What is Freelancing?
Author : Muhammad Waheed
What is Freelancing ?
It is earning money by being hired to work on different jobs for short period of time rather than by having a permanent job with one employer.For many employers, implementing a freelance system is a great solution when it comes to lowering overhead costs and improving productivity in their operations. It helps them shorten hiring processes and training times. It also lets them have the flexibility to hire by demand. Additionally, this gives them access to a wider talent pool that is not limited to a local candidate list. Originally, freelancers were free mercenary soldiers who sold their skills dated back to 19th century.Through time, freelancing found its way in the business sector and in the advent of internet and technology, it can be defined as,
"Doing particular pieces of work for different organizations, rather than working all the time for a single organization "Cambridge Dictionary
So, why is freelancing worth it?
You work for various clients, which is useful in terms of developing new skills and gaining expertise.
You Build a partner network.
You're flexible in terms of your location and timetable.
You get to be with your family without the guilt feeling.
And more Importantly, it's a great source of money!
(Who knows? Maybe this could be the start of your next full-time job!)
Top 26 opportunities for Freelancers
There are hundreds of freelance jobs opportunities available on internet.Millions of companies all over the world are looking for people who can complete their different types of jobs & projects & if you posses some skills then you can work for such companies & make good income
How do I start freelancing?
Opportunities for Technical Freelancers
Technical freelancer means that person who have software development skills(Programming Skills). Opportunities for technical freelancer are:1. Web Development and Designing
Job Description: You all know about web development and designing. You have to design and code the website and give it to your client. Skills You Need: You need to know designing and coding. You must be well versed with various SDKs like .NET, Java, Dreamweaver etc. Knowledge about WordPress could come in handy. Click here view Web Development and design Course2. Mobile App Development
Job Description: App development is very hot especially for mobile platforms like Apple and Windows. You need to develop Apps as a freelancer for your clients. Skills You Need: Off course! Passion for app development! You must have developed apps for a particular platform like Apple iOS or MS Windows. Click here view Mobile App Development Course3. Desktop App Development
Job Description: Desktop App development is also quite popular. However, here you will code about specific product that can be run online or offline according to requirement. Skills You Need: You need to have good understanding and knowledge of various desktop app development Languages like c, c++, c#(ASP.NET), Java etc. You might have some prior experience before you become a Desktop App developer. Click here view Desktop App Development Courses3. Game Development
Job Description: Game development is also quite similar to app development. However, here you will code about games that are played online or offline. Skills You Need: You need to have good understanding and knowledge of various gaming SDKs. You might have some prior experience before you become a game developer.Opportunities for Non-Technical Freelancers
Non-technical freelancer means that person who have skills other than software development skills(Programming Skills). Opportunities for non-technical freelancer are:1. Freelance Writing and Copywriting
Job Description: You have to write for various clients. Freelance writing could be anything from ghost writing to article writing for a blog or website. Skills You Need: You need to have writing skills and must be able to finish articles or essays in short period of time. Read more about writing and copywriting2. Sales and Marketing
Job Description: Here you got to generate leads for your clients. You have to market a product especially on the internet. Marketing could be anything email marketing, social media marketing etc. Skills You Need: You need to have some experience in marketing mainly affiliate marketing. Sales and Marketing would be done on the Internet rather mainstream media.3. Branding and Public Relations
Job Description: Branding and PR jobs are in high demand if you are a freelancer. These services can be given working as a freelancer from your home. The campaign that you are going to run will be on Internet. Skills You Need: You need to Branding and market a product. Then Public Relations are an area in itself. So you need some experience.4. Admin Support or Assistance
Job Description: Administration Support or assistance could come in various forms like being virtual assistant or managing a certain kind of project. Skills You Need: For admin support jobs you need to keep track of various things through calendar like appointments, meetings etc. Must have some kind of previous experience before you start this work.5. Translation
Job Description: Translation jobs are also in great demand if you are a freelancer. You need to translate something from one language to another. There is legal translation and medical translation also. Skills You Need: You need to have knowledge of various world languages especially French, German, English etc. Future of translation is really great.6. Web Research
Job Description: Web research or internet research is quite an easy job for freelancers. Here you will be given different types of tasks like surveys, filling form, taking poll etc. Basic research work! Skills You Need: You need to have knowledge about surfing internet and various websites. Moreover, you must be willing to spend time on Internet for long hours.7. Legal Services
Job Description: Legal services are for law graduates or students of law. Clients seek various services like corporate cases, criminal, property, family, paralegal etc. Here money is great! Skills You Need: Here you must have legal background. You could be a consultant with some experience and a list of satisfied clients.8. Transcription
Job Description: You might have heard about transcription jobs. Transcription jobs could be anything from general to legal to medical. Medical transcription jobs are most popular among freelancers. Skills You Need: You need to have great listening skills as well as typing skills because you are going to listen and translate.9. Article and Blog Writing
Job Description: Although we mentioned freelance writing and copywriting in the very beginning of the article but article and blog writing is different. Here you write blogs and articles for bloggers. Skills You Need: You need to have decent writing skills. In fact this is easier than copywriting because you can be casual.10. Photography
Job Description: Freelance photographer is one of the most popular freelancing jobs. I should have mentioned this much earlier in the article. Skills You Need: You must have passion for photography and some experience is also good. Your portfolio must be impressive. You must be familiar with editing and retouching photograph.11. Customer Service
Job Description: Customer Service jobs for freelancers are there but not quite popular as others. There is other different customer service like giving technical support to the client. Skills You Need: You need to have great communication skill and knowledge about the particular field you are asked to give service in.12. Human Resource Management
Job Description: HR manager or human resource managers are required by the clients. You can do this job online as well offline from your home. Skills You Need: You need to have great resume and work experience. You also need to have great contacts and network of other HR manager that you know. HR manager as a freelancer is for more experienced executives.13. Architecture Services
Job Description: Finally, you can get a job as a freelancer for various architecture services. The most popular one is interior designing. You can deal with clients from your home. Skills You Need: You must have training and some educational background in designing before you find clients.14. Call Center
Virtual call center jobs are the same gig as the in-person job, minus the trip to the call center. One caveat: make sure you know if the company will provide paid training, or if you're supposed to pony up for your own start-up costs. The latter scenario could cost you a pretty penny, or turn out to be a scam.
15. Logo Design and Illustration
Job Description: Logo design and illustration could come under creative design. Design logos for websites and create magical illustrations. Skills You Need: You must have experience in creative design especially creating logos. You also know about how to do branding. If you have talent then you will easily get clients.16. Data Entry Jobs
Job Description: Data entry jobs are nothing new and you might know about them. You have to see images and write it down into a word file. You have to finish certain pages in a day. Skills You Need: You need to have typing speed of at least 30 to 40 words per minute and patience also. Read more about Data Entry Jobs17. Social Media Coordinator and Community Manager
Job Description: Social media coordinator or community manager jobs are not for everyone because you need to have experience. Here you need to know about platforms like LinkedIn, Google Plus etc. Skills You Need: You have to manage and update all social media platform. You need to learn more about LinkedIn and how you engage with others.18. Audio and Video Production
Job Description: Audio and video production comes under creative design. Skills You Need: Here you have to know about editing, recording and producing audios and videos. You must have some work experience so you can do the job as a freelancer.19. Teaching and Tutoring
Job Description: You have to teach and tutor online over Skype or Google Hangout. Job is pretty simple you need to organize various sessions and give lectures. Skills You Need: You must know your subject or area of expertise. Whether it is high school math or teaching a programming language like C++.20. Graphic Designing
Job Description: Graphic designing is all together a different field. You got to create graphics for printed and electronic media. Graphic designers are huge in demand as a freelancer. Skills You Need: Graphic designing is not a casual thing. You must have done a professional course with some experience before you start as a freelance graphic designer.21. Search Engine Optimization or SEO, SEM
Job Description: Search Engine Optimization or SEO is also a popular freelancing job that can be done from home. You need to pull a website and rank high on Google. SEM or search engine marketing is same thing. Skills You Need: You must know everything about SEO like link building, ranking high on Google, how Google behaves, Panda affect etc.22. Creative Design
Job Description: Creative design could include a vast area of design related work. For example take PowerPoint presentation or desktop designing with Adobe Photoshop. Skills You Need: Creative designing is not easy. You need to know everything about PowerPoint or Adobe Photoshop. Experience is must.23. 3D Modelling and CAD
Job Description: 3D modelling and CAD is an advanced subject however the demand is great if you want to work as a 3D Modelling and CAD designer. Skills You Need: Here you need a formal degree. Although in a freelancing job no one asks for a degree but for being able to do the job you need to have basic education as well as experience.Beware of Scams
Hidden among the many legitimate work-from-home job listings are scams of varying degrees of cleverness and malicious intent. To avoid getting caught by a work-at-home job scam, always research companies before you commit. Don't send money, account or social security numbers, or any information that would make it easier to steal your identity. Beware of organizations that require you to buy a kit before you can get started, or promise to help you get rich in a hurry. Bottom line, remember the adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
