BPO Employee to Freelancing Career

We know how challenging it is to transition from a regular full-time job to a freelancing career. It’s hard but it is doable. To provide inspiration, we’ve interviewed individuals who were successful in their careers. Note that we define “success” not just by financial standards but more so on how their chosen careers have benefited their lifestyle. We’ve asked our experts a series of questions to help understand their journey and gather best practices someone new in freelancing may benefit from.

Passionate, Courageous and Driven

Marj, as she is called, was my inspiration for trying out freelancing. She and I used to work in the same company while we were in the corporate world. I’ve personally seen how this woman juggled corporate life and freelancing when she was still starting out.  Passionate, courageous and driven are just some of the words I could think of in describing Marj.  Read on to know more about her journey in freelancing.

How did your freelancing career begin?

I dabbled in work-from-home freelancing when I needed more cash coming in. So, I looked for opportunities that will not interfere with my day job. I started with small, one-time writing gigs. Then I got more contracts and my clients started sending more jobs and tasks. That’s when I branched out to QA, accounting/bookkeeping and VA work. Then I resigned from the corporate job I had then to transform into a full-time freelance worker.

What’s your niche and how did you find it?

My niche is in writing, QA and Accounting. Experience and passion led me to it.  I just followed what I love to do and what I enjoy doing.

How do you find and attract clients?

Initially, thru Upwork, I created a really compelling (I think) profile, took tests and uploaded samples of my work. Later on, my clients are either repeat clients or referrals from previous clients.

What tools/strategies would you recommend to someone starting out in freelancing?

(1) Solid skills

(2) Good communication skills, English at least.

(3) When in doubt – overdeliver

In your opinion, what are the keys to success when working remotely with a client?

(1) Learn skills and be good at it – this is where you’ll gain confidence.

(2) Never be afraid to learn – this is what will help you grow.

(3) Self-discipline.

What would you give as advice to someone who’s just starting out in freelancing?

Learn as much as you can about the freelancing world. Take the time to learn and build your profile. Take care of your clients and always deliver 110%. It may take sometime before you can get stable clients and reach your income goals, but with perseverance and grit, you’ll eventually get there.

 

Facts:

• Marj has been freelancing/working from home for over 8 years
• She currently has 3 to 5 clients at the moment while working 25 to 30 hours in a week
• She earns an average of 60 to 80k PHP in a month

 

If you find these articles inspiring, please let us know in the comments below and feel free to share the content to those who might need it. Make sure to check out our Be Inspired Series for inspiring success stories of freelance workers.