xtrafreelancers-blog

[xtrafreelancers-blog]

Freelancing Without a Website — Your Success Guide

New to freelancing and not yet ready to set up your own website? Here’s how to get up and running with just a profile on a freelancing site.

Setting up a website to market yourself as a freelancer is a great idea, but what if you’re not quite ready for that yet? Or, what if you’re looking to take a more streamlined and minimalist approach? Let’s take a look at what you can do with just your user profile on a freelancing job marketplace website such as Conyac.

Getting Started

So, you’ve decided to start freelancing, taken your first step by signing up to a job site, and worked to make your profile as appealing as possible. In addition to pitching for open projects, you also list your various services to encourage prospects to contact you. Over time, as you complete gigs successfully, your profile becomes more attractive thanks to the glowing client reviews you accumulate.

Technically speaking, all the functionality you need is in one platform, and you could build a full-time career from this one place, but is it feasible? The answer depends on the supply/demand situation on this particular site. If your skills are in demand and the site isn’t flooded with freelancers who are as good or better than you, then you have a chance.

Offline Self-Promotion

The fastest way to get clients is usually through face-to-face meetings. If you live in a big enough city, then there are probably events such as trade shows or meetups that will have attendees who would make ideal clients. Check out event listings on Eventbrite, Facebook, and Meetup.

Get some business cards made up that clearly state what you offer and have your freelancer profile URL on them. I’ve used Moo, and they are excellent. However, I ended up finding that I could take the design made on Moo and send it to a local printer to get equivalent cards made cheaper.

It goes without saying that you’ll need to “look the part.” If it’s an event for the startup community, then you’ll likely want to come in a t-shirt and jeans. If you’re targeting people who are likely to be wearing suits, then you’ll look cheap if you don’t match their dress code.

The next part is learning how to work a room, collect leads, and follow-up with them effectively. If this is new to you, check out YouTube videos on the topic.

While you could work directly, if it’s your first time working with a client, then both sides may not feel at ease. Agreeing to work together via a freelancing platform such as Conyac can make sense. Both sides will have protection with regards to payments. The client doesn’t have to release payment until they confirm the job is complete. And, the client must have pre-paid the project fee to the platform’s escrow before you start work — so you know the funds are there. Furthermore, there is accountability, as both sides can leave each other publicly viewable reviews.

Online Self-Promotion

Self-promotion via online media isn’t for everyone. Like all things, it takes sustained hard work, creativity, and consistency over time to get results. If that sounds like something you’d be up for, promoting your freelancing profile URL via social media can bring you new clients if you take the right approach and eventually start getting noticed. Below are a few ideas to get you started.

YouTube

For example, a YouTuber who gives writing tutorials could end each video with a call-to-action (CTA) along the lines of, “And, if you’d like to hire me to edit your writing, click on the link in the description box below.” So, the viewer knows to look in the video description and click on your freelancer profile. In this way, they could work to build two income streams: YouTube advertising commissions and fees for their services on the freelancing site.

If you’re too shy to appear on camera, no problem. Plenty of YouTubers who publish popular tutorials do it without sharing their face. Search around to find one that is close to your taste and try to incorporate elements of their approach into your own.

Podcasting

Alternatively, podcasting is easier than ever, thanks to the likes of Anchor.fm. However, your freelancer profile URL will need to be short, easy to remember, and easy to spell; “Find me at Conyac-dot-cc-slash-example.” Pro tip: If you published videos and the content was mostly spoken word, then you can convert the video file into audio and publish it as a podcast. Many YouTubers do that. A well-known example is Gary Vaynerchuk.

Instagram

If you are a photographer, designer, or illustrator, then perhaps you could work to build a following on Instagram. Set up your profile bio to make it clear what you offer and set your bio link to your freelancer profile URL. Then, in the description of each picture, after writing an interesting comment, you could add a CTA such as, “Like my work? Hire me for your graphic design needs — click the link in my bio for details!”

Blogging

If writing comes naturally to you, then blogging can also be a great way to get noticed. Great platforms to look at include LinkedIn, Medium, and Quora. The latter two have partner programs that you can join to earn some supplementary income.

Conclusion

If you’re keen to make a website or blog (or combine the two), then, by all means, go ahead. My intention with this article wasn’t to convince you otherwise. However, a lot of freelancers aren’t ready for that step and prefer to keep things simple and streamlined. It is possible to use just your profile on a freelancer site such as Conyac and build a business there. Or perhaps do it that way for a while and then set up your own website once the timing feels right.

_____________________________

Written by DLKR

Cover photo made with PlaceIt

Originally published on Xtra.blog

#freelance #freelancer #freelancing #PersonalBranding #SelfPromotion

#freelancing #freelancers #freelancelife #personal branding #self promotion #marketing yourself

[xtrafreelancers-blog]

Following up with Clients — a Guide for Freelancers

Staying in touch with past clients is the best way to grow your freelance writing business. Learn why and how in this easy to follow guide.

As a writer, you’re selling yourself in a market where the supply is higher than the demand. Whether you’re pitching for a job on a freelancing site such as Conyac or trying to get published in the New York Times, the best way to increase your conversion rate is to follow-up.

However, for us writers, this often doesn’t come naturally. After all, you’re really a kind of artist, and you’d rather focus on your craft, right? No worries — this guide will help you get a handle on this essential part of growing your freelance career.

What is a Follow-up?

A follow-up is simply correspondence after the initial contact. Whether the person prefers to communicate via email, some kind of messenger app, or the telephone, it’s essential to keep in touch in the right way.

We’re human, and we forget things. We’re also busy. We all have someone we’ve been meaning to get back to. Well, our prospects and past clients are no different. A follow-up serves to remind them that they’ve forgotten to contact us. It also shows them we care and are keen to be of service.

Following-up on Freelancing Sites

If you’re sourcing clients via a freelancing job marketplace website, there are two scenarios where you should be following up; prospects and past clients.

1. Following up on Pitches

Platforms such as Conyac have a marketplace where clients post job briefs and freelancers pitch to get the job. The best clients are the ones who are experienced. You can see that they have a long track record of positive feedback from other freelancers. They know what they want, and they know how to communicate it clearly. They’re also reasonable people and will treat you with dignity and respect.

The flip side of this is that they are very selective. To win their business, you will need to take the time to read job briefs and tailor your pitches carefully. Just copying-and-pasting a generic template without customizing it won’t work.

Even if you’re the best person for the job, often other candidates will present themselves better. In this case, one way you can stand out is to follow-up with the prospect. However, usually, platforms don’t allow you to message the prospect unless they have first initiated a message thread with you. Thus, be sure to add an appropriate call-to-action at the end of your pitch to encourage them to do this.

And, it goes without saying, to calibrate your tone and approach when following up. Don’t just say, “Hey there  — any updates? Can we do this?” Try to think about what might be going through the prospect’s mind and follow-up with something to assure them that you are the best choice.

Of course, be sure not to pester them too much. Calibrate your frequency according to the situation. If they’re not planning on making a choice for a month, but just wanted to post the job and wait for applicants, then perhaps following up weekly would make sense. If they are going to select someone soon, then consider following up daily. Go with your gut feeling as to what is an appropriate frequency. You want to appear keen and ready — not desperate or annoying.

2. Following up on Inquiries

Some freelancing sites allow you to set up listings for specific services. Conyac is one example. If your service is in demand and your listing is compelling, you may receive inquiries. Beyond responding promptly, in the right tone, and providing all information the prospect asks for, you should also make it a habit to follow-up.

A prospect may change their mind or find another option. However, now that you know who they are and that they had an interest in one of your service offerings at one time, you can try to follow up. Of course, nobody wants to hear from someone who is pushy, so calibrate your approach. Find an excuse to get back in touch and perhaps provide them with some new information.

3. Following up on Past Clients

In most cases, you’ll end up just doing a small one-off task for a client. If both sides left each other with good feedback, then it makes sense to try and keep in touch.

Winning new business takes much more time and effort than getting work from past clients. The way to do this is to follow-up, but you need to do it in the right way. Below are four approaches that you might use on a case-by-case basis. For them to work, you first must have a sincere interest in your clients and learn a bit about them.

Random: If you stumble something that makes you think of a client, let them know. They will appreciate your thinking of them, and if they have suitable work, you will get it. A prospect of mine was spending a lot on video ads running in the subway. I took photos and emailed them sharing what a great impression they were making.

Timed: Perhaps your client had a specific date in mind when they would use your writing in some way. Add a reminder in your calendar to follow up with a note to ask them how things turned out. For example, I edited a pitch deck for a client whose first language wasn’t English. I followed up, and they said it helped them a lot.

Monthly, Quarterly, or Half-Yearly: On a set date, check-in with clients to ask if they have more work that needs to be done. You might just catch them at the right time. The optimal frequency will vary depending on the client, their situation, and type of work.

I’d suggest a combination of all of the above. My current gig, working for Xtra, Inc. is my best ever. I landed it by keeping in touch with two of the key decision-makers for years. They brought me in for some coaching and consulting gigs. And, I now work for them on a full-time basis (still as an external contractor, though).

Following-up With Publications

Seeking to get published and paid for your writing? Pitching to publications can be tough. However, if you just send your pitch and wait to hear back, you are limiting your chances significantly. Your original pitch may have got lost in the shuffle. Or, the publisher’s needs may have changed. Following up can get you a job that may otherwise have been lost.

The time you should wait before following up will vary. If the pitch is time-sensitive, consider following up within 24—48 hours. If not, perhaps after 10 days—2 weeks.

Use social media to your advantage. If the person to whom you are pitching manages the publication’s social media, perhaps you can stay visible to them by regularly sharing their posts and commenting on them. This behavior can’t replace following up directly about being published by them, but it can help. Of course, your overall social media presence needs to be appealing to them, and your engagement shouldn’t cross the line where it gets annoying or feels like stalking.

Tracking Prospects and Clients

One of the keys to becoming a successful freelancer is keeping well-organized. When it comes to managing relationships with clients and tracking pitches, there is no single approach or tool that works for everyone.

Simple and free online tools include Google services such as Contacts, Calendar, and Sheets. If you want to step things up, a task manager such as Asana or Trello might make sense. Later, if you outgrow these tools, consider CRM (customer relationship management) tools that are designed for freelancers and solopreneurs such as Less Annoying CRM (funny name!) or Nimble.

It’s Not All About Money

Working as a solo freelancer can be lonely and isolating. While there are various steps you can take to alleviate this, one more thing is forming meaningful relationships with your clients. Of course, you can’t cross the boundaries of being professional. And, if you’re on a freelancing site, their Terms of Service may prohibit exchanging direct contact details. Nevertheless, within these constraints, you can still show that you care.

I’ve hired many freelancers over the years, and the ones who came across as caring about the work they did for me, and whether or not it contributed to my success stuck in my mind. The ROI from dropping a note to clients is great, but that is not the most abundant reward. When we reach the end of our lives, the good relationships we had will mean the most to us.

________________________

Written by DLKR

Cover photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash + edits

Originally published on Xtra.blog

#freelancing #freelancers #FreelanceWriters #FreelanceWriting

#freelancing #freelance writing #freelancelife #FREELANCE #writers #clients #solopreneur #freelancer

[xtrafreelancers-blog]

Freelancing in Japan — from Side Hustles to Full Independence

A look at the opportunities available and what is involved in establishing a side-hustle and expanding it to become an independent operator.

As a foreigner resident in Japan, there are likely three freelancing scenarios that you’ve considered.

Stepping Stone: Perhaps you want to work as a full-time employee but need some income to tide you over while you look for a new position. Or, maybe you want to use freelance work to gain skills and connections to help you change careers.

Side Hustle: If you’re currently working full-time, and you don’t have an exclusivity contract with your employer, you may be looking for something that you could do to supplement your income and grow your experience.

Full-Time Career: Perhaps you want to eventually work as a freelancer so that your income is diversified and you have more control over who you work with.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the options available and the logistics involved in getting set up.

The Benefits of Freelancing

Freelancing isn’t a fit for everyone all the time, and I’m not going to try and sell it to you if you’re not ready for it. Also, it may take a while for you to get established, so I’m not going to tell you it will be quick or easy. That said, let’s take a look at some of the benefits you may enjoy if everything comes together for you.

Mobility: You can work from home or from a cafe. If the type of work you do doesn’t require meeting your clients face-to-face, you may even be able to travel.

Income: If you find the right niche and can secure the right clients, then you can end up earning more than you could at a traditional full-time job.

Security: Since you’re not dependent on a single income source, so you have greater stability and more options.

Appreciation: When clients know that you have options and can walk away at any time, they are more likely to treat you with respect and show appreciation for your work.

Learning: Working with a variety of clients that have diverse needs will force you to learn new things and pick up new skills.

Choice: If a client doesn’t appreciate your work or is difficult, you can politely end your working relationship and move on to more appealing opportunities.

Qualifications: While some fields definitely require formal qualifications of some sort, many don’t. If you can show a portfolio of work that demonstrates your competence, then often that is enough.

Online Work

Even though you’re located in Japan, it may not always be feasible for you to attend events to find potential clients. Ditto for visiting client offices for an initial interview and subsequent meetings. In that case, one option is to do work for Japanese companies who are hiring online.

Freelance Job Marketplaces

Conyac is a freelance job marketplace based in Japan. While the site’s interface is available in English, most of its job listings are currently in Japanese, and most clients struggle to communicate in English. Thus, it is best suited to those with advanced Japanese skills.

It can be a good way to get experience working with Japanese clients, it is easy to get started, and you can get paid via PayPal — so you can continue working on the site if you leave Japan.

These are their top job categories:

Translation: Various translation tasks, proofreading, interpreting, localization

Writing: Articles, email newsletters, copywriting, and transcription

They’re working on getting more job listings in these categories:

Business: Legal, tax & accounting, HR, recruitment

Design & Creative: Web design, app design, logo & identity, art & illustration

Digital Content: Images, video, music, animation

Marketing: SEO, branding, social media, research & analysis

Tech & Programming: Web, mobile apps, infrastructure, and data analytics

Other Tasks: Data creation, voice data collection, image data collection, agency work

You can also set up a profile and offer bespoke services via Conyac. Prospective clients might hesitate to inquire to an individual’s website, blog, or social media. However, since platforms such as Conyac have various safeguards in place, clients are more likely to feel confident in trying you for the first time.

Of course, there are some things that don't change when working freelance jobs with clients you find online. Once the project begins, you'll want to communicate openly and clearly and work to create a successful outcome for all.

Work That Requires Offline Availability

Teaching

Online lessons are popular with busy people. However, unless you’re offering something that is specialized and in demand, the rates are likely to be quite low relative to the cost of living. It may not be worthwhile if you’re living in Tokyo. Check out sites such as ClassDo to see if you can find an approach that works for you.

Working Direct

Another alternative is to set up an online presence that showcases what you're offering and attempt to reach prospective clients directly. For example, if you are a graphic designer, you could set up a website showcasing your portfolio, explaining your services, and then try to contact companies that might need your services. Ditto if you’re offering editing services.

Note that unless you’re targeting international businesses in Japan, you’ll need to be able to communicate in Japanese. Perhaps there might be scope to partner with a local who will handle the client sourcing side of things while you take care of the specialized work.

As a foreigner in Japan, you’ll want to position yourself in a niche where you’re leveraging skills, experience, and knowledge that most locals are lacking. Here are some examples that I’ve encountered.

Language Teaching

Language teaching is often the first option that foreigners take and if you’ve been living here a while you’re likely familiar with the options. There are agencies that will send you out to schools and businesses to give lessons. Also, you can offer one-on-one lessons either directly or via an agency. The key is to work towards arrangements that give you more control over your time, location, and pricing.

Consider combining your language teaching skills with something else. For example, parents might like to have their kids take fun art or dancing classes in English.

Photography

Language: As a general rule, most local clients and models will not be able to communicate in English. The flipside of this is that you will stand out somewhat if you are fluent in Japanese.

Location: Most work is in Tokyo, but that shouldn’t discourage you from trying to break into the field if you’re located elsewhere.

Camera: Although the latest top-end smartphones are capable of taking great photos, most clients will still expect you to show up with a “proper camera.” However, one way around this is to impress clients with your portfolio, explain that everything was taken with a smartphone, and then ask if they mind. However, you are likely to command higher rates if you look the part by having an impressive-looking camera.

Portfolio: Decide what you want to focus on. For example, weddings, events, corporate profiles, architecture, real estate, fashion, or food. If your portfolio is lacking, then you may need to take on some free work until you have enough samples to convince clients.

Clients: Don’t expect people to discover your portfolio online and inquire about hiring you. Likely, you’ll need to do some networking at relevant industry events to secure your first gig. Perhaps carry along a tablet so that you can flick through your portfolio and show them relevant works. Have business cards ready with your URL and make sure it has your rates listed. Also, check out local photographer directories or introduction services such as Go Cameramen.

Scope: Make sure clients are clear on exactly what they’re getting for their money. Give them a detailed list of your process and what they can expect in terms of final deliverables.

Web Design & Development

There is a niche business of foreigners who offer web design and development services. A growing number of Japanese companies are open to having either an English version of their existing website or creating a separate site to cater to English-speakers. Other popular languages include Chinese and Korean.

Furthermore, some foreign companies operating in Japan prefer to work with a native speaker of their own language who can set things up the way they want it and coordinate with a Japanese counterpart for the local language sections of the site.

Since the advent of the web, it has become progressively easier for companies to set up websites. However, many still prefer to sit down with a designer or developer who will take a consulting style approach and give them what they need. Similarly, while machine translation has made it easier to offer a multilingual website, it is still preferable to have one that has been properly localized.

There are two ways foreign specialists tend to get business:

Networking at relevant events

Developing a relationship with an agency who outsources work to them

Software Development

Japan is suffering from a lack of engineers in various fields, including software development. It is common to hire freelancers who might visit their office for face-to-face meetings when required. Sometimes foreign engineers are more likely to have expertise in specific software languages. Or, it could be that they need a native speaker of a foreign language for some reason.

Scour local job boards to find work and attend relevant networking events with a business card that links to some kind of portfolio — or perhaps your GitHub profile.

I am not a lawyer or accountant, and the laws are evolving. Rather than risk giving you erroneous advice, and assuming you already have an idea of how things work in Japan, I’ll just say the following.

Visas, Tax, Health Insurance, Pension, etc.

Visas: Visit the nearest office of the Immigration Bureau of Japan.

Taxes, Health Insurance, Pension: Visit your local city office if you have any questions. In any case, always be sure to pay everything on time otherwise you’re unnecessarily making life difficult for yourself by damaging your records.

Sole Proprietor vs. Company: Unless you plan on hiring full-time staff, you’re probably best off going the route of a sole proprietor. It’s generally cheaper and more straightforward. However, having a company can give you more options.

Documents: Keep a copy of all documents, including records of any bills or payments. You’re going to get a ton. I use the Genius Scan app to “scan” them into PDFs, have it send the files to my Google Drive account, and keep everything organized in folders. I suggest you take a similar approach because you never know when you’ll need to be able to dig up and refer to some obscure document.

Consultants: There is no legal requirement for you to use any kind of consultants, such as a lawyer or accountant. However, they can be very helpful if you can afford their services. As a general rule, the ones which offer services in English cost more.

Assistant: If you are earning enough, you might find it makes sense to hire a local assistant to handle the administrative side of your solopreneur business.

Closing Words

As with anything in Japan, building a successful career as a freelancer isn’t going to be quick or easy. However, it is possible if you position yourself in the right niche, figure out how to get clients, satisfy them with excellent service, and maintain relationships.

____________________

Written by DLKR

Cover photo by Ali Yahya on Unsplash + edits

Originally published on Xtra.blog

#freelancing #japan #japanese #Freelance Work #freelancelife #career

[xtrafreelancers-blog]

3 Side-Hustles for Freelance Writers - Without Any Pressure

Client work isn’t the only way to make money as a freelance writer. Here are three flexible opportunities you may not have considered.

If you’re willing to hustle, sites like Conyac can be great places to secure client work as a freelance writer or editor. However, the work isn’t always constant, so it can be helpful to establish additional income streams if you can find gigs that are flexible and won’t get in the way of your client work. In this article, we’ll explore three that, over time and with the right approach, can help you supplement your income.

1. Blogging & Affiliate Links

Since writing is your strongest skill, blogging should come to you relatively easily. However, you likely want to avoid creating a spammy-looking blog that is covered in ads. A more subtle way to monetize your writing is to use affiliate links. Don’t worry — it’s easier than you think.

Here’s a brief overview of how the top bloggers go from zero to hero:

Pick a Topic: Blogs that discuss items available for purchase online are the easiest to monetize. For example, fashion, travel, or specific products. This is because your readers will click on a link, and, if they make a purchase, you’ll get a commission.

Find Your Niche: There are likely many blogs already about your given topic, so find a sub-category of that. Ideally, you want to be writing based on your own experience and give it your own unique spin.

Define Your Brand: Some bloggers use their own names and photos. Others choose to remain anonymous and use a pseudonym and get an artist to create a logo or cartoon character to serve as their icon.

Set Up Your Site: There are countless platforms available. Popular ones that will let you have your own domain name include Revue, Tumblr, and WordPress.com.

Add a Custom Domain: Register a domain that fits your brand. Setting this up will differ slightly depending on which platform you chose. Ask your nearest geek to help if necessary!

About Page: Introduce yourself and add links to all your social media. You could add a link to your Conyac profile if you wish to refer people to your paid services.

Write a Few Posts: The key is to be publishing high-quality content consistently that people will want to subscribe to.

Sign Up to an Affiliate Program: Two popular ones that cover multiple merchants are Skimlinks and VigLink. Alternatively, you might prefer to sign up directly to the affiliate programs of specific merchants.

Keep On Keeping On: Work to build your traffic by sharing your posts via social media.

You need to view this as a long-term project. Even the world’s top-earning bloggers weren’t overnight successes. To learn more, check out resources such as ProBlogger.

2. Publishing Platform Partner Programs

If setting up a blog and publishing your writing on a regular schedule is not feasible for you, there is another option. Platforms such as Medium and Quora allow you to post when you have time, but still, give you distribution to their massive user community. Plus, they let you earn from your contributions.

Medium was founded by one of the first members of the Twitter team. It is home to writers covering a broad range of topics and genres. It has a website and mobile apps.

The Medium Partner Program allows writers to earn money for the content they publish on Medium based on engagement from other users. Stories set as eligible to earn money in the program are put behind a metered paywall.

Readers on Medium who aren’t yet paying members can view up to two stories for free per month. If a reader hasn’t yet registered to have a Medium account, they can still get their two stories per month for free. Moreover, you can also share a Friend Link that guarantees that your friends, family, and fans have free access to your stories.

You can publish original content on Medium, or, if you already have a blog elsewhere, you can republish your content on Medium. Medium lets you link back to the original to avoid Google penalizing your main blog’s SEO.

How much you earn on Medium will depend on many factors, and their system is constantly evolving. One major factor in whether or not a story gains traction is whether or not their curation staff feature it — either on the top page or on one of the many category pages. Following Medium’s Curation Guidelines will help maximize your stories’ chances of being picked.

Quite a different beast from Medium, Quora is known as being a Q&A site. Nowadays, it also has a popular mobile app. You can also start a blog on Quora. It is a great place to showcase your knowledge and expertise.

The Quora Partner Program (you’ll need to be logged in to see it) rewards align with its objective to grow the platform with high-quality user-generated content. It’s quite different from Medium and focuses on the site’s core Q&A element. The program is still evolving, which you can see from the Quora Partners blog.

If you have the time, being active on all of the above — your own blog, Medium, and Quora — will be ideal, as it will give you more exposure and help you build up an audience.

3. Print on Demand Sites

Can you write quotes, sayings, or slogans that would look good printed on a t-shirt or other item? In that case, consider opening up a shop on a print-on-demand (POD) site. There are many to choose from — check them out and go with one that feels right and matches the kind of style your works might have. Based on my personal experience, Teepublic is the simplest and easiest to get started on. Another popular one is RedBubble (which actually owns TeePublic, but operates both as separate sites).

Some popular designs are literally just text that has been laid-out to work well on a t-shirt. Here’s one that got people’s attention via another POD site, RageOn.

Source: RageOn Instagram

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a designer. You just need to learn how to use simple web-based tools such as BeFunky or Canva to create a transparent graphic using a font that fits the words. The site you choose will specify the ideal dimensions of your graphic.

Since it’s so easy to create content for these sites, the amount of competition is insane. You’ll need to hustle as follows:

Upload your designs on multiple POD sites (at least two)

Promote your designs via visually-oriented social media such as Instagram or Pinterest

Work consistently over time to build up your following

All of the above side hustles are easy to start, don’t require any upfront costs, and don’t have any specific time commitments. However, they do require hard work, persistence, and a long-term perspective. If you have what it takes and are prepared to commit, then over time, they can build up into substantial supplementary income streams that will complement your client work on freelance sites such as Conyac.

_________________________

Written by DLKR

Cover photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam on Unsplash

Originally published on Xtra.global

#freelancing #freelancers #FreelanceWriters #FreelanceWriting

#freelancing #freelancers #Freelance Work #side hustle #workfromhome #workanywhere #freelance writing #writers

[xtrafreelancers-blog]

Freelancing in the 2020s — Xtra Freelancer Community Chat #001

Curious what the future holds for working as a freelancer online in the coming decade? Two industry insiders meet to discuss the current state of the market and coming trends.

This is a transcript of our latest podcast episode, (Spotify, YouTube) which has been edited for clarity.

______________________

Speaker Introductions

DLKR: We're in Tokyo, where Xtra is headquartered. I've been in Tokyo for about 22 years, and specialize in marketing and online communications. I've been involved in online freelancing, mainly as a buyer of services, for many years and was excited to get on board and help out the team here at Xtra, which runs two freelancer crowdsourcing platforms; Conyac and QuickTranslate (more on these later).

Naoya: I manage the operations section. I specialize in facilitating client services and lead my coworkers who run various client projects. Most of the projects we do are translations and sometimes research. Our team structures the projects and runs them for our clients.

Freelancers Lacking Community

Naoya: Crowdsourcing was still emerging back in 2009. It expanded in 2015. Our platform, Conyac, became significant in the crowdsourcing field. One of the issues that freelancers face is the lack of security when it comes to doing full time freelancing. There's no income security, and there are insurance hassles. There is also a lack of community, which is a crucial issue.

DLKR: Obviously, there are all kinds of resources online, but that doesn't break the isolation factor. You can exchange information, but there's a limit to what you can do in terms of the human elements. I would suggest freelancers find meetups in their local area via Meetup.com.

Xtra has organized meetups in the past, and we should get back into doing that, but we're limited by our geographical location.

If you're in any major city if you search for a freelancer meetup, or just Google that, you'll probably find something. But for more remote people, people in more isolated locations, they've just got to find some kind of social outlet somehow. It doesn't necessarily have to be meeting up with other freelancers. It could just be any kind of a sport or a hobby. So we almost need to get out once in a while, at least once a week and meet people somehow.

Naoya: As much as freelancers maybe crave for a community, what would be an incentive for them to join or continuously interact with one? Freelancing is so broad that it would be hard for them to connect around a central topic.

DLKR: You're right. For example, web developers and translators encounter different issues. About the only thing they have in common is that they're working online and not meeting clients face-to-face. However, within that, there are some things which they have in common. 

We're going to have to see how our community forum progresses. Whenever you start a new forum or group online, it's a chicken and egg scenario. Nobody wants to join an empty and dead group, so through Xtra's freelancing platform, Conyac, we found people who enjoyed chatting about different issues online. We hired them to make one post or comment per day. We gave them a few quality guidelines so that the conversation would be worthwhile for new people who came in.

Naoya: Good one. If it's a free community where everyone can join, they don't have any direction, but if they can follow some sort of facilitator, it would be stimulated.

DLKR: Yeah. I fulfill that role for this particular group. There are many others out there online. 

Since we're headquartered in Japan, most Conyac users are Japanese, and a lot of the job listings are in Japanese. So, with our forum being in English, there's a language barrier. Some people feel reluctant to join an English language forum and vice versa. I can read and write in Japanese, so I could join a Japanese language forum, but I gravitate towards the English ones because it's easier.

This is one thing we'd have to work on moving forward. Maybe this will be solved by other layers in the tech stack, such as online machine translation so we can have a bridge between people on the same forum. We're currently using a platform called Minds.com. I believe they have machine translation built-in, but of course, it still has limitations.

How to Be Successful as a Freelancer

Naoya: One of the comments I get from unsuccessful freelancers is, "I'm not seeing any proposals." I'm there on the platform as a client looking for solutions. But many times, I see requests for instructions. The common pitfall that freelancers fall into is that they can't come up with the answers that clients want. 

Freelancers also struggle with marketing their ability to provide such solutions. Thus, as a client, even if you get solutions proposed by freelancers, you're worried and think, "Who is this person I'm talking to? What qualifications do they have?"

Freelancers who can take a consulting approach with this scenario in mind will gain trust from clients.

DLKR: Most of my experience on freelancing platforms has been as a client. As a buyer, I've probably spent around 50,000 US dollars since the early 2000s. I first joined Elance back around 2002, and then I used it on and off. They merged with another platform called oDesk and these days it's called Upwork.

I've experienced two types of hiring:

Where I post a brief in the marketplace and then people bid.

Where I buy a set service which is available on the freelancer's profile.

In a marketplace, which is what you were describing, somebody will put out a brief saying, "I want you to do this, this, and this." If it's a popular job category, many freelancers are just spamming every job with a ready-made template proposal which outlines who they are and what they offer.

As a client, since they're not saying anything about my specific requirements, I feel like they're not serious. Sometimes I'll come across a freelancer who's new to the platform and has no feedback from past clients. When you're starting out on a new platform, you have to build up your track record, even if you've got a lot of previous experience elsewhere. They'll undercut the average pricing, be specific about my requirements, and use a more personal tone. Some of them even go through the trouble of recording a video speaking to me as the client — that has a lot of impact.

Freelancers may feel that investing time in a proposal could be wasted. There's a high chance they might lose to other better-qualified candidates, but they will definitely stand out.

Naoya: Sometimes, clients don't give enough information. A lot of it has to do with the user interface. There should be a more natural way to structure the request.

The Evolution of Crowdsourcing Platforms

DLKR: I've used all the most significant platforms, and none of them are perfect. Of course, they are quite refined and well put together because they've got over ten years of history. Even some of the smaller ones such as Conyac have been worked on for over a decade, but there's no end to how much they can be improved.

I use Conyac as both a freelancer and a client. Whenever I notice anything which could be improved, I'll submit it to the development team. It helps them because they see it from a technical perspective. It's essential to get that kind of feedback. The challenge is 99.99% of users of any online service if they encounter difficulties, they're not going to give feedback. They're just going to go elsewhere or struggle and try and find a way around it to make it work.

Advice for New Freelancers

Naoya: I would suggest building a multiple skill set. The labor market has changed. It's becoming more diverse with niches. Freelancers should identify these and fit themselves in. This is where self-marketing comes in.

DLKR: Based on my experience working in hiring a lot of freelancers for many different things, I would say that first impressions count a lot. If you're new to a platform, you can just work with what you've got, which is trying to make your profile as appealing as possible.

Have a sharp profile picture. If you don't want to show your real face, then come up with something creative that at least looks like you put some effort into it.

Think about how you're going to word your profile and introduce yourself and your strengths and what you can offer.

If English is not your first language, then maybe hire an editor to help you out with that.

If offering a set service, make that listing attractive. Drop the pricing until you build up at least a few five-star reviews.

Have consistent branding across your various profiles and accounts online and link to your Conyac profile. 

Of course, you don't have to go through a marketplace like Conyac. If you've got the time, you can try to contact companies through their various social media.

Naoya: No matter how skilled you are, if you can't communicate your value to prospective clients, you're not going to get hired. Even if you're not an expert at something, if you can somehow communicate that you're willing to brush up, or serve your client differently, that's something that might persuade a client to take a chance on you.

DLKR: Building on that, I would say to narrow down what you offer. For example, marketing is the field that I'm involved in. There are many areas of specialization within it. I focus on my ability as an editor of content written in English. I have a lot of other skills and knowledge. But editing is my strongest skill. If I was to say that I'm a "Marketing Professional," it's too broad. It's better to undersell in terms of what you can do and then surprise people later with your other skills and expertise.

I have some skills when it comes to photography or editing photos, but I am not by any means at the level of a professional photographer or Photoshop guru. But when I bring those skills into a job, it adds value and is a pleasant surprise. I can add some value to the visual side of the content.

Even within the field of translation, if you say "I'm a translator of Japanese to English," that's not enough. You need to say, "I can translate medical documentation." That makes it easier for others to recommend you via word of mouth. This is something we don't hear a lot about with online freelancers. But people do give recommendations behind the scenes.

Rather than being a generic person in "X" field, you want to narrow it down to precisely what you're best at.

Naoya: Fitting into a niche is one way for freelancers to build a more secure career because there are likely going to be less competition. There is going to be different markets, but you want to be the person known for handling a particular kind of work which people contact and recommend to others.

Freelancing Online in the 2020s

Naoya: Diversity will bring niche markets. Freelancers might be able to fit themselves into a completely new market or be the only freelancer in a particular segment.

DLKR: I would advise freelancers to keep an eye on AI within their niche and how they might automate aspects of their work. For example, I have noticed how AI is creeping into photo editing tools and automating some tasks. Photographers and designers can ride this wave of increasing automation to accelerate and improve their work. They also should seek to add value on top of that, because sooner or later clients will discover that these tools exist and learn to do it themselves.

It's easier today than ever to build a freelance marketplace. There are more and more out there. Don't limit yourself to the top three. Consider smaller ones like Conyac because you might stand out more and there's less competition for some niches.

Naoya: Exactly. It's all about positioning yourself where you can deliver the most value and staying ahead of the trends.

______________________

Transcription by DLKR

Originally published on Xtra.blog

#freelancing #freelancers #freelance #workanywhere #workfromhome #Freelance Work #jobs #career

[xtrafreelancers-blog]

Breaking Up with Bad Clients: A Guide for New Freelancers

How to know when it's time to fire a client and approach the difficult conversation professionally so as to avoid provoking retaliation.

As a new freelancer, you may understand that there are times when it will make sense to end a client relationship, but it can be hard to know if you’re seeing the situation objectively. I hope that this article will serve as a framework to give you a balanced perspective.

We’ll first look at the boundaries you should set and when to know a client has crossed them. After that, we’ll look at how to end the relationship professionally. While firing clients is never fun, doing it the right way can minimize the likelihood that they’ll flip out and work to damage your reputation.

Standards and Dealbreakers

1. Reliable Payment

If you’re dealing with a substantial corporate client, they may require up to three months to pay an invoice due to their internal processes and the large volume of vendors they handle. Smaller clients may be able to pay you sooner, but can be disorganized or have cash flow issues.

Steps you can take to minimize issues include following-up and having enough savings to act as a buffer. However, there needs to be a point where you draw the line based on the context and patterns of behavior. You can’t afford to continue working for a client that isn’t reliable — even if they are a prestigious name or are offering a project that will look great in your portfolio.

2. Clear and Consistent Communications

These days, even the most diligent and well-organized professionals can get overwhelmed and neglect to respond to messages. They could be flooded with calls, emails, and notifications from many different communications platforms.

On top of this, even if your contact is generally an excellent communicator, they may not be knowledgeable about the work they are seeking to outsource to you. This can result in vague instructions and sudden changes in the scope of work. Of course, problems are compounded if the person you are dealing with is disorganized, negligent, and a poor communicator. They may also blame you for the issues that result.

While it will always be case-by-case, there comes the point at which your efforts will not be enough to compensate for the difficulty of dealing with the client.

3. Fixed Scope of Work & Deadlines

Scope creep and urgency are facts of life. However, you are not a machine. It’s crucial to agree in writing on a defined scope of work and deadline for every task and project. Anything that falls outside of this should be subject to additional fees and an agreed scope and timeline. If a client won’t respect this, then it’s time to consider the best way to end the relationship.

That said, if you are the one who neglects to complete agreed work or misses deadlines, you should consider, on a case-by-case basis, offering a discount or perhaps doing the job for free. If you are working via an online freelancer job marketplace website such as Conyac, underperforming can result in a poor review from the client, which will affect your ability to make a good first impression on future prospects.

4. Respectful & Professional Communications

Sooner or later, you will attract a hot-tempered client who says unkind things once they snap. How much of this you are willing to take will depend on how badly you need the work and your personal tolerance levels.

At one extreme, some freelancers manage to stay cool with even the angriest clients — as long as they perceive the payment and reviews at the end are worthwhile. Meanwhile, other freelancers have a much lower threshold and refuse to deal with any client who shows a hint of negative behavior. Where you draw the line is a personal choice.

5. A Good Fit

If your finances are stable, then you have more leeway to focus on projects that are enjoyable and interesting to you. You also only want to be taking on work or dealing with clients that match your values. If, after taking on a job, you realize it’s not what you want to be spending your time on, review if it’s worthwhile completing. However, keep in mind that suddenly withdrawing will likely inconvenience the client.

If it’s a massive project, then it may make sense to respectfully withdraw after explaining that it’s not what you had expected. Depending on how far the project has already progressed, you might offer to complete just the current milestone. If the overall project is not overly large, then consider completing it in full only this one last time to the best of your ability and avoiding similar work in the future.

Evaluating the Situation

You shouldn't hesitate to pull out of working relationships that aren't beneficial. However, sometimes, it may be appropriate to give them one last chance. Perhaps the relationship can be salvaged and, with a few changes, be worthwhile continuing.

If possible, try to set up a call to explain the issues and see if it is possible to arrive at a solution. They may be willing to make changes to keep working with you.

Payments: Explain how their delays are making it continuing your relationship unfeasible and what terms you need.

Communications: Explain that you need more precise directions to be able to continue doing the work.

Scope Creep & Unrealistic Deadlines: Explain that you have other clients and so the current situation is not sustainable.

Behavior: Consider whether it is worthwhile or fair to give the client one final warning before terminating them for unacceptable behavior.

Exiting a Client Relationship Smoothly

1. Commit to Doing This the Right Way

If you’ve been enduring a nightmare client, then you’re most likely fantasizing about ending the relationship in a way that expresses your resentment.

Perhaps you’ve imagined ghosting them (i.e., suddenly cut off all communications and blocking them on all channels), telling them to go ______ themselves, or even exact some kind of revenge. Perhaps you’d love to do all of the above! I totally get it.

However, this can backfire.

If you’ve secured the work via a freelancing marketplace site such as Conyac, then they may leave a bad review, which will hurt your chances of getting future work.

In a worst-case scenario, if they are mentally unhinged, they might seek to exact revenge on you somehow. The amount of damage they can do to you will likely depend on how much information they can find about you online.

If they have a lot of influence in a particular field or community, they may seek to damage your reputation.

While the world is indeed a big place, it pays to not leave a trail of burned bridges and mortal enemies in your wake. Furthermore, depending on your field, you may be in a situation where you may need this client to serve as a reference. Thus, you should do all that you can to end the relationship as respectfully and professionally as possible.

You can’t control how they are going to react, but you can control how you handle this breakup from your side. You should come to the conversation prepared. Below we’ll look at several steps to get you ready to face them.

2. Choose Your Medium

The medium you use for firing the client will depend on your relationship with them and how you have communicated to date. At one end of the scale, if you barely know the client and have primarily communicated via text, then that is the medium you would use. However, if you have been meeting them in-person frequently, then it will only feel fair to them that you took the time to deliver the news in person.

If it requires a call or meeting, consider giving them a heads up by telling them that you would like to discuss the future of the relationship. This prevents them from feeling blindsided and lets them prepare for the conversation. I recommend recording the call or meeting if possible. If not, follow-up with a written summary after the meeting so that you both have records of what was agreed upon.

Of course, if the client has been abusive or you need to exit urgently, then consider sending them a thoughtfully worded message and issuing them a refund.

The goal is to minimize offense to the client and make them feel that you’ve put in the effort to be respectful and professional about it.

3. Plan The Transition

If the client has been difficult but not abusive, consider planning an exit strategy that allows you to exit the relationship cleanly while minimizing disruption to them and letting them feel respected. If it is a large project, and it is feasible, perhaps you can agree that you will finish just the current outstanding milestone.

In some cases, you may have agreed to a notice period up-front. You must, of course, honor this and ensure that you take care of all agreed tasks before the final hand-over and wrap-up. For one client, I had committed up-front to giving them a month’s notice. However, since I knew they would struggle to find a replacement, I gave them three. They really appreciated it, and I’ve remained on good terms with them.

4. Write Out Your Message

Even if you are going to deliver the bad news in person or via a call, it can help to prepare and rehearse what you are going to say. You can then use it as a message to send afterward, confirming everything in writing for both parties.

Here is a rough structure to use. You’ll need to calibrate it to the recipient and situation, of course. Remember to stay direct, honest, and polite. The parts in square brackets are notes to help you write your custom version.

_____________________

[Dear/Hi] [Name],

Thank you for your time today. [If applicable.]

I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to work with you.

This wasn't an easy decision to make, but after careful consideration, I've decided to discontinue working with you and will be terminating our relationship on [chosen date].

In the meantime, I will do my best to finish all outstanding work and hand over any deliverables. I'd also be happy to recommend other professionals or resources who might be better suited to your needs and expectations.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

_____________________

Tips:

Add or remove details as necessary. Adjust the style and tone to fit. Being too short and terse may unnecessarily trigger a negative response. However, being too wordy and vague can lead to misunderstandings.

Decide whether or not to mention the reason. If it's going to potentially trigger retaliation, then it's best to leave it out. Consider giving one that is true but palatable to their egos and lets them save face.

If they were indeed a terrible client, you may not want to inflict them on others, so you can leave the part about referrals out. If, however, it was simply not a good fit, you may want to take the time to provide them with recommendations.

Anything you can do to make the transition less of a hassle for them will be appreciated and help decrease the likelihood that they will look to retaliate in any way.

Conclusion

Part of becoming a successful freelancer is knowing and respecting the boundaries of both yourself and your clients. As you gain experience, you'll get more comfortable identifying clients that are a good fit, and that will help you grow. Respectfully ending relationships with bad clients will free you to focus on the good ones.

_____________________

The Xtra Freelancer Community Blog brings you inspiration and tips on how to get better gigs, earn more, and live a balanced life. Be the first to get our latest content by subscribing to our newsletter (scroll down to join). Or, if you're listening to this article off-site, visit xtra.blog (xtra-dot-blog) to sign up.

_____________________

Cover photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash + edits

Written by DLKR

Originally published on Xtra.blog

#freelancing #Freelance Work #freelancelife #freelance #clients #career

[xtrafreelancers-blog]

Why 'Follow Your Passion' Is Bad Advice for Freelancers

Freelancing isn't a hobby. It's a way to pay the bills, and you need practical skills that are in demand.

Growing up, I often heard the idealistic advice to just "Find your passion and be yourself!" This is a beautiful lie that ends up torturing many freelancers.

I found out the hard way that we should, by all means, pursue our passions, but that they may not pay the bills. Being poor isn't much fun. Neither is living purely for money and doing something you hate. As with many things in life, we must find the middle path.

A Square Peg Trying to Fit in a Round Hole

In my school years, my father pushed me to study math and science. He wanted me to be an engineer with the logic that, "Whether the economy is good or bad, there's always going to be something that needs fixing."

My attentions and fancies kept straying towards the arts throughout high school, but I relented and let him push me into engineering school where I struggled and flailed. Eventually, I quit and ended up getting an arts degree.

It was the mid-1990s, and companies were starting to want to have websites. I started doing freelance web design work and managed to leverage my "portfolio" to land a job at a software startup. While I had disappointed my father by flunking out from engineering, I had somewhat redeemed myself by gaining employment in a tech company immediately after graduation.

Being Overly Idealistic

I naively assumed I had found my dream job where I could work on my passions to my heart's content. I railed against anyone who disagreed with my design choices and arrogantly strutted around, knowing that I had it all figured out.

Not only that, but I blissfully skipped out of the office each day at 6 PM to pursue extracurricular passions. Meanwhile, my colleagues soldiered on into the night and often came in on the weekends too.

My self-delusion came crashing down when they fired me. Looking back, they had been overly generous giving me six months there. They should have gotten rid of me earlier, but they kept giving me chances to redeem myself that I blindly steamrollered over again and again.

Forgetting Myself

Brought to my knees by being overly idealistic, I snapped and made a 180-degree change, becoming entirely mercenary and money-crazed. This lead me to bounce around different companies and even starting several ventures. None of it, however, stuck because they weren't in line with my interests.

However, over time, patterns began to emerge and I was able to see what kinds of work suited me. It was easy in hindsight to see what got me into a state of flow, and what felt like ice-skating uphill. Part of this was realizing that I preferred independence rather than being a full-time employee. Indeed, the ‘security’ that the latter offers is just a mirage, but I digress.

Finding My Niche

About ten years ago, I made a full circle and came back to marketing. However, having no formal track record in it, I had to be self-taught and gain experience. This was the beginning of my freelance career.

Working on different gigs taught me how vast the field of marketing is, and I found the parts of it that I did well. I also learned the hard way how to ensure that clients had a realistic expectation of what I could and couldn't do.

I now work doing something that suits me. It does connect with a lot of my passions, but rather than say I'm "Following my passions," I'd say that I've found work that is a good fit. I feel good doing it, and my clients feel looked after.

What is Passion, Really?

The word passion comes from the Latin word "passeo," which means to suffer. When we are passionate about something, we are willing to suffer for it. It almost seems like there is a requisite amount of suffering that the universe requires, hence the concept of "paying one's dues."

Later, because of the investment we have made, it can be difficult to let go of the commitment. However, just like any investment, sometimes we have to cut our losses and learn from them. This applies to clients whom we are passionate about serving, but who don't appreciate the work we do for them.

Having a "Growth" Perspective

Telling people to "find their passion" can be harmful. We may stubbornly stick to what we perceive to be "passion" out of fear and switching gears when required may feel impossible. If we invest everything we have — all our time, energy, and emotional reserves — into a single pursuit, it can cause us to drop it when the load gets too heavy.

Instead, it's healthier to see passion as a malleable quality that can be cultivated, which makes us more open and more resilient. This thinking leads us to express greater interest in new areas, to expect that pursuing interests will be challenging, and to maintain enthusiasm in the face of resistance.

We need to be more flexible and willing to let go of our fear of failure. Don't let a rigid idea of success was hold us back. Rather than needing to follow a neatly defined career trajectory, we can use our skills in new areas of interest. A growth mindset helps us face challenges with curiosity and allowing ourselves to see difficulties as building blocks for further cultivating our talents.

Conclusion

With the world changing as fast as it is, we cannot afford to get stuck in a rut by believing that we are only cut out to do one thing. To grow requires staying detached, being open to new opportunities, and observing to find what fits our nature.

________________

Written by DLKR

Cover photo by Blake Barlow on Unsplash + edits

#freelance work #freelancing #career #work #life advice #freelancelife #freelance