There are a number of ways in which a freelancer can make money online and today I will talk about four of them. In each of these, sellers and buyers, employers and employees (freelancers), meet and discuss business. The discussion could be in form of already set processes, chats, video calls, emails, etc. The common set up is where the system does a lot of the work to make it easy for the freelancer and the employer to finish up the deal such that if all goes well there is no need to contact each other directly yet the business is done. The resources you need are simply what you already have if you are watching/reading this video/post. I have written a post ‘Freelancing in Africa is a possibility’.
Disappointingly, not all easy to do and high paying jobs are available to Africans. Some easy money making gigs or jobs are farfetched for us in Africa. Limitations range from country to country depending on a number of factors that could include the technological development, economic position, market preferences by the businesses, etc. This is a sad reality but it doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance wherever you are in Africa.
I’m in the business of checking all freelancing platforms that I happen to learn about and update on the page ‘trial update’ in the blog ‘freelancinginafrica.com’. I bet that this page will save you time since I already have done the verting for you on those that will work without a problem for you in Africa. There are a lot of disappointments when it comes to the promises and lucrative offers that the countless promoters make online. You therefore must be ready to move on quickly if what you hoped for is not realising because as you search you will eventually get what will work for you.
Next I delve into the 4 easier options to tap into:
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Joining micro jobs websites
I can safely say that this is the easiest way to make the very first dollar online for anyone who wants to work as a freelancer. All you have to after identifying one is grab an account, which is likely to be free, get verified and start working. Verification can be within a few minutes after registration. Often this will require access to your phone number and email.
The phrase ‘micro jobs’ is relative in the sense that what one may consider micro the other person might consider it ‘bigger than micro’. This is basically quick delivery and quick payment, no contractual obligations except to deliver that once of assignment and get paid. As a worker, you chose an assignment that best suits your skills whose pay you are comfortable about.
The pay rate is normally low yet the tasks are also easy and quick to finish, which is a good balance. A typical micro job assignment won’t take more than 10 minutes to complete and the pay in the range can be from $0.01 to $20.00. The jobs range from clicking a like button or a signup to a platform to more complex assignments. The jobs are straight forward; the only thing required is evidence of your delivery. Often there is no skill required.
Examples include the following:
- Subscribe to a YouTube channel
- Viewing a video
- Liking and following a Facebook page
- Finding information on a webpage
- Converting files, etc.
Surely this is by far the easiest way to get started on freelancing online.
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Getting listed for service on freelancing platforms
There are websites that open up for freelancers to market themselves on their specific skills through their systems. All you do is make a good profile of yourself and be on their ‘billboards’ for employers to see. Orders will vary depending on the level of competition in the skill you are selling and your qualities.
The scope in this group is wider as the services and products that can be offered are limitless. People are allowed to be creative and sell unique services and/or products. If people like such unique services or products, for a moment the seller can enjoy a monopoly, which increases chances of getting many orders.
This option is where I have found success in freelancing through fiverr. It calls for dedication and good customer care. It is always beneficial to under promise and then over deliver. For example, you may set your delivery time to 24 hours but deliver within 5.
I have an experience with fiverr. You may want to try them out for yourself by creating your profile through this link or we can discuss how we help each other through.
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Social media selling
Social media platforms have potential buyers of your service. There are groups of all sorts that you can find that will give you a pool of potential buyers. In most cases, joining groups and pages is free and immediately you are accepted as a member you can start posting. A humble and professional introduction of your service is often welcome if it meets general rules and standards. You may have to try different platforms and groups within each of them to try your luck.
A colleague at work who sells postcards online is a good example of this type of freelancing. The freelancer used social media to build relationships with prospects. Normally, popularity of the product or service grows gradually to become very big and online the scalability is enormous. This option works well with a huge following, good will and unique products. It is easier to sell a unique product than that which your customers can get locally even when it is at a higher price.
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Working as an sales agent (affiliate marketing)
The traditional name for this type of freelancing is ‘sales agent’ yet the commonly used one online is ‘affiliate marketing’. I have a dedicated article titled ‘Exploring the affiliate marketing space for Africans’ to working as an agent for companies that pay a commission for selling their products and/or services.
I’m happy to conclude this post by encouraging you to make time to get started with your freelancing journey as soon as you can. The most difficult part as the case has always been is starting. I have an ebook that focuses specifically on fiverr that I share at a fee of E 20. You are welcome to get a copy and it will give you more insight on what freelancing, with particular interest on getting listed on social media platforms is concerned.
