Sofia Santos
5/7/2024With technological innovation, work models have gradually shifted toward the digital world. In this context, self-employment has been promoted because it offers significant benefits for both companies and workers. Today, I'll tell you what a Freelancer is and everything you need to learn to be a Freelancer in Mexico.
First of all, it's very important to define what a it means to be a freelancer. Specifically, a Freelancer is a self-employed worker who doesn't need to be an employee of a company or have a long-term contract to perform their services. Instead, they often work on a short-term contract basis, on-demand, or even without contracts.
This work model has proven to be highly productive for workers who have the opportunity to work in various fields, companies, and projects simultaneously. Of course many companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, see hiring Freelancers as a significant advantage that helps them reduce costs in taxes, social security, pension plans, and other expenses that are paid by the Freelancer themselves.
While freelance workers must pay for their own vacations and sick leaves, self-employed professionals have the opportunity to increase their productivity, create an ideal work schedule for themselves, set their personal projects based on available work, and work remotely for clients around the world.
To further define what freelance working is, we must also analyze the different types of remote workers, which can be divided into the following two groups:
This group includes writers, programmers, translators, managers, designers, and consultants who have a specialized skillset.
This group includes freelance jobs contracted by contractors, such as cleaners, builders, and other self-employed workers who don't have specialized knowledge within a specific area.
As previously highlighted, working as a freelancer has various implications which can be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the case.
A Freelance worker has the comfort of controlling their own workflow and also their workday. However, this independence also brings significant responsibilities, such as paying for their own worker benefits.
To explore the pros and cons of working freelance in depth, we'll share some of the key advantages of freelance work.
Not having a signed contract with any company means that a freelancer has control over the projects they take on, including the costs they charge for their work.
This allows the worker to quote themselves over time, increasing their ability to negotiate with their employers, and have the possibility to generate higher income.
Additionally, as they become experts in an area and master more aspects of it, they can offer specialized services, which greatly increases their hourly billing rates.
Working independently gives tremendous freedom regarding daily work routines and schedules in the country. For instance, a freelancer doesn't have to work a classic 8-hour workday but can create their own work schedules, helping them meet other personal obligations and even pursue additional jobs or their favorite hobbies.
Moreover, a self-employed worker is completely responsible for their own productivity, making them much more responsible workers.
Having more control over their time, the self-employed worker can work directly from home, at hours that also allow them to fulfill their household obligations.
Freelancers can also schedule their work in such a way that they can make time to meet all their family obligations.
Not working in an office, the freelancer doesn't have to comply with a set dress code or etiquette.
One of the main advantages of being a self-employed worker is the flexibility that it offers, allowing workers to create their own work structure. For example, some workers prefer working in blocks, in the afternoons, or even in night shifts, especially in activities that require greater creative skill.
However, not everything is perfect. Here are the disadvantages of freelance work
Working as a freelancer means you don't have a contract with any company that is required to meet legal obligations to the State or to the local labour code.
While freelance work offers great freedom, it also implies a responsibility that goes beyond meeting your expenses. You'll have to pay your own taxes, insurance, retirement fund, vacations, and cover any other benefits that a regular employee would have.
One of the main advantages of freelancing is working from home, but this can also become one of the biggest fears for people, especially those who love to share spaces filled with people.
For a self-employed worker, working from home can feel very lonely, especially if they live without a family. This can make the home a solitary environment.
The incredible freedom that freelance jobs offer means you can take as many days off as you want, vacation whenever you wish, take work time to resolve personal conflicts, or even not work at times when you just don't feel like it. However, this is a double-edged sword.
As a Freelance worker, you only earn money while you work. In times when you are unable to carry out your work activities, you won't have the support of an institution that continues to provide your salary, despite your inability to work.
If these periods of inactivity extend due to illness or an accident, it can be very dangerous. If you don't have a solid financial plan, the inability to work could complicate your ability to meet your basic needs.
Now that we understand what freelancing is, let's take a look at the most in-demand careers and skills in the labor market. You can see if your skills or education can adapt to any of them, and whether you can consider becoming a freelancer in Mexico:
There's an increasing need for businesses and companies to create or modernize their websites. This demand makes web development a perfect area for freelancers to offer their services.
Marketing and advertising strategies have become increasingly complex, expanding the communication channels every business needs to generate sales and connect with customers. A specialist in a specific area of marketing can efficiently sell their services as a freelancer.
Data has become one of the main paradigms of the new digital revolution, representing a wealth of information that, if properly managed, can significantly enhance a business's productivity. Freelancers can ideally participate in this area.
Text continues to be one of the most important sales tools in the market, especially since textual communication remains the foundation of online marketing. In this context, commercial writers have excellent opportunities to work as freelancers in Mexico.
When a small or medium-sized business has accumulated work or needs extra labor to complete projects on time, they may need to hire more people, which can hinder the company's productivity and profits. In this regard, a virtual or sales assistant is one of the most in-demand freelance sectors in Mexico.
The digital culture has become increasingly visual, making a photography and video team essential for any business's proper development. However, when investment is not feasible, hiring a freelance photographer or video producer is always possible. If you have these skills, you can find work as a freelancer across multiple channels and sales platforms.
Now that we know what freelancing is and have understood its advantages, disadvantages, and the most in-demand job profiles, let's discuss what you need to work as a Freelancer, especially if you're already interested in this type of work.
You might think at first glance that you don't need robust professional training to work as a Freelancer. While fewer requirements might be needed compared to a traditional company, clients will ask you to prove your talents and strengths, either classically with documents validating your studies or, more importantly, with a robust portfolio demonstrating what you're capable of.
As a freelancer, you become the promoter of your work, as you won't have the support of a company. One of your main tasks is to constantly sell yourself, demonstrating to the world what you're capable of doing.
Additionally, you'll be your own salesperson, needing to know how to set your prices and develop the ability to negotiate with potential clients.
As we've seen, freelancing is primarily about independent work, meaning your reputation will help you connect with new clients. You'll need to create work contacts to have regular and consistent work.
Freelance jobs are highly related to digital media, so you should take advantage of these communication platforms to project your talent and make yourself known to potential clients.
You can maintain a blog, create a video channel, or publish organic content on major social networks.
While you might think freelancing means having total freedom to work at your own pace and preference, a Freelancer needs to build the necessary discipline and patience to maintain their productivity despite the great freedom they have as a self-employed worker.
Now that we know what freelancing is, before venturing into this type of work, here are some tips to help you get your first clients:
Establish a basic and easy-to-understand service that you can offer to as many people as possible.
Keep it simple and create a profile based on your acquired knowledge.
Build a portfolio that compiles your previous work. If you don't yet have clients, you can build it with free services.
Create your personal brand, building a visual way to project your freelance business and work. This can be done by projecting your persona and personality through social networks.
Create a website that can reach as many potential clients as possible.
Look for a referral market. If you don't yet have contacts with your first clients, you can promote your work through reviews from those you offered your services to for free.
You can also register on freelance platforms which will showcase your work to those interested in your specific product.
Freelancing offers many benefits, especially the possibility to start working immediately without needing a high level of education or professional experience.
There are more and more opportunities for Freelancers who can connect with new clients through digital platforms, referral programs, and even platforms specialized in offering remote work to large and small companies.
Additionally, remember that you'll have control over your own time, allowing you to pay attention to other areas of your life, and above all, you can create a profession that matches what you want to achieve.
Moreover, freelancers in Mexico become authentic multifaceted individuals, not only experts in the area of service they provide but also excellent in customer service, able to sell their own work, and even scale their freelance work into a business based on their worker profile.
Now that you know what freelancing is and feel ready to start your own path as an independent worker, here are 5 concrete tips that will help you become an excellent self-employed worker:
Be disciplined and organized with your work and work environment.
Be completely honest with your clients; don't offer more than you can deliver.
Create an extremely attractive work portfolio, particularly one that appeals to the niche you want to reach.
Specialize in an area; this will be key to selling your work for more.
Don't forget patience; freelancing requires a lot of effort. Initially, you may have to start by charging less or offering free services.
However, once you become an experienced freelancer, you will be able to increase the amount of your services.Especially if you know how to take advantage of all the resources you have at hand to take your career to the highest point.This includes, for example, learning to use tools such as infographics or concept maps.
You should also apply techniques that allow you to advertise your freelance business to make yourself known to a wider audience.
Finally, we recommend DolarApp as a reliable alternative to save on exchange rates. Since it allows you to receive in dollars and exchange to your local currency at profitable prices.
Now that you know what freelancing is and what you need to start working, let us guide you through the rest of the process. You can learn more on our blog.
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