A quick guide for everyone who want to be fully independent
A friend ever asked me a while ago, over lunch break.
“So, you’re going freelance? How come you got the client? Are they’re really pay you? How come you deal with the payments”
I don’t know how to answer her back at that time. It’s 2012. Actually I don’t know how to tell her the right way. One day one person asked me to help her designing layout for the Japanese online magazine. Turns out she already asked me about 3 months, dealing with payment makes me stop to contact her right away.
Another question I got from one co-founder I just connect with 2 years ago. He did tell me, he was freelancer too before build his startup.
“How come you got the client?”
“I create an online portfolio and maybe one of them found me on google then reach me out.”
To be honest, I don’t know if this could lead to my next path of my life.
My motivation to go freelancer; First, I don’t like my corporate job. But as usual people, big chunk of salary every month makes you comfortable and settled in. Even though, deep down I want to quit right away :)) Yet, that comfort zone always tell you, okay next year and next year until I can’t take those load of work anymore. Second, My colleague ever told me, “If you like design something, how about join these design market? My sister win 7 contest for them. Hope, you got lucky too! If she can do it, of course you can too,” he said. I feel like he’s giving me some kind of challenge. If I couldn’t get that contest and win then I feel like a loser. My bad :)
Now, 2017. An increasing number of people are choosing freelancing as a profession and a their lifestyle. Freelancing offers you the choice to choose the projects you wish to work on and of course decline those that least interest you. Freelancing also allows you to work as much as you want, from wherever you want and giving you freedom & flexibility. You can spend more time with your family, friends or you can have a moment to relax and do the things you love. No more traffic jams on the way to work, no more long hours commute.
Furthermore, the rise of digital nomad adding more reason for people to think twice if they will stick in nine to five job till the end of the day. As being digital nomad you can work wherever that have an internet connection. People even called the future of working is being digital nomad.
“So, how come I got into freelancing loop?” You might gonna said.
First, saving a few money for a few months as a back up reason. Being freelancer as first timer, doesn’t always guarantee you got the job after one done. Sometimes you need more time to get another clients. It could be different if you already have a few clients before starting to be fulltime freelancer.
Second, you need learn stuff to get a online job. Whether it’s designing, consulting or being virtual assistant. Here’s a few marketplace I’ve used when first time do freelance:
a. 99designs. Back to 2012, they’re really good. The are more clients than the freelancer. Sometimes you even got a job without even need apply to that contest.
b. Upwork. A few my european friends ever told me this one is good. The fee good and lots of company from western europe that give you more privilege and flexibility while doing the project. But lots of my small business friend tell, not really. I don’t know why they said that maybe they see that marketplace as their future employee. There’s a lot freelancer are going MIA while did project after the client give them upfront website fee.
c. Toptal. This one more competitive. To get in there, you might need learn speaking in english fluently. This could be a difficulties for people who using english as their second languge. Apart from that, my mentor ever said. “There’s some kind of rule or regulation in toptal will give you more work for people who close with themselves.” Maybe right, maybe wrong, I don’t know.
My suggestions, when you first timer just do and try everything. I mean it’s okay if you’re not getting anything. Cause, you still hone the skills. Who knows there’s client along the way to reach you out.
Third, you might need to create side project. Sometimes, there’s more free time than work time. Another reason, you need a passive income. So, you’re not always need to work everytime. Or you might having vacation with your family or you got sick. That side project give you more income continuously without need to producing something over and over again.
So, are you ready to quit from nine to five job? And being fulltime freelancer?
Ps: Starting this week, I will write more stuff about freelancing nitty gritty. If you think it’s helpful, why not join my newsletter.
Are you remote worker or co-working owner or digital nomad who want to try co-working, check more article at remoteoffice.co
