With the growth in technology and interconnectivity, online freelancing is gaining momentum. A minute on the internet should mint you enough money to make you smile. Even so, most people are not realizing the worth of their online work.
Freelance is like self-employment where you enjoy freedom and flexibility. You can have a choice, unlike official jobs. Also in most cases online money is not taxed by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Despite having access to the internet, which exposes them to a lot of information, many people still don’t know the ways to maximize income. From freelance and academic writing to marketing and copywriting, there is a lot of money to be made online.
According to a study in the US commissioned by Upwork, the freelance workforce has grown from 53 million in 2014 to 55 million in 2016 and currently represents 35% of the US workforce. The freelance workforce earned an estimated $1 trillion (Ksh100 trillion) in 2016. This is such a promising field, that can reduce unemployment and increase wealth creation.
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To make the best out of online freelancing, follow these tips:
Follow your passion: Passion is the key to success/wealth, and not the other way around. Do not do what other people do, but rather do what you like and what you think you can do best. This way, you can do a lot comfortably, hence earning more than you could get if you did everything that came your way.
Mr Walter Akolo, an online freelancer, says. “It is of utmost importance that you do what you are good at, if you want to achieve more, and go far,” he notes.
Use methods/organisations that work in your locality: Some online employers may offer the best rates, but may not be compatible with systems at your country/locality. This may waste a lot of your time, leading to losses due to unpaid dues.
“There are some methods which simply won’t work here (Kenya). For example, someone will inform you on how to earn through ClickBank, which does not work in Kenya. There are also many people who will tell you to look for data entry jobs or try Google AdSense. These are good but will only earn a pittance or nothing at all,” warns Mr Akolo.
READ: Seven steps to build a strong online brand
Be patient: “It takes time to build a successful online career. If you decide to go the website way, which is very advisable, it may take six months to even a year before you start realizing a good stream of income,” says Mr Akolo.
This simply tells us experience is core to stabilizing any online career. Just like any employer, people/organisations offering online jobs need to see a consistent, speedy and accurate character that can be relied upon.
Optimize your platform: If you go the website way, make sure you use the right Search Engine Optimization methods for you to attain the required traffic. Advertisers will always move to platforms that have a lot of regular traffic.
Be an entrepreneur: After getting established, get a team to work for you. You can hire writers, account managers and marketers to move to the next level. This way, you also inspire others to take up the challenge and start the online career.
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