Last updated on June 16th, 2023 at 07:38 am
Freelancing is a popular career option in India. It is because of the country’s booming IT sector and the number of jobs available for freelancers.
What is freelance?
Freelancing is when you take on a job or projects that are not assigned to you by an employer. It can also mean that you have control over how long the project lasts and how many hours it takes to complete it.
There are freelancers who work full time with fewer hours in a day, and there are freelancers who work all day long but still use their day job as a source of income.
But freelancing can be challenging at times as you have to work on your own, without any benefits or security.
But all is not lost.
There are some advantages to freelancing. For example, you have complete control over your time and workload. You can also choose your own clients, work on the things that interest you the most and be able to set your own rates.
What do I need to know before I start freelancing?
Before you jump into freelancing, it is important that you know what freelance is and how it works.
You will also want to know what the process will be like. This includes planning out your work schedule, deciding which type of work you want to freelance in, understanding the market for your skills, and what your business plan should include.
What is the difference between independent contractor vs. self-employed?
To be considered an independent contractor, one must work outside the traditional employment structure and not be managed by anyone other than themselves.
On the other hand, a self-employed person is typically someone who runs their own business, hires employees, and/or sells their own products. .The distinction is not always so clear-cut, though.
For example, people who work for themselves may also hire employees or purchase materials for their own products.
In other cases, an individual may be termed self-employed but their business is managed by a third party (such as an entrepreneur who has a company but hires managers).
This person would still be classified as an independent contractor.
In its simplest form, a person is self-employed if they are running their own business and not employed by anyone else.
On the other hand, a person is traditionally employed if they work for someone else but have legal protections including benefits such as health insurance, defined work schedules and retirement contributions.
Alternatively, an individual who runs a business but hires managers may be classified as an independent contractor.
What are the exact steps to take to become a freelancer?
If you are interested in becoming a freelancer, there are steps you can take in order to get started.
1). Find a topic you are interested in as a freelancer
There are many reasons why people choose to become freelancers, but the most important is that they want to be their own boss. Freelancers enjoy the freedom of working for themselves and are not tied down by a company hierarchy.
At the same time, you get to choose what to work on. And that is why the first step in starting a freelancing career is choosing a niche you will be serving such as software development, web design, or writing.
There are many other tasks available for freelancers and you can pick what you want to do after you have chosen your niche.
When I first started my career in content development, I spent a lot of time on the internet researching companies that needed quality work and the average rates they were willing to pay. The more research I did, the more familiar I became with the concepts of project management and how to successfully run a business.
The most important thing you need to do is choose the niche that you are passionate about. If you are not passionate about what you spend your time doing every day, then freelancing will likely be more of a hassle than an enjoyable experience.
2). Research which companies hire freelancers for this topic
Once you have identified the right skill, the next step is to start looking for clients.
It is not easy for freelancers to find work. They need to be able to identify the right skill, and then find clients who are willing to pay them for their services.
Freelance writing has become a popular career choice in recent years. It is a versatile career which can be done anywhere and at any time of the day.
If you have decided to start working as a freelance writer, you need to identify clients willing to pay for your skills.
3). Create a portfolio
You need a portfolio as a freelancer
A freelancer’s portfolio is an essential part of the freelance job search process.
You should build a website or blog, create a video, and set up a social media profile to show off your skills, education, and experience.
4). Send your portfolio to those companies
Once you have the portfolio, send it to the clients looking for your services. There are many ways of sending your portfolio so that it can be found by potential clients.
You can use social media or email for this. But if you want a more personal touch, you can also send it via mail and make sure that the company is interested in hiring you as soon as possible.
The key is to make sure that the company is interested in hiring you before sending your portfolio.
5). If they are interested in talking to you, set up a time to meet
When you send them your portfolio, they will be able to see if you are the right person for the job. If they are interested in talking to you, set up a time to meet.
If they are interested in talking with you, set up a time for them to contact you and schedule a meeting.
This is one of the best ways to make sure that both parties are on the same page and can make informed decisions about what each person needs from this collaboration.
6). Deliver on the project
It is the responsibility of the freelancer to deliver on the project. If your client likes your portfolio and hires you for the project, you should do your best to deliver quality work on time and communicate with your client often. Clients and freelancers should be clear on expectations before the project begins.
Additionally, clients should clearly state their deadlines and deliverables, such as a completed product, an article or blog post, or a website build.
Freelancers should provide them with an estimate of how long it will take for them to complete the project.
This estimate should be reasonable and realistic. Freelancers should also make sure they have an agreement in place that outlines their responsibilities, including invoicing and payment, as well as what happens if the freelancer is unable to meet the deadline.
Clients should also be clear on their deadline for when they need work done by. This is important because if you don’t meet the deadline, you need to communicate with your client and explain what happened.
What are the Important Factors Needed for Success as a Freelancer?
Freelancing is a great way to make a living and be your own boss. But it takes work and dedication to succeed in this industry. To be successful as a freelancer, it is important to have the following skills:
- Excellent communication skills
- Understanding of your target market
- Ability to manage multiple projects at once
- Comfort with using social networks
- A strong work ethic
- A willingness to work for low pay at first
- Experience in customer service, sales, or hospitality
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Ability to work remotely as part of a team
Conclusion: How Can Indian Freelancers Achieve Global Success?
Freelancers in the global market have been able to achieve success by adapting to the changing environment.
They should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and focus on what they are best at in order to succeed.
Some freelancers have been able to build a successful career in India by focusing on their strengths, such as writing skills, design skills, or technical skills. Freelancers should also take care of their weaknesses by focusing on areas that they are not strong in, such as marketing or business strategy.