How To Benefit In The New Economy
Are you tapping into the New Economy? Since the birth of internet and the dot-com bubble in the late 90s, there is a drastic shift from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-based economy. Internet has become an important tool for businesses and consumers to interact, play, and trade beyond the limitation of time and space. The trending shared economy might be here to stay, and these disruptions are forcing traditional companies to reinvent their services to stay relevant.
We are now living in a hyper-connected world where we can easily communicate and work with anyone in the world right now, even in our own homes if we choose to! From flexible working hours to home-office meetings, it is possible to have a sustainable career beyond the 9-to-5 model. Doing so has empowered women and the handicapped to join the workforce. Freelancing is becoming a viable career option for many to juggle work-life balance, or a source of supplementary income.
Here are 3 tips to benefit in the new economy:
- Identify your skill sets
Budding freelancers often find it challenging to identify their skills, much less to promote themselves. Whether you are a specialist or hobbyist, a skill is something that you are good at doing. It could come naturally to you, or something you have learnt through experience or training. From writing to design, marketing or academic tuition, com is a community platform for freelancers to identify their strengths and connect with businesses on ad hoc basis. - Create a portfolio and reach out
One of the biggest challenge for budding freelancers is having a successful work to showcase. It might seem like a catch-22 situation, but a portfolio could be an unfinished work to showcase your skill and taste. Otherwise, you could create a work for an imaginary client. Additionally, you can consider opportunities such as pro-bono work for your friends or community volunteer work to build your portfolio too.Conversely, an experienced freelancer might find it stressful to showcase their best works. The key to stand out is structure in presentation with visuals, and to demonstrate process and how your customer service; from first communication to handover, is better than the next freelancer available. Remember, everyone is on a level playing field online. You are providing your interpretation of the job, and your customer service throughout the process.Once you have a portfolio ready, it is time to get your name out! There are many freelancing portals to consider. Depending on your skill set, you can consider popular sites such as Freelancer, Upwork, or Fiverr. alternatively, you can promote yourself via social media, such as Facebook, Linkedin and Youtube. Position yourself as a brand, and find out how personal branding can be an effective method to connect with your audience.
- Network with industry players
Unlike traditional working environment, freelancing does not require you to interact much with other contributors to the overall project. Moreover, there are limited resources to legal and human resources support for freelancers. This creates an individualistic environment with no support group for freelancers to seek help from. Despite the lack of professional organisations for the overall freelance community, there are the excellent general organisations like The Freelancers Union(US), IPSE (UK), or NTUC(SG) that provides help and resources from legal to up-skill opportunities.
Inspired to be a freelancer? AceLancer Bay aspires to be the platform to empower committed and professional freelancers. We provide the opportunity for professionals to connect with businesses, and support with frill services such as basic accounting and job management, business and human resource information. AceLancers can engage and build a with a community of freelancers on our web portal forum. Alternatively, access the platform on the go via iOS or Android mobile app.
Market your services, network, and collaborate to leverage and synergise with complementing freelancers to take on multi-phase projects that an individual would otherwise not be able to take up. This forum highlights our integrated online platforms for members to share their challenges for their career growth and welfare.
