Do You Have What It Takes To Become A Freelancer?

A freelancer is someone not currently committed to any employer for a long time. Freelance have multiple jobs available like journalism, data entry, accounting, copywriter, blogger, web development, programmer, etc. It is like a normal 9-5 job but the difference is that a freelancer gives the job to clients and controls the job to offer and to whom to offer it to. Meaning, if a freelancer can do web development, programming, and copywriting, he or she can be paid in each of these skills. And the best part, you get to work at the comfort of your home.

Why Freelancing?

There are many get-rich-quick schemes online but freelancing is different. First, It is like a normal job only that you can do it at home. Second, it is a job and not a scheme. Third, results are based on the jobs you can offer and not on how many people you have recruited or how much you have paid. And compared to your day job you can:
Get paid for every service you can offer. The more skills you have, the more payments you will receive.
Take control of your time. Work in the morning, in the afternoon or at night.
Take 2 jobs or more.

How to Become a Freelancer Online?
Becoming a freelancer online is easy. Create a portfolio showing your skills, then go online and look for clients that need your skills. For beginners, I can recommend to have a look at www.odesk.com first to get the feel of what a freelancer is all about. There are various jobs to select from and payments are sure and automated.


The Advantage of Freelancing

Save money
When you work online, it means that you won't have to travel, you'll only stay at home, eat home-cooked meals, and wear whatever fits you every day. No more strict uniform rules, no more costly meals and no more budget on daily trips from home to work.

Be your own boss
You can choose who to work with and what to work on, take negotiations, set your own price, and choose your own working hours are all under your control. If you feel that you need a raise, ask your client for a raise. And if you are eligible for a raise, they will give you one with no hesitations.

Have multiple clients
Unlike working full time in a company that once you lose that job, it's hard to find another job that fits you. You can select how many projects they can take. What's best is that online, there are websites that gathers these clients so it is easier for you to look for projects.


The Disadvantage of Freelancing

Distractions
Children roaming around, neighbors talking, your family, and your bed will be the distractions you will face. But setting your own room, letting the people around understand that you are working helps reduce these kinds of commotion.

Instability
There may be times where you are working in full load but there will be times when you have to apply for a job to pay your bills. This can be prevented if you have a back up freelancing project or you have learned several skills aside from the one you are working on.


Your work is all yours to blame
You work alone and when you need help, nobody can solve them except you. So if it fails, you take all the credit. But with that your skills will improve and the more that you learn from those mistakes the more that you can work without relying on somebody for help.


So is freelancing right for you? Do weigh all the advantage and disadvantage of becoming a freelancer before making that shift.

Posted in: basics, tips