Becoming a freelancer is very tricky. One day, you’re comfortable, getting lots of clients and even rejecting some because you’re at maximum capacity. Another day, you’re on LinkedIn telling us why hiring you is the best thing since sliced bread.
It’s unstable. This is why many people prefer to be freelancers rather than in-house employees. So, if push comes to shove, they have a stable salary source to fall back to.
While this has worked, you can still make yourself not only a highly-sought after freelancer but a well-paid one.
In this article, we’ll share tips on how to become a well-paid freelancer in Nigeria.
How to Become a Well-Paid Freelancer in Nigeria
To become a high-earning freelancer in Nigeria, you need to stand out in the competitive market, attract high-end clients, and deliver good work.
Here's a step-by-step guide to having a high-earning freelance career:
1. Choose a profitable niche
Since most international clients prefer specialists over generalists, having a niche increases your chances of getting hired. Also, when you specialize in a field, you present yourself as an expert, making it easy to attract clients willing to pay for your specialized skills.
READ ALSO: 20 Highest-Paying Freelance Jobs in Nigeria
2: Build a strong portfolio
Your portfolio is the most important tool in convincing potential clients to hire you. It showcases your skills, and previous work, and demonstrates your ability to deliver quality results. A strong portfolio will help you attract better-paying clients, even if you don’t have years of experience.
Here are some tips to create an impressive portfolio with limited experience;
- Work on personal projects or offer free or discounted services to friends, family, or small businesses. The goal is to build a portfolio that demonstrates your skills in real-world scenarios.
- Focus on quality over quantity. Even if you only have a few projects in your portfolio, make sure they show your best work and are relevant to the type of jobs you’re applying for.
- Include case studies that detail how your work solved a client’s problem. For example, if you’re a web developer, explain how you improved the website’s speed or user experience.
- Use platforms like Behance (for designers), GitHub (for developers), and personal websites or LinkedIn to display your portfolio.
3: Find clients locally and internationally
Once you have a niche and a portfolio, the next thing is to find your clients. Finding freelance work is quite easy with platforms like Expaat which connects you to global clients, but persistence is important.
To find clients locally and internationally;
- Personalize every proposal you send. Avoid copy-pasting generic pitches. Tailor each proposal to the client’s specific needs, explaining how you can solve their problem.
- Highlight your strengths in a concise, compelling way. Showcase relevant experience and how it matches the client’s job requirements.
- Be transparent about your availability, pricing, and work process. International clients often value clear communication, reliability, and professionalism.
- Network with other freelancers and potential clients through LinkedIn, social media, and freelance community groups. These connections can help you find more opportunities.
READ ALSO: How to Get & Retain Clients as a Freelancer in Nigeria
4: Learn how to set competitive rates
Setting the rates is one of the most difficult tasks one experiences as a freelancer. In freelancing, you want to charge a rate worthy of your skill and experience but at the same time not take yourself out of the market.
To set competitive rates;
- Research the average freelance rates in your niche.
- For local clients, charge locally as the economic situation of the country may impede their efforts to pay you in foreign currencies.
- For international clients, research the average rates of freelancers in the country with your skillset and experience and set your rate.
How to negotiate rates with clients:
- Be confident in your skills and the value you provide. If a client tries to negotiate a lower rate, explain why your services are worth the price you’re asking for.
- Be flexible with your rates, especially when starting, but always make sure you’re being compensated fairly.
- Consider offering tiered pricing options to clients with different budgets. For example, you can provide a basic, standard, and premium package, each offering more features or services.
READ ALSO: How to Make More Money as a Freelancer in Nigeria: 7 Steps That Work
5: Improve your skills and certifications
The freelance industry is dynamic, and new technologies, tools, and trends emerge frequently. You have to continuously upgrade your skills and knowledge to offer more advanced services and stand out in your niche.
Expat Learn is a great place to learn new skills about your niche or area of interest. The platform creates tailored learning experiences relevant to helping you enhance your skill sets. Courses are affordable and you get certificates on completion of your course.
6: Build a professional network
Networking is a key component of freelancing success. Having a strong professional network can open doors to new opportunities, referrals, and collaborations that can lead to higher-paying gigs.
To build a professional network;
- Attend local and online networking events, seminars, and webinars to meet potential clients and fellow freelancers.
- Join online communities where freelancers in your niche share job leads, tips, and collaboration opportunities.
- Connect with other freelancers and build relationships. They can refer clients to you when they’re unavailable or collaborate with you on bigger projects.
Begin your Freelance Journey
One right approach can make a difference in building your freelance career in Nigeria. Pick a profitable niche, get a good portfolio, acquire clients locally and internationally, set competitive rates, keep improving your skills, and network effectively to become one of the best-paid freelancers.
Take the first step today by selecting a niche and signing up on Expaat, a freelance platform for the top 5% of tech talent.
Invest in continuous learning and networking, and watch your freelance career grow in Nigeria and internationally.
Opportunities abound; it is up to you to seize them!
