This article is here to help you learn more about some of the most common aspects of freelancing online support jobs. If you’re entirely new to freelancing, or simply aren’t familiar with online support jobs, these are some key things to keep in mind.
You may find that one of these points surprises you. You may find that they all surprise you. Either way, this article will be sure to teach you a few things that will make your transition into a life of freelancing easier!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelancing in online support jobs offers flexibility in terms of working hours and location. |
| Effective communication skills are crucial for success in online support freelancing. |
| Developing strong customer service skills is essential for freelancers in this field. |
| Online etiquette and professionalism play a significant role in maintaining client relationships. |
| Freelancers in online support jobs should be prepared to handle criticism and negative experiences. |
| Building a strong support system and networking with fellow freelancers can provide valuable insights and support. |
| Online chat support requires specialized knowledge and the ability to handle multiple conversations simultaneously. |
| Freelancers in this field should be aware of the potential benefits and drawbacks of remote work. |
| Continuously improving skills and staying updated with the latest industry trends can help freelancers thrive in online support jobs. |
| Freelancers should consider factors like rates, contracts, and time management for successful freelancing. |
You’ll Have A Lot Of Job Options
When you first start considering ways to earn money outside of the traditional 9-to-5, it can be overwhelming to look at all the possible tasks and responsibilities. The good news is that there are literally hundreds of customer service jobs available online, many of which don’t require any experience in the field. If you happen to like video games or auto repair and would enjoy helping people with these topics, then these jobs are perfect for you!
Effective communication is essential for freelancers. Check out our article on 10 Communication Etiquette Tips for Freelancers to learn how to improve your communication skills and maintain professional interactions with clients.
You’ll Have Time To Do Other Things
As a freelancer, you have no boss controlling your time or life. This means that you can spend hours working on something that truly interests you before switching over to another task for more variety throughout the day it’s all up to how much effort and energy each activity requires from the person doing it!
Your Income Will Be A Little Less Predictable
Inevitably, you will have to contend with the fact that your income will be a little less predictable. You’ll get paid for the work you do, and you can choose when and how much work you do. But this means that some months, especially when you’re starting out, maybe leaner than others.
This is where budgeting comes in. Some of the companies we covered above let workers set their own hourly rates (and they will pay your fees), while other companies don’t structure their payment systems this way.
Either way, if you want to earn more than minimum wage working online support part-time or full-time, it’s best to start out by trying to build up multiple streams of income so that your financial situation is as stable as possible.
The Tax Situation Can Be Confusing
If you’re a freelancer, you know that the IRS is always watching. The agency wants to make sure that everyone is paying their fair share of taxes, so they have some pretty intense guidelines for anyone looking to earn money on the internet (or in any other way).
For example, if your main source of income is from freelance writing gigs with your website, you must report all income as self-employment income.
If you want to get away with earning less than $600 a year from freelance writing gigs without having to pay taxes on it, there is a way: Save up some money and file for it under each individual assignment as ‘self-employment’ income.
If you use this method successfully for years, eventually the IRS will catch on and ask for proof that you’ve been working as an independent contractor instead of an employee. So how do freelancers make sure they don’t lose out? They hire a tax accountant to help them navigate this confusing area of business tax codes.
Are you interested in online chat support? Our comprehensive guide, The Complete Guide to Online Chat Support: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough, will walk you through the process and provide valuable insights to help you excel in this field.
You Have To Think About Insurance
One of the biggest things that freelancers need to consider is insurance. Insurance is the transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another in exchange for payment. It’s important for freelancers to think about insurance because they don’t get these types of benefits from their employer like most people to do.
Freelancers have to purchase and pay for them out-of-pocket. Some types of insurance consist of disability insurance, property insurance, travel insurance, and life insurance.
Healthcare is not the only type of insurance that you should be considering as a freelancer. You might want travel coverage if you are traveling out of state or country for your job. If you are renting an office space or even just working from home, you can also think about getting personal property coverage as well as liability coverage (including general liability and professional liability).
Your Office Will Be Your Home (Or Wherever You Decide To Get Your Work Done)
Most people who work from home do so from a home office or desk area. However, if you have a job that doesn’t require you to be in a specific location at a specific time, you will be able to work from anywhere!
For some people, working online means being able to work in the comfort of their own homes. For others, however, it might mean being able to set up their laptop while they’re on vacation and still get some work done.
Or it might mean being able to take your laptop down to your favorite coffee shop and do some work before grabbing an afternoon latte.
Because you will be working online, you don’t have to worry about driving into an office every day.
You can choose where you want to work each day as long as there is an internet connection available! Just make sure that your workspace is comfortable for long-term use (and preferably has decent ventilation) so that when deadlines loom large, you’ll still be able to keep working until they’re met without getting burned out or distracted by other things around the house that need doing
Avoid common online etiquette mistakes that can harm your freelance career. Read our article on 13 Online Etiquette Mistakes That Will Hurt Your Freelance Career to learn what to avoid and how to maintain professionalism in your online interactions.
If You Want To Make It, You’ll Need To Start Looking For Clients
Once you’ve decided whether to take the plunge on an online support job, you’ll need to start looking for clients. While some people think they can sit back and wait until the clients come, that’s hardly ever the case. Clients aren’t going to magically line up at your proverbial door (or online office). Instead, you’ll have to get out there and market your services.
One of the first things you should do is network with other freelancers who have been successful. This is a great way to learn tips and tricks about how to find clients, as well as how to work with them once they are found.
Another thing that can help you is reading articles like this one and books based on marketing yourself as a freelancer. There’s a wealth of information out there, but it will take time for you to wade through it all in search of what’s relevant for your new career path.
Finally, if it makes sense for what you’re doing, create a website through which potential clients can learn about the amazing services that only YOU can provide them! This also gives them an easy way by which they can contact or possibly hire you for their needs.
Other Freelancers Are A Great Resource And Many Want To Help
There is a lot to learn when you become a freelancer. With that in mind, it helps to have others who are in the same boat as you. Other freelancers are more likely to understand what your work life is like and will be able to give you tips on how to overcome roadblocks.
At the same time, you should be willing to help them out when you can. The freelance economy is “built on trust,” says Jenny Foss of JobJenny.com and Gen Y Career Expert for About One. If nothing else, helping other people makes good business sense: “I think we all intuitively know that if I do something nice for someone else (without expecting anything in return), they will feel indebted.
They may not even be conscious of this feeling but they will want to repay me or return the favor somehow,” says Pamela Slim of Escape from Cubicle Nation.
You’ll Be Able To Take Breaks Whenever You Want
If you work in a traditional office, you probably don’t get to control your break schedule. Your company usually sets the rules, and taking a break when you need one might end up hurting your productivity.
With online support jobs, however, this is not an issue at all! You can take breaks whenever you want. If you need a breather after solving a particularly nasty problem for a customer, just grab your favorite snack and enjoy some time off until you are ready to get back on the proverbial horse and tackle the next ticket in line.
If a coworker or family member needs help with something and asks during your shift? You can feel free to help them out chances are there will still be plenty of tickets waiting by the time you finish. Need 20 minutes to meditate or walk around the block? Just sign off from your queue and do it! Naptime? No problem!
Discover lesser-known aspects of a freelance chat support career. Explore our article on Freelance Chat Support Career: 14 Things You Didn’t Know to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions about pursuing this rewarding career path.
You Can Choose How Many Hours Per Day Or Week You Want To Work
As a freelancer, you can choose how many hours per day or week you want to work. If you want to take a long break, you can. If you want to take a couple of short breaks during your shift, it’s up to you.
You also get to choose when these breaks happen. For example, if someone in your family gets sick and needs your help for an hour or two while they rest, then it’s no problem at all. Take the time off that you need, with no questions asked and no reprimands given!
This is especially advantageous for college students on tight schedules who are looking for ways to make money online without leaving the comfort of their dorm rooms. This is also helpful for mothers with young children or those caring for elderly parents who have unexpected medical emergencies from time to time and need someone else around for a few hours until things return back normal.
Sometimes The Work Is Interesting And Sometimes It’s Tedious
Because you’re in control of your workload and schedule, there are no rules about when you have to take breaks. You can work as little or as much as you want. This can be a godsend for some people and a headache for others:
If you don’t have the discipline needed to make sure you’re getting all your online support jobs done on time, working from home may not be right for you. Though companies will be checking up on your progress with clients, it’s up to you whether or not you take on projects that interest (or bore) you.
If every job sounds like fun, great! But if one job is boring but pays well and another seems interesting but pays less than peanuts? It’s all up to you whether or not to accept either one.
Customer service skills are crucial for freelancers. Learn about essential customer service secrets in our article, 12 Customer Service Secrets All Freelancers Need to Know, and discover effective strategies to provide exceptional support and build long-term client relationships.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Freelance online support is a career that’s growing faster than ever, and if you’re interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, there are many ways to do it. You can choose how much or little time you want to dedicate to providing support, but the most important thing is that you have a clear idea of what your clients’ needs and expectations are.
If you like helping people enjoy flexible working hours, need some extra cash to pay down your credit card balances or student loans, or would just like work from home this type of work could be for you!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore for further reading on freelancing:
21 Surprising Facts You May Not Know About Freelancing: Discover interesting and lesser-known facts about the world of freelancing in this insightful article.
12 Things Every Freelancer Should Have: Learn about the essential tools and resources that every freelancer should have to succeed in their independent career.
Benefits of Freelancing: Explore the advantages and perks of freelancing, including flexible schedules, diverse projects, and the potential for higher income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Freelance Support?
Freelancing involves working independently and having multiple clients. You will do technical, customer, or even educational support for these clients on a contractual basis.
How To Find Freelance Online Support Jobs?
There are several sites that you can use to find freelance jobs. Clients post job openings and contractors bid for them.
What Are The Different Types Of Freelance Online Support Jobs?
Technical support roles involve helping customers troubleshoot problems with their computer software or hardware. Customer service roles involve listening to customers’ questions and complaints about products.
Educational support roles involve answering students’ questions about schoolwork or providing them supplemental lessons in areas where they need more help than what regular classes provide.
How Much Can You Make From Freelance Online Support Jobs?
It really depends on how well you do each job, which includes things like speed of response and quality of the solutions you provide clients. The average person earns about $10 – $15 per hour, but there are some who earn as much as $30 per hour if they have gained a good reputation among their previous clients.
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Freelance Online Support Jobs?
Since this type of work lets you work wherever there’s an internet connection, it provides flexibility in terms of location, hours worked, and even what kind of space you have at home (at least compared to other kinds of home-based jobs).
However, the downside is that there isn’t any benefits package or insurance offered by your employers so in case something happens to you while working at home then it will all be up to your savings to pay for medical bills and other expenses incurred due to hospitalization.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!
