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Freelancing is becoming an increasingly obvious way to bring in a little (or a lot of) extra money. Most of us have the basic tools we need to work remotely. And technology has made freelancing a lot easier than it once was. There are countless sites and apps dedicated to putting potential freelancers in contact with potential clients. So if you haven’t already started freelancing, you may be thinking that 2022 will be your year.
If that’s where you are right now, there are a few steps you might want to take.
Audit your skill set
The main thing you need to be a successful freelancer isn’t a fancy website or a big social media following. It’s a marketable skill. Many of us are building freelance careers using the skills we already have and use in our day jobs. And even if your day job is in an area that doesn’t easily translate to freelance opportunities, there may well still be something out there for you.
There are two questions you need to answer at this point: What skills do you have? And are there people willing to pay for them?
Chances are, you do have marketable skills, whether you developed them through your job or in other areas of your life.
- Speak fluent Spanish? Freelance translators are in demand.
- Have a fast and accurate typing speed? Maybe freelance transcription in for you.
- Been told you have a delightful speaking voice? Perhaps voice acting, or narrating audio books, will work for you.
Start by writing down all your skills, regardless of whether you have formal qualifications or any sort of “proof” that you’re good at a certain thing. You might also want to write down things you enjoy doing. If you’re setting up a freelance business you don’t want it to be built around something you hate. If you have a beautiful speaking voice but detest reading, then maybe narrating audiobooks, for example, is not for you. If you have social anxiety, choosing a freelancing job that requires limited client interaction like content writing or graphic design may be a good choice.
Look at how those skills can be monetized
Some of the online gurus will tell you that pretty much anything can be monetized. I disagree. Some skills just aren’t marketable, either because people don’t need them, or because the market is already saturated.
You might be surprised, however, at how many skills people are willing to pay for. Don’t forget to think outside the box. If your skill is not easily sold, can it be taught? Teaching, training, and tutoring, perhaps via online platforms such as Skillshare or through an organization like Kaplan, can be a good freelance option.
Remember there may also be skills that are just a tiny part of your current job, that people will pay for. There are people out there willing to pay you to write emails, do picture research, check facts, or create social media posts. It’s just a case of finding the right niche, that matches your interests and skill set.
Freelance University offers a free guide highlighting 21 of the most in-demand services you can offer as a freelancer. It might be worth taking a look at if you’re not sure what skill, or combination of skills, you can market as a freelancer.
Choose a platform
Finding clients used to be the hardest part of going freelance, and it can still be challenging to find those first few people actually willing to pay for your skills. But the platforms are out there. Just waiting to hook you up with potential clients. You no longer have to approach people directly asking for work (although that’s still a perfectly valid way to go about it).
There are specific freelancing platforms where you can set up a profile, browse jobs, and pitch potential clients. Here are just a few of them:
The above have freelance opportunities across a range of industries and niches. There are also industry-specific sites such as Scripted for freelance writers and 99 Designs for designers. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of each site carefully, to see if it suits you and your aims as a freelancer.
Some sites are free. Some are paid. Some offer both a free and paid option. Those that require payment usually ask for a very modest monthly subscription fee, and you can, of course, cancel your subscription if you find you’re not getting work from that particular platform.
So there you go. Three simple steps, mixed in with a lot of hard work, of course. Building an extra income stream through freelancing isn’t easy. But it is relatively straightforward.
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Karen Banes is a freelance writer specializing in entrepreneurship, parenting and lifestyle. She writes articles, website content, ebooks and the occasional award winning short story. Her work has appeared in a range of publications both online and off, including The Washington Post, Life Info Magazine, Transitions Abroad, Brave New Traveler, Natural Parenting Group, and Copia Magazine. Learn More About Karen
To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Read our editorial policy and terms of service to learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.
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