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HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL FREELANCER
Freelancing
opportunities are growing rapidly across industries. Find out how to make
the most of this trend.
When
Sahil Manekia returned to India after a 4-year stint in the US, he was
expecting to land a good job with a leading organisation. However, the data
analyst who specialises in assessing the impact of non-profit ventures,
drew a blank. “I wanted to focus on non-profit projects, but the jobs on
offer did not match my skill set,” says the 29-year-old Mumbai resident.
Manekia now works freelance for companies to assess the impact of their
corporate social responsibility initiatives.
In another part of India’s financial capital,
corporate trainer Maneesh Konkar is preparing a PowerPoint presentation for
a workshop later during the month. A freelancer, 43-year-old Konkar
conducts workshops for the sales teams of companies. Till now, he has
trained employees of FMCG companies, consumer electronics manufacturers,
auto companies and even IT firms. “They may be from different sectors but
the fundamentals of effective sales are the same across industries,” he
says.
Freelancing, once seen as the preserve of writers
and photographers, is increasingly attracting professionals from other
streams. The Internet has spawned opportunities for teachers, data
analysts, IT professionals and corporate trainers like Konkar. You can grab
freelancing assignments not only in your city or in India but literally in
any corner of the world. According to one estimate, every third user of Freelancer.com is
from India. The US-based website helps freelancers get assignments and
takes a cut when the deal is done (see graphic).
It’s a trend that is slowly catching on. A growing
number of professionals is junking regular employment to try their hands at
freelancing. They are driven by the dream to be independent and work on
their own terms without the straitjacket of a 9-to-5 job.
To be fair, freelancing does unshackle the
individual from the tyranny of corporate hierarchy. You are your own boss
and get to draw your own schedule. However, it is not a cakewalk. “While
being on your own offers you the flexibility of working in your own
fashion, it is certainly not a bed of roses. One has to work very hard to establish
oneself and, subsequently, get a regular income to be successful,” says
Aditya Narayan Mishra, president (staffing), of head-hunting firm, Randstad
India.
Getting started
The jobs are everywhere. What you need to do is find the niche that
matches your expertise. “Don’t go by just the current demand, but also
assess how it will shape up in the coming years,” says Sangeeta Lala,
senior vice-president, Teamlease, an HR consultancy firm. It pays to keep
yourself abreast of the latest developments in your chosen field. When the
Companies Bill was passed, Manekia immediately sensed an opportunity in the
clause that requires companies of a certain size to spend 2% of their
threeyear average annual profit on CSR initiatives. “An in-depth research
in your field goes a long way in finding your way in the market,” he says.
Similarly, Mumbai-based freelance photographer
Kedar Bhat saw an opportunity in training amateur photographers. He charges
`3,000 per student for a one-day workshop.
Freelancers don’t have the luxury of a big brand
name to back them. It is their work that speaks for them. So, the first
step is to build a portfolio of work samples and testimonials from
satisfied clients.
Don’t make it too extensive; just a select
representation of what you are capable of. “If you don’t have any past work
experience to showcase clients, then create dummy samples. Meeting a
prospective client without any work sample is not a very good idea,” says
Asif Upadhye, director at an employee engagement firm, Never Grow Up.
Appearances and behaviour count
Being your own boss doesn’t mean you can do things your way all the
time. Yes, you are not an employee and there is no dress code for
freelancers, but it’s important that your attire and demeanour exude
professionalism. You might not be taken seriously if you go to a meeting in
casual wear. Similarly, you should realise that you are a marketing
manager, cost accountant, HR head and CEO all rolled into one. Be polite
when you meet your clients. Don’t lose patience if they don’t understand
your pitch, or look down upon them if they cannot afford your services.
Keep one golden rule in mind: the customer is always correct. Listen to
him, and then customise your offering to his needs. Don’t try to customise his
needs to what you have to offer. Also, never shy away from seeking advice
from others who have been in the market for a while.
Finding work
Finding work is perhaps the toughest part for a freelancer. He has to
knock on several doors and spend time, money and energy trying to get work.
“It can be very demoralising when you don’t get a response or your proposal
is rejected,” says Konkar, who approached companies directly when he
started freelancing. “The first two companies I approached were auto manufacturers.
The officials thought I was too young to be a trainer. After struggling for
a few months, an IT company accepted my proposal and allowed me to train
its employees,” he says.
Zeroing in on work has become easier in recent
years, with the advent of social media and websites that play matchmaker
between clients and freelancers. “Networking has significantly improved due
to the Internet and social media,” says Mishra of Randstad.
There are several sources, both online and offline,
that can be tapped (see graphic). Though freelancing portals take a 10-15%
cut from your earnings, it is worth the cost. For a freelancer, dealing
with an overseas client directly can be very problematic. Even dealing with
a domestic entity is fraught with problems. Clients armtwist the
freelancer, knowing that he is on his own. Payments get delayed and work is
rejected without assigning any plausible reason. You can jump past these
hurdles if you go through a website that ensures timely and full payment
once the project is complete.
The most popular foreign freelance sites are
Elance.com and Freelancer.com. Indian websites, too, are gaining
popularity. However, do conduct a background check before you deal with
these websites. Ask other freelancers about their experiences and other
details.
Social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook have
changed the definition of networking. With a few clicks of the mouse, you
can find people who may be interested in your work as well as connect with
other freelancers like yourself. While LinkedIn helps connect only with
professionals, Facebook, too, can be used to find work. You can upload
status messages or create a page that informs friends about your work. Your
Internet profile can also be used to upload sample work, which may attract
clients. However, always ensure that your work is protected from copyright
violation. “I usually upload only password-protected Excel sheets so that
my work is not copied by someone else,” says Manekia, who actively uses
social networking sites to connect with clients.
Financial implications
Given the freedom it offers and
the money you can make, a freelancing career appears Utopian. However,
there are several pitfalls you can encounter. For starters, there is no
stability of income as in a regular job. As they say, you have to dig a
well every day to drink water. You can never be sure about the next
project. For those saddled with financial responsibilities, it can
lead to a sticky situation if there is a long dry spell on the work front. The
other problem is that when you start out, you cannot quote very high
rates. So it is likely that you will earn much less than that you
did earlier or could have in a regular job. You will also have to give a
miss to employee benefits like the Provident Fund or insurance that
salaried individuals get.
For freelancers with lumpy incomes, it is advisable
to take a conservative estimate of your salary. It helps keep a tighter
rein on expenses and gives you a buffer in case of an emergency (see box).
In the absence of group insurance and retiral benefits, you need to buy a
cover for yourself and your family, as well as save for unforeseen events.
Keep in mind that some expenses, such as food, housing, education and
medical needs, are nonnegotiable expenses that cannot be cut in any
circumstances.
Goodbye to leisure
Apart from the money factor, freelancing takes away a lot of your free
time. For clients, a freelancer is a vendor they can call 24x7. Don’t be
surprised if you get calls at 8 am or 9 pm from a client. This is
especially true if he is based abroad and is on a different time zone. “If
you are working on a project with tight deadlines, you may have to forget
your weekends,” says Konkar.
While freelancers do need to put in hard work,
experts warn against letting work occupy too much of your life. It is a sureshot
recipe for a burnout. The more hours you work at once, the less productive
you get. You also need to take a break and attend to other things in life.
Besides the erratic schedules a freelancer has to
deal with, he must also be able to handle trouble with clients. Many times,
a client may back out at the last minute, leaving you in the lurch or he
may express dissatisfaction with your work and try to cut your payment.
“Since freelancing is a oneman show, you have to deal with each and every problem
yourself, be it an administrative issue or a troublesome client,” says
Bhat. One way of avoiding money or copyright issues with the client is to
have an agreement drafted and signed by the company that clearly spells out
your rights. “Make sure you go through each and every clause of the
agreement to know what your position is. Don’t blindly accept all the terms
and conditions that the company sets forth,” says Mishra.
Where are the opportunities?
There is a lot of demand for
freelancers in these areas.
CONTENT WRITING
Have a flair for writing? Websites across the world are looking for you
if you can give clear, concise, grammatically correct content. Make it fit
for search engine optimisation (SEO) and you will have nailed it.
What you can earn
1-2 per word for general content and 5-10 per word for specialised and
technical content.
E-TUTORING
Distance education is not just a government programme but the business
model for e-tutoring companies. If you have the right qualifications, you
can teach students anywhere in the world without moving out of the house.
For some professional courses, you will need a degree.
What you can earn
150-200 per hour for lower classes, 600-800 per hour for professional
courses.
PHOTOGRAPHY
This has always been a freelance career, but the opportunities have
multiplied in recent years with the advent of social media and cheaper
cameras that everyone can afford.
What you can earn
3,000-5,000 for a day-long assignment.
DATA ANALYSIS
Companies and organisations are looking for people who can analyse data
for them. A degree in statistics or an MBA in finance can help you bag
projects. Since this is a technical field, it will be difficult if you
don’t have the necessary credentials.
What you can earn
400-800 per hour.
CORPORATE TRAINING
If you can communicate effectively, this job is cut out for you. A lot
of companies get staff trained by experts. This training can be related to
soft skills, products, marketing, etc. You must have in-depth experience
and gift of the gab.
What you can earn
5,000-20,000 per training session of 4-6 hours.
PROGRAMMING AND WEBSITE DESIGNING
This, too, is a technical field and requires specific educational
qualifications and experience. The demand is not just from India, but also foreign
companies looking for cheaper alternatives in the country.
What you can earn
15,000-20,000 for a basic design. Much more for complex projects.
How and where to find work
These websites can help you get
freelance assignments. Most of them take a 10% cut on the freelancer’s
earning.
Freelancer.com
An overseas-based website. You
can create a free profile on it and bid for projects that interest you. If
your bid is selected, you get to work on the project.
Ayushveda.com
The website is for freelance
writers and bloggers. You can pick projects, manage your schedules and
discuss the terms personally with the team.
WorknHire.com
Works just like Freelancer.com.
You sign up and bid for projects. If your bid is selected, you can work on
the project.
InstaStudio.com
This is also for freelance
writers. You need to submit three articles. If approved by the editor, you
get writing and editing assignments.
Elance.com
Companies and outfits looking for freelancers post projects and jobs on
Elance.com.
You will have to submit a proposal. If it is selected, the company
communicates through the site. Payments are also made through the website.
Peopleperhour.com
This website has a system
similar to that of Freelancer.com and WorknHire.com. You bid on projects to
get work.
Behance.net
This is an online platform for
photographers, graphic designers, illustrators and fashion designers. Can also
be used to upload your portfolio to attract prospective clients.
7 tips for freelancers
Being your own boss requires a
lot of discipline and planning. Here are a few pointers that will ensure
success.
Follow schedules like religion
Being your own master can be a doubleedged sword. Make a schedule and
follow it strictly. It will help you finish projects within deadlines.
Clients like to deal with people who are punctual. It shows how
professional you are. If you have a meeting scheduled with a client, make
sure you are on time, if not earlier.
Don’t take on too much
Freelancers are always on the lookout for work, but that shouldn’t make
you say ‘yes’ to every project that comes your way. Take on only as many
projects as you can manage within the given time frame. It is better to say
‘no’ than agree to do something that will not be delivered on time. Be
professional; the client will appreciate it.
Invest in technology
Don’t be tightfisted while buying productivity tools. This is less of
an expense and more of an investment. If some software helps reduce your
workload and enhances productivity, it’s worth the money and the MBs it
occupies on your laptop. Buy the stuff you need right now. If you purchase
for future use, the technology might get outdated by the time the need
arises.
Use social media
Social media is a great way not only to catch up with old friends but
to make business contacts and network. Use this channel to connect with
potential clients by showcasing your talent and getting endorsements from
past clients. If having your own website seems too costly, write a blog.
Keep a record of expenses
Though freelancers are not eligible for many of the tax-free allowances
that regular employees get, a lot of these are tax-deductible. For instance,
what you spend on rent, travelling, car EMI, computer, maintenance of
equipment, Internet and telephone bills, dining with clients, stationery,
and newspapers and magazines, is legitimate expense and tax-deductible.
Keep a record of these.
Don’t undercut
The market is very competitive. In your desperation to get work, don’t
quote too low a price. It gives the impression that the work quality is
questionable. There are freelancers who are ready to write content for as
little as 50 paise a word. However, such work is often copied from
websites. Good writers charge 5-8 per word.
Save for a rainy day
As a freelancer, your income will be lumpy. You might get paid a huge
sum in one month but nothing for the next two. Don’t squander money when
the going is good. Save as much as you can, so that it acts as a buffer
during the slack months.
Maneesh Konkar, 43
Conducts workshops for sales staff of firms in different sectors. Charges
`30,000-40,000 per day for a 2-3 day training workshop.
“I get to work across industries and choose work as per my convenience.”
Sahil Manekia, 29
Carries out project evaluation and impact assessment for non-profit
ventures. Earns `45,000-55,000 per month.
“The jobs on offer did not match my skill set, so I turned to freelancing.”
Kedar Bhat, 40
Conducts training workshops for
amateur photographers. Charges `3,000 per student. “I spend a lot on
equipment I use, so this has to be factored into the fee I charge.”
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