The Corona Virus has caused a massive shift in the way we work. For freelancers and those working in the tech sector, working remotely is a way of life, but for others, like teachers, designers etc, it is a paradigm shift.
If you are in a line of work where you are used to dealing with your customers face to face, We are sure that you are being hit badly by the virus. But, why? Experience and examples around us show how almost everyone is taking their business online.
Whoa! But we can’t go online!
We ask you why not? Developers, Graphic Designers, Copywriters, etc have been doing it for ages, so why not you?
If you are teaching, be it a craft, a language, any skills, we ask you why you are not online already? Tools like Zoom, Skype, Clickmeeting, etc allow you to host classes online, while tools like Youtube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, and other social channels allow you to market your classes.
Here are some recommendations from us for inspiration:
Tastemade, Yo Yo Chinese, Doodles by Sarah.
And for the Polish speakers, this is where you can start looking for inspirations: Ranking Influencer.pl: Najlepsze blogi DIY.
There are many examples of how people are selling their skills by offering free tutorials and other videos. As long as you have a functioning laptop, a phone camera and an internet connection, there is almost no skill that you can’t sell online!
Go global – reach out to international clients
The best part about going digital is that your customers expand from being localised to global. Social networking sites are very effective channels to reach new customers, but you can also make use of platforms dedicated for freelancers. These are globally oriented marketplaces that connect businesses and freelancers all over the world, such as, let’s just mention a few: Upwork, Freelance, Fiverr, Toptal, Guru, Etsy, Findagig.
If you want to offer your skills locally in Poland rather than globally, it’s worth checking out Outwork, Oferia, WPZlecenia, Freelancer and Useme.
Upskill yourself from home
In response to the pandemic, major online e-learning platforms have made some of their content available for free. Coursera has made it’s content free to universities worldwide, while Udemy has created a hub of free courses. Many of these will be a hit for those seeking to improve their tech or coding skills, with dozens of courses on web developing, IT and software and programming languages.
Check out free online courses offered by Harvard University, Udemy, Coursera, Hays and others who have made parts of their content available for free due to the Coronavirus. The topics range from the science of wellbeing, through successful negotiations to fundamentals of programming, machine learning and financial risk management. LinkedIn Learning has also announced free courses that include tips on how to stay productive, how to build relationships when you’re not face-to-face, how to use virtual meeting tools and balance family and work in a healthy way.
Here in Pomorskie, we are also doing our bit to help people come out on top of the pandemic. Check out our article about IT courses recommended for Tricity geeks.
Seek support and join networks
Last but not least, seek support from your peers and communities. There are plenty of Facebook and LinkedIn groups that help freelancers get jobs and allow craftspeople to showcase their wares.
Above all, be confident in your abilities, because you are good and there are those who want you!
