Being a Successful Topcoder Freelancer

With a high number of developers, designers, data scientists, and others interested in the booming freelance economy, it’s highly important for freelancers to take measures that will ensure their absolute success in this domain.

Here I have compiled a list to serve as a guide to becoming an effective freelancer.

1. Have an online presence: As the popular saying goes “Actions speak louder than words.” As a freelancer you need to go beyond the power of verbal convincing to attract the best and most rewarding clients.
   
   An online presence like a strong portfolio, social media presence (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, blog, etc.) speaks highly of your skills and reiterates your commitment and passion for the job, thereby building clients’ confidence in you.
   
   

2. Have a niche: Don’t be a jack of all trades and a master of none. Excellence in any defined field takes time to achieve and as such, having a narrow area to focus on will bootstrap you into an expert of your field or area of knowledge.
   
   Of course, it’s an open world of freelancing and one can decide to master any number of subject areas, but I highly suggest you narrow down to have a complete focus on your niche, which will make you a ‘Kung Fu’ master in that domain.
   
   

3. Be involved: You don’t need to be an extrovert to become a freelancer but you need to get involved digitally. Take part in tech activities within your community or online. Let your voice be heard in ways that will be of benefit to others.
   
   Your chances of creating new connections and building on old relations turn out to be high as you become a household name within programs, be they online or physical meetups.
   
   This path is the way to be noticed and will eventually lead to rewarding clients.
   
   

4. Be organized: An important part in the life of a freelancer is time management. How you utilize your time directly affects your performance, positively or negatively.
   
   Sometimes you might need to work over normal hours or work under pressure to get a pressing job done as clients are waiting on you.
   
   A few tips to help you stay organized and meet deadlines regularly:

• Have a timetable and follow it

• Have a time slot for working on projects each day

• Avoid procrastination

• Inform clients ahead of time if a deadline cannot be met

• Have a clear scope of every project you are working on

• Be good at estimating project completion timelines

• Do not underestimate any project

• Take breaks to recharge your body, energy, and mind

• Keep track of the progress of your work
  
  

5. Create a defined process: You need to have a process to help execute your tasks smoothly on a daily basis. This means one must be disciplined in order to follow any defined process you set for yourself to succeed.
   
   Below is a sample process for freelancers:

• Present to prospective clients

• Sign and accept contract

• Project onboarding

• Required tools and resources to kick start

• Payments and invoices
  
  

6. Select tools within your means: As you work on your own, it means you have to acquire all the necessary tools that aid in smooth operation of your work.
   
   For new freelancers, I recommend you start with less costly tools and services before fully diving in with high paid tools.
   
   An example is WordPress which can be used for hosting and developing websites.
   
   A test run with this content management system for half to a full year will give you a clear idea if indeed it’s worth sacrificing more resources into the freelance job.
   
   Surprisingly, clients barely care about these tools. All they desire is to see a functioning application!
   
   Choose your tools wisely and always consider your budget before making a purchasing decision.
   
   

7. Be a communicator: A freelancer might be the best among his peers but tend to fall short in convincing clients to have confidence in them.
   
   A foundation for every freelance worker is clear communication. Be clear both in written and oral communication when dealing with clients to avoid confusion in the future.
   
   The inability of customers to fully understand your point of view or suggestion might force them to seek help from other freelancers whilst leaving you behind.
   
   

8. Deliver top-notch work: As a solo worker, no one can take the blame for an unfunctional application apart from you. In view of that, ensure all due processes are followed in developing an application for a client.
   
   

9. Have a strong passion: The gig economy might be booming but don’t be surprised if you jump in head first and go for over three months without a client.
   
   When that happens, the only fuel left to keep you going is passion for the job. This ensures you are not deterred from giving up until you achieve your goals.
   
   

10. Set prices competitively with room for adjustments: Be dynamic and have prices set in a way that favors the client whilst not undermining your effort.
    
    

11. Know the best job boards: Be aware which job boards get you true, genuine, and rewarding customers. Many times people are scammed out of desperation to get clients quickly. Take your time and play it cool.
    
    

12. Be in touch with clients: Let the clients be informed at all stages of the project. This prevents unforeseen situations upon the completion of work.
    
    

13. As for referrals: Family and friends can help you get lucrative customers by word of mouth and recommendations. Ask for referrals from them and it will help massively.
    
    

14. Be dynamic and accept change: The technology world keeps moving and changing so fast. Be updated and accept the chance to learn new technology or tools when the need arises.

Benefits of Freelancing with Topcoder

The goal of every freelancer is to keep enhancing skills while earning a living. TopCoder is one of the best platforms to help you achieve this in simple and easy ways with some benefits listed below:

• Enhance skills on programming, design, and data science

• Income source

• Increase creativity

• Workload management

• Daily activities with variation

• Enhance skill set

• Establish new connections

• Variety of rewards for promising freelancers

• Location independent

• Improve self management

• Develop your interpersonal skills

• Monthly challenges that help enhance skills on diverse subject areas

• Choose the work you want: participate in challenges you deem fit

The Pros and Cons of Freelancing

Top Twenty Freelance Skills to Learn

1. Mobile App Development

Why go into app development? Demand for app developers keeps increasing exponentially and it’s the best bet to go into with all things being equal.

• Approximated based salary per year: $100,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $75

• Skills that can help you become an app developer:

  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript

  • Java, Kotlin

  • C, C#

  • React - React native

  • Angular - Ionic

2. AWS Development

Why AWS? Amazon Web Services is currently the biggest provider in cloud storage and highly sought after by a lot of companies. Investing in AWS cloud developers is surely one of the best personal investments one could make.

• Approximated salary per year: $112,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $71

• Skills that can help you become an AWS developer:

  • Coding or computer programming (PHP. Java, C#, Python)

  • Networking

  • DevOps

  • Service providers (cloud)

  • Containers

  • Web services and APIs

  • SDK of AWS

3. Blockchain Development

Why blockchain? It’s a technology largely used by finance and trading companies, thereby making those with blockchain development knowledge highly sought after.

• Approximated salary per year: $123,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $145

• Skills that can help you become a blockchain developer:

  • Blockchain technology understanding

  • Programming: Python, JavaScript, C#, Java, Golang, Ruby

  • Cryptography

  • Distributed systems

  • Smart contracts

  • Data structures and algorithm

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development

Why study AI? A lot of the open roles in engineering are artificial intelligence roles. Companies are looking for ways and means to increase productivity and AI, coupled with machine learning, is a perfect combination in resolving some of these worries. Developers are needed to fill this gap with immediate effect.

• Approximated salary per year: $90,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $40

• Skills that can help you become an AI developer:

  • Programming: C++, Java, Python, TypeScript

  • Mathematics

  • Statistics and probability

  • Data analysis

  • Models

5. Web Design

Why web design? Businesses look for ways to attract and retain customers and one way is to have astonishing website design. As such, demand for skilled personnel in this area is high and worth investing in.

• Approximated salary per year: $77,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $45

• Skills that can help you become a website designer:

  • Basics of HTML, CSS and JavaScript

  • Figma/Adobe Photoshop

  • Creativity

  • Content management systems (CMS)

  • Digital marketing

  • Typography

  • Color theory

  • Composition

  • User experience

  • Responsive design

  • Communication

Web design is a bit broad and categorized into three folds, namely:

• UI design (User interface)

• UX design (User experience) and

• Visual design.

6. Data Analysis

Why go into data analysis? Many companies and businesses look for ways to analyze data for decision making. This makes data analysis one of the best areas to focus as a freelancer.

• Approximated salary per year: $72,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $34

• Skills that can help you become a data analyst:

  • Programming: statistical programming

  • SQL

  • Data visualization

  • Matlab

  • Statistics and probability

  • Econometrics

  • Excell

  • Creativity and critical thinking

7. Website Development

Why website development? A well established business without a website might not get noticed online and a business not online will be out of business according to Bill Gates.
This requires experts in the field to help create beautiful websites for companies and organizations.

• Approximated salary per year: $74,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $73

• Skills that can help you become a website developer:

  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript

  • Responsive web design

  • Debugging and testing

  • Frameworks: Bootstrap, Angular, React or Vue

  • User experience

  • Strong communication

  • Team player

With website development, one can chose to be a:

• Front end developer - interface development only

• Back end developer - backend development (server side) only

• Fullstack developer - combination of front end and back end duties

8. Ethical Hacking

Why ethical hacking? For systems, networks and applications to be efficiently protected, ethical hacking professionals are essential.

• Approximated salary per year: $69,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $45

• Skills to help you become an ethical hacker:

  • Networking

  • Cryptography

  • Databases

  • Programming language: JavaScript, C#, SQL

  • Analytical

  • Hardwares

9. Writing

Why writing? Organizations now depend on documentation to help guide clients on software usage. Technical expertise is needed to craft these documentations.

• Approximated salary per year: $62,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $30

• Skills to become a writer (technical and non technical)

  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript (technical writer)

  • Postman (technical)

  • APIs and databases (technical)

  • Communication (non technical)

  • Creativity (non technical)

  • Adaptability (non technical)

10. Illustration

Why go into illustration? Illustrators are in demand to lend their creativity to businesses to help them stand out among other competitors, using common style images from popular online sources.

• Approximated salary per year: $60,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $26

• Skills to become an illustrator:

  • Creativity

  • Persuasive skills

  • Communication

  • Team player

  • Negotiation

  • Patience

  • Architecturing skills

  • Figma/Adobe Photoshop

  • Graphic design

11. Remote Assistant (virtual)

Why a remote assistant? Remote assistants help companies beat down costs which is loved by almost all operational institutions. It therefore means new roles will keep coming up for such positions to help keep down costs whilst providing the best customer services.

• Approximated salary per year: $55,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $26

• Skills to become a remote assistant:

  • Project management skills

  • Communication

  • Basic I.T skills

  • Organizational skills

  • Decision making

  • Typing and Microsoft Word

  • Basics of accounting

  • A focus on detail

  • Data entry

  • Reliability and availability

  • Creativity

12. Video Editing

Why video editing? Production teams need video specialists to edit and modify videos to fit into an occasion or situation. Having a skill set in this domain is a step towards success in a freelance career.

• Approximated salary per year: $57,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $27

• Skills to become a video editor:

  • Ability to multitask

  • Strong imagination

  • Video editing softwares/tools

  • Clear communication

  • Editing

  • Digital marketing

  • Graphics design

  • Team player

13. Graphic Design

Why graphic design? Flayers, banners, and logos to display product information, upcoming events, or represent a brand image are the core work of graphic designers. This means having a skill in graphic design will set you up for success as a freelancer or getting hired for a full time role.

• Approximated salary per year: $54,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $23

• Skills to become a graphic designer:

  • Typography

  • Color theory

  • Branding and marketing

  • Basics of coding (not a must)

  • Creativity

  • Figma/Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/inDesign

  • UI/UX (not a must have, but necessary)

  • Microsoft Office

  • Design in print

  • Microsoft Powerpoint

  • Presentation

  • Interactive media

  • Communication

14. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Why SEO? As competition becomes high, managers must find ways to stay on top of the game by optimizing web pages to appear on top of Google searches.
The competition of wanting to appear first on the Google search engine bootstraps the need for the technical know-how of personnel or freelancers to help get the job done.

• Approximated salary per year: $52,000

• Approximated hourly rate: $97

• Skills to become an SEO expert:

  • Management of projects: able to define, plan, execute and close a project

  • Research enthusiast

  • Decision making: effective decision making includes:

    1. Decision identification

    2. Information gathering

    3. Identifying alternatives routes

    4. Weighing of the evidence

    5. Selecting among the alternatives at hand

    6. Action taken

    7. Reviewing of decision taken

  • Be flexible

  • Be a writer

  • Be a thinker and analytical person

  • Basics of coding (not mandatory but highly necessary)

15. Management of Excel

16. Photography

17. Translator

18. Coaching as a career in tech

19. Lecturing/Tutoring

20. Software testing

The most in-demand skills for freelancers

1. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain programming

2. Amazon Web Services (AWS) development

3. Mobile applications development

4. Artificial intelligence (AI) development

5. Website development

6. Graphic design

7. Website design

8. Data analysis

9. Ethical hacking and online security

10. Bookkeeping and accounting

11. Editing

12. Illustration

13. Writing

14. Remote assistance

15. Image editing

16. Copywriting

17. Optimization of search engines (SEO)

18. Microsoft product management

19. Marketing via social media

20. Sales representative

21. Photography

22. Videography

23. Career coaching

24. Transcription of audio

25. Delivery service for voice-over acting

26. User testing

27. Tutoring

28. Survey-taking

29. Social media marketing