7 Proven Steps To Becoming A Top Earning Travel Freelancer using Settlu.
Freelancers have a ton of freedom in their careers. Here are seven steps to take to become a freelancer.
Across the world, small and large companies have significantly increased their use of freelancers. If you’ve decided to become a freelancer, the numbers say you’re on to something good. Whether your goal is to earn some money on the side or make freelancing a full-time career, you’ll need to arm yourself with knowledge, a determination to learn and improve, and lots of patience. You don’t even have to quit your day job. It’s perfectly possible to achieve a healthy work-life balance with a side hustle. Here’s how to start freelancing.
How do you become a freelancer?
The freelance market is growing by the day, it is the way to work these days and if you want to be competitive, you have to prepare accordingly. The coronavirus pandemic proved that most jobs can be done remotely and people are always travelling pandemic or no pandemic. Follow these seven steps to get started.
Step 2: Using Settlu as a platform.
Most freelancers use freelancing platforms to find work. While recommendations and social media channels like LinkedIn or Fiverr can also be a great source of gigs, Settlu is a useful tool because we position you as a freelance relocator directly to your target market (in this case travel and relocation clientele) and allow you to effortlessly connect with clients looking for local experts. There are always travel/relocation jobs available and requests from aspiring expats and travellers on Settlu.
We have policies and offer protection both for freelance local experts and those doing the hiring. On Settlu, every project you take on is a mini contract, and both you and the client are required to adhere to its terms.
Settlu makes sure each Freelance local expert is vetted and gets an opportunity to showcase their best work on the platform. Our algorithm will not put you right at the bottom of the pile like other platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr.
Step 3: Build your Settlu profile.
You don’t have to prepare a classical CV, as Settlu has a predesigned template you need to fill out with your information, but you shouldn’t treat your freelancing profile as a check box exercise.
Take time to create a substantial profile that will inform potential clients about your education, skills, expertise and experience. You don’t have to write novels – keep it short and sweet. List your travel skills, experiences, special achievements and explain why you’re the best person for the job.
Step 4: Build your Settlu portfolio.
Your profile may state that you’re an astronaut, but unless you upload your selfie from the international space station, potential clients are unlikely to believe you. So, when you create a profile, make sure to provide a portfolio that illustrates your skills and travel experience.
If you’re a beginner in your chosen field, take time to create a portfolio with sample works, or simply accept several jobs at a discounted rate in exchange for experience. Make sure you are available if you offer in person travel services.
Step 5: Determine your price.
While your hourly rate or project price heavily depends on your skill set and experience, don’t work for peanuts. Work hard to prove you deserve the money.
If you have only a couple of years of experience living in a certain country, of course, you cannot charge the same rate as freelancers with a decade of experience under their belts. However, if you eventually want to turn freelancing into a full-time job, the rate should cover your monthly expenses if you have steady work, no matter how experienced you are.
Step 6: Find work.
If you’re actively looking for projects and clients, here are a few tips to help you find them.
First, apply only for the jobs you are available for and confident you can do. There is no point in applying for a project you cannot complete on time with satisfactory results. As a freelancer, you’re building your reputation from scratch, and especially in the beginning, it’s of utmost importance to secure positive feedback.
When you apply for jobs, make sure you craft a relevant cover letter that explains why you’re the best choice for that particular job or project. Highlight the skills, experience that are relevant to requirements and don’t forget to include if you have any useful contacts in that country that your potential client might deem a plus, that could influence their decision to choose you.
Over time, Settlu rewards top-rated travel expert freelancers with badges, verification, lower fees and access to specially tailored job offers, so it’s in your best interest to keep your clients happy and ratings up.
Step 7: Focus on building & maintaining client relationships.
Relationships with your clients are the most important part of travel freelancing. By maintaining a good connection with your current clients and providing quality work, you’ll be more likely to secure more consistent jobs in the future. Make sure you meet every deadline, listen to instructions, make any necessary edits and communicate efficiently with your clients. While you aren’t tied down to set hours, you should still be available to your clients in case they have any questions, requests or concerns.
Additionally, you’ll want to build your project portfolio to attract new clients. A good reputation is crucial as a freelancer, so make sure you are delivering your best work and earning high reviews/ratings. You can advertise your services on social media and on your website, which should be updated regularly. A strong digital presence is critical, as clients want to feel like they can trust you and your brand before working with you.
What is a Settlu freelancer?
A freelancer is a self-employed individual who offers services to a company (or multiple) without being an employee. Freelancers can take on as much work from as many businesses as they please. Ultimately, their career and workload are in their own hands.
Since they are technically contractors and not employees, freelancers must pay self-employment taxes every quarter.
Freelancers are most common in creative industries like graphic design, copywriting and photography. However, the travel industry offers a ton of opportunities for freelancers as well. Jobs like consulting, translation, childcare, errands, location and property, photography, removals and shipping, travel fixer, trekking guide and virtual assistant opportunities which are often outsourced to contract workers.
How does freelancing work on Settlu?
Freelancers typically work on a per-project basis. For instance, they might take on a certain number of projects every month and charge either by the project or the amount of time it takes them to complete it (i.e. an hourly or even daily rate).
Freelancers (local expert guides) set their own hours and work on deadlines. For example, they might get four assignments from a client at the beginning of the month, with deadlines scattered throughout the month. Freelancers can work from any location, at any hour, and they might even freelance for extra income on the side of a full-time job.
The freelance process typically goes as follows:
- The freelancer reaches out to clients/vice versa for possible contract work
- The freelancer tackles projects at a set price (per project, per hour, etc.)
- The client pays the freelancer for work (taxes are not taken out of paycheck; freelancers must pay their own taxes)
A career in freelancing offers so much flexibility and a chance to hone your skills for a price that you set. If a client refuses to compensate you for your worth, you can simply reject their offer and move on to another client.
Should I be a freelancer?
There are great reasons to freelance and other serious things to consider just as with anything else in life; in our opinion, the pros outweigh the cons.
Here are some of our favourite things about being a freelancer:
- There are always work opportunities. Every hour, there are dozens of new project requests added to Settlu. Of course, you won’t be hired for each of those, but there are plenty of offers to go around and the platform is not saturated with competition like other freelance platforms.
- Send more time with your family. Freelancers are lucky to be able to work anywhere in the world but also so close to your family and loved ones. For people with kids you can save a lot of money in childcare or even homeschool while you work remotely. For singles freelancers you get the chance to have a daytime social life outside of the after 9 to 5 day job.
- You control your schedule. You work when you want, how you want and as much as you want. You don’t have to beg for days off. You don’t have to get up in the morning if you’re a person whose focus is sharpest late at night. With Settlu freelancing, you make the best of your peak productivity, without being tied to the office for specific hours.
- You have an amazing opportunity to gather experience. You can work with different clients on various projects and amass experience that would be impossible to come by in a traditional office setting.
- You have the incredible opportunity to use your travel experience to earn income. How many times can you say ‘merely living abroad pays?’ You have the chance to take advantage of all the cool spots you know, get paid just for showing people around your local area and welcoming them, perhaps even creating a friendship in the process. That sounds like a WIN WIN WIN to us!
- You choose whom you work with. If things aren’t working out with a client, you can always find another one. You don’t have to stick around in a toxic environment because you’re afraid to quit your job.
What are the realities of freelancing?
Even though there’s a lot to love about being a freelancer, there are some serious things to consider, including:
- DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE. If you want to be a good freelancer, you have to be self-motivated. There is no boss checking what you’re doing. You’re that boss. You have to be strict with yourself to earn the bucks.
- Sometimes there won’t be work. There will be times when you’ll be offered more projects than you can accept, and there will be periods when it seems that no one is hiring. To combat this, establish a stable of clients, ask them to leave reviews and constantly promote your services on social media and other platforms for people to notice your work.
- Sometimes you’ll work longer hours. There will be times when maintaining a steady flow of work and income means working outside of your normal working hours – in fact, you may find yourself working longer hours than when you had a regular full-time job. This of course depends on how many projects you take up at a time. So choose wisely and only a workload you can manage.
- It can take a while to get your first gig. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t land a freelance gig immediately. Settlu is still a new platform getting hundreds of users by the day.In general, it takes anywhere from three months to a year to build connections and acquire a steady roster of clients on any freelancer platform. But once you reach that point, you’ll see your career as a freelancer take off. Also you don’t have too many people to compete with like on Upwork, Fiverr or other freelancing platforms.
Sinead
April 5, 2021 at 10:59 pmThank you for this article, very insightful.