The advancement of technology has boosted internet access, and the current pandemic has raised the number of freelance workers internationally. According to a 2019 Mastercard report, the global gig economy produced $204 billion in gross volume in 2019 and is anticipated to expand by 17% by 2023. It is expected that the United States will have more gig workers than non-gig workers.
The freelance business is expanding rapidly in Pakistan as well. According to data given by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, freelancers in Pakistan earned $216.78 million by exporting their services from July to December of 2021-22, a 16.74 percent increase over the previous year’s revenues.
Pakistan now ranks fourth among the world’s fastest-growing freelancing marketplaces, with many freelancers under the age of 30.
With remote work becoming the “new standard,” there are more freelancers than ever before, and if you want to get started, this is the post for you. Whether you are a university student trying to supplement your income or you want to pursue it as a profession, this guide will help you.
The 7 Requisites
- Define your offering and service.
Clients should be able to quickly grasp your abilities and understanding. The first step in becoming a successful freelancer is to turn your knowledge into services. You must understand the client’s situation and use your services to address their problem.
- Determine your target audience.
You have the most information about your talents. You can begin looking for your target audience once you’ve chosen your strong suit/industry in which you want to freelance. This may be performed by marketing and promoting your knowledge on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
- Create a price scheme.
When deciding how much to charge your customers, you must consider your competitors. How much do other freelancers in your field charge? The objective is to maximise profits while avoiding overcharging, which might lead to client loss. Clients frequently weigh experience, urgency, and project complexity when selecting payment; thus, while invoicing, you must use the same variables.
- Make a portfolio of previous jobs.
Creating a great portfolio is an important step in becoming a successful freelancer. Before they can trust you, they need be aware of your industry experience. Examples of your best work related to your service offering should be included in your portfolio.
- Make an excellent proposal.
A well-written proposal should serve as a strong selling point for your abilities. It should include information about the corporation’s needs, how you can help, and your accomplishments and qualifications. Finally, it is vital to be polite and friendly, therefore use professional terms to help you stand out.
- Establish a relationship with your client.
Building a long-term connection can lead to repeat business and consumer referrals. It is vital to do your jobs accurately, communicate effectively with your clients, and build trust via consistency.
- Continue to hone your talents over time.
Over time, continue to polish your skills. Learn from the mistakes of previous clients and attempt to exceed them in the future. Maintain a positive reputation for yourself and enrol in classes that will assist you in developing your skills. That’s all! You’re ready to work for yourself.
Most In-Demand Jobs In The Gig Economy
- Design
Creative design is a highly profitable industry. To be successful as a freelance designer, you will need a diverse portfolio that can show potential clients what you can achieve. If you have an art degree or have graduated as an interior/textile designer, this is a wonderful freelance alternative. Clients can look at your work and tell when you are still in school.
- Writer
Writers continue to be among the greatest gig-economy occupations. Companies are spending a lot of money to create high-quality articles, blogs, manuals, press releases, and other types of editorial material now that content has been named the king of modern marketing. Writing on social networking sites as a type of blogging has shown to be popular, particularly among university students. Writing looks to be one of the more practical options for a student looking to freelance, thanks to all of the essays we are forced to do throughout our time at university.
- Marketing specialist
Working as a freelance marketer might involve everything from running paid Facebook ads campaigns to totally overhauling a website’s content. There is a big and thriving network of freelance marketing gurus, strategists, and consultants. What do all of them have in common? Digital skills.
- Videographer
To become a professional video producer, you must wow clients with your filming and editing skills. With a few years of expertise in this industry, the proper software and equipment, and a strong project portfolio, breaking into the market will be lot easier. Years of videography experience, on the other hand, are not essential to be successful in the company. Check out @absoluteopia on Instagram, a student with minimal professional experience but a great talent for filming!
Although there are several websites that provide freelance work, the most famous ones include Linkedin, Freelancer, Fiverr, Upwork, Behance, SimplyHired, Guru, Dribbble, DesignHill, and so on.
Upwork, Toptal, and Jooble are the go-to websites for anyone searching for administrative or technical jobs, such as social media management, web development, or financial advising. If you’re seeking for gigs as a writer, graphic designer, or artist, Fiverr, Flexjobs, and Dribbble can help you connect with the proper individuals.
Whatever website you register with, at the end of the day, it is your performance that will count and win you more credibility and clients.
