Working online was an alien concept until a few years ago. Today more than 57 million people work online in the US alone. This is not just limited to freelancing or online job either, as companies have started reconsidering their business model, with more companies than ever now adopting the work from home model.
No doubt having an online job gives you more freedom. It gives you more flexibility, and if you are lucky enough, you get to decide your schedule. Still, it’s not all roses. Whether you are a freelancer or have a full-time online job, we all agree that it can get stressful at times. There are days when we struggle to meet deadlines, days when we don’t feel like attending online meetings. The fact that work and home are the same when working online even affects your social life. You may not be able to meet your friends in their hangouts or join your family on the holidays.
Working online in the comfort of your room may be a dream for many, but the truth is, it comes with its pros and cons. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you do better to succeed in online job and capitalize on the pros.
Learn these four things before you start an online job
1. Set a daily goal
In most cases when you are working online, you are your boss. Unfortunately, it turns out; we are not that good at being our boss. Procrastination is a common occurrence when there is no one to supervise us. So, if you want to be successful at working online, you need to stay disciplined and keep a check on your procrastination. The best way to do this is by setting daily goals and making a to-do list. If you have multiple projects in your pipeline, prioritize them according to their urgency. Another great way of making sure you do not slack off is to set dedicated hours, just like a traditional job, for your freelance work. Instead of working the entire day, devote a certain number of hours in your daily routine just for your work, without any distractions.
2. Set a monthly income target.
If you have been in the freelancing community for a while now, chances are you’ve come across someone who works the entire day but still earns very little money. This is because when you are freelancing, there is no fixed salary. You get paid depending on how much work you do and how much you charge for your services. Many people fail to make this crucial decision. You need to set a target of how much you want to earn from your freelancing work. But please, be realistic.
Working online is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Once you have a rough idea of how much you want to earn, it’ll be easier for you to decide how much you want to charge for your services and how many projects you want to undertake. When you have done this and adjusted your rates accordingly, you might find yourself earning more by doing less.
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3. Maintain a professional portfolio
Working online is very different from a traditional job. Especially when it comes to how you secure a job; you will realize that freelancing is nothing like a traditional job. You no longer have a resume; neither do you have to go through anxiety-inducing interviews (in most cases). Most people work with clients for months but never establish personal contact. The only source of communication is usually through emails. While this may sound like the perfect work environment to many, it does have some disadvantages.
In the US alone there are more than 57 million freelancers. With such a high number of available freelancers, standing out from the crowd can get a little difficult. This is exactly why some people can go months without getting any project, especially when you are a beginner and just starting. It, therefore, becomes almost necessary to maintain a professional portfolio, because that is your only chance at making a good impression on a potential client. It doesn’t even matter what stage you are in, having a portfolio is always a plus point. Even if you are a beginner and have no past work to show off, have some samples ready.
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4. Have a designated workspace
When you are working online, the line between home and work can become extremely blurry. This is because your home is your office as well. While that may sound like music to many, it comes with its problems. For instance, it can start affecting your social life. You might not have enough time to spend with your family or friends. You might find yourself working constantly throughout the day. Not just that, working online can even affect your work. Most of the time, you’ll be distracted. This is exactly why experts suggest having a dedicated workspace even if you are working from home. This will not only remove any distractions, it will also help you stay organized and increase your productivity significantly.
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