Freelancing has become a reliable source of income these days. Freelancers can earn a good amount every month if they are competent in their fields. In fact, they earn more compared to job holders working from 9 to 5. If you are planning to start freelancing as a source of income, follow the below-mentioned suggestions for a good start.
Build a Strong Profile
The first important thing is to build a profile on freelancing sites because clients contact people after analyzing their online portfolios and reviews. A strong profile will help you stand out from the competition. Make sure that it contains all mandatory details including your expertise, experience, and qualification.
Try to add completed tasks to the list along with the reviews. You might have to work for cheap in the beginning and ask some clients to work with you through freelancing channels. This way, you will be able to show more completed projects with positive reviews.
Avoid Working at Night
People who work at night usually lack creativity and focus. Our brain produces melatonin in the night and even if a person takes caffeine to stay awake, he might not be able to work with full concentration. Prefer to sleep at night for 8 hours and wake up early to start work.
Make sure you have a comfortable bed with an adjustable base so you can sleep peacefully and wake up with a fresh mind. Utilize day hours for work and take a short nap at noon to recharge your energy. Morning is a productive time and calm time. Start the day with exercise, take a shower, have a protein-rich breakfast, and then get to work with a fresh mind and body.
Make a Schedule
Another important thing to do is to work as per the schedule. You should stay realistic while making the schedule because unrealistic deadlines can prove hectic. You must work as per the schedule instead of working randomly.
Make a chart from morning to evening and try to utilize the time efficiently. If you need to work for 6 hours a day, make sure that they prove productive enough to complete the assignments. Working as per the schedule will make things easier for you and you won’t have to deal with delayed tasks.
Make a Separate Home Office
You will obviously need a calming place in the house for completing freelancing projects. A separate home office is mandatory where you can work without any disruption. Make sure that the home office is designed creatively and you feel good while sitting there. You can focus on your work better if you get a dedicated space. So, investing a little amount to convert a room or loft into a home office won’t be a bad idea.
Work with Trust-Worthy Clients
It is important to work with trustworthy clients only because they do not rip off freelancers when it comes to sending payments. You should check the profile of clients and their payment strategy before accepting any order. Once you start working with such clients, it will be easy to build a smooth working environment. Ask your clients to provide detailed feedback along with ratings after the completion of each assignment.
50% Advance Payment is Mandatory
If you want to stay on the safe side, asking for advance payment won’t be a bad idea unless you are sure about the quality of work. It is a bit difficult to convince a client to pay in advance but if a platform allows you to do so, go for it.
People agree to such freelancers only if they get satisfied with the feedback of previous clients. In short, it is up to you which payment style you prefer but if your experience is not good in terms of payment, asking for an advance amount is good to go.
Use Noise Cancellation Buds
Freelancers usually get disturbed due to the noise of kids or siblings at home. The best way is to lock the door of your home office and put noise cancellation buds in the ears. This will help you work with focus and you can complete the tasks on time. Noise cancellation buds of apple are quite effective and most freelancers rely on them.
Ensure Quality of Work
Quality of work is the main thing that will keep you going so make sure you do not compromise on it. Certain factors can help you ensure excellent quality like re-checking your own work before sending it to the client. Independent clients and even large companies rely on freelancers who assure the flawless quality of work. You should recheck all areas to ensure that you have completed tasks free from all loopholes.
Rely on Premium Anti-Virus
Your laptop should work smoothly and for this purpose, try to rely on a premium anti-virus that keeps the system protected from all malware attacks. If you need to use a USB or other accessories, make sure that they do not contain any sort of virus. Freelancers suffer many problems when their laptops stop working in the middle of an assignment. So, you should keep an eye on the functionality of a laptop and try to keep it in a bag when not in use.
Complete Tasks before Deadline
All freelancing projects come with a deadline and if you want to get an excellent rating, you will not have to submit the project before the deadline. Freelancers should know the tactics of retaining a client as most of them get satisfied when they get their job done on time.
If you get a deadline of one week, try to make it 5 days for yourself. This self-imposed deadline will help you complete the task without any pressure and you won’t panic.
Do Not Charge Unnecessarily
You may lose clients if you charge unnecessarily high for an assignment that can be done at a lower price. Try to stay realistic and do not rush for money because it will ultimately create chaos for you. In short, these suggestions are crucial to follow.