Freelance jobs are very attractive not only for novices but for professionals with great experience as well, since they allow the possibility to work at a personal pace, managing their own time schedule from the comfort of their home.
Why be a freelance?
We must take into account that, although we may work from home, these tasks require a commitment and the results will speak on our behalf, so we should never accept offers of jobs that we will not be able to fulfill nor charge exorbitant prices for our work.
When you are starting out, it is not necessary to register as self-employed to obtain and fulfill these jobs, although you should be able to rely on someone to back you up in case the employer requests an invoice. However, if the business runs smoothly, it is preferable to apply for the corresponding permits to safeguard yourself in case any legal problems come up.
Establishing prices
If you decide to work independently, it is important to know what the price value is in the sector. Browse the Internet, inquire other professionals, ask for budgets… Once you know how much your fellow workers earn, ascribe a value you think is fair for your work and time and establish your own prices.
You must determine with each job which tasks you will carry out and which you will not, always specifying additional costs that may come up with these tasks.
Advertising your services
Searching for an adequate project is a difficult task when starting out. There are several sites on the Internet that allow employers to contact freelance candidates. You can start by choosing one of these web pages and test your luck.
Due to the changing situation in many countries, jobs seem to be underrated. Living costs and salaries are usually lower in some place and companies are forced to make offers that may seem ridiculous. Although there may be a risk of losing a job, you must make your own offer based on your own rates. If the client finds your profile sufficiently attractive and believes you can carry out the job, he will probably spend a little more to obtain an excellent professional.
Another good option is to start searching for companies that may be interested in your services as a freelancer and make an offer via email. In this case, you can provide yourself with an attractive web page with your information and profile (do not include personal data like address, telephones, ID numbers or passports, etc.), experience and some work samples.
Advice for freelancers
Every freelance worker should take into consideration these pieces of advice:
- Take care of grammar and spelling in all your messages. Do not use to many capital letters or abbreviations. Your writing style says a lot about yourself.
- Your email address must be professional (preferably your name and surname). Avoid pseudonyms, aliases, vulgar or funny words that have nothing to do with your profession.
- Try to give a little more for your work. Always do a little more than what you have established in the budget. That will speak well of you and make your clients recommend you to others.
- Consider the different methods of payment. If the employer is from another country, make sure to choose a method that does not involve to many commissions.
- Demand part of the payment in advance. You can ask for approximately 30% of the total. There are people who try to take advantage of the confidence of freelancers to steal their work. Do not let others cheat on you.