How Students can Make Money
When you were a child and someone asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up, a “freelancer” probably wasn’t your answer. The freelancing career has only begun to take off in the past decade. But now, it’s an integral part of the gig economy, and it can be very lucrative.
If you have knowledge that other people need, like software and computer programming, you can be very successful as a freelancer. Because of the high demand and flexible hours, even students can make extra money through software freelancing.
Do you have the skills to work in software jobs, but not the “work experience”?
If so, freelancing might be exactly what you need to get started in the field.
When you’re ready to get started, use these tips to boost your chances of success in software freelancing.
1. Know Your Skills and Weaknesses
The main thing that holds students back from becoming software freelancers is the thought that they don’t have anything to offer.
But if you have skills like coding or programming, you “speak a language” that billions of people don’t.
Go on some of the freelancing websites and check out what clients are asking for. Make a list of the skills you have that match some of the jobs. Then, write down your weaknesses, so you know what to work toward.
The amazing part about everything being digital is that you can fill in the gaps where your weak areas are online. A lot of what you’ll need to learn is available free, or you can pay for a certification that will help you get more work.
Look at the skills you don’t know as an opportunity to learn them! If you have a foundation to work with, you can start out with those in your new freelancing career.
2. Market Yourself
As you’re checking out the jobs available, scroll through the “competition,” too.
How are other freelancers marketing themselves?
Your reputation is important, but you might not have a big portfolio to share as you are just starting. The last thing you want to put on your resume is that you’re brand new to the industry.
Instead, focus on the experiences you do have. Market yourself as proficient in as many programming languages as possible.
How did you get your expertise?
Include that in as professional a description as you can.
If you’ve worked with any major companies — name drop! Unless you signed a non-disclosure agreement, mentioning a big name can be enough to sway a client to choose you as their freelancer.
When it comes to the results you’ve gotten, try to quantify them as much as possible. Use numbers to show your experience. This is the evidence that potential clients want to prove to them that you know your stuff.
3. Choose the Best Software Freelancing Sites
Now that you know how you’re going to market yourself, it’s time to add your resume to the best software freelancing sites. Every platform has its advantages and disadvantages, so you should check them all out and see which one works for you.
You don’t need to limit yourself. Use the same or similar resume and see which sites you get nibbles or bites from.
Some of the top sites for software freelancing include:
Rockerstop –
Rockerstop is one of the most popular sites for entrepreneurs. Clients in all industries go here for everything from building simple web pages to software programming. The downside is that you have to pass their tests and certificates in order to get the higher-paying jobs.
Fiverr –
This site has become the go-to for people who need creative tasks done, such as voiceovers and art projects. However, it’s also a common one for requests for programming services. If you have a skill you can lead in, Fiverr is an excellent place to get started.
Upwork –
Beginners are welcome and, in fact, searched out at Upwork. Clients who are more concerned about budget than expertise use Upwork for everything from virtual assistant to software development. If you want to build a portfolio, Upwork is where you start.
Toptal –
Once you build your portfolio, you can try to get into Toptal. The platform works with top companies and the best freelancers. It’s not easy to get in, but if you can, you get access to some of the highest-paid jobs.
Start with the easy ones to get your portfolio built and keep growing your jobs from there. Don’t forget to update your profile as you learn new skills!
4. Set Real Goals and Expectations
Since you’re just starting, you need to have realistic expectations. You’re competing against other freelancers who may have been doing this longer than you.
Until you build a portfolio, it’s going to be hard to win the bids of the best-paying jobs. However, you also need to pay the bills, so taking on a lot of high-work, low-reward clients will make going to school and working arduous for you.
You need to approach the jobs you bid on and the work you accept with a strategy. That way, you know what you need to make and how long you have to get the funds cleared. Remember, many of the sites you’ll be working with don’t pay immediately after the project wraps.
Go over your budget, finances, and schedule. Set a goal for each week. If you have to accept lower bids to get your foot in the door at first, it’s okay. But as soon as you can, start shooting for the higher ones.
5. Manage Your Time
As the work starts coming in, it’s easy to neglect your studying. But schoolwork is just as important as making money, if not more.
Think about your freelancing gig the way you’d handle a part- or full-time job outside of your classes. If you were away from your room and at a “real” job, you wouldn’t be able to play a game, chat with your friends, or get distracted by other things.
The best thing you can learn is how to manage your time and treat freelancing as a legitimate side career. The way to do this starts with setting boundaries for yourself and your friends and family.
Let everyone know when you are free and when not to bother you. Set your phone and electronics on “do not disturb” and stay off social media.
Stick to a schedule for schoolwork and freelancing, and you’ll be able to balance everything in a healthy, productive way.
Conclusion
Software freelancing is a lucrative side gig that is gaining a ton of momentum right now. If you have the skills, you don’t necessarily need the experience to make some money!
With these tips, you’ll be able to juggle school, add new knowledge to your bag of software development tricks, and make money without leaving campus!
Author bio
Ryan Sundling is in the position of Group Marketing Manager at Cardinal Group Management. Ryan has more than ten years of experience in the student housing industry and also works with Sakara on a regular basis to grow their online presence.
