In the last several years, Nigeria’s freelancing business has risen at an incredible record-breaking rate. The same as the amount of high-paying remote work advertised on freelance websites.
In a country like Nigeria, becoming a freelancer is a fantastic way to achieve financial independence.
As a freelancer, you can earn an unlimited amount of money from the comfort of your own home.
Receiving money as a freelancer in Nigeria can be one of the most difficult problems. However, you should not be discouraged from monetizing your talent because payment services such as Payoneer, Transferwise, bitcoin wallets, and even a domiciliary account can help you get things fixed.
As a result, if you want to become a freelancer in Nigeria and commercialize your talent to a worldwide audience, this piece will serve as a guide.
What exactly is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is a self-employed worker who is contracted to work on specific projects for several firms.
They are experts in their area and frequently receive gigs from people all over the world. Depending on the sort of project, it might be short or long-term.
As a freelancer, you set your own rates based on your skills and expertise. In Nigeria, many freelancers charge more than $1000 for each assignment.
You have the potential to be Nigeria’s next successful freelancer.
High-Income Skills to Learn and Earn Money
Here are some of the worldwide market’s most in-demand abilities. Developing any of these abilities will get you a fortune.
- Blockchain
- Editing Video
- Search Engine Marketing (SEO)
- Digital Marketing
- Copywriting
- Coding
- Sales
- Project Administration
- User Experience (UX)
- Content marketing, for example.
If you can master any of these abilities, you have the potential to become a millionaire. However, if you have yet to gain any of these talents, or any skills at all, you simply need to take an additional step by acquiring them.
These skills can be learned online or at most computer centres in three to six months. This may seem like a long time, but the outcome should inspire you.
How to Begin a Freelancing Business in Nigeria Using Only Your Skill
There are several methods to work as a freelancer in Nigeria. And we will walk you through each step.
1. Conduct Market Research
The study is essential because it will help you choose the ideal niche that will be successful and bring you a lot of money.
This way, you’ll be able to attract clients on a constant and easy basis.
Without a doubt, if your services are that amazing, your customers will have no choice but to stay with you. You can even be referred to as friends and business colleagues.
You can learn and provide a variety of freelance abilities.
For me, it was copywriting that got me started. It was terrifying at first. But when I gained real experience, I improved. Here’s how you can start a profitable copywriting business in Nigeria.
Don’t restrict yourself to the Nigerian market, in my opinion. If you want to make more, think worldwide. You will attract clients who would pay you 150X what you would have made in Nigeria for the identical job.
Who wouldn’t want to make money with US dollars?
2. Create a Portfolio
You’re probably wondering what a portfolio is. If this is your first encounter with this term, let me clarify more.
Becoming a freelancer in Nigeria is much easier and more workable if you can persuade clients of your abilities. This is when an excellent portfolio comes into play.
What exactly is a portfolio?
A portfolio is essentially a collection of your abilities, credentials, training(s), and even employment samples.
Creating your own portfolio can be challenging and complex. As a new freelancer with no employment experience, you may find it challenging to persuade your clients that you are knowledgeable about your field.
Unfortunately, if you cannot persuade your clients to choose you without job examples, you should have samples to show them.
Your portfolio might also be a file that you offer to prospective clients if they request it. There are many freelancers in Nigeria, and your portfolio will persuade your customer that you are the finest candidate for the task.
3. Hire a Freelance Mentor.
Mentors are exceptional people in your profession or sector who have remarkable experiences.
At this moment, I can declare that I am your mentor. I’m also teaching you how to establish a freelancing company in Nigeria.
You might simply connect with other freelancing workers besides having a mentor (Someone you know is of great value and will help you out in your Freelance journey).
A freelancing mentor understands the market far better than you do. They can lead you along the road based on their life experiences.
Your mentor will assist you in avoiding mistakes you are likely to make as a freelancer. You’ll need the help of someone who can act as a guide and show you the ropes as you take your initial steps.
With an amazing mentor at your side, you’ll notice that you’ll get even more confidence in your ability to flourish as a freelancer in Nigeria.
However, finding a mentor who is eager to show you everything and is truly delighted with your growth is not simple.
Everyone else seems to be so busy, with little time to spare, unless you’re willing to pay for their mentoring.
4. Advertise Your Freelance Services
It makes no difference the channel you use to attract your clients. You can even go over and above by marketing your services.
You can build and advertise gigs on freelance platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, and others.
How to Market Your Freelance Work in Nigeria
Here are a few ideas for how to market your services.
i. Company Card
Aside from internet marketing, you can promote your Freelance services by using business cards. Make a business card for the services you provide.
ii. Paid Advertising
This does not require you to start with millions of naira. You can market your freelancing services on networks like Facebook and Twitter with the little money you have.
It will allow you to reach your intended audience more quickly.
iii. The Internet of Things
You can market your freelancing services via social media channels. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms can let you effortlessly reach your target demographic.
Create compelling content that draws your target audience to you organically.
5. Join Freelance Websites
Freelancing sites are like marketplaces in that you can quickly connect with clients who are interested in the services you provide.
There are several freelancing sites available to you, both in Nigeria and beyond. Depending on your preference.
So many people make the mistake of attempting to join practically every freelancing site they come across online and expecting to break records. The fact is that it doesn’t function like that.
You must carefully determine where you have the best odds and then stick to it.
Here is a list of Nigerian freelancing websites where you can simply generate money as a freelancer.
- Nigeria Gig
- Freeciti
- OYERR
- SourceGig
- Jo-Lancer
- Findworka
- Justfrom5k
- Alance.Co, for example.
You can now consider going worldwide when you’ve built a solid portfolio (having international clients).
Here are the greatest freelancing sites to join if you want to work with foreign clients:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
- Toptal, etc.
If you can successfully establish an appealing profile on any of the freelancing sites, your path as a freelancer will be significantly easier. You are welcome to use the profiles of other professionals as a model for your own.
6. Enhance Your Writing Ability
You should be a good writer before you freelance. This will allow you to communicate your expertise and services more effectively than your competition.
Learn the art of SEO. Use it to help you rank higher when potential clients are looking for your services.
The greatest place to begin is to research the keywords that your target audience is using to locate your services. Then include it in your portfolio.
You can improve it over time to better suit your needs.
7. Set Your Own Prices
Before deciding on a fee, you should thoroughly examine the freelance environment and the underlying competition. While you may desire to make a lot of money, you must also be patient until you understand the ropes.
It makes no sense to take a job you know you can’t do just because the compensation is good. A few internet guides can assist you.
You can also look at freelance writing rates, freelance programming rates, freelance graphic design rates, or whatever skills you offer to see what the average is.
As you gain more experience, you will charge higher prices.
8. Create Your Own Brand
Your brand says a lot about you. In Nigeria, freelancing is frequently a route to becoming your own employer. Consider earning up to 20,000 Naira to 30 Naira a day while doing little to nothing.
Some Nigerian freelancers earn considerably more than this amount daily.
It is conceivable for you to advance to where you recruit experienced workers to complete the task. When you have a new job, you can simply delegate it to them while you do other duties.
This is how you establish your brand. You may even register your company with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria (CAC).
9. Pitch
Assume you’ve effectively established your niche and developed a compelling brand. The second stage is to reach out to prospective clients via pitching.
Pitching is comparable to marketing because it entails selling your freelancing services to those who are likely to employ them.
The keys to effective pitching remain volume and relevancy. The most important thing here is to be confident in your talents.
You never know when the bid you submitted a while ago will cause a result that will transform your career.
10. Begin Your Career as a Freelancer
It’s one thing to study, and quite another to put what we’ve learned into practice. Freelancing, like a full-time 9 to 5 job, needs dedication.
The more clients you can get, the more likely you are to be paid constantly.
However, begin now and quit procrastinating. You have the option of crawling, walking, running, or even flying. The most essential thing is that you begin, and then continue to create your portfolio and work for your clients.
Strive to improve every day, and you will not be sorry that you made the step.
Conclusion
Freelancing allows you to earn a living by simply giving services related to your passion and talent. You also have the option of working from anywhere in the world at your leisure.
Also, you don’t have to quit your work just because you believe freelancing is a better alternative. Build it gradually before considering going full-time.
I recommend you keep your job if you have one, and then spend your leisure time creating your portfolio and freelance structures.
There is no better time to begin than right now.
