There are millions of us who can live and work from wherever there is a Wi-Fi connection. Places like Coffee Shops, Co-worker Spaces, Computer Shops, Mall Lobby and etc. Just bring your laptop and mobile Wi-Fi.
Travel and Be Inspired!
Wi-Fi connectivity still sucks in our country. The idea of working at home has been my goal when I was employed. Heavy Traffic, Long Commutes, and Other issues. For 2 years and a half, I do what I want to do.
Work at Home
I did trial and error, I picked up a few useful tips and tricks for how to provide yourself with a reasonable budget to start. I’ll share tips I wish I’d known 2 years ago.
1. Your Profile is your Window to the Freelance World.
Most of my clients don’t care what am I wearing. I usually wear a professional top while wearing shorts or PJ in my meetings. When I am traveling, there is always at least one coat in my backpack. The image on my profile is the one I maintain during my Skype Meetings.
On your profile, there should be a professional statement that outlines your skills, interests, and strengths, as well as communicating any relevant experiences that make you uniquely marketable.
There is no perfect profile at all but you need to invest time in making it attractive to your clients. While it’s oftentimes a pain to maintain a profile every after a project is done. It is probably the difference between me winning a contract and being a sidelined for another freelancer.
2. My Reputation Matters.
I know we are taught not to take NO for an answer. We believe that we can do better that’s why we don’t say NO to a request.
For me, we should know when to say No. How?
First, you set a reasonable expectation on the contract you agree to. Meet the stipulations of the contract and exceed them if possible.
On the day you got your contract. You read it wisely and ask someone who will before you end up doing unrelated work for the client.
Before you say NO, think about the contract is it within what you signed for. If not then do it with a positive phrase something like it would affect your productivity and you want to finish on time. If on a different scenario, you can say it directly “It was not part of what we agreed on the contract”
Believe me, I tried to score contracts by underbidding those who might be equally qualified and charge higher rates. In the end, I succeeded was undervaluing my work and worst is demotivate me from producing high-quality output.
3. My Skill? Is it Marketable?
The market for freelancers is really huge – There are freelancers who have the same set of skills you have. Although it’s nice to learn new skills but focus on the existing marketable skills you have and be an expert.
Use your common sense when marketing yourself. If you studied hardware and networking troubleshooting. Don’t present yourself as an expert on Software Installation. You need to continue building a foundation to what you already know. You need to decide whether you want to focus on new skill or the old one.
4. It Doesn’t Mean I am not Professional
You need to strike a balance between being conversational, approachable, and professional all at once. Always keep quality, timeliness, and working relationships in great order. Since you are not meeting clients in person it always leaves a lot of room for misinterpretation. Make sure your email is on light and professional tone. Instead of doing email discuss your things via Video Conference. (This is to avoid misunderstanding)
There are tools and apps that freelancers use on a regular basis to make sure they are keeping their work-life organized. Utilizing these tools has become a vital part of a successful freelancer’s best practice.
It is important to manage your time wisely and find a balance between time for yourself and time for work. You are your own boss now so act like it! No one will do it for you unless you have enough to have a personal virtual assistant.
5. If You Can, Start Somewhere Cheap
To be inspired, traveling is one of the things freelancers can do. Since we handle our own time. I am not saying Southeast Asia is cheap but what I mean is that if you are a Freelancer in Philippines traveling could be expensive for you. I suggest you start saving for an HK Disneyland Trip. Once you visit Disney I am sure you’ll think of going back for more.
Be sure to spend within your means.
6. Once You Start, Don’t Stop
Be consistent in what you do. Once you start something like learn through online or start being a blogger like me. Do not stop until you reach your goal.
My goal is to reach those who want to learn and earn from it. I soon will share videos of me giving advice on How to Become a Succesful freelancer.
Happy traveling and that’s all folks.