Freelancing is on the most wanted list for individuals who are on the lookout for a career that is flexible and want to be independent but in order to survive in that competitive world, it is very important for you to constantly invest in yourself by refining and improving your skills and broaden your network.
So in order for you to continuously excel in your freelancing journey, I have been able to put together in this article the very best of the best resources out there for both beginners and pros for every aspect of freelancing to help you on this journey in order to prevent you from facing setbacks and difficulties on the road.
1. ONLINE TUTORIALS AND COURSES
This particular resource has helped almost everyone in the freelancing field and as a freelancer, you need to constantly learn to improve and hone your skills. There are many online learning platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning can guide and teach you the basics of freelancing if you are a beginner, and if you are already a pro, it can help to enhance and upgrade your skills whether technical, marketing and project management abilities.
Do not think of these courses as a waste of time but think of it as an investment to gain an edge in the competitive world of freelancing.
2. FREELANCING PLATFORMS
There are several freelancing platforms that can provide you with all the pieces of information on how to be on top of your game in the world of freelancing, it also helps provide work and job opportunities by connecting sellers to buyers. These platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and Freelance.com, helps to increase your visibility and handle your payments and invoice perfectly.
3. BOOKS
Do not underestimate the usefulness of reading books that can help guide you in your path of freelancing because they contain and cover various range of topics concerning freelancing. These books can beginners and pros start, and grow, provide you with the dos and don’ts, and the ins and outs of the freelancing world, and also help you with tips that can hone your skills. These books include; The Freelancer’s Bible By Sara Horowitz, Dear Freelancer By Brittany Melton, and The 4-Hour Workweek By Tim Ferris just to mention a few.
4. NETWORKING
In my previous post on the eight strategies to get more clients as a freelancer in 2023, I wrote about the need and usefulness of networking because networking plays a vital role in the life of any freelancer who is looking to succeed in his or her field. As a freelancer whether a newbie or a professional, you are expected to join or belong to networking platforms or communities that can nurture helpful connections and also help to expand your reach as a freelancer.
Networking communities include; Online platforms, Facebook groups, and LinkedIn groups. These professional networking communities can help with advice and information from seasoned freelancers, they also provide you with dates and locations of events where freelancers converge which you can attend and participate in to rub minds with likeminds and in turn, you can collaborate with them on various tasks and projects.
5. MENTORS
Having someone who is a seasoned freelancer who can guide you through your journey of freelancing by providing you with personalized advice and tips can be a game changer for you. I know that some of you might think you do not need a mentor because you seem to be doing well for yourself but having a mentor by your side can you scale through any obstacle or difficulty you might encounter.
A freelance mentor can also share their experiences and understanding that can help your freelancing career and which can take it to the next level. There are times you might encounter some problems like not knowing how to reply to a difficult client or how to set your price, your mentor comes in here by sharing their knowledge and experiences to guide you through in a professional way.
6. PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Project management tools are also needed to help you succeed in freelancing. Making use of efficient project management tools like Monday.co, Asana, and Trello can help you run your workflow in a well-organized way, and communicate with your clients.
They also help to expand your productivity by organizing your projects, tracking your work progress, and assigning deadlines, etc.
These resources are just a few examples of the resources out there to help you succeed as a freelancer and by making use of the six resources in this article, you can be sure to become one of the most sought-after successful freelancer in 2023.
