In recent years, freelancing has grown in popularity as a career option since it provides independence, flexibility, and the ability to work from any location. But have you ever questioned why there has been an abrupt rise in public awareness of the numerous methods that individuals might utilize to make some good money, even before they have finished their studies?
We have always been told that only after finishing our education, we will be able to find employment. But is this the case? I don’t think so as the younger generation is now well aware of how they can earn money before graduating, thanks to the availability of resources online that help our generation build fresh skills that every business needs. Still, Millennials don’t even view freelancing as a genuine career.
People can now learn a wide range of skills through freelancing, including graphic designing and digital marketing, which were previously ignored by most organizations. Since these are the skills that enable them to reach their target audience, businesses that wish to expand and react to shifting market trends frequently spend more time acquiring qualified individuals who can provide successful results.
However, some of the fallacies continue to cause hesitation among those who want to start freelancing. The most popular myth is that there aren’t meaningful career opportunities for freelancers and it is just a temporary thing. However, this is not true since freelancing is a vast industry and the growth outlets are unlimited, where experience and imagination are your only saviors. Moreover, people presume that laziness due to working at home lowers their productivity. Although freelancing gives more flexibility, it always requires more effort than regular jobs.
Let's discuss how you might begin a job as a freelancer. Finding out what the companies need to work on in order to improve their operations and, most crucially, your interests, is the first step. Once you've determined what they are, look for sources that can help you exercise and learn those skills. The last step would be to approach potential clients and sell your expertise. You might do this by using freelancing websites like Fiverr, Upwork, Toptal, PeoplePerHour, etc.
This may seem easy, but the key challenge is how you present your knowledge and persuade the client that you are the most qualified for the job at hand.
If I were to summarize my experience with freelancing, I would say that it was incredibly gratifying. When COVID-19 struck Pakistan in 2020 and forced us all to stay at home, I began my freelance career. As I indicated earlier, learning a specific talent in which to excel was the first stage. I started learning email marketing on the website "Extreme Commerce by Sunny Ali." My training in email marketing, including email automation and copywriting, took roughly a month. After doing a lot of research on terms that customers frequently use to search for services, I soon created my first gig on Fiverr which was solely related to email automation. And to be completely honest, I didn't do well in my first gig. Despite spending the whole day online, I did not acquire many impressions or clicks. This time, I set out to explore other choices within the realm of email marketing as I recommenced my research. After putting in a lot more time and effort this time, my second gig involved a combination of email automation and copywriting, with a stronger emphasis on the latter. Finally, it did function quite well and continues to work. Every first order takes some time, and mine was no exception. After a brief delay, I received the first two orders, but once I received amazing feedback for those first two orders, the rest of the orders came in promptly. I have already delivered several orders from people abroad. During this time, I was also able to build up a clientele, which made it easier for me to acquire orders. Similarly, you may find several success stories on social networking sites and draw inspiration from them. One thing that I assure you would find common in all these stories is the consistency factor and the “don’t give up” attitude.
While freelancing offers significant advantages, it is not without its challenges. The reality is that freelancing requires dedication, self-discipline, and adaptability. It may take time to establish a steady client base and build a reputation in the freelance marketplace. However, for individuals willing to put in the effort and navigate the obstacles, freelancing can provide a rewarding and fulfilling career path in the long run. Play the right cards as freelancing has its own perks.