It’s a good thing there are now so many sites like Upwork where you can find freelance work. Back in the day, freelancers had no choice but to tap into their network to be able to find a job. Or simply hope that a client will find them somewhere or vice versa.

The trouble now it seems is freelancers can’t keep track of which sites like Upwork to use. Upwork is one of the most popular freelancer market platforms and has been around since 2015. However, not all freelancers are able to find clients and projects they really like at Upwork. There are also some who find Upwork confusing or hard to use.

Don’t worry as the same sentiments can be shared by clients. Hiring outside of Upwork is not an uncommon occurrence. Clients utilize websites for finding freelancers such as LinkedIn or even remote job boards.

Top 5 Sites Like Upwork for Freelancers

Again, there are many websites like Upwork today. If you need a bit of help finding some, below are a few that you may want to check out:

1. Freelancer.com

One of the best alternatives to Upwork, Freelancer.com allows you to sign up for free. You can browse jobs no matter what freelancer industry you are in. The way it differs from Upwork is that there is a membership plan with different tiers as opposed to Upwork’s Freelancer Plus. When it comes to fees, Upwork is known to have a bit of a confusing fee system as it depends on rates and badges. However, with Freelancer.com it’s a fixed $5 or 10% per project (whichever one is higher).

Depending on your membership on Freelancer.com, you can only bid a specific number of times per month. Aside from bidding on projects, it is also possible to “win contests”. There is a difference between projects and contests on this site but either one can allow you to get a freelancing job.

2. Workhoppers

If you have less time on your hands, Workhoppers will do the hard work for you. They will screen the flexible jobs themselves and match you with jobs that are in line with what you want. There is also no bidding on this site, which is ideal if you are not into Upwork’s bidding style.

Workhopper is also an excellent option for freelancers who are looking for clients that they can actually meet up with. There is an option to choose what kind of work you want, either work from home or on-site. You’ll also need to input your location.

If you need help identifying your strengths, you can take the behavioral assessment from Workhopper. This site also allows you to get paid per project or by the hour.

3. Hubstaff Talent

If you have been freelancing for a while and already have a bit of experience, you might want to check out Hubstaff Talent. This site like Upwork has decent freelancing jobs but may require prior experience from freelancers. Make sure to check the country you are currently in is allowed to access the jobs first as it isn’t allowed for all.

You can get paid via PayPal if that is your payment method of choice. The good thing about Hubstaff Talent is there are no markups or fees involved. There will also be no bidding on this site. You can get excellent leads from Hubstaff and also be able to provide exposure for yourself.

4. Fiverr

When you are on Fiverr don’t be confused with the terms that are used on the site. Freelancers are called “sellers” and you will be selling your services, skills, or products, also known as “gig”. Clients will be known as “buyers”. Take note that signing up is free, however, there will be a fee for every “gig” that you sell.

If you are a beginner, you can definitely start with Fiverr.com as it is friendlier to new freelancers. Don’t expect high pay at once but you can soon grow from this site and earn more as well as fill up your portfolio along the way. Take note that the website’s name Fiverr refers to $5. And although you can definitely earn more than $5 in the long run, this can be a common rate for those who are just starting out.

5. People Per Hour

A bit different from Upwork, People Per Hour will not allow any freelancer to join. Signing up is free but your application will be reviewed by the site’s moderation team. So, if you are a new freelancer, this might not be the site for you. However, if you are an expert with an excellent resume and portfolio, then do give this site a try.

What’s different about People Per Hour is, you don’t really look for jobs. Instead, you will make a pitch about yourself—basically list down everything that you can do. A potential client will be the one to approach you if they find what they need from your page. A good thing about this site though is that it is open to pretty much any location on the globe.

Factors to Consider for Choosing Freelance Market Platforms

Taking work outside Upwork can be very challenging if that is the site that you are used to. You might need a bit of help choosing the right one. To help you out below are some things you need to consider to choose the right freelance market platform:

1. Fees and payment method

One of the problems freelancers face with Upwork as well as other sites like it is the fee. How much does Upwork actually take? It can be anywhere from 5% to 20% depending on several factors like your pricing or freelancer tier.

You have to check these sites like Upwork if they are charging the same fee whenever you are getting paid by a client or for each project that you accomplish. Know that there are some sites that don’t have any fees. There is also a chance to ask your clients to shoulder said fees.

You might be thinking, what are these fees for anyway? Upwork and sites like Upwork usually say that this is a convenience fee. It can also be for the safety of both the freelancer and the client.

Whatever the case, you have to take note of this because you will not take home the actual rate that you will post on your proposal. You also need to consider the payment method of choice. For example, you’ll pay additional fees if you use PayPal. Most payment methods all have fees but you can always compare which one has the lowest fees.

2. Available memberships or subscriptions

Aside from fees, you also need to check if the sites like Upwork you are signing up for also have memberships or subscriptions. Although signing up is free, you have the option to have a monthly or yearly subscription to become a “premium” freelancer. These memberships can definitely help you get more potential clients to view your profile or account.

Not all sites like Upwork have these but you may also want to factor this in if you have the money to spare to get a leg up on the competition. If you are not going to utilize this feature, know that other freelancers will. So, sign up for other sites that don’t have memberships if you don’t want to get into this type of arena.

3. Your location

It’s fairly common to get a client who is from a different location. Just make sure the freelance market platform that you will choose is open to the country where you are currently in. There are also freelancer market platforms that are favored by clients from a specific country or region. So, if you don’t want to get lost in translation with a client pick a platform favored by those who speak the same language as you.

You might also come upon freelancer market platforms that ensure freelancers and clients are living in the same area or city. This is for those who are in an industry that will require face-to-face or in-person meetings. Maybe you are a freelance accountant and the client will require you to do inventory on their shop, something that may prove to be challenging or impossible when done online.

4. Industry you are in

There are sites like Upwork that are specifically for a certain freelance industry. For example, Design Hill is ideal for graphic designers. Of course, if you are a programmer, it would be a bit useless to sign up for this type of website.

If you have a specific industry and a niche in that said industry, it would be best to look for freelance websites for that. This way, you can have an easier time weeding clients. You’ll also have better luck looking for projects that will interest you.

5. Types of clients

Freelancer market platforms usually favor clients. However, you need to check out what type of clients they attract. It could be helpful to enter a site like Upwork that also has a vetting process for clients. This way, you, as a freelancer, can also protect yourself and your work.

Some websites protect the identity of clients while others can show if a client is verified or not. Do choose sites that also offer a bit of insight on clients for freelancers to read up on. After all, this is one of the best things about being a freelancer—you get to pick your client, too. This isn’t a corporate job where you can’t say no to your boss.

Conclusion

Finding freelance work can be very daunting. There are times when you feel like there is nothing out there for you. But don’t lose hope. There are many sites like Upwork where you can find the ideal client or even the perfect project. You just need to be smart when picking out the websites you go to or the platforms that you join.

Post written by:

kosmo on January 26, 2023

If you want to know how to become a freelance social media manager, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll give you guides, tips, and tricks to help you start your freelance journey as a social media manager.

Social media marketing and management are some of the most in-demand jobs to date. Freelancer.com, an online job marketplace giant, places hundreds of job postings. And that is just one site. Similarly, hundreds, if not thousands, of social media marketers, managers, and content writers are posting their availability. But don’t be intimidated, and don’t lose sight of your goal. Even if the competition is high, there are ways to stand out and get the job.

Social Media: An Overview

Social media has become one of the most powerful platforms man has ever invented. It has bridged worlds, connecting people and creating a network of different communities with varied interests virtually. While the main purpose of social media is to provide an avenue for people to keep in touch, it has evolved into something bigger. Now, it serves as an e-commerce platform, a sales and marketing strategy, a customer service tool, and even an instrument for creating polls and surveys.

Social media has opened up a door of limitless information-sharing, making it a good tool for data collection and market research. Opinions and facts are communicated to an international audience through articles, short posts, photos, and videos.

These platforms have changed how people communicate drastically. Reaching out and connecting has become more convenient. Through messaging and audio and video calls, we can simultaneously interact with people from all over the world, not to mention it will not cost you a dime. Social media has become so much a part of people’s lives that they rely on these platforms for almost everything: news, entertainment, business transactions, and more!

Tips on How to Become a Freelance Social Media Manager

As a social media manager, you have to understand and know how to maximize these platforms to your client’s advantage. You can see how people of different demographics perceive a product, brand, or service through different posts and comments. Trends from these platforms typically dictate fashion, movement, and even political ideologies. And this is how you can ensure a powerful social media campaign and management for your client.

Duties of a Social Media Manager

In learning how to become a freelance social media manager, you must first know your duties and responsibilities as one. As a social media manager, your primary role is to provide an efficient and sound online presence for your client.

1. Develop a social media campaign

A social media campaign is a strategy where you use social media to achieve your client’s goals. The most common campaign is introducing a brand or product to the market. You may be hired to ensure that a new product or product line is available to the market. When introducing a new product, you may do some teasers, explainer videos, and pricing promotions.

Another campaign is for generating brand loyalty. For this, the product is already available in the market, and your job is to make sure that customers continue to patronize the product. You have to make the product relevant and in demand.

You may also be tasked to develop a campaign to increase sales. This involves both creativity and market research to see how you can draw more customers.

2. Run and oversee the campaign

Once a campaign is already in place, your next task is to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted implementation of the plan. You will be in charge of publishing and posting content, managing social media interactions, and generating reports through social media analytics.

Treat this task as if you are managing your own social media page. Do not post hurriedly; know the right time to post and the right platform to use. Monitor the pages consistently and be ready to troubleshoot and address any errors.

3. Producing Content

More than just managing the campaign, you are also in charge of producing the content. For this part, you have to bring your thinking hat out of the box because you need all the creativity you can get. To get your target market’s attention, you have to make the page exciting. Do not focus mainly on copywriting. Remember, you can still get the message across using visuals like photos and videos. Publish demo reels to spark interest. Post original and captivating pictures. You can even create gifs!

4. Creating Good Customer Experience

As a social media manager, you are tasked to make sure interactions with clients are done flawlessly. You are to monitor comments on posts (and reply if needed), respond to messages, and even hold polls and surveys. Make sure that when providing responses, you are aligned with the values and visions of your client. If you are unsure how to handle a situation, discuss it with your client.

Skills and Tricks

It is not enough that you simply know how to become a freelance social media manager. You must know how to become an EXCELLENT social media manager. Here are some skills (and tricks) you must have to stand out from the rest:

• Mastery and Expertise

First things first, know the different social media platforms and their strengths and weaknesses. Match the brand, product, and campaign with the right social media platform. There are different types of social media platforms, and you must master the interface and markets of each. For instance, Instagram is an excellent photo-sharing tool, while TikTok is for videos. Twitter has limited character spaces, while Facebook gives you more room for longer posts. Master the best specifications for the content you are posting for these platforms.

Check for available online mastery courses for these platforms, especially if you do not have time to explore and learn the features yourself. You might even learn a few hidden tricks during these courses. Remember, as a freelancer, you are running a business. So the more you master your craft, the more you have a chance of landing clients and projects.

• Communication Skills

Social media management is basically anchored on communication. The content you produce will be based on the message your client wants to relay to the public. Replies must be clear, polite, and professional. The voice or tone you use will have an impact on your audience.

Remember, social media reaches a global audience. So you have to know how to manipulate your content to cater to an international market. Be sensitive and careful about cultural differences, watch your word choices, and check even the images you will post. Some symbols or color schemes may be offensive to others.

Everything will boil down to how well you communicate.

• Use Your Tools

If you are a social media manager, it follows that you are a techie person. So, make use of other tools and platforms that can help you run your business efficiently. Keep in mind that many online business solutions are at your disposal. There are online job marketplaces to market and sell your business, project management software for progress tracking, online proposal and invoice generators, and accounting and bookkeeping platforms to help you with your finances.

Conclusion

Becoming a social media manager needs a lot of work if you want to stand out. It is important that you master social media platforms and develop excellent communication skills so you can provide expert service to clients. Now that you know how to become a freelance social media manager and understand the skills required for you to become good at your work, you can go and start your freelance business confidently.

Post written by:

kosmo on December 24, 2022

Read about the journey to my first client, which can help you find your very own, too. There are a lot of tips that you can check out below. But first, know that starting out freelancing is a journey. You don’t start one day and voila! you already get your first client. It doesn’t work that way. There is actually a lot of preparation involved and you need to learn where to actually find clients. It’s a good thing that will be discussed too.

The freelancing community is experiencing a major shift these past few years. More companies prefer freelancers as opposed to staffing firms for various reasons, such as getting projects done faster and accessing different skills. With the demand for freelancers increasing, more and more people are making the switch. However, not all are equipped to find clients, which is a very important task for freelancers. Read on about how I got my first client.

Getting My First Client

When you start out your freelancing journey, you’ll be experiencing a lot of firsts. There’s of course, “my first client” and “my first project” but you also have to be aware of experiencing things that aren’t as pleasant, like “my first rejection”. Just know that this journey is all about learning, so whether you experience positive or negative responses, these all can help you grow.

Don’t be discouraged, and see how I got my first client in 3 major steps.

A. Preparation

You might be surprised but getting my first client is not about putting myself out there and doing the search. No, you have to be prepared for your journey. You have to arm yourself with important documents so that when potential clients come along, you don’t fumble.

1. Have all requirements ready

When it comes to requirements, these are pretty much everything a client (or freelance platform) may request from you. Of course, you have to have your resume or CV. Some may require ID to check if you are a real person (to avoid scams and all). Do take the time to verify yourself so that clients will have an easier time trusting you with a project.

2. Create profiles

Now, this may seem tedious to some but you have to make profiles. This includes all of the freelance platforms that you will join as well as setting up professional accounts on social media. Of course, you will need to make these profiles to be able to access freelance markets.

Make sure your profile clearly shows what you can do or offer to clients. This isn’t simply a Facebook profile or a LinkedIn profile. You have to sell your skills and abilities here.

3. Prep portfolio

If you are literally new in the working industry, then chances are you have zero experience. Not to worry as freelancing gives you a chance to show what you can do even with no work experience—a portfolio. Even if you have prior employment, you will still need to prep this. Most clients will request to see your previous works to give an idea of what you can do.

4. Get organized

As a freelancer, you have to be forward-thinking. You may have zero clients right now, but you have to prepare for getting quite a load in the future. Don’t start organizing only when you are crowded with projects already. Create organization habits as early as now.

A good tip is to use a freelancer tool or software, such as Kosmo. This software allows you to sort out important documents too like proposals, invoices, and contracts. Utilize this tool early on your journey so you won’t have any trouble using it when you finally get your first client.

B. Daily Grind

Since I didn’t have a client yet when I was just starting out, my time was flexible. But, I was able to get my first client by doing the work. What work is this exactly? I call it the daily grind and it usually consists of the following tasks:

1. Check listings every day

Once I have an account with a freelance market platform, I took the time to check their job postings every single day. Because there are fresh tasks and new clients on a daily basis. I didn’t want to miss any opportunity so I did this task pretty much every day.

2. Plan Applications

Of course, all of the daily checkings would have been all for nothing if I didn’t make applications. This is something I do almost every day too. Whenever I find an interesting job or a project that suits me, I apply. But not all at once. I plan this properly as I don’t want to end up receiving 10 job opportunities in one day. I spread these applications out, prioritizing the ones that I like the most (or have an immediate deadline).

3. Reply to emails

When you make applications on a daily basis or really put yourself out there on freelance market platforms, expect to receive emails. You have to reply to these messages, even if it is for a job that you may not be interested in. It’s important to remain professional and you might be surprised some “rejections” can get freelance leads.

4. Interviews

Some clients will request interviews. And these can be very draining, so make sure to plan these accordingly. Try to take only 1 test or interview per day and don’t do it one day after another, either.

C. Sealing the Deal

After doing several weeks of my daily grind, I finally found my first client. However, it’s not a done deal just yet. Remember that you have to protect yourself as a freelancer. And at the same time, you can give confidence to your prospective clients by taking the following steps too:

1. Contract

A contract is a must for every freelancer, especially if you are in it for the long haul. If you need help, Kosmo actually has a helpful contract template you can use. Make sure to sign this and your client needs to do the same.

2. One-on-one

It’s better to have some form of communication with your first client. It doesn’t have to be a meeting in person or even a video call. Some prefer to message through Slack or even just send emails. This one-on-one can help you collaborate with your client or get a better feel for how to work for them or each other.

3. Agreements

Finally, there are some things that may not have been tackled during the one-on-one or on the contract. This can be as simple as knowing your client’s preference when it comes to messaging. Just make sure that you and your client are in agreement or are on the same page so you can finally get to work.

Where to Find Clients as a Freelancer

Now that you know how to get “my first client” it’s time to get some tips on where you can actually find them. Know that it can be different for a freelancer vs someone who has a design agency on how to get graphic design clients.

• Try Networking

It’s time to tap into your network of people. You might be surprised that your very first client might be someone you personally know or a friend of a friend, maybe even a relative. The point here is to try every opportunity available. Go to events and parties, and try to socialize. Check with your family and friends if someone needs work done, and tell them you are a freelancer looking for work. Ask former classmates or workmates, you just have to try.

• Sign up on Freelance Market Platforms

Freelancers today are quite lucky as there are now websites that are specifically for freelancing. Sign up with websites like Fiverr or Freelancer.com. You should be able to find plenty of potential clients and projects on these freelance market platforms.

• Check Out Social Media Sites

Who says you can’t find work on social media? There are some freelancers who were able to find their first freelance client by simply replying to an Instagram Story of an influencer. You can also see Facebook or even Tiktok are looking for people to collaborate with. Opportunities are everywhere. And sometimes, it’s not just about knowing where to find these opportunities but also about luck or timing.

• Join Freelancer Groups

Again, the freelancers of today have more resources. There are now online groups you can join so you can get tips on working as a freelancer in your industry. Some pioneer freelancers are more than willing to help connect you to potential clients.

Do join these freelancer groups where you can tap into a community where people can help you find work. Also, these groups can help you become a better freelancer. Some offer training while others have one-on-one sessions to give you pointers. Do what you can to land your very first client.

• Ask Former Potential Clients

Finally, there’s also client outreach. Maybe you have never had a client before but you were definitely close. Maybe you made it to the final interview with a potential client but another freelancer beat you to it. Or maybe, you just weren’t the right fit. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t get accepted. Remember not to burn bridges as these former potential clients might just be the key to landing your first real client.

A Few More Tips

Here are a few more things that helped me when I was finding my first client as a freelancer:

• Being professional yet friendly can go a long way

Sometimes, your skills just aren’t a good fit with a project but that potential client might like your work ethic or your attitude. Some clients actually prefer someone who is easy to work with and trainable as opposed to a temperamental genius. So be friendly but always remain professional.

• Be open to opportunities

When I was looking for my first client, I first started applying for jobs that I am only familiar with. But pretty soon, I went out of my comfort zone and did interviews and tried tests that were new to me (still within my industry of course). I was only used to making blogs and long-form articles but I decided to try out writing social media captions. It has helped me grow as a writer and also opened an exciting path for me as a freelancer.

• Be patient

Yes, finding my first client was very frustrating. It took several weeks before I finally found my first client. And guess what? That client wasn’t a long-term one, it was just a one-month project. So, I had to do my daily grind all over again. Landing your first client is not a guarantee for the success of your freelancing journey. However, thanks to that first client, I was able to add that project to my resume. Which led me to another client who liked that project. It was a domino effect.

• Learn from the journey

Finally, don’t let the goal of finding a client be the end-all and be-all of your freelancing journey. Make it a point to learn from what you do every day. Each client that you meet, each proposal that you make, and each job listing that you apply for. Try to learn something from all of these and all that you experience during your freelancing journey. It may help you with your success in the end.

Conclusion

Getting my first client was definitely a roller coaster of emotions. It was exciting and nerve-wracking, disappointing, and frustrating, but also fulfilling. Make sure to do the work and don’t give up, pretty soon you’ll land your own first client.

Post written by:

kosmo on December 21, 2022