Freelancing 101: Everything you need to know about working online

2. Frequently Asked Questions
Paano ba magwork
from home?
Anong pwede ko
maging trabaho?

3. Takeaways:
0 Get clarity on:
What a freelancer is
How working from home works
Hot to charge and get paid
Find out if freelancing is for you
0 Pumped and ready to start applying!

4. Course Outline:
0 Freelancing 101
 Industry
 Where to look for a job
 How it works
 Pay Structure
0 Step by step application process
 Profile
 Tests
 Cover Letter
 Interview
0 Job Application Demo
0 Pro Tips
0 Q&A

5. Who We Are

6. What is
0 Founded to initially to help her friends shift to an
online career
0 Web-based platform to reach more Pinoys
0 Provides in-depth coaching for aspiring freelancers
0 Offers mastery class for current freelancers
0 Paid webinar – we only cater to people who are
committed to working online
To help Filipinos land a long term job thereby alleviating
unemployment in the Philippines

7. Speakers
JUAY ABESAMIS
Previous Work: Supply Chain Analyst
Freelancer since 2013
VA, Excel Expert
Adviser
CATH QUIAMBAO
Previous Work: Brand Manager
Freelancer since 2012
VA, Marketing Strategist
Founder

8. Freelancing 101

9. Freelancing Industry
*Elance-oDesk

10. Attitudes and Motivations
0 Main reasons:
*Source 2012 Industry Report

11. 0 Happier as a Freelancer?
*Source 2012 Industry Report
Attitudes and Motivations

12. Where to find jobs
oDesk (www.odesk.com)
Based in Redwood City, CA, and was
founded in 2003
Elance (www.elance.com)
Based in Mountain View, California,
United States and founded in 1999.

13. Where to find jobs
Freelancer
(www.freelancer.com)
Online Jobs PH
(www.onlinejobs.ph)

14. How It Works

15. Types of Contracts

16. How do I get paid?

17. How Much Can I Earn?
Popular jobs on
oDesk
Average Rate
Ave. Monthly
Earnings
@1 USD = PHP42.00
Virtual Assistant $3 - $8 / hr $500- $1,280 PHP 21,000 – 53,800
Blog & Article
Writing
$5 - $10 / article
SEO $5 - $10 / hr $800 - $1,600 PHP 33,6000 – 67,200
Web Design $10 - $20 / hr $1,600 - $3,200 PHP 67,2000 – 134,400
Graphic Design $10 - $20 / hr $1,600 - $3,200 PHP 67,200 – 134,400
Mobile App
Development
$20 - $30 / hr $3,200 - $4,800 PHP 134,400 – 201,600

18. How Much Can I Earn?
Popular jobs on
oDesk
Average Rate
Ave. Monthly
Earnings
@1 USD = PHP42.00
Email Marketing $5 - $10 / hr $800 - $1,600 PHP 33, 600 – 67,200
Customer Service $5 - $10 / hr $800 - $1,600 PHP 33,600 – 67,200
Social Media
Marketing
$4 - $8 / hr $640 - $1,280 PHP 26,900 – 53,8000
Data Entry Around $3 / hr $480 PHP 20,200

19. What Traits Are Needed
0 Has a career goal in mind
0 Confident – can market
themselves
0 Self-starter
0 Resourceful - Google is your
bestfriend!
0 Disciplined and accountable
0 On top of things
0 Meticulous - detail oriented
0 Internet savvy – willing to learn
0 Willing to go the extra mile

20. Finding Work in oDesk

21. Elance-oDesk Facts and Figures
0 Size
 $900+M annualized freelancer earnings
 9.3M freelancers registered
0 Average Days to Hire
 3 days vs. 43 days for traditional job
applications
0 Freelancer countries with the
highest earnings
 1. India
 2. United States
 3. Philippines
SOURCE: http://elance-odesk.com/online-work-report-global

22. What You Need To Start
Working
0 PC – Desktop or Laptop
0 Broadband Internet Connection
 Recommended: 2mbps of DSL, Cable, or Home Wireless
connection
 Mobile Broadband or data plan (for back up)
 To test your speed: go to www.speedtest.net
0 Operating system: Windows 7+
0 Headset with Microphone
0 Quiet Working Space

23. Application Process
Source: oDesk Freelancer Manual 2013
Find the right
job and hit the
“Apply” button.
Enter your offered rate,
cover letter, attachments (if
any), and send.
The client will review
applications and contact
candidates for interviews.
Accept the offer and start
working!
The client may propose a paid
“test job” to get a better idea of
your skills. This is a great way to
find out how well you’ll work
together – just be sure to agree
upon a rate and number of
weekly hours before you begin.

24. Step 1: Create A Profile
Gives a client a
straight answer to
what he/she might
get if they hire her.
Professional
looking
Photo
Multiple skills tests
with outstanding
scores and relevant
certifications
Catchy and
related
headline

25. Step 2:
Take oDesk Readiness + Tests
0 oDesk Readiness Test is
not mandatory but
recommended.
0 Without passing the test,
you are limited to apply to
2 jobs per week.
0 Passing score: 100%
0 Don’t worry! Links to the
answers are provided.
0 Unlimited retakes

26. Step 2:
Take oDesk Readiness + Tests
0 Take at least 2 more tests!
0 This will help you increase your job application limit
0 It’s free to retake the test after 30 days
0 You can also hide any tests scores you do not like

27. Job Application Limit
0 Passing the oDesk Readiness Test
0 Taking and passing four or more
skills tests
0 Max. job applications per week is
20
0 May take up to 12 hours after
passing tests or withdrawing job
application for quota to increase
0 Verifying by uploading IDs
oDesk
Ready
# of Test
Passed and
Public
Job
Application
Quota
No Any 2
Yes 0 5
Yes 1 10
Yes 2-3 15
Yes 4+ 20
Step 2:
Take oDesk Readiness + Tests

28. 0 Web Development
0 Writing & Translation
0 Customer Service
0 Software Development
0 Administrative Support
0 Sales & Marketing
0 Networking & Information Systems
0 Design & Multimedia
0 Business Services
Step 3: Finding A Job
Categories

29. Step 3: Finding A Job
0 Search for keywords, position titles, skills.

30. Step 3: Finding A Job
0 Screen clients and jobs ads carefully.

31. Step 3: Finding A Job
0 Sample Ad: Virtual Assistant (Hourly Contract)

32. Step 3: Finding a Job
0 Sample Ad: Customer Service Representative (Fixed Price)

33. 0 Data Entry Specialist
0 Researcher
0 Project Manager
0 Content Writer
0 Web Developer
0 SEO
Step 3: Finding A Job
Other Popular Jobs
Next Slide

34. Step 3: Finding A Job
Other Popular Jobs
Next Slide
0 Data Entry Specialist
0 Researcher
0 Project Manager
0 Content Writer
0 Web Developer
0 SEO

35. Step 3: Finding A Job
Other Popular Jobs
Next Slide
0 Data Entry Specialist
0 Researcher
0 Project Manager
0 Content Writer
0 Web Developer
0 SEO

36. Step 3: Finding A Job
Other Popular Jobs
Next Slide
0 Data Entry Specialist
0 Researcher
0 Project Manager
0 Content Writer
0 Web Developer
0 SEO

37. Step 3: Finding A Job
Other Popular Jobs
Next Slide
0 Data Entry Specialist
0 Researcher
0 Project Manager
0 Content Writer
0 Web Developer
0 SEO

38. Step 3: Finding A Job
Other Popular Jobs
Next Slide
0 Data Entry Specialist
0 Researcher
0 Project Manager
0 Content Writer
0 Web Developer
0 SEO

39. 0 Data Entry Specialist
0 Researcher
0 Project Manager
0 Content Writer
0 Web Developer
0 SEO
Step 3: Finding A Job
Other Popular Jobs
Next Slide

40. Make a
professional
impression Tell why
you’re
writing and
why you’re
qualified.
Refer to your
profile
Discuss
availability
Relate back
to the job
post
Step 4: Write a Cover Letter

41. Step 4:
Enter your offer/rate
Choose a rate that’s reasonable, not the cheapest.
“You get what you pay for”
At least between the average and highest bid rate/price
0Hourly Jobs
Try to stick to the rate on your profile.
You can bid lower but not higher than your profile rate
Okay to start at $3/hr but increase it as soon as you get a
decent rating and hours behind you.
0 Fixed Price

42. Step 5:
Prepare For An Interview
Skype [voice or video], written or email
0 Check your headset and connection.
 Do a Skype test call prior to your interview.
0 Try to make yourself available on the requested time.
0 Review the job post and your cover letter.
0 Visit their website if provided by the client.
0 Ask questions at the end of the interview.
Trial
Average response time of client varies from 1 day to
1 month

43. Step 6: Download Team App/
Time Tracker
0 The Team App automatically track hours for hourly contracts.
0 The Work Diary takes work-in-progress snapshots randomly in
10-min. intervals.
0 Requirement: Windows 7 and higher versions

44. Summary
0 STEP 1: Create an outstanding profile.
 Catchy headline
 Reasonable hourly rate
 Effective overview
0 STEP 2: Take skills tests.
 oDesk Readiness Test
 Other relevant skills tests
0 STEP 3: Start applying for jobs.
0 STEP 4: Write a winning cover letter
 Tailor each letter
 Check for errors
0 STEP 5: Prepare for an interview.
0 STEP 6: Download the Time Tracker App.

45. Application Demo

46. Freelancing Best Practices

47. More Tips….
0ProTip #1 - Apply to fresh (1 day old) jobs
0ProTip #2 – Personalize your cover letter. Find
the client’s first name in the feedback session.
Or insert a catchy opening line:
“A pleasant summer morning to you!”
0ProTip #3 – Save your cover letter for future
use. BUT don’t forget to customize it when
applying.

48. More Tips….
0ProTip #4 – Consider applying to fixed-price
jobs even at low rates to earn a 5 star rating.
0ProTip #5 – Bank on your corporate
experience to win a job.
0ProTip #6 – Read, read, read. Learn, learn,
learn!

49. Common Questions
0 Should I apply to job postings where clients have zero
feedback or no payment method verified?
0 Should I accept payment methods outside oDesk?
0 Which is better? A fixed price contract or hourly?
0 How can you increase your rate?

50. Ask Me Anything

51. Follow Us
Twitter
0 @Freelancing_PH
Facebook
0http://www.facebook.com/freelancing.ph
LinkedIn
0http://www.linkedin.com/company/freelancing-
philippines
0 Special discount for future courses!

52. Homework!
0 Create oDesk account
0 Build a winning profile
0 Email link to cath@freelancing.ph so we can review
0 Take exams
0 Start applying!