10 Ways To Increase Your Chances Of High Income In Freelancing
Freelancing has become a popular career choice, offering flexibility and independence to professionals worldwide.
As a Nigerian, freelancing provides you with the opportunity to earn on a global scale, with the currency exchange gap already standing to your advantage.
However, to succeed and earn a higher income as a freelancer, it is essential to continuously enhance your skills and to properly position yourself in the global market as a professional.
In this article, we talk about ten effective strategies that can help you improve your abilities and increase your chances of earning a higher income in the competitive freelance market.
Strategy 1: Identify Your Niche:
Specializing in a specific niche allows you to position yourself as an expert, making it easier to attract high-paying clients.
Clients perceive you as a fraud or as someone who’s not specialized when you keep jumping around multiple niches, which also reduces your ability to charge a professional’s fee for your service.
Analyze your strengths, interests, and experience to identify the niche where you can provide exceptional value and stand out from the crowd.
Resist the urge to indicate upfront that you have multiple skills across multiple industries and simply focus on a single skill and go hyper-niched on your offer.
Strategy 2: Continuously Learn and Update:
Investing in your professional development is crucial for staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.
Staying updated with the latest trends, tools, and techniques in your field through courses, workshops, webinars, and industry publications is the easiest way to raise your value, and raise your price.
This knowledge will give you a competitive edge and enable you to command higher rates.
Need some resources to get yourself updated quickly?
Check out some of these courses from the reputable Fiverr freelancing platform
Strategy 3: Network and Collaborate:
Networking is a powerful tool for freelancers.
Attending industry events, joining and participating in professional groups and online communities,
and engaging in meaningful conversations with fellow freelancers, potential clients, and industry influencers are easy.
Also, collaborating on projects can expand your network, provide valuable insights, and lead to referrals and new opportunities.
Clients can also price you based on the quality of people you have in your public network.
Strategy 4: Showcase a Stellar Portfolio:
Building and showcasing a compelling portfolio is essential for showing your skill level and attracting potential clients to your offers.
Develop a portfolio that highlights your best work and demonstrates your expertise.
Consider using various mediums like a website, social media, or online platforms to make your portfolio easily accessible, always available for anyone researching about you
and most importantly focus on making sure that your portfolio is visually appealing.
Strategy 5: Offer Exceptional Customer Service:
Providing exceptional customer service can set you apart from competitors and build long-lasting client relationships.
As Gary Vee says,
“No amount of marketing can sell a bad product”-or in the case of a freelancer, a bad service
So try to focus on your freelancing service as a real business.
Be responsive to inquiries so you can convert your leads faster, over 300% of leads (or potential clients) get lost if you delay responding to them in over 30 minutes of the time they reached out to you
Also attempt to communicate effectively and professionally, set and make sure you meet deadlines, and go the extra mile to exceed the client’s expectations where possible.
Satisfied clients are more likely to become solid members of your network and refer you to others
and most importantly, if you’re a Nigerian freelancer, these clients will also provide positive testimonials.
Strategy 6: Develop Strong Communication Skills:
Effective communication is vital for freelancers.
Clearly understand client requirements, usually, this is done by asking relevant questions
and providing regular updates to the clients during the project to ensure you’re on the same page.
Improve your written and verbal communication skills to convey ideas and instructions accurately and professionally.
Strategy 7: Improve Time Management:
As a freelancer, managing your time efficiently is critical.
Having realistic deadlines, creating a schedule, and prioritizing tasks to ensure timely delivery of projects indicates professionalism,
Utilize productivity tools and techniques like time-tracking apps, project management software, and the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused and maximize your productivity.
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method based on 25-minute stretches of focused work broken by five-minute breaks. Longer breaks, typically 15 to 30 minutes, are taken after four consecutive work intervals. Each work interval is called a Pomodoro, the Italian word for tomato (plural: Pomodoro)
Strategy 8: Cultivate a Growth Mindset:
Adopting a growth mindset is crucial for continuous improvement and success.
Embrace challenges, view failures as learning opportunities, and be open to feedback.
Emphasize personal growth, seek new experiences, and push yourself beyond your comfort zone to expand your skills and capabilities.
Strategy 9: Enhance Marketing and Self-Promotion:
To earn a higher income as a freelancer, you must market yourself effectively.
Develop a strong personal brand, create or own a professional website, optimize your online presence, and leverage social media platforms to showcase your expertise.
Engage in content marketing by creating valuable content that positions you as an industry thought leader.
Strategy 10: Stay Updated with Pricing Trends:
Regularly review and adjust your pricing strategy based on industry trends, your experience, and the value you offer.
Research market rates, analyze competitor pricing, and consider your unique selling points when determining your rates.
Avoid undervaluing your skills and charge what you’re worth to earn a higher income.
3 Ways To Get Paid As A Professional Nigerian Freelancer.
As a Nigerian freelancer, it’s crucial to have reliable and convenient payment options to receive your hard-earned income and being able to quickly tell the clients how to pay you is one of the easiest ways to showcase your prowess
This indicates that you’ve worked with many other clients -if that’s what you’re claiming- in your portfolio
These 3 options offer secure and efficient ways to receive payments from clients worldwide.
Payoneer:
Payoneer is a widely used global payment platform that enables freelancers to receive payments in multiple currencies.
With Payoneer, Nigerian freelancers can create a virtual bank account in USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, or AUD, making it easier to receive payments from international clients.
Once funds are received, freelancers can withdraw them to their local bank accounts or use Payoneer’s Mastercard to make purchases or withdraw cash at ATMs worldwide.
Payoneer provides a user-friendly interface, transparent fee structure, and robust security measures to ensure safe and hassle-free transactions.
The platform is trusted by millions of freelancers globally and offers excellent customer support.
To set up a Payoneer account, click here.
Crypto Platforms (Binance and Huobi):
Cryptocurrency platforms like Binance and Huobi offer an alternative payment method for Nigerian freelancers.
These platforms allow freelancers to receive payments in popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and others.
Once received, freelancers can convert their cryptocurrency earnings into Nigerian Naira (NGN) or other desired currencies.
Using crypto platforms provides several advantages, including faster transactions, lower fees compared to traditional methods, and the potential for capital appreciation if the value of the cryptocurrencies increases.
However, it’s important to consider the volatility and regulatory factors associated with cryptocurrencies before opting for this payment method.
Referral Links
Go here to set up a Binance account, and stand the chance to get $100 USD once you make your first deposit of $50+
Go here to set up a Huobi account, and stand the chance to get $100 USD once you receive your first earning of $50+
GeeGPay:
GeeGPay is a Nigerian payment platform designed specifically for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and businesses within Nigeria.
It offers a convenient and secure way to receive payments from local clients. GeeGPay supports multiple payment options, including bank transfers, card payments, and mobile wallets, making it flexible for both freelancers and clients.
With GeeGPay, Nigerian freelancers can easily create payment links, generate invoices, and track payments through a user-friendly dashboard.
The platform prioritizes data security and complies with relevant regulatory requirements within Nigeria.
Recommendation: If you are a Nigerian freelancer looking for a reliable and user-friendly payment platform, I recommend Payoneer.
With its global reach, multiple currency options, and excellent customer support, Payoneer provides a seamless experience for receiving international payments.
You can sign up for a Payoneer account using my affiliate link.
Having efficient payment options is essential for Nigerian freelancers to receive their earnings conveniently.
Payoneer, crypto platforms like Binance and Huobi, and GeeGPay offer distinct advantages, allowing freelancers to receive payments in different currencies and securely manage their finances.
Evaluate your needs and preferences to choose the payment method that best suits your requirements as a Nigerian freelancer.
Conclusion:
As a freelancer, continuously enhancing your skills is essential for success and earning a higher income. By focusing on your niche, continuous learning, effective networking, exceptional customer service, and strategic marketing, you can differentiate yourself and attract high-paying
