How to Become a Freelancer in Nigeria

Are tired of Offline businesses or do you have a boss and you are tired of answering to them. Do you want to be on your own by starting your own service-rendering business online? This means you want to become a freelancer in Nigeria.

Read this article to the end because in this article, I am going to be sharing with you many jobs you can do as a freelancer in Nigeria and top freelance websites for Nigerians you can sign up on to make money from the comfort of your home.

I am sharing this to make sure you do not just choose the right Profitable Skills to Learn in Nigeria but you are also self-sufficient because you know how to make money online with these skills.

Who is a Freelancer?

A freelancer is a contractor that is independent. He or she earns wages on per job or per-task basis. This is mostly for a short-term job. Freelancers can also work on a long-term basis but they can quit at any time. There are benefits to being a freelancer. You can work from home, or work from anywhere.

Your presence is not needed as long as you get the job done. You are not monitored. You have a flexible work schedule and a work-life balance.

What You Need to Become a Freelancer

There are tools or equipment you need to become a freelancer. Some of these are:

1. Skills

If you want to become a freelancer, you need to render a service to people. This service is mostly based on skill. There are many digital skills that you can possess now as a Nigerian.

2. Platform

As a freelancer, you need a platform. Asides from the internet being your space, you need a platform. It is on these platforms you will find clients or customers. There are many platforms to choose from online. However, the most common are Upwork and Fiverr.

3. Internet Subscription

Since the internet is your space, you need to subscribe for internet subscription regularly to render your services and make money regularly as a freelancer.

4. Laptop

You need a laptop or any kind of computer to access the Internet. You can buy a new laptop or a good tokunbo laptop. This will work for you for a longer time. Here are other ways you can also make money with your laptop.

5. Social Media Accounts

It is almost impossible to work as a freelancer online without having social media accounts. It is on these accounts clients will be able to contact you and give you gigs.

How to Become a Freelancer in Nigeria

Here is the step-by-step guide to becoming a freelancer in Nigeria.

1. Get the Capital Required 

To become a freelancer you need capital because you need to buy many of the tools needed. Depending on the tools you already have and the tools you still have to buy you will need at least #200,000 as your starting capital. This capital is not much but if it is for you, you can simply start with what you have.

Using a phone if you do not have a computer and exploring other options. It is not advisable to borrow as this might affect you in the long run.

2. Acquire a Lucrative Skill

If you do not have a skill that you can render to make money as a freelancer you need to learn a skill first. These skills vary. They vary from high-demand skills and others. If you are confused about which skill is suitable for you, you can check out my article on ICT skills to learn to make money in Nigeria.

As a freelancer who wants to work from home, you need at least one digital skill that is in high demand. This skill will make money for you easily. There are some skills you need to learn for 1 month before you can start using it to make money and there are some skills you need to learn for 3 months.

Most people choose a skill based on how fast they can learn it. Do not do this, rather choose a skill that you are passionate about.

3. Get your Freelancing Equipment

All the tools needed that I mentioned above are very important. You need to get all of them. You also need at least 20 hours of power daily. This means that you will need a generator to be able to work successfully without power interruption.

4. Create Social Media Accounts

Many freelancers underestimate the use of social media in promoting themselves. Social media is still powerful today. You can get any job on social media just by showing or sharing your expertise in your status updates. There are many social media you can use today to attract clients to your work.

However, the most important things you need are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These social media are the most used among others today. So you need to go ahead to create accounts on these platforms stating clearly what you do for a living.

Remember to also upload some of your outstanding works as a freelancer on these platforms.

5. Sign up on Freelancing Platforms

There are freelancing platforms you can sign up on to make money as a freelancer in Nigeria. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork PeoplePerHour, TopTal, 99Designs, and FlexJobs are the most common platforms used by Nigerians. Signing up on these platforms is 100% free.

So visit these freelancing platforms and sign up there immediately. After signing up on these platforms jobs might not come on time. Do not give up easily. Just give it more time. Read our article on the top 10 freelancing websites for Nigerians for more options on this.

Making Money as a Freelancer in Nigeria 

There are many ways you can make money as a freelancer in Nigeria asides from the service you render not just in Nigeria but anywhere you are in the world it is important to focus on your skill(s) as this will be your main source of income.

You can increase your earnings by not just focusing on the freelance platform but also on your friends and family. It is sure they will patronize you more and faster than strangers on the internet.

1. You can make money as a freelancer from affiliate marketing. There are many affiliate programs you can join online to make money daily. You can also become an affiliate marketer for Fiverr or Upwork.

2. You can also make money by introducing your clients to other freelancers.  Although the method is not common.

Conclusion

The journey to becoming a freelancer in Nigeria can start at an early age. It can also start in old age. No matter the time you start on your own, passion and consistency will make you well-known for the job you do which will in turn make more money for you. Most times, becoming a freelancer can be more profitable than working under a boss.

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