On a recent panel, Shutterstock’s creative director, Flo Lau, summed up her field’s reaction to the virus, saying everyone must “scramble and find alternative ways to get things done in this new normal.” It is in the new normal that cracks are opening for outsiders to show their talents and gain fair remuneration for their efforts.
In fact, this is not some sudden and new departure from traditional work life, the transition into more contemporary talent-based platforms had begun long before COVID. In the ‘Gig Economy’, individuals can sell their talents as services on their own accord, taking on risk for reward.
Already growing at a lightning-fast pace, the gig economy soared to new heights during the onset of the pandemic. If current trends continue, it’s estimated that the gig economy could be worth a staggering $2.7 trillion by 2025.
So, if you’re one of the 15.9 million individuals who lost their job during the pandemic, or you just want to shore up your financial stability, now’s the time.
You can avoid the unfamiliar and unnavigable mid-pandemic job market and take a digital-centric creative approach to earning more money, whether full time, or on the side.
What do you have to offer?
Think of any talents, skills, or expertise you have now, that are going unused. There are people out there who want to learn those things from you, or pay for your services directly.
- Voice acting or voiceover work: Perhaps you have a compelling voice that would be suited to advertising or narration. There are always content creators on the lookout for the ideal voice that suits what they have to sell. And naturally, there are people who’re equipped to supply their own unique voices. From an urban male voice to the voice of a grandmother, to any other unique character – there are people around the world who are willing to give businesses a voice, and you can join them!
- Graphic design: Maybe you have a knack for art or logo design and just haven’t got around to doing anything with it yet. If not now, then when?
- Writing/editing: Small businesses, corporations, non-profits, influencers, bloggers, and much more are always on the lookout for fresh, new content for their online endeavors. Time to put that English Major to use!
- Developing: Coding and app development are in high demand across multiple industries. If you have the skills, get a side hustle going!
- Social media marketer: Having a dynamic online presence has never been more important for brands or business owners. Even influencers sometimes hire others to take care of certain aspects of their online presence.
And the list goes on.
Understand your market
Now that you know what you’re going to sell, it’s time to find out who’s going to buy. Take a look at well-established sellers in your desired line of freelancing work. Who are their clients, what are the demographics? More importantly, keep a close eye on how the seller is attracting their clients. Up-to-date and dynamic marketing strategies are vital to freelancing success.
Create a website or set up a profile on a freelance platform
You’re going to need a landing page for your new freelance business. This is how your clients will find you, and will be able to get in contact with you. Fortunately, there are numerous web developers (even freelance web developers) who’ll gladly set up your website for a reasonable fee.
However, suppose you’d like to attract a considerable clientele first. In that case, many recommend getting started on an online marketplace platform such as Fiverr or Upwork.
Think SEO
Now that you’ve got the bones of your business established, it’s time to set your sights on exposure. To achieve maximum reach, influence, and sales, you must include keywords, relevant images, and other such SEO components in your gig/business landing page.
Moreover, setting up social media accounts for your freelance business or sharing your gig on your personal social media accounts can get the word out there.
Final word
Before too long, you should have landed your first customer and be on your way to a successful sale. I hope you’ve gained some valuable insights into how finding creative online work during a pandemic is entirely possible and very doable. Why not follow the steps and tips outlined above and earn some extra cash? There’s no better day to start than today.