FindItMore | Being a freelancer is a dream to many. However, they often have misconceptions about what it’s like. Some believe that it’s easy and that all freelancers do is lying around while the money keeps dripping. Some believe that freelancing means being too tired, always on the phone and working incredibly long hours. Neither of these is completely true when you do the freelancing right.
If you really want to become a global IT Freelancer, here is what you’ll have to know:
Learn the business side
Freelancing is not just about doing the thing you are skilled for. If you are a data scientist, for instance, you can’t just be that. You have to be your own manager, representative and negotiator. For example, you’ll have to be a skilled writer to get clients, you’ll have to be an excellent negotiator in order to get the rate you like and then you’ have to learn to manage your own time and get yourself to work. It’s challenging, but it can be done.
Speak the language
English is the language of global freelancing. If you speak it – great! If you don’t, learn it as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to have some knowledge of other languages – especially German, French or Mandarin but others as well. It will come in handy later on and the more languages you know the better.
Organize your time
This is one of the major rules in freelancing – you have to manage your time properly. You can’t expect to get it all done within an hour or a few hours before the deadline. You’ll just get stressed and you’ll hate your job. You should spread the work across several days and do it bit by bit in order to have time for personal life, to remain productive and efficient.
Have some samples
Clients will, inevitably, want to see the samples of your work. Create a few before you even start so you’ll have something to send along with your pitches and inquiries.
Communicate effectively
In freelancing, it’s all about communication. It needs to seamless and effective both ways in order for your project to be successful. If the client isn’t good at explaining his requests, you should learn how to get it out of the client by asking follow up questions and so on. You also have to communicate your rules and requests in a good way in order to avoid confusion.
Prepare for the learning curve
“Every new project will have a different learning curve. Especially when you are just starting out. Some of them will be about your line of work and some will be about the business side of freelancing. Be prepared for this and embrace the new knowledge”, – says a Tech writer, Nolan Lawrence.
Multitasking should be your second nature
As mentioned, when you are a freelancer, you are never just a data scientist, or a web developer – you need to be more. This also means that you’ll have to juggle several tasks at the same time. Cold pitching while finishing up a project or communicating with a client and so on. Not to mention that when you work from home, you have distractions and you have to handle that as well.
Always go forward
“No matter what happens and who rejects you, learn that moving on is all you can do. Don’t let anything stop you from getting better and better with your work.
Stay connected
As a freelancer, you can’t just be an introvert that doesn’t communicate with anyone. You would never get any jobs that way. No matter how shy you are you have to be in contact with other freelancers, with various industry officials and so on. Cold pitching and networking are a part of it.
Conclusion
Global freelancing is a tough line of work. Just like with any other job, there are pitfalls and great things about it. Hopefully, these tips will give you a better insight into what it really means to be a global IT Freelancer and you’ll decide that you want to be one.
