Freelance skills to learn

How to be an effective freelancer

The COVID-19 Pandemic has put freelancing at the forefront. With work growing increasingly dispersed across industries, more people have turned to freelancing. A rising number of workers are leaving their day jobs to freelance full-time. While the appeal of becoming a freelance professional is undeniable, a total career transition might be scary. Many aspiring freelance professionals ask how they might launch a successful freelancing career and eventually leave their full-time employment.

There are very important steps needed to become an effective freelancer and these steps are highlighted below:

1. Firstly, you have to define your area of expertise and the services you wish to provide. When customers are looking for an expert to employ, they want a freelancer with expertise working in their sector.

Think about the sort of freelancing business you wish to start. Understand where you have previously performed your work. Consider your previous skills and expertise and how they might assist to form and develop your freelancing career. Background knowledge or expertise in specific areas, experience with customer relations, or firms in specific industries, or even qualifications might help you stand out. If you want to work in a certain field but lack formal experience or training, seeking certifications or bootcamps to add to your CV might be advantageous.

2. Maintain reasonable rates and change as required.

Many new freelancers may be tempted to underprice themselves initially, believing that doing so will help them develop their customer base. In reality, you should set competitive pricing for yourself depending on your qualifications. Remember that clients want to deal with experts that they can rely on to manage the project confidently, confidentially, and skillfully. Pricing oneself too cheap might undermine potential clients’ trust in your abilities. It may also establish a low standard for professional charges with your clientele. Rather, consider your expertise in the industry. Assess the kinds of equivalent work you’ve performed, the results you’ve achieved, and the industry standard prices. When bidding on tasks or approaching clients for employment, set honest pricing for yourself. For deciding on an hourly wage, evaluate what others in your field make. If you need to determine a pricing for the total job, calculate how many hours you can complete the gig in, including time for modifications and speaking with the client. Keep in mind that your expertise will grow and improve as you progress in your freelancing profession. As a result, you should increasingly adjust your pricing. When you expand your portfolio and continue to impress clients, you may utilize your confidence in your abilities to increasingly adjust your rates and ensure that you are adequately rewarded for your job.

3. Create a strong online presence.

A lot is done on the internet in today’s environment. Companies publish job openings online, and clientele search for freelance and experienced professionals. Various internet sites make it simple to build a portfolio that showcases your abilities and knowledge for individuals looking to hire freelancers in your field. On Topcoder, for example, you can establish your profile which can emphasize your previous work and allow customers to explore available experts and select those with the talents they want. You may establish a strong online presence across numerous channels. You may utilize social media to promote your freelance skills in addition to developing your profile on Topcoder. Create a LinkedIn profile and then use it to connect with everyone, whether it is your closest friend or your old business friends. Maintaining a robust network may give you leads for new clients as well as possibilities to showcase your technical competence. You may promote your knowledge and competence on LinkedIn while also developing reviews that will help you project a solid official appearance.

4. Use internet services for assistance in finding clients.

With the rise of freelancing across various fields, web-based platforms are assisting in connecting freelancers and customers. Topcoder provides a job market (gig work and challenges) for a lot of freelance and remote workers to display their abilities and get connected with clients. Clients that need freelancers are also aware that they may set up accounts on these platforms to discover the freelance experts they seek. This allows them to simply collect prices from several freelance experts in the correct niche while also evaluating their portfolios and samples of previous work. However, the opportunity to reach multiple clients searching for workers in their desired locations and rapidly bid on many assignments from a single site like Topcoder is beneficial for freelancers.

5. You should make use of agreements or contracts that explain responsibilities.

As you get gigs or are allocated assignments by a new customer, the agreement you create may assist to clarify expectations and make the process as simple as you can. Communicating properly is critical to both freelancer’s and client’s success on the gig. Try to incorporate terminologies in the contract that clearly specify the requirements of both parties. Assess how many changes and modifications you’re capable of making as a freelance writer, for instance, before increasing your project rate. Whereas if the job will be paid on an hourly basis, ensure you specify procedures for tracking and reporting time you’ve spent to the customer. Aspects like how the two parties will cooperate and interact should be mentioned and settled. For instance, if you dislike having your job disrupted by calls and messages but rather prefer responding quickly to emails, demands for email communication should be incorporated in the agreement. Other conditions, like whether the work could be used in portfolios should be addressed and agreed upon. Contract templates can assist you in creating an ideal contract for the gig. Before signing, ensure that the final agreement meets the expectations of both you and your client.

6. Keep updating your clients. Whenever you start a job, keep your clients up to date on its development.

Be very careful with and attend to the criteria provided in your contract so that you will be aware of when and if critical changes are expected. For instance, you may have said in the contract that you would notify them when critical milestones were reached and when you have actually reached those milestones, make sure to notify them. Inform them right away if there are any changes with the job. Communicate properly and on time if you need to change the deadline or if unforeseen events cause you to rethink what you previously agreed to. Explain why the adjustment was made and how you plan to handle it for them. Maintain an honest conversation about their satisfaction once you submit the job. Being a freelancer, you should take advantage of every opportunity to expand your clientele and connection. Know how effectively you exceed client’s expectations. This shows how much you are concerned about the customer’s point of view. This contributes to the development of your reputation as a human and your brand as a professional.

7. Do not be afraid to ask for references.

When you start to get pleased clients, remember to ask for references at the end of each job. Inform your customers that you want to establish a successful brand and state that if they know anybody who is searching for a freelance expert to assist them with their job, you are accessible. Because these referrals originate from consumers who have shown that they value your work, the suggestion will be more credible. You may also solicit feedback from your customers. These testimonials can be included in your portfolio, a personal business website, or even social media platforms such as LinkedIn. As with any small business, establishing that your brand is trustworthy will help you attract the attention of others seeking similar services.

8. Getting your first customer as a freelance professional may be incredibly thrilling.

Understanding what freelancing customers expect and acting on those expectations will assist you in taking the initial steps to developing a profitable business strategy and freelance job. Taking the initial steps for a freelancing career and away from a regular employment setting might feel daunting or scary. Regardless of whether you want to be marketing, copywriting, programming, or doing anything in between, understanding how to establish your brand and maintain a consistent flow of clients can help you get off to a good start.

To begin, set up your Topcoder profile, verify your skills and qualifications with challenges, and then apply for gig work that will launch your career as a freelance professional.

Benefits of Freelancing with Topcoder

As a Topcoder freelancer and member, you are eligible for a lot of mouth watering benefits such as:

1. Having complete control over the type of clients and individuals you wish to work with. Outrightly refusing to work with clients who are extremely hard to deal with.

2. The ball is in your court after you choose to become a freelancer. You are free to combine and match your customers and jobs since you have complete control over both.

3. Along with the freedom to pick the type of job you do, you can also choose your own work schedule. Work when you want to and take a rest whenever you feel the need. There will be no more working at lunch time or at your inconvenience because you create your own schedule.

4. The nicest part of working on a variety of projects is that each new project provides an opportunity to get better at your skill or learn something entirely new. The challenges section of Topcoder will really go a long way in broadening your skillset. Freelancing (e.g: skill-builder challenges) enables you to get out of your normal routine and work on something you’ve always wanted to do but were too afraid to do.

5. Many young individuals have side enterprises that they are enthusiastic about but don’t have the time to concentrate on. You may pick your own workload when you operate as a Topcoder freelancer. You can take on challenges that aren’t too time-consuming and will leave you with plenty of time and energy to concentrate on your side gigs

6. One significant benefit of working as a Topcoder freelancer is that there are no earnings limits. There is no rule that limits the number of projects that can be worked on concurrently. If you are an expert in many, if not all, Topcoder tracks, you may take on several gigs and challenges that need diverse skill sets and work on them concurrently. This allows you to be more industrious and earn more dollars. Some freelancers have honed their skill sets over time and they now earn thousands of dollars each month working only a few days weekly on many jobs concurrently.

7. When you work as a freelancer at Topcoder, you aren’t ever entirely at the disposal of your employer. When you have many gigs, even if one does not go through, you can always fall back on the others. Furthermore, unlike any other 9 to 5 positions, you are not incredibly nervous about if your job is in threat with each salary.

8. Jobs may come from any and every part of the world for a freelancer. You are not restricted geographically. Connecting with clients from various nations teaches you about diverse work cultures and interactive styles. You have the potential to form significant work ties that will help you network more effectively and broaden your contacts. While working on a job, you will have the opportunity to engage with other Topcoder members and freelancers. You may interact with the global industry from your comfort zone at home. This also would help a lot to boost your portfolio.

9. The nicest thing about freelance is that you are not depending on others for promotions and pay increases, and you are not required to participate in workplace conflicts to gain favor and receive raises on schedule. Your work stands and shows your expertise for you when you are a freelancer. The pay for your position no longer controls you. You can improve your skills in your spare time and ask for more salary as a result. Your career is entirely in your hands.

10. You get total control of your schedule when you freelance on Topcoder. If you prefer to work at night or dawn, or in the morning when the sun rises, you can do so. Just concentrate on tracking due dates and delivery schedules.

The pros and cons of freelancing

The advantages of freelancing are not so far from the benefits of freelancing as a Topcoder.
As a freelancer in general:

1. You get the chance to deal with a variety of clientele.

2. In your field of expertise, you’ll frequently be regarded as an authority.

3. As a freelancer, you have control over and choice over your schedule.

4. There are more opportunities for you to raise your revenue.

5. You may be flexible with your schedule if you freelance.

6. Freelancers have greater creative freedom and are more flexible.

7. You should be quite proud of your brand and triumphs as a freelancer.

On the down side:

1. When working as a freelancer, you must take into account the fact that your clients may pay you money for your services without deducting taxes. When tax season rolls around, you’ll need to disclose all of your earnings and pay any taxes that are due. It differs from working full-time in the sense that tax is deducted from your earnings for federal and state taxes, insurance premiums, and retirement contributions. Your net salary is much simpler to visualize.

2. As a freelancer, keep in mind that benefits like paid time off (PTO) are included only in a full-time income. Based on the way you bill your time, you must choose when, if, and how you would like to go on a vacation and whether it will affect the number of hours you bill your clients.

3. When you begin working as a freelancer, little or no amount of businesses will provide you with an insurance benefits package. It’s actually quite the contrary, and you probably already know how expensive insurance is. There are so many different kinds of plans to pick from, and they are all expensive. The most you can do is select a plan depending on what you can afford and what others have advised you to do.

4. It is no secret that every customer you have as a freelancer could last for a while and not be your only one. In short, having an optimistic approach is being appreciative and grateful whenever a customer requests a contract renewal or additional labor! Due to these factors, it is essential for freelancers to always look for new possibilities.

5. When you freelance, you could have hectic months followed by sluggish months. A fantastic strategy to improve as a freelancer is to use the slow months to upskill.

6. You serve as your own greatest spokesperson if you are a freelancer. If you believe that your customer is being overly demanding, you must handle the matter cautiously to maintain their trust. You must also speak out and stand up for yourself if you think a freelancing gig is not what you expected or that you won’t be able to provide high-quality work. Remember that there are appropriate ways to terminate a client. You must promote yourself as well. It could seem like you’re always looking for a job, sending out applications for jobs that might not work out. The differences between working full-time for a large or small business can be striking.

7. Some customers can pay later than expected, and you might need to pursue these customers who are good at paying late.

Top twenty freelance skills to learn

There are a lot of freelance skills out there that you can get upskilled with. Many of these skills cut across tech and could pay you well if you master them. You can pick a few from the list and get going!

1. Website development and design

2. Copywriting

3. Search Engine Optimization

4. Graphic design

5. UI/UX

6. Social media and digital marketing

7. Ecommerce

8. Data Analytics

9. Data Science

10. Video Production

11. Software QA

12. Accounting and bookkeeping

13. Application development

14. Artificial Intelligence

15. Blockchain development

16. Project and product management

17. Cloud computing

18. Virtual and administrative assistance

19. MS Office and Excel

20. Audio transcription

The most in-demand skills for freelancers

Among the few skills that have been mentioned above, some are very high in-demand currently. These skills are what you should be looking to get better at to increase your earnings as a freelancer.

1. Web designing and development

2. Copywriting

3. Search Engine Optimization

4. Accounting and Bookkeeping

5. Graphic design

6. Video production (animation and creation)

7. Digital marketing