Freelancing is a way of working where you work for yourself and offer your services to clients. It has been around since medieval times, though the rise in technology and the internet has made it easier than ever to find and get jobs.
Chat support is one of those popular freelance jobs that have popped up in recent years. It involves talking to customers via chat (text) or messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Line, and Viber. You answer their questions about products or services offered by your client’s company, which can be big businesses as well as individuals selling their own products online.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Develop strong communication skills to excel in providing online chat support. |
| 2. Understand the importance of empathy and problem-solving abilities in customer interactions. |
| 3. Research and familiarize yourself with the common tools and software used in online chat support. |
| 4. Determine competitive pricing for your freelance services by considering factors such as experience and industry demand. |
| 5. Implement effective marketing strategies to promote your freelance chat support business, such as creating a professional online presence and networking with potential clients. |
Prepare For The Job
Who’s your hero? Mine is a woman named Emily, who started her own online company, Caregiver Support Direct. In 2000, when she was just 25 years old, she went to her boss and told him that she wanted to leave the company on good terms.
He agreed but then he found out that she was planning to start her own business instead.
“My plan is simple,” she says. “I want you to know everything I need to do and I’m going to do it all myself.” The boss balked at this notion; he didn’t think it could be done by one person.
But as time passed and Emily proved herself right, he couldn’t help but agree with his initial assessment: This woman could handle a job like this for years alone!
I admire Emily for taking control of her life and starting a successful business from the ground up. Her success shows how one person can create change from within the system without compromising their integrity or morals.
Though I thought Emily’s story inspirational, I knew that the skills needed for success were unique to each person; what worked for me might not work for others, so it was important that I tailor my plans accordingly instead of relying on a mentor or any one particular person.
As such, in my case (and many others like mine), starting an independent support business was difficult enough without having an outside influence telling me what direction to go in!
Building a successful freelance career as a chat support agent requires the right job titles. Check out our guide on 10 Freelance Customer Service Agent Jobs Title to Make Money Online to discover the best job titles that can help you thrive in the industry.
Prepare Your Profile
Prepare your freelancer profile. The first step to getting a job as online chat support is to prepare your profile. Make sure that you do not put any personal details on your profile, such as your address, contact number, and other information.
You never know who might be viewing your profile online so make sure that you do not disclose anything about yourself, especially if it can lead someone to you in real life.
Also make sure that you do not put any information about your current or previous clients, projects, and employers on the portfolio section of your profile. This might cause issues for the clients if their competitors knew about the work that you are doing for them over chat support services.
Set Up Your Workstation
Even though I’ve got a sweet office job at the moment, I’m often in town visiting family and friends, so I needed a way to work while they were here.
I found that my husband’s computer had great sound quality and was quite powerful, but it is pretty far away from where I would like to set up shop for my freelance business. He’s always been nice about giving me his old computer when he’s done with it, so that became my new workstation.
The only thing missing from this setup is an ergonomic chair my husband bought his mother one of those big-ass Lazy Boy chairs that fold out into a huge couch. That’s not gonna cut it for me, since there are no folding mechanisms on the chair or the table it sits upon.
I wouldn’t be able to sit in that if I had to do any of my work in peace; sitting down will force me to stare at the wall opposite the TV or at the traffic passing by outside our window (and we’re right on the edge of downtown).
In order for me to get some work done without being distracted by people passing by or watching TV, I need something specific: The table needs to be adjustable so that I can move around while still maintaining a good distance between myself and everyone else.
And since this may end up being a permanent workspace for me (even during family visits), I’d like something cleanable rather than messy. However, even if these things aren’t possible with what we have now (which is our living room table), there are still other factors that can make working from home more comfortable: Lightweight furniture will help reduce fatigue over time, as well as replacing lightbulbs with energy-efficient LEDs will save money on energy bills and make apartment lights more livable overall.
If you’re just starting out doing online chat support and aren’t sure what kind of office setup you’ll need or if you’ve already got your office set up but you
Ever wondered what it’s like to work as a freelance chat support agent? Our article on What It’s Really Like to Work as a Freelance Chat Support Agent provides an insider’s perspective on the experiences, challenges, and rewards of this career path.
Look For Freelance Positions Online
You can start by looking for a freelancing job site. You can find various freelancing jobs online. Indeed and Upwork are a few of the best freelance sites to get started with. Go to these sites and look for potential clients who need online chat support services. Apply for their job post, and wait for their response.
Aside from freelancing job sites, you can also join groups or networks in your community that may have an opening for an online chat support position. These include Google Groups, Facebook groups, as well as other professional networking platforms like Linkedin.
Look for a potential client and send them a message about your interest in working together.
These are some of the ways you can find work opportunities from home as an online chat support agent.
Search For Freelancing Job Sites
One of the most important things to do when starting a freelance business is to find a site that will help you find the right job. There is a lot of competition on freelancing sites, and it’s important to choose one that is specific to your niche (such as graphic design or writing), matches your experience level, and has an easy-to-use interface.
The best part about choosing a site that fits this description is how much easier it will be for you to use, which in turn will allow you to find more work. The best places for finding these jobs are through some sort of search engine, such as Google or Bing; however, there are also websites that specialize in job listings specifically for freelancers.
We, like many other people who are becoming freelance entrepreneurs and interested in online chat support jobs, were able to find our dream job by searching the Internet using specialized keywords. For example: “Writing Job Sites” led us right to FreelanceSwitch a site specifically catering to writing jobs.
With thousands of articles and reviews posted each month regarding different freelancing sites, it’s easy to see what would be relevant and helpful information for someone just starting off as an entrepreneur.
It was great news when we found this site because although we had no previous experience with freelancing websites (other than the obvious), even our inexperienced eyes could tell this one was perfectly suited for our needs!
Are you interested in providing online chat support? Dive into our comprehensive guide, The Complete Guide to Online Chat Support: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough, and learn everything you need to know about starting and excelling in the field of online chat support.
Create Your Own Profile
As with any job application, it’s important to present yourself in the best possible light. Don’t fake your experience or credentials, just stick to honest information designed to show off your knowledge and skills. You might consider including some of the following points:
List your skillset along with any relevant training you’ve received.
Showcase your experience by listing any previous jobs that were related to online chat support (or anything else relevant).
Be human! Let people know more about you; for example, are there any non-work-related hobbies you enjoy? If so, talk a little bit about them in a way that shows how they help inform what kind of employee you are.
Use keywords that are relevant to the type of work you want to do as an online chat support agent (and think about what types of searches potential clients might use when looking for someone like you).
Make sure contact information is easy to find you don’t want anyone who wants to hire you to have trouble reaching out!
While there’s no one right way of creating a profile and no single formula for success, it pays to take the time and effort needed to ensure yours is as professional and accessible as possible.
Discover the lesser-known aspects of a freelance chat support career with our article on Freelance Chat Support Career: 14 Things You Didn’t Know. Gain valuable insights into the industry and uncover tips and tricks to enhance your success as a freelance chat support agent.
Look For A Potential Client
There are many ways to find a client online. You may look on various job sites like UpWork and Freelancer, or you may even consider looking in Facebook groups or forums. You can also advertise your services on social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Once you find potential clients, be sure to ask them what their needs are, how many hours they need for the project, and how much they will pay for those hours. Some clients will let you try out the work first before hiring you permanently take advantage of this opportunity if it’s available!
Look for a client with moderate requirements unless you’re confident about what you can do if not then always set expectations low until after building rapport with your prospective employer. If possible, talk about payment terms upfront so that there won’t be any misunderstandings later on!
In case things don’t go well with one client; don’t worry too much because there are plenty more fish in the sea just keep swimming!
Apply For The Position
Go to the job site and search for opportunities. You can use sites like Upwork, Guru or Freelancer.com to find projects that match your skills.
Apply for the position. Follow the instructions asked by the employer. Usually, these will include a writing test, an English proficiency examination, and answering questions about your preferred pay rate and availability.
Be prepared for the interview. Employers who are looking for a chat support specialist will usually do an interview before hiring someone to work on their project. This is an opportunity for you to shine!
Wait for the results of your application/interview process. The length of time it takes from submission to hearing back from an employer varies greatly depending on how busy they are at that particular moment in time, so be patient!
Accept the job offer if you get one (congratulations!). Send them a thank-you note or email expressing gratitude toward both them and their company, as this will show professionalism while also keeping up good relationships with potential employers down the line should you ever decide that freelancing isn’t right for you after all or just need some extra work during slow periods!
Are you aspiring to become a highly paid and respected freelance chat support specialist? Our guide on How to Become a Highly Paid and Respected Freelance Chat Support Specialist offers practical advice, strategies, and techniques to elevate your skills and achieve your career goals in the chat support field.
Conclusion
So there you have it! The steps you need to take to successfully start a freelance business as online chat support. If these steps resonate with you and are something that you’d like to do, get started today or tomorrow at the latest. I wish you all the best of luck in your new venture!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful for further information:
- The Ultimate Guide to Online Chat Support: Explore this comprehensive guide to learn more about implementing online chat support for your business and maximizing its benefits.
- How to Start a Freelance Business: A Comprehensive Guide: Discover the essential steps and strategies to kickstart your freelance business with this comprehensive guide from HubSpot’s marketing blog.
- Start a Freelance Business: Step-by-Step Guide: Dive into this step-by-step guide that provides practical insights and advice on starting a successful freelance business.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about starting a freelance business as an online chat support agent:
What skills are required to excel as an online chat support agent?
To excel as an online chat support agent, it’s essential to have excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities, strong typing skills, empathy, and a good understanding of customer service principles.
How can I find freelance chat support opportunities?
There are several ways to find freelance chat support opportunities. You can explore online job platforms, freelance marketplaces, networking events, and reach out to potential clients directly. Building a professional online presence and showcasing your skills can also help attract freelance opportunities.
What tools or software are commonly used in online chat support?
Commonly used tools and software in online chat support include live chat software platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, knowledge base tools, ticketing systems, and communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams.
How can I set competitive rates for my freelance chat support services?
Setting competitive rates for your freelance chat support services involves considering factors such as your experience, skills, industry demand, market rates, and the value you provide to clients. Researching industry standards and analyzing your expenses can help you determine appropriate pricing for your services.
How can I market and promote my freelance chat support business?
To market and promote your freelance chat support business, you can create a professional website or online portfolio, optimize your online presence with relevant keywords, leverage social media platforms, join relevant professional communities, and network with potential clients or industry professionals.
We’re often asked how to start a service like Chat Support. Here are some FAQs to answer these questions:
How Much Money Do They Make?
On average, a freelancer earns an average of $20 per hour. Chat support is different from many other professions in that there can be long breaks between jobs around three weeks or longer since most chat services do not have set schedules.
What Kind Of Skills Do I Need?
You’ll have to have strong communication and organization skills as well as computer-savvy skills in order to work with chat clients, but it’s very easy to pick up the basics by getting training on Skype or through your university.
What Are The Benefits Of Working As Chat Support?
Chat support has its perks! Chat clients want answers quickly and they prefer online chats over phone calls, so it’s an enjoyable job for people who love chatting with people online.
What Are The Things Needed To Be Chat Support?
The most important thing is patience and a willingness to learn while all you really need is a computer and internet access, you can definitely get more experience by starting with Skype or another similar program before moving on to dedicated client programs such as GoToMeeting or Zoom.
What Is Chat Support?
Chat support is a service where you help customers through live chatting with them. You can also use email and phone calls, but the most popular is via live chatting. You’ll be answering questions, troubleshooting issues, and helping out with purchases.
How Do I Start A Freelance Business As An Online Chat Support?
Start by doing some research on companies that offer this type of service, and find out what they’re looking for in their employees. Then create a resume that highlights your skills and experience and apply for the job! If you get hired, make sure to take advantage of all training opportunities available to you.
You’ll also want to make sure you have everything you need for this job set up before you start working that including making sure your computer is ready to go and that any necessary software is installed.
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.