This guide is for you if you’re new to online freelancing or plan to jump into this fun world.
Some of the things I’ll write here I’ve said in videos, but…
…I know many of you prefer to learn via the written word.
I also added things here based on the questions I heard from people after these past few since I started this platform.
This guide will be evolving–I’ll update it as time goes on so please make sure you sign-up to my newsletter to get updates:👇👇👇
I send a brief weekly email to give you easy access to free information I either found or created to help you level up as a freelancer.
Finally, I’ll use the FAQ format for easy readability.
DISCLAIMER: What’s included here are for “almost all” online freelancing jobs. There are, of course, exceptions to “rules”, especially for high-level jobs online freelancing jobs.
Example: Writing jobs for larger publications might require applicants to have degrees in journalism.
Since I value your time, feel free to jump to the questions you’re interested in.
You don’t have to read this from beginning to end but it might help you to do so.
Let’s begin!
Q: Do you need a degree to become an online freelancer?
NO.
For most typical online freelancing jobs
–virtual assistance, social media management, content creation, article writing, SEO marketing, lead gen, sales, and even techie jobs like web development–
formal degrees aren’t required by clients.
What you need to get clients are
- marketable skills (we will cover this in another segment)
- decent to great English
- the ability to market yourself
- guts
- and hard work
What if you’ve never finished high school? That’s Ok!
This shouldn’t stop you from landing clients as an online freelancer.
What matters most is the work you produce for your clients.
Also, listen up as this is important, most clients who’ll interview or hire you are entrepreneurs.
Why does this matter under this topic? In general, entrepreneurs aren’t big believers in formal degrees.
They want the job done well and they want people they can count on.
Q: What are the usual job positions open to newbie freelancers?
This would depend on your skills. It’s crucial you know what you’re good at.
I can’t tell you an article writing job is the best freelancing position for you to begin your digital nomad life if you hate writing.
So, first, assess your natural skills and past experiences.
Also, you might be new to the online freelancing world but you might have a good amount of off-line experience.
Your past work, for instance, as a call center agent can help you excel as a lead gen freelancer.
Did you write for your school paper? You can instantly apply as an online writer.
Listed below are some suggested skills/personality traits/talents.
See which ones you possess and next to each one I wrote down recommended freelancing positions that can work for you:
- drawing: graphic artist, illustrator, social media content creation, logo designer, web designer
- writing: article writer, website content writer, social media content creator, lead gen professional, copywriter, ghostwriter, product description writer
- people skills – salesperson, lead gen professional, business development, trainer
- organizational – virtual assistant, project manager, transcriptionist, Facebook Page manager, social media manager
- language – English teacher, translator
- photography – social media content creator, product photographer
- video editing – video editor, social media content creator
- programming – website developer, website support, tech support
- computer hardware knowledge – tech support, tech writer
This list isn’t limited to what I wrote dow. Feel free to add suggestions in the comment section.
So before anything else: Know your skills and past experiences.
AND PLEASE include non-paid experience!
Just because you weren’t paid to create and manage your friend’s business Instagram account, doesn’t mean you can’t add that to your portfolio and resume.
Q: Do you need certifications to get clients?
No.
The exceptions are very few. These are usually high-level software positions like Java programmers.
And even then, not all clients of high-level positions care about certifications.
Most clients simply want to know what you can do and won’t give a rat’s ass about any certification.
Pardon my French. But this is how I talk so this is how I’ll write.
Q: How can I feel more comfortable before job interviews so I don’t wet my pants or embarrass myself?
Practice makes perfect.
And no, don’t practice mentally alone. What do I mean. Say the answers out loud when practicing.
Do it with a friend or in front of a mirror.
Aim for muscle memory. The more we physically do something, the better we become.
Google “common interview questions”.
Also, don’t be so hard on yourself for feeling nervous. That’s normal and don’t overthink it.
Everyone feels nervous.
Preparation is the best antidote in this case.
Q: What tools do most online freelancing clients prefer I know?
- Gmail – Don’t laugh. You should know intermediate Gmail features like Snooze and Labels. They’re easy to learn. Hop on Youtube or just try them out.
- Slack – It’s a free chat app used primarily for business.
- Zoom – Video calls are here to stay.
- Google Drive – This includes Google Documents and Google Spreadsheets. Youtube is filled with easy and free tutorials for these. Learn Intermediate Spreadsheets skills ASAP.
- Grammarly.com – It’s not perfect but it spots spelling and grammar mistakes better than our naked (and virgin) eyes alone. The free version will suffice.
- Facebook and LinkedIn – Love it or hate it, social media is here to stay.
- Google – Don’t laugh again. You won’t believe the number of people who ask questions that can easily be answered by Google. Don’t be that person, please!
GOOGLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND!
Tattoo this on your arm.
Q: What are the common bad traits online freelancers have?
- Not knowing how to say No.
I was guilty of this when I was younger. If the rate is too low for you, SAY SO!
Don’t agree then resent the work later on.
This can also burn bridges because many of us end up acting passive-aggressively when we’re not happy with the arrangement
–arrangements that we begrudgingly agreed to.
The sooner you learn to say No gracefully when you want to say No, the better for your career and relationships.
- Lacking integrity.
It’s ok to say you don’t know and it’s better than lying.
…BUT add “I am willing to learn and I will learn.” THEN ACTUALLY DO WHAT YOU JUST PROMISED!
- Tardiness.
This needs no explanation but I know it’s a common toxic trait so I’ll add a few details.
If you have an interview or client meeting, show up 10 minutes ahead of time.
Leave room for shit happening because…shit will happen.
Your laptop might act up, your router might need a reboot right at the moment your client logs on, your cat might piss on your keyboard, you might suddenly realize you need coffee more than anything…
The list goes on.
Just show up earlier. You’ll feel much less stressed and avoid disappointing people.
- Lack of accountability.
You’re the CEO of your life. Everything about your work is your fault.
The faster you realize this, the faster you’ll become a better freelancer and human being.
And no great client would want to work with a person who blames anyone but themselves.
Plus admitting you’re wrong when you are AND correcting your behavior is a huge sign of maturity and, frankly, an impressive trait.
Mighty impressive.
Notice how the most toxic people you’ve ever met are also the last ones to admit they made a mistake? Should they even ever admit!
- Failing to constantly learn new skills.
Just because some skill was marketable and hot AF last year, doesn’t mean it will stay marketable.
Always be learning.
We now live in a world with Artificial Intelligence. AI can, and will (and does) take over jobs.
The more you know, the more you’ll earn.
- Not taking English proficiency seriously.
The better your English, the more professional you’ll appear and the sooner you’ll land wonderful clients.
This isn’t equally true for all freelancing positions BUT, hear me out:
If, for example, two graphic designers are equally great at what they do, yet one communicates better than the other, who do you think the client will choose?
Other bad freelancing habits exist but these are the most common ones.
As mentioned, this guide will be evolving and updates will come.
Q: I don’t like talking out loud. What are suitable newcomer positions for me?
- Non-voice lead gen – You can prospect people on LinkedIn or by email.
- Virtual assistant – Now, the term VA has a very broad meaning and this topic requires a special segment of its own. For now, let’s assume the standard VA role involving admin tasks like using Spreadsheets and responding to emails, organizing digital files, and other admin work.
- Graphic design
- Video editing
- Social media content creator
- Social media management
- Transcriptionist
Comment more suggestions below and I’ll add them to this list.
Remember, this guide is for freelancing virgins so I didn’t add advanced positions like Facebook Ad Manager or SEO Marketer.
Q: Some people laughed at me and said online freelancing is a dumb job. What should I do?
Block them.
Let’s keep life simple and the idiots away.
Q: How can I learn level up as an online freelancer for free?
- Sign up for my free online freelancing course. It will forever be free and includes my newsletter:
You can unsubscribe anytime you wish. I won’t stop you. I have more comedy videos to dub.
- Youtube, my dear
- GOOGLE!
- Sign up for my fellow seasoned freelancer Icen’s mailing list. He’s terrific at finding free courses for freelancers: 👇👇👇
- Join our Facebook Group for freelancers. Everything is for free and we love sharing links to free tutorials. We also like humor. Don’t apply if you lack a sense of humor, though.👇👇👇
Please comment ideas below and I’ll add the great ones to this guide.
Q: I don’t have a laptop. What jobs can I do from a smartphone?
I recommend you save up for a laptop or PC or borrow one ASAP, but while that’s not possible, you can be:
- An online writer
- A social media content creator, provided your client doesn’t require complicated graphic or video work.
The free Canva app is amazing for making social media content using our phones.
You can also use the spell- and grammar-checker Grammarly from a phone.
Ditto for Google Drive.
I also recommend Kine for video editing from a phone. It’s not free but, at about $4 a month, it’s worth every penny!
These are the only two mobile-friendly job positions I can think of but, fortunately, both positions are marketable.
You can apply for these positions using your phone.
Do make it a priority to save for a laptop or PC.
Q: How do you keep healthy while working from home?
- Frequent breaks.
- Simple but consistent exercises. I have a yoga mat next to where I work. Look for Yogatic on Youtube. She’s an amazing teacher with tutorials for beginners plus easy exercises for specific problems like neck pains and sore backs.
- Get enough sleep. Never sacrifice sleep. Working too much will cost you both health and wealth later on. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when”.
- Get at least 10 minutes of sunshine a day.
- Laugh more. Don’t be so f’in serious.
- Rest at least one day a week. This is non-negotiable.
- Make freelancer friends online. Block the toxic ones and treasure the gems.
That’s it for now. More to come, my luvs!
🌲To know when this guide will be updated, make sure you’re signed up for my email newsletter👇👇👇
🎅Much love and no-bullshit,
Dee