Freelancers in Pakistan | How To start freelancing jobs
How to / July 18, 2021 / 14 minutes of reading /
The lack of jobs for young people in Pakistan is no secret. And this problem of unemployment does not seem to be solved by any means. Therefore, the proportion of freelancer jobs in Pakistan is increasing day by day. The freelance market has supported Pakistan’s economy to some extent, especially in the turbulent conditions of the Covid-19. Many people are using the internet to find alternative employment. Freelancing is a great option to make money online in Pakistan. But it is important to know how to find and start freelancing jobs in Pakistan. Because a lot of new people who want to join this field can be given a better guideline. So for the same purpose, let’s take a look at the freelancing market in Pakistan, and examine its potential.
I have taken a perfect example for you to keep you positive. “ Ayman Sarosh is one of those people who makes thousands of dollars a month from home through the internet.”
Freelancers are actually people who are free from the constraints of time and space to make money and volunteer their work.
Ayman Sarosh quit his job 10 years ago and started making money online. But how is this possible?
Ayman Sarosh is a freelancer, meaning she can work for her client in any corner of the world while living in Pakistan and she does not have to go to any office. They are paid by the hour and in US dollars.
What is freelancing?
The simple definition of freelancing can be summed up as “freelancing the process of making money online by working free of time and space constraints”.
In the language of technology (internet) it means freelancing. You can work for any individual or company in any country on the internet at home and in return for this work you are paid in dollars.
how to start freelancing in Pakistan
How To Make Money Online In Pakistan with freelancing jobs
The trend of making money online has increased over the last few years. A large number of Internet users are successfully using various ways to earn money online.
People in Pakistan are also using these methods to make money through the internet. Among these methods, blogging, affiliate marketing, content writing, even online money making from YouTube channels, eCommerce, and freelancing are more notable.
In this article, I will introduce you to the increasingly popular online earning platform “freelancing”.
Freelancing jobs are a good source of online income that is gaining momentum among the youth of Pakistan. You can start this online business from anywhere with good internet and a laptop.
There was a time when people left their city and country and went to work elsewhere. But the Internet has made this technology so easy that people can now leave home and do the job of their choice in the company and country of their choice.
“A lot is changing now so a lot of people don’t have to be physically involved in an office anymore because they can do freelancing jobs and work from home (in the presence of a computer)”.
LMS digiskills online training program
In view of the deteriorating employment situation, the government of Pakistan has launched a program to train youth in the field of freelancing at the national level. In this program, Pakistan’s most successful freelancers are trained on absolutely freelancing jobs. This program has been started under the name of DigiSkills Online Training. This program was launched in 2018. So far, under this program, people of all ages have successfully completed their courses, earned foreign exchange, and contributed to the development of Pakistan.
- Freelancing,
- E-Commerce Management,
- Digital Literacy,
- Digital Marketing,
- AutoCAD,
- WordPress,
- Creative Writing,
- QuickBooks,
- Graphic Design
- Search Engine Optimization.
freelancer jobs | The Best Option For Retired People in Pakistan
Are your retirement days boring and not exactly as you planned them to be? Also, do you think you may be facing any financial difficulties?
Freelancing can be the answer to all your worries because you can work from the comfort of your own home and earn some money. You do not have to leave your home to go to work.
All you have to do is log in to your computer, look for freelancing jobs and do them to earn some money. Think about it, you already have a lot of experience and skills and all you have to do is find a freelancing job from Pakistan that is right for you.
Retired Freelancers in Pakistan
Freelance jobs in Pakistan are a great blessing for people of all ages and genders. Especially for people who have been working in the office for 9 to 5 for whole years. When such people are nearing retirement, they become anxious thinking about the future and thus deteriorate their health.
It’s easier for a retired person to do this than for someone who already has a job. In fact, the number of free-thinking people working in Pakistan includes many who have retired or taken early retirement to work from home.
Flexibility is the main reason why retired people are attracted to freelancing. Retired people sometimes do not have the energy to work eight hours straight.
Therefore, they turn to independent jobs that make it easier for them to work whenever and wherever they want. Once you have settled into the field of freelancing, finding a job will no longer be a problem for you.
This is because most of the companies that use freelancing use the same freelance services from Pakistan if they are satisfied with their previous job. This means that your source of income will be safe and secure at your own will.
In a 2018 report, citing data from the World Bank and freelancing websites, it was claimed that there were more than 60,000 freelancers in Pakistan. However, this is a careful estimate. While their number is increasing day by day.
Then in a 2019 report, Pakistan’s freelancing market was reviewed. According to the results of The Global Gig Economy Index, freelancing revenue in Pakistan was seen to increase by 42% over 2018.
Thanks to the significant growth in the industry, Pakistan came in fourth among the 10 largest countries in the world. The United States was at the top of the list, while India was seventh and Bangladesh was eighth.
According to the report, the reason for the increase in Pakistan’s freelance market is the excellent arrangements made by the government in view of a large number of youth and rising unemployment in the country.
“70% of Pakistan’s population is under 30 years of age. The promotion of technical education has helped Pakistan’s youth to contribute to the country’s economy by working as a freelancer.”
According to Mohsin Muzaffar, an online payment service provider, with the help of internet access and 4G in Pakistan, Pakistani freelancers have now been able to get jobs from all over the world.
Showing December 2018 data, the largest number of freelancers belong to these countries
According to a World Bank’s December 2018 report, Pakistan, along with the United States, India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, are among the countries where there is a large number of people working through freelancing.
By the way, in freelancing, you can try everything possible (and legitimate). However, experts in the freelance market in Pakistan, who have experience in this field, say that ‘in freelancing, you can offer everything from data entry to the work and service that you have mastered.
If you think you are good at writing, you can write about someone’s website, blog, or fashion.
“Spreadsheets, MS Word or office work, basic graphic designing, or social media posts are just a few of the freelancing jobs that exist right now.”
According to experts, digital marketing is also one of the areas where the demand for freelancing is currently available. “It covers social media marketing and affiliate marketing. ‘
In addition, there is a huge demand for software and app development jobs around the world, including in Pakistan, and young people can learn to cater to these skills so that they can benefit from change instead of looking for a job in the future.
In the Digiskill LMS training program, freelancer trainer Amna Kamal told the BBC: “With the help of computers, people can learn some skills that they no longer need to work in a company or another country. “
Some of these skills include graphic design, website creation, SEO (search engine optimization), digital marketing, social media, e-commerce, and writing.
Start Your Freelancers in Pakistan as a Web Designer
According to freelancer Ayman Sarosh, learning this type of basic skill can make money through the internet because “there are some freelancing websites where you can create an account and find work.”
Notable among these websites is Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancing.
There are Fiverr, Upwork, freelancing notable websites in Pakistan on which most freelancers find work. On these websites, you first create your profile for freelancer online jobs then apply for the job.
When the work is done, these websites charge the employer, deduct it and pay the worker. But some people do transactions on a trust level, not involving a third party.
Before you start freelancing, there are a few questions you should be answering yourself.
What are you good at?
This will give you a clear idea of which freelancing area you want to enter. For example, if you are a good writer, then offering your services as a freelance writer would be a good starting point. If you are right in accounting, there is no point you are trying to become a freelance writer even if there is a high demand for writers.
Are your skills sellable?
The freelance market is not a small place in which you have to compete with skilled people from all over the world including Pakistan.
So once you have identified your skills, you need to check if you can sell these services for a fee.
If you have any skills and abilities on which you can fight and win this battle, then the field is ready for you. You can check common freelance websites or even Facebook groups to check the demand for your skills and then understand the market.
Will you have time to complete freelance tasks?
One thing I have noticed is that lot of people jump into freelancing without thinking about the actual free time they have available to dedicate to freelancing.
If you are going to work in the freelance market, so first see if you have time to complete the projects. Because if you are a student who has to travel a lot. Or there are employees who do not have time for their clients.
Compromising on quality and non-delivery will harm your reputation and prevent you from getting future gigs.
Once you have clarity on these, time to get to work.
For any freelance work, you will need a portfolio or sample work that you can showcase. You can work on this portfolio for a week and then make it as per international standards. To work independently in the freelance market as a freelancer from Pakistan or any country in the world, you will need a portfolio or test work that you can submit. Work on your profile by identifying the different skills you have developed over the years. Include skills that you can take advantage of to start an independent business.
There are many freelance websites like Crew scale, Freelancer, Fiverr, 99 design, Apowork, etc. on which you can sign up to find freelance work. Signing up on these websites is very easy.
Never be tempted by online jobs. Don’t find new customers too much. If you already have customers, work with them. Because you pay too much attention to new customers, you often forget about the customers you already have. Focus on ways to improve your existing customers and your services.
Most freelancers are a bit of a puzzle at the moment. When they start bidding. It’s easy to do because you’re just trying to get to the door one step further. But this is not necessary, especially if you are the only customer. Focus on what you do and its importance.
Once you become your own client, the road ahead becomes a little easier, which will definitely take you to your destination. You don’t have to think about too many clients from the beginning. To get started you just need an audience and focus your full attention on that.
Once you start doing freelance projects, make sure your profile is visible as a seller to ask for your feedback/endorsement. This will get you future gigs.
I feel if your fundamental skills are not sellable enough, then only you should be taking a course.
Also, only take inexpensive courses. Once you start making money with your skills, you can always do expensive courses to improve your knowledge.
Remember freelancing is not something you can learn overnight and start earning. Like any other job, you have to work hard to become a successful freelancer. It’s about patience, perseverance, and long-term learning. Yes, there are shortcuts, but they are a temporary benefit and they will take you to the black hole. Avoid them.
Why is it difficult to get a first client for Freelancers in Pakistan?
The freelancer is of course from Pakistan, or from any other part of the world, it is always difficult to get his project. There are a number of reasons why new freelancers should not be hired.
- Clients often avoid considering newcomers. This is largely due to their confidence which prevents them from referring their project to someone who does not have much experience and skills to work with.
- Clients really find the best services for themselves.
- The client also does not give the project to the new freelancer because he thinks that his project may be late. You will see this freelance market issue on every platform in the world including Pakistan.
- They don’t just want to risk their plan.
- When it comes to hiring a new baby, there are also trust issues. You have a profile with reviews and ratings because you haven’t done anything yet.
Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a job just because you are a new freelancer.
Of course, there is no such thing. You can get projects and you will definitely get them.
Don’t worry, I’m not trying to derail you, but I’m explaining something valuable that can help you lay the foundation for a freelance career while living in Pakistan.
My purpose in telling you all this is not to discourage you at all, but it is a fact that it was very important to tell you so that you do not give up.
How to get the first client in Pakistan as a new freelancer?
Starting freelancing in Pakistan and getting the first jobs of your freelancer career is a very difficult process.
However, my advice is to get the first project.
- Never try to bid on freelance platforms like Upwork and Freelancer to get projects for yourself. Because there are a bunch of experienced freelancers on these platforms. So it will be very difficult for you to find a place here.
- To get your first freelancer jobs in Pakistan, use Fiverr.com. Sign up here and create a gig so customers can see what you have to offer. You can do 5 or more small things to build your portfolio.
- Go to Facebook and other social networks and join similar groups and pages related to your skills. Offer your work to them in small amounts.
- You can also get plans offline. Go to small businesses around you and suggest your offer. The only purpose of doing all this is to get you into it somehow.
- You may find my point a bit strange but it would be the best course of action to enter. First of all, you can offer your skills for free. This can add experience and expertise to your profile.
So don’t rush.
Take your time and keep learning, independent work requires time, effort, and patience.
How Much Money Can People Make In Freelancing? It depends on a person’s ability, abilities, the nature of the work, and the duration of the time.
When work is paid for in dollars, the cost is much higher.
One of the benefits of freelancing is that you make money in dollars, not money. When people make money from outside, it benefits individually and nationally.
Ayman Sarosh said the country is facing a shortage of jobs and there is an alternative way for young people to make money through freelancing on the internet.
He also highlighted this aspect. Some people set up their own companies with the help of freelancing.
How to start freelancing in Pakistan and how to be a part of the freelance market, I can give you some advice from my experience …
- Don’t quit your day job until you have some regular users. Start your independent work in parallel.
- Learn your skills to master yourself. For example, you don’t wake up one morning and decide to start making money as a freelance writer. To do this you need to learn some essential skills.
- Set up a website for your independent business. This will allow potential customers to find you and give you some credibility. Also, it will allow you to blog and showcase your skills.
- Create a Facebook page for your independent business. Keep in touch with freelancers living in Pakistan.
- Use LinkedIn to connect with clients.
In this article, I have tried my best to tell you about the freelancers opportunities and freelance market in Pakistan. There are endless opportunities for freelancer jobs in Pakistan. All that is needed is to promote and start freelancing in Pakistan.
Originally published at https://mainshout.com on July 18, 2021.