Welcome to a beginner’s guide to going freelance. We’re so glad you’re here! In this beginner’s guide, we’ll show you the basics of how freelancing websites work, plus how to get the most out of them as a buyer or a seller.
We’ll explain why “freelancing” is not just one thing but rather can be many different types of work arrangements. We’ll also discuss the ins and outs of working as an independent contractor in this day and age including when it should and shouldn’t be legal and what options are available for people who want to find their own type of freedom through freelancing.
So sit back and get comfortable! We’re about to demystify the fun and exciting world of becoming an independent contractor.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Ensure the safety of freelancing websites by following best practices and conducting thorough research. |
| 2. Take precautions when sharing personal and financial information on freelancing platforms. |
| 3. Read reviews and ratings of freelancing websites to gauge their reputation and trustworthiness. |
| 4. Look for freelancing websites that offer secure payment systems and escrow services to protect both freelancers and clients. |
| 5. Stay vigilant against potential scams and fraud by being aware of common warning signs and practicing due diligence. |
Do Your Research
This is the most important tip: Do your research. If you’re new to freelancing, don’t take on clients blindly. Research the client and the job, as well as the site where you plan to find them.
Research other freelancers and their experiences as well as any industry trends that might affect your business.
Research the topic itself. You’ll be spending a lot of time researching this and it’s highly likely that you won’t be able to find everything in one go (that’s okay!). Keep an ongoing Google doc with all of your findings so that they’re easy for anyone else in need of knowledge on that topic at any point in time (including yourself).
Working from home as a freelancer comes with its own set of challenges and distractions. Our article on tips for freelancers who work from home provides valuable insights and strategies to maintain productivity and create an optimal work environment.
Read Reviews
Before accepting a job on one of these sites, you should always read reviews. This is especially important if it’s a new site or one that isn’t well known yet. You want to make sure that the site has at least some good reviews, and that they have been written by people who have actually used the service.
If you find bad reviews or no reviews (or even multiple positive ones) from people who appear to be fake accounts or sock puppets don’t take the job! Check out their profiles and see if they seem legitimate before taking any jobs with them, too. If you’re unsure about something don’t hesitate to contact customer support with your questions!
Keep Communication Within The Site
When you’re using a freelance site, make sure that you aren’t sharing any personal information. The first thing you should do is check the site’s privacy policy it should outline what data they collect, how they use it, and how they protect it.
Next, look at reviews of the site itself and read through comments others have made about it. This can help you get an idea of whether or not people feel safe using this site and if there’s anything about it that could put them at risk for identity theft or fraud.
Of course, before joining any website as a freelancer or client (or even browsing its listings), look into its terms of service (TOS). These documents usually detail things like:
- What kind of work is allowed on the site? For example: “no illegal content” or “only nonfiction essays.”
- What kinds of payments are allowed on the platform? For example PayPal only or cash in mail only.
Check The Job Requirements Carefully
The best way to avoid this kind of scam is to thoroughly check the job requirements and stick with jobs that are relevant to your skillset. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of landing a gig, but it’s important to remember that if a request sounds too good (or too bad) to be true, chances are it is.
If clients ask you for something out of your comfort zone or expertise range, don’t accept the job. Even if you think you could do it well, there’s no guarantee that the client will pay what they said they would or even at all.
If those things still make up just one job offer out of many good ones? Then it might be worth taking a chance on them. But this is an all-too-common scenario for freelance writers:
You may spend hours writing brilliant copy only to find yourself shortchanged by clients who agree with your work but don’t feel comfortable paying for it until after they’ve used everything else from your portfolio.
This can be especially frustrating if the client has previously worked with other freelancers who have been paid appropriately and promptly by their clients!
When it comes to freelancing websites, ensuring safety and trustworthiness is crucial. Discover effective measures and useful tips in our comprehensive guide on ways to make sure freelance sites are safe to use for both freelancers and clients.
Don’t Act Like A Practice Dummy
Don’t act like a practice dummy. You should never do work for free, nor should you work so far outside of your expertise that it seems like an experiment (and remember: even though it’s not “real” money, the client will still expect real results).
Don’t do anything too vague this is where most people get into trouble by doing things like agreeing to “research” something or “find out what they need.” There are better ways in which to help others than just telling them what they want to hear!
Always have a contract; this keeps everyone accountable and protects against fraud and misrepresentation of services being performed.
Clients may try to avoid having one or may try to make one up on the fly during the course of work being done (e.g., “I forgot my contract at home! Can we just send each other copies later? Oh…wait…that was our last copy….sorry!”).
If there’s no agreement between both parties about terms/payment upfront via email before any work begins, then there will be confusion later on when one party isn’t satisfied with how things went down – which makes sense because nobody wants their time wasted!
If You Don’t Know The Answer, Say You Don’t Know It
You don’t have to know the answer. If you don’t, say you don’t know it. If you feel like your answer is too vague or stupid, say so! Don’t make up answers or pretend to know what you’re talking about if you don’t.
The worst thing that can happen is that someone will tell you something helpful and then maybe ask a follow-up question or two (which means they’re still interested).
This also goes for being afraid of asking questions: if someone asks whether they should freelance from home or at a co-working space, don’t be afraid to admit that those are both options and there are benefits and drawbacks for both sides.
Be Confident And Clear But Stay Humble And Ask For Feedback
As a freelancer, you should be confident and clear in your communications with clients. Though you’re the expert in your field, don’t be arrogant; act as if every person you talk to knows more than what you do about your work.
Be humble but not timid; it’s okay for them to ask questions or give feedback on what they see as flaws in your work. And finally: ask for feedback! It will help both parties learn how everyone can benefit from this project together
Never Accept Free Work To Build A Portfolio Or Experience, No Matter How Tempting It Might Sound
The best way to get your foot in the door is by doing free work for someone you have a personal connection.
If you’re a student and you know someone who works at an agency, ask them if they could give you some advice about freelancing or introduce you to people who might be able to use your services. Don’t be afraid to go after smaller companies either especially if they’re based in the same town as you or aren’t far away!
If all else fails, just remember that an agency isn’t always going to come knocking on your door offering big money right away. It takes time and effort before anyone sees what value can be offered by a freelancer like yourself (and how much money they can save).
Maintaining a good standing on Upwork is essential for freelancers looking to secure consistent projects. Explore our article on how to avoid getting suspended from Upwork to learn about common pitfalls, best practices, and valuable insights to protect your freelance career.
Ask Questions About The Project And Seek Clarifications Before Accepting A Gig
Ask questions about the project and seek clarifications before accepting a gig. While it may seem like a no-brainer, you’d be surprised by how many freelancers are willing to accept jobs without asking questions first.
The key here is to get as much information as possible to make your decision. One way to do this is by asking specific questions about the project and clarifying what’s expected of you.
For example: “I would love to accept this job but before I do, could you tell me more about what’s involved?” or “What kinds of skills will I need?” By asking these types of questions upfront, you’ll save yourself time down the road when there’s confusion or miscommunication later on (and believe me…there will be!).
It also helps build rapport with potential clients so they know that not only are your services valuable but also that they trust them too!
Turn Down Jobs That Don’t Offer Payment Or Provide Minimal Payment
When accepting a job, make sure you are comfortable with the amount of money being offered. If it’s too low, it may be better to find another job instead.
If you’re working on a project that takes up a lot of your time and effort, but offers minimal payment for the work performed (or none at all), then it could be best to turn down the offer.
You should also consider turning down jobs that are outside your expertise or comfort zone doing so could lead to an unsatisfactory result or worse yet, long-term harm to your reputation as an experienced freelancer.
Don’t Do Something Too Far Outside Of Your Expertise
This is one of the biggest risks of freelance work. You have to be careful when taking on projects that seem outside of your comfort zone, or that you don’t understand very well. If a client asks you to do something and they are willing to pay you X amount of dollars, then it’s probably worth doing.
But if they want you to do something that doesn’t make sense for your business or requires skills you don’t have, then it might not be worth it.
For example: Let’s say I get an offer from someone who wants me to build them an app in Swift (a programming language) and they want me to use their logo from somewhere else on the web which I’m not familiar with and provide them with unlimited revisions for free until we both agree on a design we like… all for just $100!
This sounds too good to be true because it probably is!
Don’t Accept Vague Job Descriptions, They Often Turn Out Badly
When you receive a job offer from a potential client, it’s important to look for specific details.
Potential clients may be vague about the requirements of their project because they lack experience in managing freelancers or don’t understand how many hours are required for different kinds of work.
Don’t let this frustrate you or make you feel like your services are being taken advantage of. You can use these tips to get more information from potential clients and avoid jobs that might not be worth your time:
- Ask about specific details about what needs to be done for the project;
- Ask how long the project would take (and if there is flexibility around this);
- Ask if they have a budget (and get an approximate range) so that you know whether they will pay well enough to justify taking on their job; and
- If possible, ask if there will be other people working on the same project with similar skillsets as yours so that it will become clear whether or not they must hire someone like yourself at all!
Unlock the secrets to success on Upwork with our informative guide on Upwork secrets you need to know. Discover insider tips, strategies, and proven techniques to enhance your profile, attract clients, and maximize your earning potential on this popular freelancing platform.
Never Work Without A Contract, Even If You Trust The Client Completely
It’s important to note that contracts don’t just protect you, but they also help the client. A good contract makes sure that everyone knows what they’re getting into before any work begins and details expectations for both parties.
For example, if a client asks you to write 500 words on how to make money online and how to be successful at freelancing (after talking with them on the phone), they should pay you more than if they asked for 1,000 words on how to get a job at Google or Facebook even though those two topics may be related in some way.
A good contract will cover things like:
- What type of work you’ll be doing (e.g., writing blog posts)
- How many words will be written per day/week/month
- How much compensation you’ll receive for each piece of content produced (e.g., $30 per article)
- Deadlines and penalties for missing those deadlines (e.g., not paying extra if an article isn’t delivered within 24 hours)
You Can Enjoy Great Experiences With Freelancing Sites If You Follow Basic Safety Guidelines
To be safe, make sure you follow these basic safety guidelines:
Do your research. There are many scam artists out there who will take advantage of freelancers, so it’s important to do your homework before jumping into anything. First and foremost, read reviews both on the platform itself and elsewhere online.
In addition to checking out other sites’ reviews and testimonials, look up the company or individual that is hiring on sites like Glassdoor (this is especially helpful if they are a large company). If they have negative feedback (or no feedback at all), this may be a sign that something is amiss with their business practices or culture.
Also, keep in mind that just because one person says something negative doesn’t mean everything associated with them will be bad quite often people with bad experiences tend to speak negatively about everyone else involved as well!
However, if multiple reviewers mention similar problems then it’s probably worth investigating further before joining up yourself!
The landscape of freelancing is evolving, reshaping the types of individuals being hired for various projects. Dive into our thought-provoking article on how freelancing is changing the kinds of people that get hired to explore the emerging trends, skills in demand, and the opportunities that lie ahead in the freelancing industry.
Conclusion
So no matter how safe a site is, or how many protections it puts in place, one of the best things you can do to protect yourself as a freelancer is to be informed. Know your rights and obligations as a freelancer.
Know what to look out for when choosing clients and projects. And above all else, understand that any job has risks or dangers but if you’re aware of those potential issues and make smart choices, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to enjoy the freedom of being a freelancer!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on freelancing:
Freelancer Review on VideoBlocks: A comprehensive review of Freelancer, highlighting its features, pros, and cons.
Is Freelancer.com Legit?: An informative article discussing the legitimacy and trustworthiness of Freelancer.com as a freelancing platform.
Freelancer Review on PaidFromSurveys: A detailed review of Freelancer, focusing on its usability, payment system, and overall user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe To Work On A Freelance Website?
Yes, but only if you’re using one of the best websites for freelancers. If your site isn’t reputable, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up getting scammed. Thankfully, there are plenty of sites that have been around for years and are known for being trustworthy. Take a look at our list below!
What Are The Best Freelance Websites?
These days there are hundreds of sites where people can post jobs and find contractors who meet their needs. However, not all of these platforms are created equal some are safer than others, while some might also offer more perks than others (like insurance packages). Here’s our list:
Upwork/Elance (formerly Odesk) – A large platform with over 20 million users worldwide
What Is A Freelancing Website?
A freelancing website is an online platform where people can post work, discover projects and hire freelancers.
The platform connects the three parties involved: employers, who want to get their project done; freelancers, who have their expertise in certain fields and are looking for opportunities to do some extra work; and clients, who want to outsource small pieces of their business or manage certain tasks on their own.
Freelance job boards (also known as gig boards) are popular platforms that allow companies to post jobs with very specific requirements.
From there prospective candidates can apply for those roles based on their skill set or background. It’s important to note here that not every gig board is safe or ethical some might be scams! So take your time before applying anywhere else!
What Is A Freelancing Website?
A freelancing website is an online platform that allows people to find jobs, or clients and pay them in exchange for their expertise. For example, the most popular and oldest site out there is Fiverr, where you can sell your services for $5 and above.
Why Should I Use A Freelancing Website?
There are many benefits of using such websites, including:
- You don’t need to invest in equipment or infrastructure (ie. office space) to earn money online;
- It’s convenient as you can work on your schedule;
- You get paid instantly without needing any bank account or credit card information; and finally.
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!
