How to Succeed on the Freelance Marketplace: A Conversation with the Founder of Freelancehunt

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New freelancers often come to freelance platforms hoping to make a quick buck, but not everyone is successful. Stories of low rates, unfair arbitration, and difficult relationships with clients often arise. It's important to understand how freelance platforms operate and whether newcomers have a chance of successfully earning money in this field. Understanding how these platforms work and the competitive landscape will help you avoid common mistakes and increase your chances of landing lucrative orders. Oleg Topchiy, founder of Freelancehunt, shared his thoughts and experience in the freelancing industry. He emphasized the importance of skill development and ongoing training for freelancers. He noted that a successful freelance career requires not only professional knowledge but also the ability to adapt to market changes. He also touched on finding clients and building long-term relationships, emphasizing that trust plays a key role in this process. In conclusion, Oleg encouraged freelancers to actively use platforms to promote their services and build a personal brand.

• How to start earning money on a freelance exchange;
• How to get your first order;
• What to do in conflict situations;
• How freelance exchanges work.

Many people believe that freelance exchanges offer only small earnings. But is this really true? In fact, a freelancer's income depends on many factors, including skill level, experience, demand for their services, and their ability to find clients. There are freelancers who earn significant income providing high-quality services in areas such as web design, programming, copywriting, and marketing. It's important to note that successful freelancers actively develop their skills and build a reputation, which allows them to increase their prices. Thus, earnings on freelance platforms can be significantly higher than initially expected.

Freelance platforms feature specialists with varying levels of success. Some professionals have reached the top in their fields, while others have struggled to adapt to remote work. The reasons for this range from a lack of professional skills and narrow specialization to psychological factors that influence interactions with clients. Success on freelance platforms depends not only on qualifications but also on the ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with clients.

A survey on our service revealed that over 50% of users consider remote work their sole or primary source of income. This confirms that the majority of freelancers earn money from remote projects, disproving the myth that income in this field is mere "pennies." Remote work provides real opportunities for financial stability and professional growth.

Newcomers to the stock exchange often wonder when they will be able to achieve a stable income. The time required to achieve this result depends on many factors, such as level of training, experience, chosen trading strategy, and market conditions.

Some traders begin to receive a stable income after a few months of practice, while others may need a year or even more to achieve the desired results. It is important to understand that successful stock trading requires constant training and analysis.

It is also worth noting that risks are always present in the financial markets. Therefore, beginners are advised to start with small investments and gradually increase them as they gain experience and confidence. Ultimately, a stable income is possible, but it requires patience, discipline, and a willingness to learn.

A freelancer's income depends on many factors, making it difficult to evaluate. Key aspects include specialization, sales skills, and activity on freelance platforms. The ability to effectively present your services and find suitable projects also plays a significant role in income generation.

A freelancer can land their first project within a week if they correctly fill out their profile according to the platform's recommendations and actively respond to requests. Further success depends on the quality of their work: high-quality project execution leads to a higher rating, which increases trust from clients and opens access to new projects. When analyzing our ranking of the best freelancers, you will notice that some have been working for just over a year. Although such examples are rare due to high competition, they demonstrate that success is possible. If they were able to achieve this, then you have every chance of success too.

One inspiring success story is that of Andrey, who held the position of Head of IT at a bank for over ten years. Deciding to leave his routine job, he switched to freelancing and began working in web programming. Today, he receives about a hundred proposals a day. The secret to his success lies in his ability to effectively manage his time and skills, despite not having his own studio. This story highlights the opportunities of freelancing in the IT sector and demonstrates how to succeed in a highly competitive environment.

Oleg Grigoriev is a shining example of a successful transition to remote work after leaving his position as CTO. This move became the beginning of a new life for him, full of freedom and opportunity. Today, Oleg is actively developing his IT company in Kharkiv, demonstrating how remote work can become a springboard for career growth and entrepreneurship. His story inspires many to explore new paths in IT and start their own businesses.

The average income of a freelancer with strong skills and experience in the marketplace can vary depending on a number of factors, such as specialization, skill level, and demand for their services. In general, experienced freelancers can earn between 50,000 and 150,000 rubles per month. Key factors affecting income include the number of completed projects, pricing policy, and the ability to attract clients. To achieve a stable income, it is important to continually develop your skills and adapt to changes in the freelance market.

The average project budget on our marketplace is approximately $82. Depending on the specific area, average values ​​can range from $18 to $450. It's also worth noting that many freelancers are capable of working on multiple tasks simultaneously, which is common practice for long-term projects. This optimizes time and resources, ensuring more efficient completion of tasks.

Some specializations involve small projects, such as writing articles or removing viruses from websites. These tasks can be successfully completed within a month, and several of them can be completed. At the same time, there are larger-scale assignments that require a significant investment of time, such as software development or 3D modeling. These projects can take a month or more, highlighting the diversity and complexity of work in various fields.

Sometimes we encounter unusual orders, making estimating the time required for their completion difficult. One such example is the creation and editing of a video, the purpose of which was to impress a girl. Another interesting case is compiling a database of women married to successful politicians, businessmen, or criminal authorities. Such orders require not only a creative approach but also a deep understanding of the target audience, which makes them especially exciting to complete.

The most popular destinations include tourism, education, technology, and health. In the tourism sector, countries with a rich culture and history, such as Italy, Spain, and Japan, stand out. Education is attracting attention in areas related to foreign language learning and vocational courses. In technology, areas related to IT and digital skills are trending, as they are in demand in the labor market. Health also plays a key role, with an emphasis on wellness, fitness, and proper nutrition. These areas continue to gain popularity due to people's growing interest in self-development and quality of life.

Web programming remains the most in-demand area in IT, followed by areas such as HTML and CSS layout, copywriting, website design, and turnkey website creation. Print design and text translation also occupy a significant place in the market. It's worth noting that new promising areas are emerging. For example, since 2019, there has been a significant increase in projects in DevOps, Blockchain-based development, and chatbot creation. These trends highlight the need for professionals in this field to constantly update their skills and master new technologies.

If you're facing difficulties fulfilling an order due to a lack of skills or time, there are several strategies that can help you resolve the situation and maintain your ranking. First and foremost, it's important to promptly communicate any difficulties to the client. Explain the situation honestly and offer alternative solutions, such as extending the deadline or transferring the project to another contractor. You can also consider partially delivering the work, if appropriate. This demonstrates your responsibility and willingness to compromise. Finally, always strive to improve your skills to avoid similar situations in the future. Maintaining your reputation and being open with clients are key to successful collaboration.

We all make mistakes, and that's natural. The client will likely be dissatisfied, so it's important to seek a compromise. Depending on the situation, you can offer the client a discount on services, perform an additional task, or seek help from your professional contacts to complete the project. This approach will help maintain trust and strengthen your relationship with the client.

It's important to remember that if you're at fault, don't get angry at the client, argue, or leave a negative review. This will only damage your reputation. Instead, analyze the mistake, learn from it, and move forward. This approach will not only help you avoid similar situations in the future but will also strengthen your clients' trust in your professional activities.

If an unsuccessful order has negatively impacted your rating, the question arises of what to do next. Should you create a new account or continue working with your current one? It's important to assess the situation. If the issue was a one-off and you are confident you can avoid similar mistakes in the future, it makes sense to continue working with your existing account. This will help preserve your established reputation and experience. However, if your rating has dropped significantly and you see no chance of recovering it, creating a new account may be the solution. In any case, it is important to analyze the reasons for the unsuccessful order and adjust your strategy to avoid repeating the mistakes and improve your reputation.

Anyone can find themselves in such an unpleasant situation. Creating a new profile is not a solution, as it can lead to both the old and new accounts being blocked. As a result, you will be unable to continue trading on the exchange. Instead, it's important to understand the reasons for the blocking and take the right steps to restore access to your profile.

An objective and accurate description of the reasons for the failure in a counter-review is essential, as clients pay attention not only to ratings but also to the opinions of project participants. If you have a good reputation and many successfully completed projects, it's important to take this experience into account. Continue working on new projects and strive to receive positive reviews, which will help offset negative experiences. This approach will not only strengthen your reputation but also increase client trust.

Arbitration is necessary in situations where the conflict cannot be resolved independently. This may be due to a lack of compromise, a breach of contract, or the emergence of serious disagreements that require legal assessment. If your attempts at negotiation have failed and you are faced with the threat of financial losses or a violation of rights, it is worth considering arbitration. In cases of less serious disputes where agreement is possible, you can try to resolve the conflict yourself. This will help save time and money, and preserve business relationships.

Try to reach a compromise on your own, as this is often the most effective solution. However, it is worth considering that in some situations this may not be possible.

If your constructive proposals for resolving the conflict cause offense or lead to a distortion of the facts, arbitration may be your solution. It is important to soberly assess your position in this situation: if you truly did not meet the deadlines or did not complete the project properly, the result of arbitration may not only be the termination of the case, but also negative feedback about your work.

Don't be afraid to ask for help and communicate. Recently, a woman who won a branding competition contacted us, but she never received the client's order and, accordingly, did not receive payment for her project. She waited two whole years before deciding to go to arbitration. As a result, the dispute was resolved in her favor. This shows the importance of standing up for your rights and not sitting on the sidelines, even if the situation drags on. Seeking professional assistance can significantly speed up the resolution process and lead to a positive outcome.

Arbitration often favors the contractor when there is evidence of contractual compliance. Clear documentation confirming the contractor's fulfillment of obligations is an important factor. Arbitrators evaluate the materials and evidence presented to render a fair decision. Contract terms and compliance with all necessary regulations are also taken into account. Thus, the arbitration system seeks to balance the interests of the parties and protect the rights of contractors, making it an important tool in dispute resolution.

Arbitration does not take sides, but rather objectively analyzes the facts and correspondence within the project. According to our statistics, approximately 20% of arbitration cases end in favor of clients, while 54% end in favor of freelancers. This underscores the importance of clear documentation and communication throughout the process. Understanding these statistics helps both parties better prepare for potential disagreements and minimize risks.

Arbitration is often used to resolve various disputes. The most common cases include contractual conflicts, intellectual property infringement issues, and disputes related to discrepancies in delivery terms or product quality. Arbitration is also used to resolve financial disputes, such as debt or investment conflicts. Such cases require a professional approach and are often more effective than litigation due to their confidentiality and speed.

The need for arbitration most often arises in projects where there is a lack of clearly defined terms of reference and defined expectations for the outcome. The client may have a single picture in mind, while the project description lacks detail. The contractor, eager to win the project, may not pay close enough attention to the client's requirements, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. This approach is a classic recipe for problems and disputes between the parties. To avoid arbitration, it is important to outline all project details in advance and agree on them with the contractor.

The likelihood of encountering arbitration varies depending on the project category. For example, in the field of HTML/CSS layout, only 1.83% of cases end in arbitration, while in logo development this figure is 1.8%. In projects involving the creation of hybrid mobile apps or native iOS apps, arbitration practically never occurs, with the percentage of requests being only 0.18% and 0.2%, respectively. This indicates a higher level of client satisfaction and high-quality implementation of such projects.

Avoiding problems during the project process is quite simple. Clients are advised to clearly formulate the terms of reference (TOR), and contractors should carefully clarify all project details before accepting the work. If the client is unable to create the TOR themselves, it is also possible to entrust its development to professionals. This will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure the successful completion of the project. A clear understanding of the tasks and expectations on both sides is the key to successful cooperation.

There are many freelance exchanges, and choosing the right platform requires careful consideration. First of all, pay attention to the platform's reputation. Study user reviews and the exchange's rating to determine its reliability. It is also important to pay attention to the platform's fees for its services. High fees can significantly reduce your income.

User-friendliness and available tools for completing tasks can also be selection criteria. The platform should offer functionality that makes work easier for both freelancers and clients. If the interface is inconvenient or confusing, this can lead to a loss of time and clients.

Also, it is worth evaluating the number of active users and offers on the exchange. A platform with a large number of freelancers and clients provides more opportunities to find profitable projects.

A lack of transparent terms of cooperation should also raise concerns. If the exchange does not provide clear information about its terms and conditions, this may be a sign of potential problems. It is important that the terms and conditions are clear and understandable to avoid misunderstandings in the future.

When choosing a freelance exchange, consider these important aspects to make the right choice and ensure a comfortable working environment.

To assess the exchange's activity and the quality of the service provided, it is sufficient to conduct a thorough analysis. Pay attention to trading volume, the number of registered users, and customer reviews. These factors will help you understand how reliable and effective the exchange is. It is also important to examine the tools and support offered, which can significantly impact your experience with the platform.

Personal data verification is carried out using modern technologies and high security standards. We carefully verify the information provided by users to ensure the protection of their personal data and prevent fraudulent activity. All data is processed in accordance with personal data protection laws. We focus on transparency and reliability at every verification stage so our users can be confident in the security of their data.

The procedure takes just ten minutes, and you don't need to go anywhere or call. Simply upload a photo of your passport and take a selfie. Verified profiles are marked with a special icon and receive a bonus rating. This is an important tool, as working with verified providers significantly reduces the risk of fraud and conflict situations.

We do not store or process users' passport data. This is done by our partner, for whom KYC is a core business area. Our partner complies with GDPR regulations and the 2018 Data Protection Act for Europe, as well as Federal Law 152-FZ for Russia. The data required for verification is transferred via a secure protocol and stored on GDPR-compliant servers located in the European Union.

Rejection may occur for various reasons. One of the main reasons for rejection is a lack of necessary documents or information. Refusal may also occur due to the applicant's failure to meet established requirements or criteria. Unpaid debts or a poor credit history can also be grounds for refusal. Furthermore, insufficient solvency or the risk of fraud can influence the decision. By analyzing these factors, you can better prepare for the process and minimize the likelihood of refusal. Fake or fake photos are often the cause of verification rejection, so it is important to include a selfie with a document. The verification process is mandatory, and users who have previously been blocked will not be able to successfully register a cloned profile. A selfie with a document helps confirm identity and ensures platform security. We also collect data and feedback from customers. This information allows us to better understand customer needs and improve the quality of our services. Feedback helps us analyze customer experiences and identify potential areas for further development. We strive to establish long-term relationships with our clients and use the data we collect to improve satisfaction.

Clients have similar methods for verifying their profiles, but their motivation to do so is lower. There are significantly more freelancers than clients in the market, making a verified profile a key factor when choosing a freelancer. Verified profiles build trust and increase the chances of successful collaboration.

Working with job boards as a self-employed person offers certain advantages. Self-employed individuals can easily manage their income and taxes, making this option attractive to freelancers. The registration process takes minimal time, and there are no complex reporting or obligations typical of sole proprietors (SPs). However, if your income significantly exceeds the established limits for self-employment, you may need to register as a SP. SPs offer more business opportunities, including the ability to work with legal entities, as well as a wider range of tax deductions and benefits. It's important to evaluate your financial goals and workload when choosing between self-employment and registering as a sole proprietor to determine the most suitable option for your business.

If freelancing is your primary source of income, registering as an individual entrepreneur (IE) is the best option. This is due to the higher income limits, which are 150 million rubles per year under the simplified tax system (STS). Unlike self-employed individuals, whose limit is only 2.4 million rubles, IE provides significantly more opportunities for growth. Furthermore, registering as an IE allows you to plan for the future, including the possibility of receiving pension payments, which is especially important, despite the fact that younger generations often don't think about retirement. As the number of clients increases, a freelancer can expand their business by hiring employees and creating their own agency, which opens new horizons for development and increased income.

If you're considering freelancing as an additional source of income or are just starting your career in this field, you should become self-employed. Install the "My Tax" app for convenient income tracking. With it, the Federal Tax Service easily tracks receipts from freelance exchanges. The tax rate depends on the type of client: for individuals, the rate is 4%, and for legal entities, it's 6%. This allows you to work with confidence and without unnecessary tax concerns. Exchanges generate income from various sources. The primary source of income is charging traders commissions for executing trades. These commissions can be fixed or variable and depend on trading volume. Additionally, exchanges can generate revenue from listing new tokens or shares by charging issuers a fee. Another source of income is providing additional services, such as analytics, API access, and marketing tools for traders. Some exchanges also generate income by lending cryptocurrencies or shares, offering users the opportunity to profit from their holdings. It's important to note that exchanges can also generate income from investments in their own funds or trading strategies.

The main sources of income are paid profiles and commissions received from projects using an escrow system to reserve payments.

Freelance exchanges offer various related services, such as highlighting projects in a general list and selling advertising. However, the income from these services is usually insignificant. Therefore, freelance exchanges should not be viewed as an easy and highly profitable business.

Work within organizations is often organized so that contractors and clients interact primarily with the support department. However, every company has other key departments that play a vital role in the functioning of the business. For example, the sales department is responsible for attracting new clients and developing relationships with existing ones. The marketing department is engaged in the promotion of services and products, analyzing the market and consumer preferences. Also important is the development department, which ensures the creation and improvement of products, and the quality department monitors the implementation of standards and customer satisfaction. All these departments work closely together to ensure efficient project execution and high-quality service.

Internal processes within companies can vary significantly, but, as you rightly noted, there are many common aspects. One key element is customer support. Users should feel supported and assured that they are not alone. Our goal is to provide a friendly and prompt response to customer inquiries. This creates a sense of reliability and increases loyalty to the company. An effective customer support service improves the user experience and strengthens the brand image.

We have a department dedicated to product development and user acquisition. We regularly monitor important metrics, such as project completion rate and page rendering speed. Based on user feedback, we decide on the development of new features and improvements to existing ones. Our goal is to create a product that is as convenient and efficient as possible for users, which contributes to user growth and increased satisfaction.

Tasks are formulated and queued for development using the Kanban system. Each team member has the opportunity to propose ideas or improvements based on their experience. We actively discuss suggestions and often implement them quickly: an idea can be put forward in the morning and implemented in production by the evening. This approach promotes an efficient development process and the rapid implementation of innovation.

A just-in-time development management method optimizes processes and evenly distributes the workload among employees. This approach allows for the efficient organization of workflows, minimizing the risk of delays and increasing team productivity. This method helps improve the quality of task completion and ensures deadlines are met, which in turn positively impacts the overall project outcome.

The team also includes key roles, such as a UX designer, blog editor, and SMM specialist. We often search for contractors for projects through our service. This is not only convenient but also allows us to better understand how to improve the service's usability while assuming the role of the client.

The issue of the number of client-facing employees is an important aspect for most companies. The number of such employees can vary significantly depending on the company's size, industry, and the specific services provided. It's important to remember that effective customer interaction directly impacts customer satisfaction and loyalty, which in turn impacts business success. Therefore, companies often strive to optimize the number and skills of their support staff to ensure high-quality service and address customer needs. Our support team has a limited number of employees, which on weekdays creates a ratio of approximately 1 to 25,000 between team members and active customers. We provide support seven days a week, excluding nighttime hours, although in some cases we do respond at night. It's important to note that we do not use pre-prepared scripts, but rather rely solely on general recommendations. This approach allows us to consider each situation individually and provide high-quality assistance to our users.

We closely monitor all metrics and regularly discuss them with the goal of continuously improving the quality of service. This includes analyzing the number of received messages, communication ratings, and response times to requests. Additionally, we use a knowledge base that allows us to find articles based on typical queries. This gives users the opportunity to find answers to their questions on their own, which increases satisfaction and the effectiveness of interactions.