Easy guide to start freelancing as a beginner in India. How to start freelancing as a beginner briefly.
Easy guide to start freelancing as a beginner in India
Are you planning on working as a freelancer? Do you wish to start a freelancing career? If that's the case, you are in the right place.
This guide is meant for beginners in the world of freelancing who have no prior experience. If you are new to freelancing and want to get started, this article may be of help to you. I've covered all of the basics of freelancing in today's post. In a nutshell, from the beginning to the end.
Table of Content
Let's begin with the basics?
But, What exactly is freelancing?
Freelancing is defined as when someone provides their services as an independent contractor rather than as an employee. In simple terms, freelancers are self-employed individuals who work from home for other companies or individual clients on a part-time or short-term basis. This isn't just a work-from-home job; it's much more. When you work as a freelancer, you can take on multiple projects at once. The client hires freelancers for specific tasks, services, or projects for a set period of time.
Already a Freelancer? But not getting any clients on freelancing sites. Well, these can be those mistakes you are making. Know these "7 Reasons Why You Aren’t Getting any Clients".
How freelancing works?
As I have said earlier, freelancers work part-time or on a contract basis. In exchange for their services, they get paid.
Let's look at an example to help you understand it better.
- If I hire a graphic designer to create 5 designs for me over the course of 6 days (assumed), I will pay him/her a set amount for each design. And when it's done, the client pays the fee. And with that, the client's session comes to an end.
- A content writer who writes content for their clients for their websites, emails, etc.
How much do freelancers earn?
Every freelancer earns a different amount of money. It depends on what services they are providing. According to a recent survey by Indeed, an online employment website, there is a 22 percent increase in hiring of freelancers in 2021 as compared to 2019. According to Indeed, approximately 73 percent of freelancing jobs searched in January 2021 were held by people aged 20 to 29.
According to a PayPal report, Indian freelancers earn an average of Rs 20 lakh per annum, mentioning that the survey was based on 500 freelancers from across the country. The survey also found that the freelancers were under the age of 40 and were working on both international and domestic projects. It says that 23% of Indian freelancers earn up to Rs 60 lakh per annum. Another 23 percent earn between Rs 2.5 lakh and 5 lakh, while 55 respondents earn less than Rs 2.5 lakh.
What are the ways to charge prices in freelancing?
Every service is different from another and hence the price is. There are mainly 3 ways of charging the price,
Retainer basis
When a company/client and freelancer agree upon an agreement in which he/she agrees to work a certain number of hours per month in exchange for flat fee payment, the price is on a retainer basis. It is a work-for-hire contract. It can be for the long term or short term.
On the basis of hours
As the title suggests, charging is on the basis of hours. You get an hourly rate for the hours you are devoting in the work. Your payment is based on the hours you work for.
Project basis
It is a fixed pricing method providing one flat fee for a specific project. This method is best suitable when there are definite requirements, specifications, and scope for a project. The project duration can be of one day, a week, or one month.
Let's take up some examples,
Nimisha; a data entry operator, charges hourly. Her hourly rate is $10-$15. Now she is charging $15 from the client and work for 5 hours, then her payment will be made $15*5= $75
Ankush; a content writer charges per word. His rate is rs.4- 7 per word as he has 7 years of experience.
Taniya: a graphic designer with over 5+ years of experience. She charges on a project basis for logo creation and brand identity. Her rates begin from rs. 30,000.
Let's get started on how to be a freelancer in India as a newbie.
Goals
If you don't know where you're going, you can't get in a car and drive. When we do things without a clear goal in mind, we end up nowhere.
Hence, first, decide why you are doing freelancing? Is it merely for the sake of making some extra money, or do you intend to keep it long-term? Are you looking for a way to enhance your full-time income? How much money do you hope to make? How much time can you devote?
Note: Even if you badly want to do it full-time, I recommend doing it part-time first. As freelancing takes time, quitting your current work will not be a wise decision.
Choose niche/skills
Freelancing is all about providing skills to your clients. . Whether you work full-time or part-time as a freelancer, your skills will determine where you will land in the future. So start figuring out what skills you have.
You can make a list of all the skills you used in your prior work.
Suppose, If you've worked as a content writer for any company, you can consider it a skill because you've done it before. But don't worry if you don't have any prior experience; think about your hobbies and self-taught skills, such as your photo editing skills, your ability to design, and your habit of retouching other people's pictures. If you know how to use canva to create graphics, you can consider it too.
Make a list of all of them and pick one or more from the list. But make sure you choose those skills in which you have an interest as well.
I've included all of the different categories/niches that are available on different freelancing sites. You may look them up on the internet and learn more about them.
Graphics and design- logo design, brand identity, art, and illustration, labels design, visual design, web and app design, print design ..etc
Digital marketing- social media marketing and advertising, SEO, marketing strategy, content marketing, email marketing, influencer marketing, affiliate marketing, and other
Writing and translation- translation, proofreading, blog posts, cover letters, book editing, creative writing, transcripts, and others
Video and animation- video editing, visual effects, short video ads, intro and outros, photography, and others..
Music and audio- voice over, mixing & mastering, podcast editing, music transcription, vocal tuning, and others
Programming and tech- WordPress, website builders, and cms, e-commerce development, mobile apps, chatbots, user testing, web programming, java development, HTML, support & it, and others.
Data- databases, data mining, data processing, data analytics, data visualization, data science, data engineering, data entry, and others.
Business- virtual assistant, market research, supply chain management, business plans, customer care, hr counseling, and others.
It is a brief classification of categories; freelancing sites in India offer a wider range of services.
Use freelancer portal
To start a freelancing career, you need to know where to start it? For freelancers, there are plenty of websites available on Google. You are free to use these websites. Each website has its own set of rules and protocols for creating a profile. They all have some similarities and are also different from each other.
For example, in Fiverr, you create your gigs and sell them. You cannot contact the client/seller first, instead the seller contacts you first if they want to buy your gig. There is also a buyer request section where you can send proposals to buyers based on their requirement
However, on Upwork, you create your profile, add relevant features, and use connects to submit proposals to clients.
Many freelancer and trustworthy websites exist, such as Upwork, Fiverr, freelancer, Toptal, voices, guru, and so on. You can work as a freelancer using these websites.
Note: Because there are so many freelancers waiting in line, make your profile stand out. Respond to the client as soon as possible.
Set price
When you use these sites(which I have mentioned above), make sure you set your price well. The price should be reasonable because it will have a significant impact on your freelancing. Do as much research as possible before deciding on a price. Spend some time on Google to see what pricing your competitors are charging and how you might compete with them. Charge price according to the skills and knowledge you are going to put into your work. Don't overcharge at first, and don't undercharge as your skills matter. The price should be reasonable, and you should make a profit from them as well. As a newbie, I recommend that you look at what others are offering and set pricing based on that.
Make portfolio
Every client wants to make sure that you are offering the best and you have all relevant skills. When you work as a freelancer and clients don't know you personally and approach you based on your skills, it's important to show your capabilities. As a result, it assists in the development of client trust.
A portfolio is simply proof that you can follow through on your promises. It is a set of skills that showcase your expertise and work. You can make a website, Facebook page, Instagram handle, blog, where you can showcase your skills.
You can, for example, start your own website and write blogs if you are interested in SEO optimization and blogging. You may show your clients your keyword ranking, content writing skills, and SEO optimization using that website.
This is entirely dependent on the kind of services you wish to provide to your clients.
The sole purpose of a portfolio is to effectively exhibit your skills. It aids in the acquisition of clients and the development of trust. You have a better likelihood of landing projects. It is one of the best pieces of advice I can provide to a newcomer. It helps you in making your profile more trustworthy as a newcomer plus shows your clients that you have relevant talents with proof.
Final step
Now that you've finished setting up your profile, it's time to get to work. Use social media to promote your profile and gigs. Send proposals to clients. Write proposals, gigs, and descriptions in a logical and distinctive manner. Respond to the client as soon as possible. Also, make sure to submit your work ahead of schedule. Always make sure that the client likes your work.
It might be tough to get responses from clients and projects when you are just getting started. You should not expect immediate results. You must be patient and composed. It takes time and effort to work as a freelancer. Make sure you put out your best effort in the beginning.
Pros and Cons of freelancing
Pros (Advantages)
- You get a lot of freedom to choose a task rather than that one regular job
- Working hours are flexible. You are not required to work within a specific time frame.
- You are not obligated to adhere to anyone's rules like in the office. You are your own boss and have complete control over how you do your tasks.
- You have complete control over the price you will be charged based on your skills and the amount of effort you will put in.
- You work from home and work in a peaceful environment where there is no office politics
- You may strike a healthy balance between your personal and professional lives.
Cons (Disadvantages)
- There will always be ups and downs. There can be times where you don't get any project or earn nothing. There is no job security and stability. Job security and stability are non-existent. It could be for a week, a month, or even six months.
- However, you'll be able to strike a nice balance between your personal and professional lives. However, there may be times when you must sacrifice personal time in order to fulfill deadlines. It is important for freelancers to achieve their work deadlines, regardless of the situation.
- Now you are your own boss, which means you must perform all of your work on your own, including marketing, payment clearance, taxes, and so on.
- There is some leeway, but you cannot take more days of vacation. Your income is determined by the tasks you work on, and taking more days off implies fewer projects, which means less money. As a result, while it may be flexible, it is not entirely so.
- There are no PF, health insurance, or paid holidays like an office.
- Working in your own environment can make you feel a little isolated at times.
Note: So, if you want to start freelancing, you need to be familiar with all of these steps. You can Google much more stuff to learn more about them. Freelancing may be a work-from-home option with numerous advantages, but it also has drawbacks such as lack of stability, no fixed income, limited communication, and time commitment. So, if you're thinking about freelancing as a career, make sure it's not your exclusive source of income. Start it as a part-time job. Don't quit your present work for freelancing. Choose wisely and take action accordingly.
I hope you enjoy reading this post and find it useful in some manner. I've listed some frequently asked questions about freelancing below. If you don't understand something, you can read them.
FAQ's
1. Freelancing can be a career?
Yes, you can consider freelancing as a career. However, the type of services you wish to offer is entirely up to you. Your service determines whether or not it is worthwhile to continue as a career.
2. What is the best field for freelancing?
There are numerous fields to choose from. It's difficult to tell which field is the best because each requires a unique set of skills. Always choose a field in which you have the expertise, not one in which you can make more money.
3. Is it necessary to have prior experience in order to begin freelancing?
Freelancing doesn't require you to have experience. You don't need a degree or a certificate of years of experience like you would in a job. All you need are marketable skills and a strong desire to succeed. You must possess the necessary expertise to provide the service you promise.
4. Is it mandatory to make a portfolio?
No, creating a portfolio is not mandatory. However, if you are a beginner who is serious about acquiring clients, I recommend that you create a portfolio. Because it allows you to demonstrate your skills and serves as proof that you possess the necessary capabilities to do a service. It helps in attracting clients and building trust between you and them.
5. Is freelancing better than a regular job?
Freelancing may appear exciting. However, it has its own set of ups and downs. When compared to a regular job, it has lots of perks. Then yes it can be said that it is better than a regular job. However, this is only true if you are a successful freelancer with a large client base. I won't consider it better than a regular job as a beginner.
6. Do freelancers get paid?
Of course, unless you're scammed by a fraudulent client. Freelancers always get paid.It is a false fact that freelancers are not compensated. All you have to do is identify trustworthy clients. Check the client's history and keep an eye on portal websites.
7. Is freelancing hard or easy?
To be completely honest, and based on my own personal experience. When you first start freelancing, it can be difficult because you don't have many clients. You must put forth an effort and wait patiently. Nothing works right away.
8. Where can I learn about freelancing?
Unfortunately, there isn't a specific place or platform where you can learn how to freelance. You can look up freelancing on the internet and read articles about it. You might learn some useful tips and tricks by watching videos on YouTube. Freelancing is itself a journey. You just need to have some information and skills to get started.
9. How do you get started freelancing in India?
The steps are the same whether you are from India or another country. To begin, first, decide why you are doing freelancing, choose your goals, select a skill, use freelance sites, create a profile, set a price, create a portfolio, promote your profile on social media, submit proposals to clients, complete projects on time, and leave a lasting impression on clients. Don't give up until you've achieved your goal.
10. How to find work as a freelancer?
Fortunately, there are numerous websites dedicated to freelancers. Freelancing services such as Fiverr, Upwork, and freelancer can help you find work. This is the most effective technique to find freelance jobs. Instead, look for work through job boards, communities, and even email outreach.
11. How are freelancers paid?
Every website has its own set of payment policies and procedures. This can be checked in the website's settings. However, most freelancers are paid via PayPal or Pioneer.
12. What requirements do I need to work as a freelancer?
To get started, all you need are some skills, a computer, and an internet connection. Of course, you can't do freelancing on your phone; you'll need a laptop or computer, as well as the necessary skills. These are the fundamentals you'll need to get started.
Please let me know if it was of any use to you in the comments section. Also, please let me know if I missed anything important so that I may include it in the post for others.
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