You might be wondering, how do I get work online as a freelancer in India?
The freelancing industry in India is growing rapidly, no doubt!
And it can be a great way for people to make money and work on their own terms.
Luckily, thanks to the rise of technology, more and more opportunities are available online for Indian freelancers.
So, if you’re looking to start or grow your freelance business, here are some useful tips on how to get freelancing projects online in India.
I will split this guide into three parts:
- Finding Projects
- Building Your Profile
- Working with Clients
If you can master these three parts, you can have a fully booked calendar as a freelancer in India.
Resource: Freelancing in India: Tips and Tricks to Get Started
Finding Projects
It goes without saying; if you want work, you’ve got to go out and find them.
But before you do, there’s something you need to do.
a. Identify your skills
You need to know what you are good at and what services you can offer to clients.
Some popular freelancing services include graphic design, content writing, web development, social media management, and virtual assistance.
What are you good at?
And are there people willing to pay for it?
To help you decide, here are some examples;
- Programming: Web development skills are ideal for freelancers who work with technology. These skills include programming, software development, website creation, and coding.
- Writing: Freelancers can use their writing skills to work in several fields, like education, web development, writing, editing, graphic design, and accounting.
- Graphic design: Freelancers may use their graphic design skills to complete the following duties: Track the time spent on projects, meet all project requirements, consult with clients on project ideas, and contact clients with questions.
- Accounting: Freelancers may use their accounting skills to track their income and expenses, create invoices, and manage their finances.
You can also consider taking up online courses or certifications to enhance your skills and increase your chances of getting hired.
Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of courses to help you improve your skills and stay updated with the latest industry trends.
See, by identifying and constantly improving your skills, you can establish yourself as a reliable freelancer in the Indian market.
b. Utilize Online Platforms
Now that you know what you can offer to clients in exchange for pay, the next step is to figure out where these clients are.
The first place you should look into as a freelancer in India is freelance marketplaces.
Let’s look at some of them.
1. Upwork
Upwork is an American freelancing platform that connects businesses with independent professionals.
It was formed in 2013 as Elance-oDesk, after the merger of Elance Inc. and oDesk Corp.
The merged company subsequently rebranded to Upwork in 2015.
Upwork is an online marketplace for freelancers and agencies in fields like content writing, graphics design, and web development.
It helps professionals to find projects, communicate with clients, and get paid a decent amount.
Upwork is one of the biggest freelancing platforms around and has a lot of features that make it stand out from other platforms.
It has a large pool of freelancers and clients, and it offers a wide range of jobs in various fields. It also has a user-friendly interface, and it is easy to use.
However, whether Upwork is the best platform for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.
2. Guru
Guru.com is another freelance marketplace that allows companies to find freelance workers for commissioned work.
It was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh.
Guru.com is a platform where freelancers and employers can meet and collaborate for projects.
With a worldwide user base, an employer can access a directory and the portfolios of a wide pool of independent freelance professionals they can hire for certain projects.
Guru.com is a great platform for freelancers who are looking for work in a variety of fields. It has a user-friendly interface, and it is easy to use.
And offers a wide range of jobs in various fields, and it has a large pool of freelancers and clients
3. Fiverr
Then there’s Fiverr, a global online marketplace for freelance services. It connects freelancers (sellers) to people or businesses looking to hire (buyers).
There are many services you can find on Fiverr.
Some of the most popular digital services include graphic design, logo design, blog content, voiceovers, T-shirt design, WordPress setup, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing (SMM), video editing, virtual assistant work (VA), data entry, and photoshop.
4. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based freelance platform that connects small businesses with freelancers for project-based work.
As a freelancer, you can use the platform to search for projects that relate to your particular skill set and land paying jobs.
Businesses advertise the projects they are looking for someone to work on, and freelancers can apply for such projects by sending in proposals.
All of the proposals are collected in a single place for business owners to review and compare.
PeoplePerHour has an international community of over 1.5 million freelancers and offers opportunities for both buyers (those who are in need of freelancing services) and sellers (workers who offer their services in exchange for income).
The platform covers a wide range of skills including technology & programming, writing & translation, design, digital marketing, video/photo/image production, business consulting, music & audio production, marketing/branding/sales and social media management.
And don’t get me wrong, there are hundreds other platforms you can use as a freelancer to find projects in India.
But the question is, what do you do with these platforms?
See the next section for an in depth analysis.
Building Your Profile
Most of the above mentioned platforms allows you to sign up free of charge.
And yes, that means there are sites like FlexJobs that asks for a monthly subscription fee to let you in.
Either way, this is what you ought to do.
a. Create an Impressive Profile
One of the most important aspects of getting freelancing projects online in India is to create an impressive profile.
Your profile is essentially your resume and it needs to showcase your skills, experience, and professionalism.
Start by selecting a professional headshot as your profile picture. This will help potential clients put a face to the name and make you seem more approachable.
Next, create a short but powerful headline that emphasizes what you do best.
This should be followed by a brief summary that highlights your expertise and accomplishments.
Be sure to include any relevant certifications or awards that you have earned along the way.
Finally, don’t forget to include samples of your work in your portfolio section.
Select examples that showcase your range of skills and demonstrate how you can add value to potential clients’ projects.
And by taking the time to create an impressive profile, you’ll be well on your way to securing more freelancing projects online in India!
b. Showcase Your Work
Potential clients need to see your work to get freelancing projects online in India.
And that’s why we mentioned earlier that you need to add your portfolio as you build your profile.
Here are some tips for creating an Upwork portfolio that will help you get more jobs:
- Think about what you want to showcase
- Choose a portfolio format that highlights your strengths
- Make sure your Upwork profile is up-to-date
- Include a variety of projects in your Upwork portfolio
- Include testimonials in your Upwork portfolio
- Make sure your Upwork portfolio is easy to navigate
When choosing which projects to include in your Upwork portfolio, try to include a mix of both small and large projects and projects from various industries.
This will show potential clients that you’re a versatile freelancer who is capable of handling a variety of projects
Another one of the most effective ways to do this is by creating a portfolio website or blog.
This will allow potential clients to see examples of your work and get a feel for your style and approach.
Whichever one you use, choose examples that showcase your best work and highlight the skills you want to promote.
You may also want to include testimonials from previous clients and any relevant certifications or awards.
In addition to your website or blog, social media can also effectively showcase your work.
Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great for visual artists and designers, while LinkedIn can be more effective for writers and other professionals.
And don’t forget to regularly update these platforms with new content and engage with others in your industry to build connections and attract potential clients.
c. Make Your Profile Stand Out
Again, your online profile is often the first impression you make on potential clients when it comes to freelancing.
It’s important to make sure your profile stands out from the crowd.
One way to do this is by creating a concise headline highlighting your skills and experience.
Use keywords that are relevant to your industry so clients can easily find you in search results.
Here are some examples you can steal:
- Expert Web Developer – Delivering fast and responsive websites to boost your online presence
- Experienced Graphic Designer – Creating stunning visuals to captivate your target audience
- Professional Content Writer – Crafting compelling content to engage and inform your readers
Another way to make your profile stand out is by using a professional photo of yourself.
See, a high-quality headshot can go a long way in showcasing your professionalism and setting you apart from other freelancers who may not have a photo at all or have an unprofessional one.
Finally, be sure to complete all sections of your online profile, including work history, education, and portfolio items if applicable.
In fact, the more information you provide, the better chances you have of catching the eye of potential clients and securing new projects as a freelancer in India.
d. Start Applying for Jobs
Now that your profile is set and your portfolio is up, it’s time to start applying for jobs.
The best way to do this is by finding projects within your platform.
Applying frequently and quickly is the key to getting hired on these platforms.
A lot of people will be applying for the same job so you want to make sure your application stands out from the rest.
Make sure you read the job description carefully and tailor your proposal specifically to that project.
It’s important that you have a good understanding of what the client is looking for and demonstrate how you can meet their needs in your proposal.
Don’t simply copy-paste a generic response or template – this won’t impress anyone! Instead, take some time to craft a thoughtful, personalized message that showcases your skills and experience as they relate directly to the project at hand.
That said, here are some tips for writing a perfect proposal on Upwork:
- Start with a strong headline that is attention-grabbing and relevant to the job at hand.
- Keep it short and sweet.
- Be specific about what makes you the right fit for the job when detailing your experience and qualifications.
- Highlight your successes.
- Offer a competitive price.
It’s also important to include everything the client needs in your proposal and keep your proposal under 500 words.
Working with Clients
If you’ve done everything right to this point, you should have at least 1 client from the platform you picked.
Besides delivering to their expectations, there are some other things you can do to win the over for repeat business.
a. Build Good Rapport
Building good rapport is one of the most important aspects of getting freelancing projects online in India.
In this highly competitive market, clients look for freelancers who are skilled and easy to work with.
Therefore, it’s crucial to establish a good relationship with potential clients right from the start.
To build a good rapport with clients, always be professional in your communication and punctual in your delivery of work.
Respond promptly to emails and messages, and ensure that you meet all deadlines.
Additionally, take the time to understand the client’s needs and regularly update them on your progress.
Another way to build a good rapport is by being transparent about your rates and any other fees associated with your services.
This helps avoid any misunderstandings or surprises later on in the project timeline.
Building a strong relationship with clients can lead to repeat business and positive referrals, both essential for success as a freelancer in India‘s online market.
b. Being Professional
Being professional is a crucial factor to consider when looking for freelancing projects online in India.
Presenting yourself as a reliable and efficient professional capable of delivering quality work within deadlines is essential.
Being punctual, maintaining good communication with clients, and adhering to the terms and conditions of the project is crucial.
It’s also vital to pay attention to your online presence by creating an impressive portfolio that showcases your skills and experience.
Ensure that your portfolio highlights your best works, including testimonials from satisfied clients.
Additionally, it would help if you were active on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook, where potential clients can easily find you.
Lastly, always be flexible enough to accommodate changes in the project scope or timelines without compromising on quality.
Flexibility shows that you are responsive and dedicated towards delivering exceptional results while keeping the client happy.
c. Maintaining Quality and Meeting Deadlines
As a freelancer, you must ensure that your work is of top-notch quality and meets the client’s expectations.
Before starting any project, you must clearly understand the client’s requirements so that you can deliver exactly what they need.
Communication plays a vital role in this aspect, and you should keep your clients updated throughout the project.
Meeting deadlines is equally important when it comes to freelancing projects.
Clients expect their work to be delivered on time, and failing to do so can lead to negative reviews or even losing future business opportunities.
As a freelancer, you should plan your work schedule efficiently so that you can meet all the project deadlines without compromising on the quality of work.
Freelancers must be self-motivated and disciplined to maintain quality and meet deadlines effectively.
You should prioritize your work according to urgency and importance while managing other personal commitments simultaneously.
By doing so, you not only impress your clients but also establish yourself as a reliable freelancer in the industry, ultimately leading to more projects!