Every industry, from journalism to IT to design requires some work experience. What is the secret to learning the trade ? earning a living. Freelancing. Here are some ways to get started.
Too often, you need to do hard, unpaid internships in order to get into your chosen industry.
There is a better way. You can be a freelancer and provide articles, animations or admin support to anyone who is determined.
There are many benefits. It’s a great way to build your resume and it can also help you get a decent salary if you choose the right project. Here’s the ultimate guide to freelancing success.
What are the pros and disadvantages of freelancing?
It’s easy to imagine getting out of bed and making a quick commute to work. Working from home can be difficult and there are many drawbacks.
These are the best and most difficult parts of being a freelancer.
The pros of freelancing
Here are some pros to working as a freelancer.
- Flexible work hours – You choose your hours and you can work around your studies.
- A good work-life balance You can take regular breaks, and go out with friends.
- Control your workload – You have the option to choose which tasks you take on. You can reject a job if it takes too much time or isn’t worth the money.
- International clients Freelancers have the opportunity to work with people all over the globe because most freelance work is done online.
- The potential to make a lot – With the right reputation, you have the ability to earn a lot.
The cons of freelancing
Here are some cons to working as a freelancer.
- Tax – Filling out self assessment tax returns can seem overwhelming. But our guide can help.
- Unstable Income – You might need to deal with late payments or difficult to find commissions.
- Distractions in the home – It takes a lot discipline not to procrastinate and spend too much time in bed when you decide your own hours.
- Competition is high – You’ll need to work hard to get experience and make you application stand out.
- Work on your own – It can be lonely working alone. You can find freelancing opportunities on websites like Facebook and Meet Up. This will allow you to meet other people who are looking for someone to relax while you work.
We recommend going to a coffee shop to avoid cabin fever and staying focused. Make sure to make use of all the free WiFi available. Also, public libraries are great places to work.
You can stay creative and fresh by breaking down your tasks into smaller chunks.
What are the roles of a freelancer and what can they do?
These are the top freelance jobs for students.
Writing and translating
Writing and translating work are the best types of work you can do to get started freelancing. This is the best choice if you are studying an essay-based degree , and spend your time writing.
This field offers many freelancing opportunities. There are many opportunities to freelance in this field. You might be asked to create blog articles, entire eBooks (subject to the condition that another person’s name appears at the front), product descriptions for online shops, and tweets.
You can even consider freelance journalism. This means that you will be writing pitches for magazines, newspapers, and other publications.
Be aware that many publishers, even big-name ones, will take advantage of student status to make you work for free. Before you agree to write for them, make sure you ask about their rates.
Translation work is also available if you are fluent in another language. You can make more money with some languages than others. One language could bring you more than PS50,000.
A freelance writer or translator should possess desirable qualities
You are a strict grammar nut and you love to learn new things, such as where to buy a dishwasher in Slough. (both writing assignments that we’ve seen).
Graphic design
When you are starting your freelance career, design is more challenging than other sectors. You will need industry-standard software. But, you also need creativity and top skills to make it work for you and your clients.
It could be designing a logo, animating videos, creating PowerPoint presentations or even designing ads that will appear in newspapers and magazines.
A freelance graphic designer has desirable qualities
You have a keen eye for detail, great computer skills and a knack for design.
Programming and IT
The brains behind the websites and apps that we use every day are programmers. Programmers are responsible for creating software that is easy to use and well-designed for customers.
You might also offer virtual IT support. Helping websites optimize their search engine results ( SEO) is a common project. This involves making them appear higher in search engine results. Freelancers have many opportunities to manage databases and analyse statistics.
A freelance programmer or an IT specialist are desirable qualities
You are an expert at brainstorming, understand the web and how it works. It’s a plus to have knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can also take online courses that are free and offer qualifications.
Support for admin
The industry is fiercely competitive. Transcription is one of the most common tasks. This involves listening to conversations and then typing them out. To impress , you could also be a part time remote personal assistant. You would wear a hoodie with joggers and not dress.
A virtual assistant is responsible for answering customers’ calls, booking the boss’s travel arrangements and planning their schedule.
A freelance admin assistant has desirable qualities
People believe you are organized. You’re often responsible for planning school reunions and parties. You are also meticulous and have excellent time-keeping skills.
Freelancer jobs that are quirky
You can freelance for almost anything, provided you are good enough at what you’re selling.
You could be a Cupid if you are a bit of a coach for someone’s dating apps.
You could also become a Pop Culture Coach to teach others about your favorite TV shows and movies. We know the dream.
