When it comes to working from home, there are plenty of people out there who will tell you they have all the answers. But I’m sure that you’ve realized by now that the real secret is not just to get a job it’s how well you know your niche and where to look. The more specific, the better! In this post, I’ll show you how I got back into freelance writing after a long break in my career without ever leaving my desk!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Embrace Remote Work Opportunities: The blog highlights the potential of freelancing from the comfort of your desk, enabling you to access a global client base and work on diverse projects without geographical constraints. |
| 2. Overcome Freelancing Challenges: Discover valuable insights on tackling freelancing challenges, such as time management, client acquisition, and maintaining work-life balance, to ensure a successful freelancing journey. |
| 3. Leverage Technology: Explore the role of technology in modern freelancing and how utilizing digital tools can streamline your work processes, enhance productivity, and boost your freelancing career. |
| 4. Capitalize on Online Platforms: Learn about popular freelancing platforms like Upwork and how to effectively leverage them to connect with clients, showcase your skills, and secure rewarding freelancing opportunities. |
| 5. Navigate Freelancing Transitions: Gain inspiration from the author’s personal experiences and learn how to smoothly transition back into freelancing, leveraging existing skills and industry knowledge to reignite your freelance career. |
Start With The Job Boards
The job boards are the first step in freelancing for many, and good reasons. They’re easy to use. You can create an account, upload your resume and skills, then search through listings from companies looking for candidates like you.
Depending on the type of work you’re looking for, there are plenty of different sites out there: Upwork or Elance have tons of remote writing jobs while Craigslist is great if you want to pick up some graphic design gigs along with your other freelance pursuits.
Managing your time efficiently is crucial for freelancers to stay productive and achieve success. Learn some valuable tips on time management for freelancers to boost your productivity and enhance your freelancing journey.
Look At The Comment Sections Of Popular Blogs In Your Niche
Comment sections are where the real action happens. People can ask questions, leave comments about their experiences, and sometimes even offer up jobs for freelance writers to complete.
Most blogs have a section in their sidebar called “Leave a comment” or something similar. If you see that the blog owner is accepting comments on posts that haven’t been published yet, you’ll want to visit those pages as well.
That way, if anyone leaves comments asking for help from freelancers in your niche (or another niche), you’ll be able to jump in with your pitch before anyone else does. There’s no downside here: if someone else has already answered them before you get there then all they can do is ignore it but what are the chances of that?
Keep An Eye Out For Brands That You Admire
Look at the brands you already know and love, as well as the ones you admire. Your favorite brands will be your first stop in looking for freelance opportunities you want to find out if there are any jobs available with them or related companies. If their site doesn’t have a job board, send them an email introducing yourself and asking if they have any opportunities (if it’s something more than just a simple request).
When looking at other brands that inspire you, think about whether they have open positions on their website or not. If they do, apply. Those who run these companies often look for freelancers who can take on specific projects to grow their team while not adding full-time staff members which means there are often openings that aren’t listed publicly on company websites yet.
Balancing freelancing with maternity leave can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Gain some valuable insights on freelancing while on maternity leave to make the most out of your professional life while cherishing the moments with your little one.
Create A Google Alert To Keep You On Top Of The Latest News In Your Niche
There are a few different ways you can do this. The easiest way is to set up a Google Alert for the keyword or phrase that you’re interested in. When someone posts something new on the internet related to what you’re looking for, Google will send an email alerting you of it.
You can also use Twitter search operators like lie within: your city & “your niche keyword” to find new people talking about your subject matter in real-time, then follow them so that the next time they post something important or interesting, it will show up right away in your feed.
Look For Inspiration In The Tutorials And Articles That You Read
If you’re reading a tutorial or article on a website, take a look at the comments section. This can be an amazing source of inspiration for your next project. You’ll see what people like and don’t like about similar content and maybe even get some ideas for how to improve it!
For example, if I’m working on an article about copywriting and I see that people are asking questions about using social media in their marketing strategies (which is something I was planning to cover in my next post), then that’s just another reason for me to add it onto my list of things-to-write-about next time around!
Don’t Be Afraid To Reach Out To Someone If They’ve Inspired You
There is no shame in reaching out to someone and saying, “Hey, I love what you do and would love to chat with you about how you got started.” You never know who will respond positively and be willing to give advice or help.
This has happened to me several times I’ve had some great conversations with people who have been generous in sharing their wisdom with me because they know it’s important for other people (like me) who are looking up to them.
Freelancing has its ups and downs, but the journey is undoubtedly an exciting one. Discover the realities of freelancing in this insightful article – Freelancing Isn’t Always Great, But It’s Always a Good Time, and find inspiration to navigate through the challenges and embrace the joys.
Sign Up For Contena’s Email List To Get A Daily Round-Up Of Jobs Sent Straight To Your Inbox Every Day
If you want to get your hands on some great freelance jobs and earn money from home, you should sign up for Contena’s email list. This is a free service that sends out daily job opportunities directly to your inbox. The premium version of Contena costs money and includes additional search tools like:
- A database of thousands of companies looking for freelancers and remote workers.
- A weekly newsletter with new opportunities in your field and tips on how to land them.
- An in-app chatbot that gives personalized advice on how to find work as a freelancer or remote employee (or any other kind of job).
Take Jobs From Relative Unknowns, So Long As It’s Not Too Risky Or Unreasonably Large Workloads
Once you’re back in the freelance game, it can be tempting to go after the big-name clients. But remember: there are a lot of reasons why I recommend avoiding that route if at all possible you want to start small and work your way up.
The good news is that there are plenty of other options available for those who want to break into freelancing without ever leaving their desks. You just need to do some research on where your skillset can be most valuable and get out there!
I highly recommend taking jobs from relative unknowns, so long as it’s not too risky or unreasonably large workloads (I have also found this helpful). This will help ease you back into the rhythm of working with new people and projects—which is extremely helpful when first starting again.
Stay Flexible And Move From One Job To Another Fairly Quickly If You Need To
And, if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to take on another job. If you do have a full-time job, it’s ok to take on freelance jobs in addition to it. The worst thing that can happen is that they both end up being bad experiences and you’ve learned how not to work with people again you haven’t lost anything at all!
Also, don’t be afraid of taking on one job that is a little bit out of your comfort zone. It’s probably going to mean doing some research or reading up on something new before you start working on the project so that when someone asks for something specific, you feel confident enough about your answers/ideas/etc.
Even if they are outside of what seems “normal” for whatever type of work this client usually gets done by others (i.e. if someone asked me today what my favorite color was and wanted me to draw them something based on it without knowing any other information about me personally).”
If you’re considering freelancing or already in the game, understanding the core principles is essential. Get to know the most critical aspect of freelancing in this article – The Most Important Thing You Need to Know About Freelancing, and equip yourself with knowledge for a successful freelancing career.
Pitch The Same Clients Multiple Times Throughout Months
This is an important step that requires some finesse. You’re going to want to ask the client for feedback. If they say something along the lines of, “Oh, I liked it but I just can’t afford you,” be sure to ask if they need help with anything else and offer your services for free or for a lower rate, or even free again.
If this doesn’t work, try offering them a trial job that won’t cost them much but will show off what you can do. This will give them a chance to see how well you work before hiring you in full force and spending money on your services!
If none of these tricks work and the client still isn’t interested after months of trying different methods of getting into their good graces (and maybe even being kind), then move on (but only after thanking them profusely).
Take Clients’ Side Projects Or Short-Term Contracts As Much As Possible Initially
The more experience and contacts you have, the more likely it is that you’ll eventually meet people who can take you onto bigger and better things later on down the line.
If you’re just getting started and trying to find your feet, take any job that comes along. Even if it’s short-term or doesn’t lead anywhere more substantial immediately, the more experience and contacts you have, the more likely it is that you’ll eventually meet people who can take you onto bigger and better things later on down the line.
It’s also worth noting that if a client is happy with the work you’ve done for them once, they are much more likely to hire you again in the future so do a good job!
The freelancing landscape is evolving, and countries like Kenya are making their mark in the field. Discover how Kenya is shaping the freelancing industry in this intriguing piece – How Kenya Is Taking Over Freelancing. Gain insights into the emerging trends and opportunities in the Kenyan freelancing market.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article has helped you to see that freelancing is a viable option for anyone, regardless of your prior experience. It’s not always easy, but it is possible! Just make sure you take care of yourself, stay organized, and are focused on finding ways to improve at all times.
Further Reading
How to Start Your Freelancing Career with No Experience: Learn valuable tips on beginning your freelancing journey even if you lack prior experience.
Starting Out in Freelancing Without Quitting Your Day Job: Discover effective strategies to kickstart your freelancing career while maintaining your current employment.
Transition from 9-5 to Freelancer: Explore the steps and considerations to smoothly transition from a traditional 9-5 job to freelancing.
People Also Ask
What Is Freelancing?
Freelancing, in a nutshell, means working without a boss. You can freelance in many different fields, including writing, design, and development.
When’s The Best Time To Start Freelancing?
Whenever you want! No set age or experience level makes it easier or harder to get started. If you’re interested in it and feel confident enough to give it a shot, go for it!
What Do I Need To Get Started As A Freelancer?
You’ll need some basic tools: an internet connection (preferably high-speed), a reliable computer with the latest version of your operating system (OS) installed on it (Windows 10 is recommended), and any programs you need for your work (like LibreOffice). You may also want to invest in some business cards if you plan on meeting clients face-to-face or handing them out at conventions/conferences/etc.
What Is Your Biggest Challenge In Freelance Writing?
Time management. You might be able to get a lot done in a short amount of time, but if you don’t manage it properly, you’ll end up spending that time on things that aren’t as important.
How Do You Stay Motivated?
I turn to music and coffee! Music helps me focus and gets me pumped up for the day, while coffee helps me stay alert so I can get through my workday without getting burned out early on.
How Do You Deal With Writer’s Block?
For me it’s just finding another way around it if there’s a problem with what I’m writing or if it just isn’t working out the way I want it to, then I’ll try something else until something clicks!
Did You Find It Difficult To Get Started?
Not at all! I knew a lot of people who were doing it, so getting the information wasn’t hard at all. The hardest part was deciding what to write about I’ve always been someone who likes to try new things but doesn’t want to commit to them for long periods. So this was a good way for me to test out different things without committing too much time or energy to them.
What Advice Would You Give Someone Who Wants To Start Freelancing?
Be honest with yourself about what you’re capable of doing in terms of time management and self-discipline. If you have trouble managing either of those things, then freelancing might not be the right choice for you just yet!
What Is The Most Important Part Of Freelancing?
The most important part of freelancing is finding clients that you can work well with. You have to make sure that your personality meshes well with the clients and that you’ll be able to provide them with what they need. The best way to find these clients is through word of mouth—the people who know you best will be the ones who will give you the best referrals.
What Made You Want To Become A Freelancer?
I used to be a freelancer, but then I got a full-time job. I didn’t think it would be possible to go back because I thought that the skills and experience I’d built over the past few years would make me too expensive for most clients. But then my husband got laid off from his job, and we realized that we needed more financial stability than he could provide by himself.
So I started looking into freelance work again and ended up finding more than just client work. I’ve been able to take on some really interesting projects that have helped me grow as a person, which has been amazing so far. It’s also allowed me to work with some amazing people who have become good friends of mine and I’m sure they feel the same way about me!
What Do You Love About Freelancing?
The ability to work from anywhere is what first attracted me to being a freelancer but now that I’ve taken this path, there are so many other things that are making this experience great for me! It’s nice not having a boss looking over your shoulder all day long; it means you can take breaks when you need them without feeling guilty.
What Is The One Thing That You Wish You Had Known Before You Started Freelancing?
The biggest thing I wish I had known was that freelancing isn’t just a job it’s a lifestyle. When you’re working for yourself, it’s easy to forget that there’s a whole world out there that doesn’t revolve around your business. You can find yourself feeling isolated and lonely if you don’t make an effort to connect with people outside of work. So be sure to schedule time for friends and family in addition to time for your business!
Can I Still Work As A Freelancer If My Boss Is Against It?
Yes! You don’t have to quit your job to be a freelancer. Working as a freelancer while you’re employed gives you an extra layer of protection against other people who might try to take advantage of your time and energy. When you’re employed, you can say “no” without feeling guilty because you have the security of knowing that someone else is paying the bills.
What If My Boss Is Angry About Me Becoming A Freelancer?
If this happens, you need to remember that being able to make money doing what you love is worth fighting for, and fighting for yourself won’t cost anything! If your boss thinks they can get away with trying to stop you from pursuing your dreams, then maybe they deserve someone less ambitious than you on their team anyway.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.