Hi Freelancers,
Most of the new Freelancers will be in confusion to start a freelancing career. In this post I have explained few points to get started.
First of all spend some time in Freelancing sites to complete your profile. It is important because when you place a bid on a project, the client will check your profile. The client will mainly check your reviews. Since new joiners won't have any reviews they have to concentrate on profile.
You will have measures in Freelance websites to view your profile status. It will be helpful if you can complete the profile as per the measures. Enter all your Academic details and upload certificates if required. You should choose the fields you are interested like Translation, Web designing, Graphic Design etc.
Make sure that you provide correct Contact Details. Provide details like your email ID, mobile number, Skype ID etc. You should check your mails as frequent as possible.
Portfolio is very important. It is nothing but the previous work you have done to show case. It will help in attracting clients. Choose the best in your work to show case. For example, if you are a Translator, you can upload a translated document. It will be great if you have a blog or web content link to show your work. Creating a blog is easy. I used to show my Wikipedia articles which I have translated in my portfolio. If you are graphic designer, you can upload the image files you have done. If you are a Video Editor, Create a Channel in YOUTUBE and upload your videos and paste the links in portfolio. You need to spend time while creating your portfolio as it will play major role in show case your skills.
Many of the portals conduct Tests in different fields. It will be really helpful if you can complete all tests relevant to your job profile. Getting a good score will help you. Most of Freelance sites provide Certificates for the Tests you have completed. You will have option to Display these Certificates in your profile. If you are looking for translation related jobs, just complete the language related tests. So whenever you have free time, go for the tests.
Cover Letter will play major role in winning projects. Once you find a post related to your profile, you have to place a bid. As I explained in my previous blogs, Placing a bid is a Crucial part in winning a project. Cover letter is a part of placing bid. Different Freelance sites have different names for this part. In this part you will have a Text box where you can write your comments. Bring your best out to write a good Cover letter. Especially freshers should be careful while writing a Cover letter. It should be simple but brief. Explain whatever you want to convey in simple paragraphs.
In Cover Letter, you can explain how much you are interested in this project and the previous experience you have in that field. if possible leave links to your work. You can explain your availability. To create some interest you can ask questions relevant to the project. Asking questions will showcase your experience in this field (Only if you ask relevant questions). For example Translators can ask about font requirements and formats etc.
All of the above points will play their part in bringing projects to your hand. The most important things is Positive Attitude and Patience. Not everyone can win projects in their first bid. It will take time to understand the competition and prepare yourself to that. Spend some time in Reading other's Cover letters before you start. It will help you in understanding the project. If not today, you will definitely get a project tomorrow. Patience and Attitude is all we required. Some Clients will reply you the reason why they didn't select you for the project. Make note of those things and don't repeat any mistakes.
Be Punctual in replying to clients. Clients may ask many questions regarding the project, your skills, deadlines and deliverable. Be quick and smart in resolving their queries. Many of the Freelancer portals have Interview option. If the Client is interested in your profile, he will call you for an Interview. Mostly they prefer Skype or Gtalk. Give your best to impress the clients. Be realistic in requesting for time to complete the project. Don't promise which is not possible to do. Ask questions and get more details on requirements.
Once you win a bid, the game is not finished. In fact it is just started. Try to meet your deadlines. Don't get irritated if the client is asking for status of the project repeatedly. Try to understand their situation as well. All you have to keep in mind that the Reviews you will get. I strongly believe that Reviews are more important than money. Reviews will bring more projects and hence more Money. Reviews works like a marketing team for your profile. Some clients will directly call the freelancers with good reviews to place bids on their project.
Keep these points in mind and go ahead and bid. All the best !!!!!!
Most of the new Freelancers will be in confusion to start a freelancing career. In this post I have explained few points to get started.
First of all spend some time in Freelancing sites to complete your profile. It is important because when you place a bid on a project, the client will check your profile. The client will mainly check your reviews. Since new joiners won't have any reviews they have to concentrate on profile.
You will have measures in Freelance websites to view your profile status. It will be helpful if you can complete the profile as per the measures. Enter all your Academic details and upload certificates if required. You should choose the fields you are interested like Translation, Web designing, Graphic Design etc.
Make sure that you provide correct Contact Details. Provide details like your email ID, mobile number, Skype ID etc. You should check your mails as frequent as possible.
Portfolio is very important. It is nothing but the previous work you have done to show case. It will help in attracting clients. Choose the best in your work to show case. For example, if you are a Translator, you can upload a translated document. It will be great if you have a blog or web content link to show your work. Creating a blog is easy. I used to show my Wikipedia articles which I have translated in my portfolio. If you are graphic designer, you can upload the image files you have done. If you are a Video Editor, Create a Channel in YOUTUBE and upload your videos and paste the links in portfolio. You need to spend time while creating your portfolio as it will play major role in show case your skills.
Many of the portals conduct Tests in different fields. It will be really helpful if you can complete all tests relevant to your job profile. Getting a good score will help you. Most of Freelance sites provide Certificates for the Tests you have completed. You will have option to Display these Certificates in your profile. If you are looking for translation related jobs, just complete the language related tests. So whenever you have free time, go for the tests.
Cover Letter will play major role in winning projects. Once you find a post related to your profile, you have to place a bid. As I explained in my previous blogs, Placing a bid is a Crucial part in winning a project. Cover letter is a part of placing bid. Different Freelance sites have different names for this part. In this part you will have a Text box where you can write your comments. Bring your best out to write a good Cover letter. Especially freshers should be careful while writing a Cover letter. It should be simple but brief. Explain whatever you want to convey in simple paragraphs.
In Cover Letter, you can explain how much you are interested in this project and the previous experience you have in that field. if possible leave links to your work. You can explain your availability. To create some interest you can ask questions relevant to the project. Asking questions will showcase your experience in this field (Only if you ask relevant questions). For example Translators can ask about font requirements and formats etc.
All of the above points will play their part in bringing projects to your hand. The most important things is Positive Attitude and Patience. Not everyone can win projects in their first bid. It will take time to understand the competition and prepare yourself to that. Spend some time in Reading other's Cover letters before you start. It will help you in understanding the project. If not today, you will definitely get a project tomorrow. Patience and Attitude is all we required. Some Clients will reply you the reason why they didn't select you for the project. Make note of those things and don't repeat any mistakes.
Be Punctual in replying to clients. Clients may ask many questions regarding the project, your skills, deadlines and deliverable. Be quick and smart in resolving their queries. Many of the Freelancer portals have Interview option. If the Client is interested in your profile, he will call you for an Interview. Mostly they prefer Skype or Gtalk. Give your best to impress the clients. Be realistic in requesting for time to complete the project. Don't promise which is not possible to do. Ask questions and get more details on requirements.
Once you win a bid, the game is not finished. In fact it is just started. Try to meet your deadlines. Don't get irritated if the client is asking for status of the project repeatedly. Try to understand their situation as well. All you have to keep in mind that the Reviews you will get. I strongly believe that Reviews are more important than money. Reviews will bring more projects and hence more Money. Reviews works like a marketing team for your profile. Some clients will directly call the freelancers with good reviews to place bids on their project.
Keep these points in mind and go ahead and bid. All the best !!!!!!
Fantastic blog! Cool, witty and of course, not a bore. I wish I can blog like you. Keep up the good work. Can I suggest some websites that I found useful? There are numerous marketplaces like Business Logo Design, facebook banner design and many other wonderful sites. You can suggest it to your friends so that they can do all that freelancing stuff, that you are talking about over here. Get rocking!
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