White hacking in Freelancing
White hacking in Freelancing
Mckinsey predicts that by 2025, online talent platforms could increase employment by 72 million full-time equivalent positions. Freelancers are considered microentrepreneurs because they control their own brand, work environment, sales, and marketing. As entrepreneurs, freelancers are more intentional about delivering exemplary service with the right quality and desirous to impress their clients enough to attract favorable reviews which would help them get more deals. This is primarily considered the reason for the gradual preference for freelancers over conventional employees.
According to International Organization Employers (IOE) a few years ago, a study by Payoneer showed that about 10.1% of the world’s freelancers are in Africa. This figure has risen quite considerably by now as discussed in a recent article on Linkedin on Africa’s potential as the world’s workforce capital. In cities across Africa, many young people are turning to freelancing and self-employment. Some of them leave their full-time jobs, either in the public or the private sector, in order to set up their own projects. Sometimes this choice is made without a guarantee of being able to derive a sufficient income.
As intriguing as these facts are, a staggering number of freelancers are yet to secure at least one gig and are thus frustrated in their freelancing journey. Many clients would prefer to queue along with a freelancer with proven experience than try out new talents. This suggests that just about 20% of freelancers are harnessing the benefits of freelancing.
What should a new freelancer on an online freelance marketplace do to solve this problem?
They can leverage their network of friends, family and former work colleagues to patronize them, at least for their first 5 to 10 gigs. These are low hanging customers they may first work hard to get. Entrepreneurs that cannot convince or persuade their friends, family or former work colleagues to patronize them probably need to improve the quality of their products or services. Same applies to freelancers. They can give discounted promos, ensure they deliver top quality services, request great ratings, reviews and feedback on their works from these low hanging customers.
