Asaalam O Alaikum Student’s
My Name Is Zain Ashraf
I’m Your Instructor
Graphic Design (UI/UX)
Welcome to TEVTA
Graphic Design (UI/UX)
BE YOUR OWN BOSS.
an introduction to freelancing
What we’ll cover today
• What is freelancing?
• Why freelance?
• What should you freelance in?
• Starting smart
• Finding clients?
• Your freelance strategy
What is freelancing?
• Self-employed
• Service driven business
• Solopreneur (i.e.; a one person show)
Becoming a freelancer is fast and affordable way to start earning an
income from home. Especially if you freelance a skill you already
have, you can get started offering your services today.
What Is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is someone who offers their services for a fee and
usually with no expectation of a permanent a single client, although
the work relationship can be on-going. It's a form of self-
employment, similar to operating a home business.
Why freelance?
Freelancing & the Future of Work
• The economy needs more freelancers
• Societal values towards ‘work’ are shifting
• Businesses prefer to hire freelancers
• Portfolio careers will become the new normal.
• Technology is bridging the flexible working gap.
Why freelance?
Below are just some of the most common reasons for
freelancing
• Work remotely
• Do more purposeful work
• Gain professional experience
• More capacity to work on other hobbies and passions
• Go back to study
• Control your professional destiny
• Take professional development into your own hands
• Create a start-up
• Start or spend more time with the family
What should you freelance in?
What should you freelance in?
How do you know what the market needs?
• Leverage your own domain expertise
• Research industry reports, blogs, articles etc
• Talk to somebody in the industry.
• Go to ‘Future of X’ events
• Put it to the test it. Pitch your services to
potential clients and see if people actually need
what you’re offering (freelance marketplaces are
great for this)
What should you freelance in?
Starting Smart
Know the journey ahead
Starting Smart
Know the journey ahead
Finding Clients
Common sources of finding freelance work.
• Existing personal networks
• Industry recruiters
• Networking events
• Content marketing
• Freelance Marketplaces
• Referrals
• Social networks
• Advertising
Freelance Marketplaces
Global marketplaces
• Upwork [Link]
• Freelancer [Link]
• People Per Hour [Link]
• Fiverr [Link]
Niche or Local marketplaces
• Gigster [Link] (Web / Application developers)
• Toptal [Link] (Web developers / programmers)
• [Link] [Link]
Portfolios
As a freelancer, your time and testimonials are
the currencies you play with.
A collection of testimonials with associated
samples of work make up your portfolio.
Your capacity to earn and find future work
depends on the quality of your portfolio.
Where to display a portfolio
• Social networks (LinkedIn is a key one)
• Personal website
• [Link]
• Squarespace
• Community/Industry credible websites
• GitHub (developers)
• [Link] (content producers)
• Behance / Dribble (designers)
• DeviantArt (artists/designers)
Postermywall (Designer’s/Creative Thinking People)
Your Freelance Strategy
• Where are you now and what type of freelancer do you
want to be in twelve months time?
– Professional, Contractor, Micro-firm etc
• What are your top three reasons to freelance?
• How big of a cash-flow buffer do you think you will need
to get started? One month? Six months?
• What skills or areas of expertise do you have that are
either currently in demand or you can test the demand
for?
Your Freelance Strategy
• Which of these skills or areas of expertise which most
excites you?
• What are your best three examples of work you could
use to start building out your portfolio?
• What three places can you set up or promote your
portfolio?
• What three new freelance job sources could you start
reaching out to TODAY to see if there are freelance
opportunities available?
Personal attitude in
Freelancing
Hard Work
Communication Skills
Professionalism
Responsibility
Initiative
Principles
QUESTIONS?
