Online freelancing has become very popular in Nigeria over the last several years. With more internet access, affordable smartphones, and digitalization, especially among the youth, freelancing has become rampant in Nigeria. People are looking for alternative income sources due to a high unemployment rate, and the establishment of online platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal has opened doors for many Nigerian freelancers worldwide.
In this article, I will discuss the rapid rise of online freelancing in Nigeria and provide step-by-step instructions on how to get started as a sustainable online freelancer.
Why online freelancing is gaining popularity in Nigeria
Online freelancing is continuously rising in popularity. With digitalization, the world is now a global market, and Nigerians are taking advantage of this opportunity. There are several reasons why online freelancing is so popular. Let’s examine some of the most important ones:
- High rate of unemployment: The rate of unemployment is quite high in Nigeria. Most people are not gainfully employed, and the cost of living is quite high compared to the average salary expectation. This has led to Nigerians looking for other means of making money, and online freelancing has emerged as a great option.
- A global marketplace: Companies worldwide have turned to freelancing because it saves them costs while having access to a global talent pool. This has expanded the freelance marketplace greatly.
- Young Population: Nigeria has one of the youngest populations in the world, with the mean age being 18. The majority of Nigerians grew up with access, or at least knowledge of, phones and the internet. Being a young and highly digitalized population, being able to make money online is quite lucrative.
- Success stories: Many young Nigerians have made it in the freelancing world, and information about them is being broadcast daily. This has led to more interest in freelancing among the general public.
How to get started as an online freelancer in Nigeria
It is not easy to start, but breaking the process into chunks so it is manageable is the key. Let’s go over the step-by-step process on how you can get started as a freelancer in Nigeria:
Step 1: Learn a skill
If you currently have a marketable skill, then you have taken an essential step in preparation for freelancing. You can check your skill against popular ones to find out what fits well with the big demand and your competitive edge.
If you don’t have a skill, then pick a skill that interests you, is marketable, and profitable. Ultimately, you want to choose a skill that can earn you money, and you won’t last long if you choose a skill just for the money.
Once you pick a skill that you want to learn, find a reliable source to learn it from. The most popular are Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) providers like Coursera and Udemy. Alternatively, you can find free resources on YouTube, Google, and social media platforms. For a more personalized experience and active learning, you should find a coach or tutorial that can be online or offline, although they are usually more expensive.
Step 2: Build competence and a portfolio
Clients want to see proof that you can deliver results. It doesn’t matter how good you are or the amount of knowledge you have; what matters is if your clients can recognize your skills and be willing to trust you with their projects. Of course, you must have the skills to back up your claims, because even if you lie on your resume, the work you deliver will expose you.
You can build competence with diligent practice. Get small projects that you might not even be paid for initially, so that you can gain experience. Once you have gathered enough knowledge, skills, and experience, you can start looking for a job. But before then, you must take your time to craft a resume and a portfolio.
Your best works should comprise the portfolio. Writers can feature several articles; graphic designers can sample designs; developers can publish developed websites or apps. Tools to create portfolios include WordPress, Wix, Behance (for designers), GitHub (for developers), and others.
Your resume should comprise all the relevant experiences, education, and skills you have garnered. It should be written clearly and concisely.
Step 3: Choose the right freelance platform
There are several freelance platforms today that cater to a worldwide audience. Several of these platforms are available to Nigerians, even the most popular ones. Freelancing websites to find work in Nigeria include Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com, Toptal, PeoplePerHour, etc.
Step 4: Create a professional profile
Your profile represents you, your work, and your brand. An unprofessional profile will damage your work prospects. Everything on your profile should be professional and communicate your value.
- Profile Picture: Include a clear, pleasant-looking photograph of yourself that conveys professionalism.
- Bio/Description: Explain in a few keywords your skills, experience, and services you offer clients.
- Portfolio Samples: Upload relevant examples of your work.
- Certifications: List all the certifications available to you that substantiate your ability.
Step 5: Price your services
Pricing is difficult in the beginning. Start competitively but not so low that you undervalue yourself. As you start building reviews and build your credibility, start raising the prices gradually, but not more than two to three times a year.
Pricing tips:
- Look at what others charge.
- Calculate how long it will take, what skill level you are, and how complex the project is.
- Do not charge per hour in the beginning; project-based pricing is often better for beginners.
Step 6: Apply for jobs and market your services
Apply for jobs daily; if possible, customize every application. Never send a copy-paste proposal. Use LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook Groups, and Twitter to showcase your work and attract clients.
Challenges Nigerian freelancers face
There are several hurdles you will face when you decide to become a freelancer in Nigeria. They can seem daunting, but they should not make you give up on your goals. They include:
- Payment barriers: While the majority of international platforms use PayPal to facilitate payment, Nigerians have restricted access to PayPal. You can only send, but not receive, payments on PayPal in Nigeria. This greatly limits your options as a freelancer. However, there are other options, even if they might not be as popular. They include Payoneer, Wise, and others.
- Internet reliability: Inadequate stability in the internet can cause delays. Multiple network providers (having a modem backup) give an alternative route for dealing with power outages.
- Competition: The very fact that it is freelancing makes it highly competitive. Different levels of skills and excellent communication, which go hand in hand with customer service, can be used to stand out.
- Trust Issues: A lot of clients are wary of working with freelancers from Nigeria, having stereotyped Nigeria with bad behaviors like fraud. This bias can easily be chipped away through creating a professional profile, following with transparency, and delivering great services.
Tips for success in freelancing
It takes time and effort to build a successful freelance career, especially as a Nigerian. There are several challenges along the way, but with the right strategy, there is great potential for success.
- Specialize: The more specific you are, like “e-commerce website designer” instead of “web designer,” the more lucrative the clients will be.
- Communicate well: Communicate your process and expectations for the project. Make great effort to understand the needs and requirements of your clients.
- Over delivers: Go the extra mile and deliver more than what your client expects. This will come as a pleasant surprise and will open up more opportunities for collaboration in the future, and possibly a recommendation.
- Stay updated: The online world changes fast; you must keep upgrading your skills to keep up.
- Ask for reviews: Positive reviews from clients increase your credibility. If you deliver great work, your clients will be more than willing to leave a positive review for you.
Conclusion
Online freelancing is not just a side hustle but a possible, sustainable career. It can be the door to independence, opportunities across the globe, and self-fulfilling potentialities opened by the right skills, strategy, and resilience.
Now is the right time to start if you are thinking of starting. Digital economies are expanding, and the world is your marketplace.
