Today, we’re going to dive into the exciting world of freelance business analysis, a career path that offers a unique blend of autonomy, flexibility, and exciting opportunities. Whether you’re looking to gain more control over your schedule, build a more diverse portfolio of clients, or simply enjoy the perks of working from home, freelancing as a business analyst can provide all of that and more.

In recent years, freelancing has seen a significant rise in popularity, with employees and employers recognizing its many benefits. In fact, according to Upwork’s latest report, the number of people opting for freelance careers continues to grow, making it a highly sought-after path for professionals across all industries.

As a freelance business analyst, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, each offering unique challenges and rewards. From startups to established corporations, you’ll be able to tap into your expertise and make a meaningful impact on the businesses you work with.

So, if you’re ready to take the leap and embark on a journey to becoming a successful freelance business analyst, let’s get started! With the help of Payoneer’s experts, we’ll explore the key skills, knowledge, and strategies you’ll need to succeed in this dynamic and rewarding field.

Source: Upwork.com

While the freedom and variety that comes with freelancing as a business analyst is undoubtedly attractive, it’s important to acknowledge that there are some challenges that come with the territory. 

One such challenge is the constant need to find new projects and clients, which can sometimes be a time-consuming and stressful process. Additionally, marketing your skills and building a strong online presence is essential, but it can also be a new and daunting task for many freelancers.

However, the good news is that with a bit of know-how and determination, these challenges can be overcome.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 5 actionable tips that will help you start your freelance business analyst journey on the right foot. 

These tips are designed to help you find work, build a strong reputation, and succeed in this competitive field.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, these tips will give you the confidence and tools you need to achieve your goals.  Let’s get started folks!

1. Familiarize yourself with Online Job Boards

As a freelance business analyst, the internet is your gateway to new and exciting projects, and you must familiarize yourself with the vast world of online job boards and marketplaces.

These platforms serve as the modern-day equivalent of the traditional job center, helping you connect with clients and find the work that best suits your skills and preferences.
With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start.

That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the top 4 freelance job platforms for you to explore as a business analyst.

• Toptal is a highly sought-after platform for freelance business analysts, offering a curated selection of top-notch IT and business opportunities. With a reputation for attracting serious employers, Toptal is an ideal choice for seasoned professionals looking for high-quality gigs. The platform’s rigorous screening process ensures that only the most experienced and qualified freelancers are accepted, making it the perfect fit for those who want to work with reputable clients.
  However, suppose you’re new to the field of business analysis. In that case, Toptal might not be the right choice for you, as the platform’s selective process is designed to cater to the needs of experienced professionals. This focus on quality, however, makes Toptal an excellent platform for those who have established themselves in the business analysis industry and are looking for challenging and rewarding projects.

• Upwork is a leading online freelancer platform that offers many job opportunities for remote business analysts. So, whether you’re searching for a short-term project or seeking a long-term engagement, Upwork has you covered.
  Thanks to its massive user base and extensive job offerings, you can find opportunities matching your skills and expertise.
  In addition to its job offerings, Upwork provides a user-friendly platform for managing your freelance business analyst career. Upwork streamlines the process of finding, applying for, and managing your freelance jobs, from creating a standout profile to tracking your earnings. Its easy-to-use interface and robust communication tools, Upwork makes it easy to collaborate with clients and deliver top-notch results.

• Fiverr is a well-known platform for freelancers looking to offer their services online. However, it’s particularly popular among business analysts just starting or seeking short-term projects as a source of side income.
  Fiverr’s reputation as a low-cost freelancer platform has made it a go-to destination for clients seeking cost-effective solutions.
  However, despite its popularity and wide range of job offerings, Fiverr may not be the best platform for experienced business analysts looking to build a long-term freelance career. Clients on the platform often focus on finding low-cost solutions and may not be willing to pay for the experience and expertise that seasoned professionals can offer.

• Freelancer is a massive online marketplace that offers an extensive range of freelance job opportunities, including those for remote business analysts. So, whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, Freelancer is an ideal platform for finding your next gig.
  With its user-friendly interface and powerful search capabilities, you can easily search for freelance business analyst jobs and identify opportunities that align with your skills and expertise. Moreover, Freelancer allows you to create a detailed profile showcasing your skills, experience, and portfolio. This is a valuable tool for attracting new clients and showcasing your value proposition, giving you an edge over the competition. With its large and growing user base, Freelancer provides an excellent opportunity to network with potential clients and make valuable connections that can lead to new freelance business analyst projects and long-term success.

2. Build an Online Presence as a Freelance Business Analyst

A strong online presence is critical for freelance business analysts who want to stand out in a competitive market and attract high-quality clients. In addition, your online profile serves as your digital business card, showcasing your skills, experience, and personality. Therefore, investing time and effort in creating an appealing and professional profile is crucial.

Start by creating a comprehensive and professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your work experience, education, and skills.
Ensure your profile photo is professional and that you have a headline that showcases your expertise.

Don’t forget to regularly update your LinkedIn profile with new projects, achievements, and certifications, and engage with others in your network to build your online reputation. Additionally, make sure you have a profile on major freelance marketplaces like Freelancer, Toptal, Upwork, and Fiverr, where you can showcase your portfolio and list your services.

To build credibility and demonstrate your expertise, it’s also important to seek endorsements, recommendations, and positive reviews from previous employers, colleagues, and clients. These social proof elements can greatly impact your chances of landing new clients. 

Your LinkedIn profile will be perceived as 100% credible by potential clients.
Make a point of reaching out to your network and ask them to provide you with a review or endorsement.
With a strong online presence, you can effectively position yourself as a reliable and trustworthy freelance business analyst and attract the right clients.

3. Use All Your Freelance Business Analyst Skills

Maximizing your skills and experience as a freelance business analyst is key to landing the best gigs and increasing your earning potential. Here are a few useful tips to help you put your expertise to work.

• Highlight your unique expertise: Emphasize the specific areas in which you excel, such as your experience in marketing or IT, to help attract clients looking for those specific skills. In addition, make sure your online profiles accurately reflect your knowledge and experience.
• Keep your profiles updated: Regularly updating your LinkedIn and other freelancer platform profiles with new skills and accomplishments show that you’re actively engaged in your work and keep your profile fresh and appealing to potential clients.
• Be proactive: Don’t wait for clients to come to you. Instead, seek opportunities that match your skills and experience, and ensure your profiles accurately reflect what you offer. By being proactive, you increase your chances of landing the best freelance business analyst gigs.

4. Quickly Acclimate to New Business Requirements

A key factor in thriving as a freelance business analyst is the ability to quickly acclimate to new business requirements.
As a remote analyst, you have the added challenge of getting to know a company from a distance, so preparation and research are critical. You need to learn about the company’s culture, goals, history, and finances as efficiently as possible so you can start making informed recommendations.

One effective way to quickly acclimate to a new business is to conduct thorough research ahead of time.
Utilize online resources, including the company website, news articles, and any industry reports gaining a comprehensive understanding of the business. Reach out to current and former employees, customers, and partners to gather additional insights.

Another important aspect of quickly acclimating to a new business is establishing clear communication lines with your clients.
Set up regular check-ins and ask your clients to provide any relevant information, including company documents, that will help you better understand their needs and goals. You can hit the ground running and provide valuable contributions from the start. That’s how winning is done as a freelance business analyst!

5. Advance Your Career as a Freelance Business Analyst

The business industry is continuously evolving and expanding, making it crucial for business analysts to keep up.
Whether you are just starting or have years of experience, there’s always room for growth. You can set your schedule as a freelancer, allowing you to prioritize personal and career development.

Expand your knowledge and skills with online courses and certifications. Platforms like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, EdX, and Coursera offer a range of business analyst courses and programs. 

Consider advanced certifications from top institutions to take your career to the next level.

• The Project Management Institute (PMI) ‘s Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) Certification.
• The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) has a series of respected certifications in business analysis, like the Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) and Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP).
• The International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB) ‘s course for Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) Certification.
• The International Qualification Board for Business Analysis (IQBBA) also has certification courses on a number of levels.

Consider enhancing your skills through community college courses or university .
These institutions often offer training and development courses specifically tailored to business analysts, providing the opportunity to keep up with the latest trends and best practices in the industry.

Flexibility and Diversity through Freelance Business Analysis 

Working as a freelance business analyst allows you to have the flexibility to choose your work schedule, as well as work with multiple organizations and industries. In addition, by leveraging your skills in this environment, you’ll have the chance to broaden your experience and knowledge, making you an even more valuable asset to potential clients.

Streamline Your Payments with Payoneer 

If you’re starting a new freelance career, consider signing up for Payoneer.
This platform makes it easy for you to receive payments from clients and marketplaces worldwide.
With fast and secure transactions, Payoneer can help streamline your payment process, giving you more time to focus on delivering top-notch client results. 

The digital economy — built on the ability to sell and purchase products and services online — has had a profound impact on businesses around the world. Among the most noticeable changes are an almost instantaneous access to a gigantic market, and, inevitably, an intensification of global competitive pressures.

As a key enabler of the digital economy, Payoneer took a closer look at how the digital economy has affected countries and people in the world. Here are some of the unique insights into the careers, lives, and aspirations of some of our most experienced and successful customers in 11 countries in Asia — Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Big Equalizer

From Pakistan to The Philippines, the digital economy has ignited the entrepreneurial spirit everywhere, helping people generate extra income, often replacing traditional sources of income in places where local jobs were lacking. It has been a big equalizer for people who have been able to pursue their dream jobs, no matter where they live in the world. Goodbye 8 to 5; hello freedom!

Is this opportunity available to everyone? Barriers still exist, whether it is language, marketing skills, or access to capital. But for the most part, the internet and marketplace platforms have alleviated these challenges. Fear of change might be the only real barrier left. Anybody with a fire in their belly and a good idea can participate. The digital economy has opened the doors to a world market from the comfort of one’s home.

Money, Money, Money

Many digital workers have become very successful financially. Money is far from being the most important benefit though. Freedom and independence are even more valuable to them, especially when it comes to managing their own time. Successful digital entrepreneurs have been able to enjoy their new financial resources. This means they can travel to places they wanted to visit, or live in a country they love — where life is more affordable — while working on their business. Of course, what has made this win-win situation possible for buyers and sellers is the creation of highly efficient online marketplaces that have opened global markets to entrepreneurs like never before.

A New World View

Participants in the digital economy say their world has become bigger and smaller at the same time. Bigger because business opportunities are larger; smaller because the world is so much more accessible. Participants have been able to build successful relationships, even friendships, with buyers and clients all over the world. With this has come a deeper sense of trust between people.

Although in many cases the digital component of the new economy has eliminated human interactions, this new economic system has allowed the best of human nature to shine in new ways. Overall, participants feel confident about the future of their country and of the world. They are sharing their recipe for success with friends and family, and are supporting each other through online and offline communities.

Wish List

Optimism runs high among digital workers in Asia. Most of them feel that there is so much more to do, starting with separating business and politics, giving equal opportunities to everyone in all countries, but also the ability to be paid instantly, website pages that get translated automatically, and backend systems that communicate seamlessly with each other.

Read our full ebook here for more facts and insights, and feel free to share your comments or questions.

Freelancing has plenty of perks. You can make your own schedule, choose the projects you want to take on, and get in line for the latest iPhone while everyone else is still on the clock.

However, freelancers exchange financial security for those freedoms. If you’re not careful with a buck, you can easily slip into financial distress.

If you want to succeed as a freelancer, put into action these helpful financial rules.

1. Put Money in Savings First

Call it an emergency fund, a rainy-day fund, or a savings account, but whatever you call it, make sure it exists. As much as you might want that new iPhone, wait until you have a financial cushion to protect you from ebbs in business.

Vanguard recommends an emergency fund that contains at least three to six months of living expenses. In other words, if you suddenly have no work, you can live off of your savings for half a year without feeling panicked about covering rent and food.

An emergency fund can cover other unexpected expenses, too, such as a medical emergency or a high utility bill. Most importantly, it gives you peace of mind. If you’re not constantly worried about money, you can focus on honing your skills and building your freelance roster.

2. Take Advantage of Financial Technologies

As a freelancer, you probably spend significant time with technology. The Freelancers Union suggests that freelancers should put that acumen to good use with free or paid financial apps. These programs allow you to generate or scan receipts, prepare invoices, track your spending, allocate profits to taxes, and more.

If you use technology to automate some of your financial obligations and to keep track of your finances, you’ll have more time to spend on work that generates revenue. Keeping your paperwork and financial documents in digital form protects your records and holds you accountable. If you’re ever audited or required to produce documentation for the government, it’ll be easy to locate and produce.

3. Invest in Your Future

An emergency fund isn’t the only practical expense you should set up. For instance, what will you do when you get older and want to retire? If you don’t have a retirement account, you’ll find it difficult to lead a life of leisure. Similarly, you don’t want to tempt fate by dropping your health insurance coverage. Without that protection, a serious injury or illness could severely deplete your finances, especially if your medical issue prevents you from taking on new work. Compare insurance plans and find one that suits your lifestyle and retirement goals. It can be hard to think about putting even more money aside when cash flow is unpredictable, but this is a predicament that will come back to haunt you later in life (or–heaven forbid–in case of a disability) if you don’t plan for it.

For two weeks every two years, the world watches the best athletes across the globe compete in the Olympic Games. While you probably don’t receive a TV interview and ice pack after an assignment, there are some noteworthy ways freelancers are like Olympians.

1. The Focus of a Precision Shooter

Precision shooters have to be able to tune out everything around them and hit their target. They have to stay completely focused, or they will miss their mark and potentially lose out on an opportunity to medal.

As a freelancer, you need that same time high level of focus when you’re working as well. It’s easy to get distracted by everything around you when you don’t have a standard office working environment. That means a talent for not allowing the internet, family or a beautiful day outside to interfere with your goals.

2. The Strength of a Weightlifter

Olympic weightlifters not only have to be physically strong, but mentally tough as well. They must believe they can lift whatever is put in front of them.

While you might not need physical toughness to do your job, you do need to be mentally tough. Rejection is a regular occurrence as a freelancer. You have to learn not to take it personally, as being able to handle to take criticism of your work is crucial. And just like the Olympic weightlifter, you have to believe you can be successful before the success happens.

3. The Flexibility of a Gymnast

Rarely does everything happen as planned when working as a freelancer. Contracts can abruptly end, projects can start late, or the oft-inevitable scope-creep can change a project. You have to be able to remain flexible and adapt to the many changes that are likely to happen in any given work day.

Just as gymnasts need to be flexible to perform their amazing routines, you need to be flexible to complete your most amazing work. Embrace the change and focus on the things you can control and accept those you can’t.

4. The Endurance of a Distance Runner

The endurance runner has to focus on one mile at a time to get to his goal–even if it’s two dozen miles away.

Likewise, building a successful freelance business is a marathon, not a sprint. Unless you’re fully committed to the long haul, it will be difficult to have success as a freelancer. You must focus on the big picture and aim for consistency along the way to reaching it.

5. The Fearlessness of a High Diver

Ever see those Olympic divers? They leap into the air before plunging 40 feet down. That takes confidence.

Starting your own business, which is what you’re doing when you set out to freelance, is also a scary thing to do. There is no safety net, or steady paycheck to rely on each month. Being afraid of failing is normal, but it’s not an excuse to not move ahead with your goals. Just as there is no way down but to dive off the diving board for Olympic high divers, there is nothing for you to do other than put in the work and move forward as a freelancer.

Getting paid shouldn’t be a 3000m steeplechase. Receive payments easily and quickly with Payoneer. Sign up NOW »

Photo credit: ManageWP Blog.

WordPress offers one of the best CMS (content management system) solutions for freelancer websites. You can use a WordPress site to establish your unique brand, and it offers plenty of customization options that you can employ even if you don’t know anything about coding or graphic design.

Consider Premium Themes

You can find thousands of free WordPress themes on the platform’s official website, but premium themes offer more functionality. Many come with drag-and-drop editors that allow you to switch up your site’s format without touching a line of code.

Some of the most popular WordPress premium theme builders include Thesis, Genesis, and Elegant Themes, each of which offers an affordable membership option and lets you customize your site without any coding. However, if you decide to go with a free theme, consider learning a few coding skills so you can make the site your own.

Populate Your Pages With Unique Content

Once you select a theme, start creating content. You’ll want to promote your freelancing services as well as provide samples of your work. For instance, if you’re a freelance writer, link to content you’ve written on other websites. Alternatively, post snippets of your work so customers will know what to expect.

If you’re a freelancer in the visual arts, you can create an image gallery to display samples. Your portfolio serves to entice potential customers to hire you, so make it as unique and professional as possible. There are a variety of free gallery plugins that offer enhanced functionality when compared to WordPress’s built-in galleries.

Communicate With Your Audience

WordPress is a highly effective tool for building freelancer websites because of its potential for interactivity. You can add comment boxes to each of your posts and pages so people can leave feedback.

You might also use plugins to connect your WordPress site to your social media accounts and other online platforms. For instance, adding “share” buttons to each of your posts will encourage visitors to spread the word about your content via social media, email, and other vehicles.

Celebrate Your Passion

Use your WordPress site to celebrate your professional passions. If you’re a freelance food blogger, use your WordPress site to host photographs and recipes. A freelance graphic designer might post reviews of graphic software or walk visitors through the process used to design a logo.

Photographs, videos, and other imagery can help offset text-heavy websites. If you can break up the content with visual elements, you’ll engage your visitors faster and provide more engagement.

Keep the Site Lean

Resist the urge to download every plugin you encounter on WordPress’s website. You only need the bare minimum to keep your site functioning, and if you download too many, you’ll slow your page load times, which might turn off visitors.

The same goes for an overflow of special fonts, high-resolution photos, and graphics-dense backgrounds. Minimalist design is very much in fashion right now, so embrace simplicity to keep your site lean.

Your website is your most powerful marketing tool as a freelancer. If you’re anxious to build your brand, WordPress offers a simple but effective solution.

When you’re a freelancer, you don’t have a team of professionals to advise you about decisions and steer you in the right direction. You’re on your own in terms of running your business, so you’re bound to make the occasional mistake.

Fortunately, you can learn from the trial and error of others. Avoid the following four mistakes in your freelance business to protect yourself from the consequences.

1. Asking Your Clients What They Can Pay

Samar Owais of Copyblogger warns freelancers not to let their clients dictate their rates. You know exactly how much time and energy you spend on every logo you design, article you write, or website you code. Your client has no idea — he or she is concerned with the final product and not the process you take to create it.

Instead of asking your clients how much they can pay, tell them what you charge. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask about a client’s budget. However, use that information to recommend levels of service that meet the rates you set for yourself. You can also offer your client a payment plan with several increments, if it suits both parties.

2. Working Regular Business Hours

Freelancers don’t hold nine-to-five jobs, so they often don’t work nine-to-five hours. For one thing, working for yourself means you should work when you’re most productive. If you get an energy boost at 10 p.m. every night, plan to work late in the evening instead of early in the morning.

You might also need to work more hours than the typical staffer. Putting in 10-hour days might not sound like much fun, but that’s how you build a viable visit. You don’t punch a clock, so don’t assume that you can get by with the minimum time commitment.

If you’re working globally, be prepared to work some odd hours. Clients on the other side of the planet will expect you to be available for at least some portion of their own working hours, so plan accordingly by project.

3. Failing to Communicate

Starting a freelancing business feels like a leap of faith, but so does hiring a freelancer. If you want to build healthy relationships with your clients, keep in touch with them. Send weekly emails to update them on their project’s status or schedule bi-weekly Skype calls to brainstorm or discuss future projects.

Freelancer Addison Duvall names “under-communicating” as one of the deadly communication sins among freelancers. Duvall advocates a proactive approach to this process: Don’t wait for your client to get in touch; pick up the phone or type in his or her email address to show you’re concerned with your client’s needs.

4. Keeping Problem Clients

The idea of dropping a client might fill you with horror — why would you give up the chance to earn money? — but letting go of a problem client opens up time in your schedule for a client who values your work and shares your vision. Problem clients can sap your creative energy and cause you to resent your job.

If you experience constant friction with a client, explain that you don’t think you’re the best fit for their needs and recommend another freelancer who might fit the bill. Start looking for new clients who might mesh better with your workflow.

Learning to avoid freelance business mistakes can protect your future and save you hours of wasted energy. Make sure you have a reliable way to get paid from your valued clients.

Sign up for Payoneer and take advantage of our convenient cross-border payment system.

Accidental plagiarism is a writer’s worst nightmare. He or she submits a piece of content to a client, then learns that portions of it appear elsewhere online. It happens more often than you might think, but you can avoid it in your freelance writing career with these tips.

Take Notes Longhand

When you’re researching information for an article, copying and pasting resources from the Internet into a word processing program can easily contribute to accidental plagiarism. You won’t remember which notes you copied and which you wrote in your own personal voice. To avoid this, take notes by hand. Any time you take down information from a source, reword it for your notes. That way, you can’t accidentally use someone else’s work as your own.

Cite Your Sources

Plagiarism isn’t just copying another writer’s words verbatim. You can commit accidental plagiarism if you take someone else’s ideas and arrange them similarly for your own purposes. It’s a common way to irritate other writers and to trip plagiarism flags.

Protecting yourself is as easy as learning to cite your sources. If you glean information from someone else, let your reader know who wrote it and where it originated. You can use internal citations (such as linking to the source or making parenthetical citations) or you can include footnotes and list your sources at the end of the piece.

Put Quotation Marks Around Direct Quotes

Maybe another writer made a statement that you don’t think you can reword properly. That’s okay. Just copy the quote (keep it to a sentence or two), put it in quotation marks, and cite the source. It’s the easiest way to give credit to other writers and to avoid accidental plagiarism.

Keep the Work In-House

Some freelance writers outsource their extra work to other scribes. While this might boost your income, make sure you vet those writers carefully. If they plagiarize their work, it’s your reputation on the line. Even though you weren’t complicit in the crime, you’ll lose a client and perhaps even more.

Try to do as much of your own work as possible. If you have to outsource or hire other writers, screen their work carefully using the tools described below.

Scan for Plagiarism

As a last line of defense against accidental plagiarism, use a free or premium plagiarism tool to scan your content for duplication. These software programs compare your work against the billions of words that exist on the Internet. When they find a match, they alert you to the problem and show you the original source.

You might get false positives, but you can vet each result manually to determine whether or not it is valid. If your clients use these types of tools, try to use the same or similar programs so you’ll get identical results.

Need fast, low-cost payments from international marketplaces like 99 Designs, Freelancer or Upwork? Sign up for Payoneer – it’s free!

>>Sign Up Now!

Freelance photographers earn money by producing engaging, well-composed photographs for clients. If you hope to become successful in this pursuit, however, you must hone skills that have nothing to do with clicking the shutter. Whether you shoot lifestyle images, portraits, landscapes, or something else entirely, learn these skills to increase your chances of success in the upcoming year.

1. Communication Skills

When working with clients, you must be able to interpret their requests through your photographs. This means knowing which questions to ask and how to apply their instructions to your craft. If a dispute erupts, good communication skills help you keep the peace with your customers.

If you’re not comfortable with one-on-one communication, practice with a friend or relative. Make lists of questions you want to ask before you meet with a potential client, and always keep a friendly smile at the ready.

2. Accounting Skills

Whether you shoot for a stock photography website or individual clients, you must keep track of your own income and expenses as a freelance photographer. The sooner you learn basic accounting skills, the easier it becomes to generate revenue without exceeding your ideal overhead.

It’s also important to know what you should charge. Check out our freelance income survey to compare your rates to those of other freelance photographers and continually update your rates to reflect your growing talent. If you do not charge enough for your services or images, you will not be able to support yourself.

3. Post-Processing Skills

Armed with 300 photographs on your DSLR’s memory card, you know your work is not done. After you capture images for a client or a stock photography service, you must process them so they are as clear, balanced, and engaging as possible. You’ll need to learn how to use your preferred software program, such as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, and how to export your images so you can show them to the end user.

4. Marketing Skills

The best freelance photographers devote a significant portion of each day to marketing. Without marketing skills, you can’t attract new clients or spread the word about your services.

Start with social media. Set up a blog and an account at a couple social media sites so you can connect with potential customers. Share your images on your blog and in those accounts so other people can see your work.

5. Confidence Skills

Many freelance photographers struggle with selling themselves short. They agree to shoot weddings for free even though they need the income or they adjust their prices down when a client tries to haggle.

Shoot every day and select your favorite images from each session. Learn something from every job you take, then apply those skills to the next one. Devote yourself to nurturing your own confidence so you have the wherewithal to decline to work for free or to lower your prices when you know you deserve a certain amount of compensation.

A freelance photography career offers an opportunity to pursue your passion behind the viewfinder. Take the time to develop the above five skills, as well, so you’re prepared for the business side of this career.

Many freelancers experience significant downtime over the holidays. They don’t have as much work coming in, so they wind up wasting time on social media or other frivolous pursuits. If you want to make the most of holiday downtime, try some of these strategies this season.

Organize Your Finances

Now that you have some time on your hands, consider getting your financial paperwork and systems ready for the New Year. Start collecting receipts and invoices for tax purposes or create accounting strategies that allow you to better track your income and expenses and manage paid and unpaid invoices.

You could also follow up with clients who haven’t settled their balances or start brainstorming ways to increase your revenue next year. Use this time to get organized and to think creatively about your freelance business’s future.

Add to Your Skill Set

Freelancers must constantly adopt and perfect new skills if they want to remain competitive in a growing marketplace. Graphic designers, for example, need many skills to satisfy their clients. If you haven’t mastered Adobe InDesign’s sophisticated tools or taught yourself Flash yet, now’s a great time to start.

You can take online classes, attend in-person courses, or buy a few manuals and learn as you go. Use the holiday season to pad your resume, which will make you more attractive to potential clients in the future. You can even create mock-ups or examples to use in your portfolio.

To find out more about the most profitable freelance skills, check out the Payoneer Freelancer Income Report.

Research Fresh Markets

Maybe you’ve always wanted to work for an industry or market, but you haven’t yet given it a try. For instance, perhaps you’re a freelance writer who focuses on advertising copy, but you’d love to write technical manuals. Use the holiday season to research the new market and to create a marketing plan for it.

Start a Personal Venture

Maybe you could finally start the blog you’ve always wanted to create or begin a creative project that has been marinating in the back of your head for the last few months. If you’re a freelance photographer, for instance, maybe you’ll start a personal photography project that will add to your portfolio and renew your creative spirit. Writers could start work on a book, while graphic designers could create icon packs to sell on stock sites.

Downtime doesn’t necessarily mean finding ways to fill it. If you’re feeling a little burned out from a long year of hard work, consider dedicating the holidays to family, friends, and relaxation. Stretch out in front of the fire with a good book or take long walks in a local park.

You don’t have to go full-steam all year long. Many freelancers work many more hours than the standard 40-hour work week, which means they’re tired by the end of the year. Allow yourself the freedom to catch up on sleep and to devote time to yourself this holiday season.

The holidays pose several challenges for graphic designers. You want to spend time with family and friends, but you also have to balance your work with the frivolity. Depending on your workload and your preferred activities, follow these tips to take advantage of the holiday season.

Attend to Administrative Tasks

Some graphic designers receive fewer assignments during the holiday season. Their clients are organizing holiday parties and finishing up end-of-year reports. To fill your workdays, concentrate on administrative tasks. Organize your invoices, retool your contract, and file essential paperwork. An organized freelance graphic designer can respond to clients faster, submit invoices more accurately, and keep track of expenses easier. If you create an organizational system over the holiday season, you can continue to follow it long after the New Year.

Create Printable Designs

If you want to make some extra cash during the holiday season, put your graphic design skills to work. Create printables that you can sell over and over again on stock sites or from your own websites. Printable greeting cards, calendars, gift tags, and even coloring book pages often perform well at this time of year.

Printable designs offer two advantages: you get full creative control and you can earn residual income for years. One afternoon of work could continue to pay you 10 years from now.

Focus on Holiday Gifts

You can put your designs on a number of holiday gifts, from T-shirts and coffee mugs to mouse pads and smartphone covers. Get creative. You can make holiday designs as well as more generic designs so your gifts will appeal to as many people as possible.

Not only can you sell your designs on holiday gifts, but you can also use them for presents in your personal life. Your parents, kids, spouse, and other loved ones will appreciate a gift that showcases your special skill.

Pad Your Portfolio

If you don’t have any paying gigs over the holidays, become your own client. Create mock-ups or other designs that you can showcase in your portfolio. While you won’t receive payment for your efforts, you can use those designs to score work in the future.

Attend Social Gatherings

If there’s one thing the holidays do well, it’s social engagements. From friends and family to colleagues and clients, you might start receiving invitations to social gatherings. Accept those invitations, tuck a stack of business cards into your pocket, and use the opportunity to network.

Don’t force business into every conversation. If someone asks what you do for a living, simply mention that you do graphic design work and casually slip a card into his or her hand. Make it an informal exchange of information instead of an aggressive pitch.

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As the holiday season approaches, photographers are gearing up for family and lifestyle photo sessions with their favorite clients. If you want to draw more business and produce better images over the holidays, use these tips to prepare.

Brainstorm Unique Compositions

You don’t know exactly what the environmental conditions will be before you arrive at a location for a holiday shoot, but you can still brainstorm ideas. Think about creative or unique compositions you want to try with your clients so they walk away with truly distinctive images.

This is a useful strategy regardless of the type of photos you shoot. For example, if you’re a product photographer, you might think of interesting materials for backgrounds and foregrounds to make your images pop in preparation for the holidays.

Join Photography Marketplaces

Stock photography allows photographers to expand their business and increase their profits, by providing much needed photography and stock images to individuals, companies, and organizations worldwide. If you are making a living from photography, or are considering getting into it, one of the most vital tasks you will take on is finding the perfect marketplace for your portfolio. There is an infinite number of agencies providing photographers with opportunities to market their material. Click here to learn How to Earn Money Working as a Stock Photographer.

Create a Flexible Schedule

Since many families want to have their portraits taken over the holidays, you might need to clear your calendar to make room for the added traffic. Use a free calendar app, such as Google Calendar, to track your appointments and avoid double-bookings.

You’ll also want to streamline your billing process. Decide how much you want to charge for different packages or promotions, then provide your customers with an easy way to pay. If you’re not sure how to accomplish this, try our online payment services.

Think Outside of Christmas

In some parts of the world, Christmas dominates the holiday season, but other holidays can generate interest from photography customers, as well. Advertise your services for holidays of all faiths and nationalities to gain access to greater income potential. And don’t forget non-religious opportunities like winter weather photography or cozy indoor retreats.

Offer a Sale or Promotion

Since most photographers enjoy increased interest over the holidays, they can afford to offer discounts, especially to repeat clients. If you don’t want to discount your photography services themselves, consider offering promotions that include more prints or a greater selection of photographs from one session.

Create Mini Sessions

A mini session allows photographers to maximize their earning potential without sacrificing time. You pick a location, such as a park or a building that you have permission to use, and schedule 10- or 15-minute sessions for multiple clients. They all come to you, and you prepare your backdrops, props, and other necessities beforehand.

Leverage Social Media

Social media offers two important benefits for photographers over the holidays. First, you can reach a wide range of people with advertisements about your service; and second, you can post portfolio examples to generate interest. To learn more about using Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms to spread the word and increase your income this holiday season, read:  5 Ways to Boost Your Online Sales with Social Media.

The holidays offer photographers an opportunity to generate extra revenue and to help make their clients’ holidays a little more special. If you need a convenient way to accept payments online, sign up for Payoneer.

Based on our recent Freelancer Income Survey, nearly 50 percent of freelancers find jobs via online marketplaces. We surveyed over 23,000 freelancers from across the globe to help freelance professionals determine what they should charge (based on factors like education, field of expertise, etc.) in order to build a successful online career. If you’re struggling with establishing a fee structure, keep these important factors in mind.

Average Freelancer Hourly Rate

The average freelancer (globally) earns $21 per hour, according to our extensive research, but the average hourly wage can vary widely depending on your location as well as the number of hours you work.

Your skill set also plays a major role in the rates you can command. Our survey indicates that professionals with legal skills, such as contract creation and consulting, earn significantly more per hour than design professionals. Surprising even to us, freelancers with an advanced degree did not earn significantly higher wages than those without, indicating that experience is much more valuable than formal training.

Charging Too Much for Freelance Services

If you set your hourly rates too high, potential customers might overlook your bid in favor of other professionals. While businesses are willing to pay a premium for excellent work, they can’t exceed their budgeted allowance or spend money without a reasonable expectation of recouping their expenses.

This is why many professionals start their careers on freelance marketplaces with slightly lower hourly rates. After they earn positive feedback from a number of clients, they increase their rates to reflect their reputation.

Charging Too Little for Freelance Services

Some freelancers swing the other direction entirely and set their rates well below the competitive range. They want to secure as many jobs as possible, so they’re willing to reduce their hourly rate to underbid other professionals.

This strategy might result in a greater number of accepted bids, but it also undervalues your work. Once customers grow accustomed to paying you an extremely low rate, they will balk when you decide to increase your rates. Additionally, if you can’t pay your bills and take time off, you’ll burn out from overwork and dissatisfaction with your job.

And one last lesson: Don’t undercharge yourself by charging by the hour just because you happen to be good at what you do and can do it quickly and efficiently.  Value the work you do any others will value you in return.

Finding the Right Balance

Consider the number of hours you work per week, your total expenses every month, and the number of jobs you expect to accept at any given time. BlogHer, an online guide to news and trends, cautions freelancers to remember that most self-employed professionals do not bill a full 40 hours every week. You’ll devote some of your time to preparing proposals, marketing your services, and communicating with clients.

If you haven’t already, download our free freelancer income survey. Knowing what other professionals charge in your industry helps you establish a reasonable hourly rate without selling yourself short.

Furthermore, pay attention to the demand for your services as you navigate online marketplaces like Upwork (formerly Odesk). If customers seem increasingly interested in your services, consider raising your hourly rate. This indicates that customers appreciate your work and prefer you to other professionals.

Of course, setting your average hourly rate for freelance services is stressful, but trust your instincts as well as your ability to conduct research. Also, pay close attention to the pricing trends for specific industries, like freelance writing. The more you know about the market, the better you can leverage your skills for financial success.