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Best ways to maximize income as a freelancer

I have recently started working as a freelancer.

So as a beginner what comes to my mind is subscribe to sites like Chegg, tutorme, upwork, freelancer, urbanpro.
Get some students or projects etc..

Please share your views.
How to go about it. As obviously at the end I am looking to make more money.

My skill set is Software development and Mathematics.

Thanks

Bill Prew

One thing you haven't mentioned, which I think is important, is "networking" and "sales". It's great to get on the internet sites and do some fishing there for opportunities, but I have found that it's also critical to use your network of friends and professional contacts to locate opportunities and market yourself. It's hard, and takes more time than just posting a bit of information online, but is often more productive.

Think of it as planting a tree, and over time it keeps growing and adding branches. Over time, the more branches you have the more fruit it yields.

Connect with friends and professional contacts and share what you are trying to do and ask for their inputs and opinions. Ultimately you are trying to find out if they might have use of your services, or know of others that might, but you don't want to lead with that. You are trying to establish a connection and put it in their mind for future use that you have something to offer.

Another thought that comes to mind, somewhat related to my above, is LinkedIn. You haven't mentioned that, and it's another way / place to establish yourself and build a network of people that might help you find opportunities. If you are not a member consider that, there are plenty of online sites with information on how to use LinkedIn, and they have a free membership option that can be all you need to get started.

Recognize that you have to be patient too, it takes time to establish a reputation and get some experience freelancing, it won't all explode overnight. Be prepared for that, and if you can look for opportunities that you can build on and reference in the future.

»bp

Rohit Bajaj

ASKER

But isn't LinkedIn for jobs ? I mean like full time jobs in companies..
Or there is scope for freelancing there too ?

Also there are two parts to it as I can think of
1) pick up student projects.
But for this I need to somehow get emails.if students in universities. Is there any way to get that ?

2) pick up software companies project. The one or two I got hands on from upwork were like very minor startup type of company of only 4 employees...
Can get you some minor earning here and there

What other freelancing options do you suggest can be there ?
I have heard of like people teaching software /programming/computer science courses in companies as well as universities.

Do universities in countries like USA CANADA etc have the option for this ?
Kind of guest faculty for a subject ?

Also what areas I can focus on in software which are hot nowdays and earn money as a freelancer specially

Thanks

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Bill Prew

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Bill Prew

Stumbled across this recently too, not sure if you want to pursue it and try to create an account or not (I haven't yet), or if it will require you be be over a certain age, etc.

Freelancing Resource Center - AARP Foundation: Freelancing

If you do pursue it please let me know if it is a useful resource, either posting back here on this question, or via private message on Experts Exchange.

»bp