designer. A web designer focuses on the visuals of the website (branding, logos, style, etc.). While a web developer puts together the nuts and bolts of the site. It’s a much more technical role. Most developers will be able to write code in several languages, like HTML, JavaScript, or CSS and will be great problem-solvers. Take a look at our basics for web development to find out more. As an example, if your branding needs updating on the site, you’ll need a web designer. If you need to improve your mobile site, you’ll need a web developer. And if you’re starting a website from scratch, you’ll need both web developer and a web designer. There are three main types of developers: Front-end developers code the user interface of your website, the part that users interact with. A front-end developer works on anything a visitor sees, clicks, or uses on your website. They often have user experience expertise Back-end developers work on the hidden structure of the website, in essence – how your website works. For example, if you need to integrate with a third-party payment system, or store data in a database, you’ll need the help of a back-end developer Full stack developers do both. While they can cost more per day, they bring the benefits of being able to work on both front and back ends Below we look at some advice to help you choose the right freelancer. Clarify what the job is Be specific about what needs to be done. And that might not only be creating a new website from scratch. You might need a web developer to fix a glitch on a payment page, make your existing website mobile responsive, or build a new fundraising tool. Decide exactly what the scope of the project is and what are your absolute deadlines for delivery. Being definite right from the start will help you find the right person who can deliver on time. It will also help to prevent the project parameters slipping – having unclear boundaries isn’t helpful to either party. Define what experience the freelancer needs Working from your scoping document, you’ll have a clear idea of the technical skills they’ll need. But also consider other attributes. Is knowledge of similar charities a plus for the project? Or would it be beneficial […]

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The Best Real Estate Blogs to Follow in 2021

Whether you’re interested in investing in real estate or just doing some research for a real estate-related client, it’s important to be familiar with the world of real estate blogging. Reviewing the top real estate blogs can introduce you to new topics, keep you up-to-date with the latest trends, and help you become an authority when writing about real estate. The Best Real Estate Blogs These are some of the best real estate blogs to follow as of 2021: 1. The Close. The Close was designed as a real estate blog meant to help real estate agents get more business (and close more deals – hence the name). If you love the content here, you can also upgrade to a “The Close Pro” account and get access to a more robust library of information. 2. Realtor. As a respected authority in the real estate industry, it’s no surprise that Realtor.com has an impressive blog. There, you’ll find articles covering a range of topics, including how to become a better real estate agent – and how to approach buying or selling a home as a consumer. 3. Keeping Current Matters. Keeping Current Matters targets real estate agents directly, but it has articles covering a host of different subjects since one of its primary goals is helping real estate agents better educate their clients. 4. Jason Fox. Jason Fox’s blog is especially valuable for real estate freelance bloggers because it focuses on content marketing, social media, SEO, and other digital marketing strategies for real estate agents. It can help you serve your real estate clients better – and garner more influence in the real estate community. 5. Zillow Porchlight. One of the most popular real estate blogs in the world from one of the biggest real estate platforms in the world, Zillow Porchlight offers tons of articles from different niches related to real estate. It’s a great source of both knowledge and inspiration so you can serve your real estate clients better. The Benefits of Blogging About Real Estate If you’re interested in writing about real estate, you should know there are some impressive benefits you could enjoy in the process: · Opportunities for ongoing learning. First, writing a blog is the perfect opportunity to do more research, discover new topics, and learn more about the industry. You can write about general topics, like current real estate pricing trends in your area, or about niche topics – like how to list and market a specific type of house. Either way, you can dive into a rabbit hole of information online in your research, then process and present that information to other people. If you do this consistently, you’ll end up becoming much more knowledgeable and experienced in this field – possibly opening the door to investing and further opportunities for revenue generation. · Content marketing and search engine optimization (SEO). Writing a blog is one of the most important elements of any content marketing or search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. If […]

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Why Digital Freelancing is the Future of Work

This book will equip you with effective strategies and tools to help you reach your full potential as a freelancer and achieve financial prosperity. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The corporate world has changed more in the past two years than in the past twenty years. It took a pandemic to make people realize that you don’t need to travel for work two hours a day to sit in front of a computer that is connected to the internet anyway. It is no longer possible to attract people to work at a full-time job in a corporate office because people have realized that the idea of a “safe and secure” job is just a dream that can collapse at any time. There is no need to work at a specific location in a specific city because we all live in the global village called the internet. If you have expertise on a specific skill, you can remotely work for the best companies in the world at command earnings that compete with anyone in the world with the same skill. And the best part is that you can work on a contract basis. So what is preventing people from becoming freelancers and quit their day job (if they are fortunate to have one)? The lack of a personal brand. The full-time corporate world operates on slightly different rules where you can jump from one company to another based on your personal network and influence. But in the freelance world, having a personal network is not enough, you need a personal brand. Building a personal brand doesn’t mean becoming popular. A personal brand is built when you add value to people’s lives through your content, sometimes without charging anything for it. If you want to build a strong personal brand as an influencer, you need to start with blogging. Write a few articles a month about what you learn, what you know and what you have experienced. Writing is the best way to let the world know that you exist. Once you start writing, you will see that opportunities will come your way. Start helping out people with your content and then with free consultations. There are a ton of freelancing opportunities in the world, and you can become a specialist in one category. Let’s say, for example, you are an SEO expert. Start writing about SEO on your blog, share them on social media and post videos about what you know. Research companies that you want to help and maybe create an SEO audit report for them and cold-email it to them. If you add value first instead of asking for an opportunity, an opportunity will come your way. You cannot demand heat before you throw in the piece of wood. Set up a calendar that shows your available times and let people book a free 15-20 minute consultation call with you. This is how you add value and then get a sale, without asking explicitly for […]

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How to Make Money Online as a Freelance Blogger

Did you know that there were 30.6 million bloggers in the United States in 2018? Imagine how many there are today… Bloggers are today’s culture influencers, opinion leaders, and even authorities in some cases. If you are thinking of starting a blog, or want to make money online as a blogger , then you’re in the right place. In this post, I will cover what you need to know to start as a freelance blogger. Freelance blogging or writing is one of the best ways to make money online. Basically, all you need to get started is a laptop and an internet connection. After some minor preparations, you can get paid to write from the comfort of your home. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at what freelance blogging is about and how to get started. What Is Freelance Blogging? Freelance blogging keeps growing in popularity and is basically about being a writer for companies that don’t have the time or skills (in-house) to do it themselves. As a freelance blogger, you can get paid to write blog posts for clients. So when a client requests your services, you do your research, write the blog post, and submit it to the client for review. And if no edits are needed, you’ll get paid. Besides, freelance bloggers can also offer additional services like keyword research, photo editing and designing featured images, updating the client’s website, and more. Offering additional services can help you get more clients since not all business owners know how to do this, nor have time. You can then increase your freelance rate as well. How to Start as a Freelance Blogger? To begin, making money as a freelance blogger requires the following: Knowledge — Blog about something you are an expert in or are interested in learning. Passion — The more passionate you are about the topic, the easier it is to write about it. Especially when there’s delayed gratification, and you likely won’t make much money initially. Persistence — Blogging is an investment in time and effort. It won’t pay off overnight, which is why you need to stay persistent with it and have faith it’ll be worth the effort. If you feel you’ve got these things nailed down, starting as a freelance blogger doesn’t have to be a complicated process. So, here’s what you need to do: 1. Choose a Niche or Passion The first thing you need to do is decide the topic you want to write about. Choosing a niche that you’ve knowledge in will help you present yourself as an expert in your field. This will attract more clients who want to work with you since they know you’ll deliver high-quality content. Being an expert in the field will not only help you create high-quality content but also monetize your blogging. However, don’t forget to check if the niche is profitable and if businesses are willing to pay for content regarding the topic. 2. Create Your Own Blog […]

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Thinking of going freelance? Here’s 8 things you should consider

Advice Image: © kues1/Stock.adobe.com Making the transition from company employee to freelancer can be daunting, but if you’ve always dreamed of taking the plunge there’s plenty of sound advice to follow. There are lots of reasons to go freelance , especially at the moment when different models of working are becoming increasingly popular thanks to technological advances. Freelancing can offer workers increased autonomy, which suits people who work in tech and the creative industries where the practice is more common. A 2018 study by consultancy firm Eden McCallum and London Business School found that freelancing cut the gender pay gap from 30pc to 3pc. This finding would suggest that freelancing is an attractive option to parents who wish to avail of the greater flexibility and independence offered by this mode of working. The main reason most people are wary of making the transition to full-time freelancer is money. They are concerned their income will suffer if they leave the safety net of an outside employer behind. But, while freelancing can be risky, particularly when starting out, if done properly it does end up benefitting people in a lot of cases. If you know your market and you have the wherewithal to create your own opportunities – in other words ‘hussle’ – you can end up with a great, fulfilling career that suits you because you’ve created it yourself. So, if you’re ready to be your own boss and you think you can handle all the extra admin responsibility that entails, have a look at this infographic by ZenBusiness , which contains eight tips for fledgling freelancers to absorb, as well as a brief questionnaire. And, in case you need a little more encouragement, Eden McCallum’s 2018 survey found that two thirds of people who took the plunge and went freelance earned the same or more than they did at their previous 9 to 5 jobs. That said, you’re never going to be part of that majority without being proactive and getting your finances in order. Set up a business bank account and a bookkeeping system so you can track your work expenses separately. This next tip is a bit of a no-brainer, but it doesn’t hurt to remind the serial procrastinators anyway: set your work hours and stick to them religiously. A good rule is to start your day with your most difficult task and once that’s out of the way you’re less likely to waste time going down an internet rabbit-hole or doing the ironing. It’s always good to have a few projects in the pipeline to get stuck into for when you do start freelancing, as it can be daunting chasing clients while trying to set up the financial side. If you can build on any existing relationships you may have with potential clients now is the time to do so. Remember, social media is very useful for tracking down new clients – so long as you use your professional accounts and not your personal ones where […]

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18 Stress-Free Side Hustles For Introverts

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably sick and tired of all of the gurus telling you how easy it is to make extra income from a side hustle. This isn’t because those side hustles don’t work, but they don’t always provide the same successful outcome for everyone who tries them — especially introverts. Since introverts are known to be reserved, quiet and thoughtful, the opportunity to earn some spare cash from side hustles remotely are perfect for them. Remote side hustles also provide introverts with the opportunity to make money on their own time without worry of a daily commute. 1. Freelance writing Spending a few years freelancing to bulk up your writing portfolio of both clients and content can lead to a well-paying and flexible career. Along with copywriting, blog writing and ghostwriting, finding a niche as a freelance writer for more technical pieces will allow you to charge clients more due to the dedication and focus they require. Sites like USA Wire will actually pay you to contribute content. 2. Graphic design Many introverts who start dabbling in design — even if they haven’t designed before — find they have a talent for it. Tools like Canva can help you design infographics, email templates, fonts and more. Before getting started in graphic design, consider: What kind of services you want to offer Your target customer market(s) and pricing Which software(s) you will use 3. Web design Every brand in today’s world needs a website. Though building websites as a freelancer today is more challenging due to market saturation, it remains a strong side hustle option from the flexibility, creativity and control it provides. Introverted web designers can set themselves apart from other web designers by becoming more talented in niche areas of web design, such as: SEO optimization Content strategy and creation Copywriting Social media management Establishing pay-per-click advertising campaigns 4. Video editing Video editing provides introverts with the freedom to create their own schedule and negotiate pricing with clients. Tools like Magisto and Splice make the video editing process much easier than in years past, too. Here are just a handful of markets to give you some ideas on which to target for a video editing side hustle: Conference videos Explainer/educational videos Marketing/promotional videos Recorded presentations Recorded speaking events 5. Audio engineering If introverts have the essential tools at their disposal, they can quickly start offering audio engineering services like mixing, producing and tracking. Here are some things you need to do: Create a studio in the quietest area of your home Have a laptop with a strong processor Have a high-quality recording microphone Have a MIDI controller or keyboard Audio engineers also offer their produced soundtracks to other industries such as podcasters or stock audio platforms , and even earn money by streaming their music online through apps like Spotify or YouTube. 6. Social media management Social media can be a very lucrative side hustle for […]

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How To Hire the Best Freelance Developers

Over the last two decades in my career in the technology industry, I’ve experienced both sides of the gig economy — as a freelancer, and as a technology leader hiring freelance developers. Back in my developer days, I worked as a freelance developer to expand my skillset and knowledge, and since becoming an engineering manager, I’ve hired freelance developers for the companies I worked for. In this article, I want to share my insights around hiring freelance developers, and best practices to finding and hiring the best freelance developers in the gig economy. As engineering leaders, it’s important to understand and take advantage of the gig economy, as it has emerged as one of the most significant developments in the way we work. The outsourced workforce is going to be part of the future of work, whether you like it or not. Hiring a Freelance Developer When should you hire a freelance developer? If you haven’t hired freelance developers before, you might be asking why you need them. These are some common reasons companies hire freelancers: Access to a variety of skills , across different tech stacks and niche — such as iOS mobile development, ecommerce website development, and so on. Freelance developers are more readily available. Developers who are freelancers are usually available within weeks. Freelance developers are more affordable . Even if their hourly rate may be higher in some cases, compared to having a permanent developer, it’s going to end up more affordable, as there won’t be extra spending like insurance, 401k or superannuation. You may not need a long-term, permanent developer . A company may decide that there’s a project that can be done once and won’t require continuous maintenance or work. Or there might be a project that requires a specific skill for a specific milestone — such as setting up DevOps infrastructure, refactoring an old tech stack to a new one, redesigning a UI for a web application, small bug fixes, and so on. You have a distributed team . This has grown in relevance over the past year, with a large rise in remote work. Importantly, evidence suggests that affordability is at the top of the list for smaller companies, even if they’re not a fully distributed team. When Not to Hire a Freelance Developer Hiring freelance developers may not be the right move, for the following reasons: You may prefer to work with people in the same office/timezone. Data shows that there’s a large population of freelance developers in Eastern Europe and North America, followed by Asia and Middle East. You may not have confidence in the skills and/or quality of freelancers. There may be intellectual property and security issues. Using freelancers may have a negative impact on the potential value of the company for startups trying to get funding. For startups trying to get funding, using freelancers may have a negative impact on the perceived value of the company. Important Factors to Take into Consideration when Hiring Freelance Developers There […]

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How To Get Ready To Go Freelance

For many of us our ultimate career goal is to say goodbye to the 9-5, the daily commute and interminable office politics by going freelance. Working for ourselves instead of clock-watching bosses would give us the freedom to pick and choose our projects and work to our own schedule, in our pyjamas. If this is your dream, do you know how to get started? Q2 2021 hedge fund letters, conferences and more Leaping Into The Freelance Life Luckily, ZenBusiness has created a helpful guide to everything you need to do to take the leap into freelance life. For example, one of the first things they recommend is to be sure that your finances are in order before you do anything as drastic as handing in your notice. Going from a full-time job with regular paychecks to a freelance role means you may need a safety net, so get saving and make sure you’re organized with your income . It’s also important to think hard about how you will structure your new working life. You may be free from the 9-5 at last but this leaves the potential for you to actually end up working longer hours and risking burnout, something that has happened for many people working remotely during the pandemic . So use your new-found freedom to pick a schedule that works for you . There’s plenty of tools out there to help you stay organized as a freelancer so it’s worth exploring the options. Some of it will be software you might have used in your day job, like Trello for project management and Mailchimp for email marketing, but there’s also options like FreshBooks which is accounting software that can make your life much easier when it comes to finances. Kickstart Your Business With Existing Clients Of course, being a freelancer means that you are needing to bring in new clients to make sure you’ve got enough work to put food on the table. So before taking the leap, have some clients lined up ready to kickstart your business and get ready to be proactive on social media and in networking groups to raise your profile and meet new people. When it comes to meeting people, this is something that’s harder to do in your own home – like you need reminding after so many months of lockdown – so it might be worth considering hotdesking and coworking spaces where you can get out of the house and also do some networking with like minded freelancers and business people. Before you’ve started freelancing, it can be tempting to just focus on the short-term challenges and opportunities but it also pays to do some longer term business planning including working out what business structure will be right for you and your goals. Will you want to take on staff at some point? Will you need a business loan to expand? It’s never too soon to consider these questions. Leaving behind the world of full-time work for a life […]

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Freelance Tech Jobs Can Pay A Lot

Don’t use just any website to find freelance tech jobs. Some have freelancers bid against one another, which can push rates way down. But plenty of freelance sites offer reasonable to excellent pay. You don’t need a fancy college degree to make great money if you happen to have tech skills. If you can code, provide help with websites or test software, you may be able to earn a six-figure income. Experience and references are helpful, but no degree is required. Even if you don’t have the relevant skills today, if you’re willing to learn tech, you could earn plenty. “Tech provides a comfortable living and can have huge upsides depending on career choices,” says Chris Kolmar, co-founder of Zippia and editor of its career advice blog . Learning skills If you don’t already have mad tech skills, you may need training to get into this field. Those training opportunities increasingly involve certificate programs that you can do online . Coursera, for instance, offers classes on user experience, web design, cybersecurity and data analytics. Most of these programs can be completed in six months of independent study that demands less than 10 hours a week. Coursera charges $39 a month for unlimited access to these classes, and Google offers some scholarships for those who can’t afford the cost. The money Google estimates that annual earnings of people who complete its certificate programs start at $50,000. Zippia estimates that information systems managers earn a median salary of $131,000, while information security directors pull in a median of $173,000. And those at the top of their craft earn considerably more. Google says that there are hundreds of thousands more tech jobs than workers to fill them and that more than 100 big companies are committed to finding full-time jobs for graduates of its certificate training programs. One of the benefits of tech careers is that demand is so great, people can work remotely, part time and freelance while earning five- and six-figure incomes. There are dozens of freelance sites vying for seasoned tech experts. Finding gigs When it comes to finding tech work in the freelance world, choose your agent carefully. Several big sites that promise to connect tech experts with work, such as Freelancer and Upwork , expect workers to bid against one another for jobs. That can push rates way, way down. But plenty of freelance sites offer reasonable to excellent pay. Here are some of the best: Working Not Working and Creatively are both geared toward artists and designers. The positions these sites advertise are increasingly digital, so if you’re a designer of beautiful websites or a user-experience expert who can make websites and apps both intuitive and attractive, these are great places to post a portfolio and look for work. Neither site takes a commission from creatives who find work here. If you have at least five years of experience, you can apply to join Braintrust. All freelancer members of the tech cooperative get a piece of […]

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