Artificial intelligence has opened a plethora of opportunities for the world. Even more these days, going for freelancing is a hot trend for many people. Freelancing in AI provides a dynamic and rewarding career path for specialists who prefer freedom and flexibility.
But as AI changes the game, organizations seek these experts for specialized tasks. It allows them to contribute their skills to build successful careers. Even as per Upwork, about 39% of the U.S. workforce is already freelancing due to its wonders. But the question is: How can you begin building a successful freelance career in the AI world? Don’t worry, dear readers, we are here.
Right from covering essential tips such as finding clients, pricing your sеrvicеs, and delivering high-quality work еffеctivеly, we would help you all. So, let’s get started.
1. Define your Expertise
The first step in building a career in freelancing is to define your expertise. Before pitching to your clients, take some time to determine the services you plan to provide clearly. Clients from different industries look for self-employed professionals to perform various tasks.
Okay, let’s say you are a writer looking for a freelance opportunity. You have spent a long time working as a plumber, so don’t shy away from mentioning this as an experience. Maybe some plumbing businesses are looking like a writer like you. Ultimately, they want to hire someone with a solid understanding of their field.
Remember that if you are a new freelancer, it does not mean starting from scratch. Your experience or skill can be a good asset in attracting clients.
Finding your area of interest is another vital ingredient in this recipe. AI is a broad field with many sub-fields. Try to identify your niche based on your interests and industry demands.
Further, let’s take the example of a content writer. Just stating to the clients that you are proficient in writing doesn’t lead them to choose you over others. What’s your USP? How are you as a writer different from others?
Specify your skills that align with today’s time, like SEO, storyteller, or your expertise in a specific industry like fashion and beauty writing. This helps convince your clients that you are the one they seek.
The next and most important one is the portfolio. Its value is quite important in the life of a freelancer. A portfolio is a collection of your best work that shows your experience. It’s an important tool to attract clients and convince them to hire you for their project.
Besides, build a strong portfolio demonstrating your work experience, case studies, and projects to clients. Here’s where AI further helps you develop a strong portfolio.
“Clients”. This is a nerve-wracking challenge for freelancers: where and how to find clients? Fortunately, many platforms offer freelance services, such as Upwork, Freelancer, Toptal, and Fiverr.
Moreover, you can contact companies directly and pitch your services to them. For instance, LinkedIn is a good platform for connecting with people and clients with similar interests. If you are new to the freelancing world, you can offer your services to your circle, such as family, friends, and relatives, to build a strong portfolio.
Even here, you, apart from standing competitive, can also leverage AI to analyze and identify market trends and similar to stand out.
Pricing is the biggest question that comes to the mind of freelancers- how much to charge for the services. The answer to this question is simple.
Here, you should try setting your prices based on your experience, expertise, and task difficulty. If you are new to the freelancing world, begin with competitive prices that will help you build a space in the market and attract clients.
Moreover, settle some decent prizes that businesses looking for AI freelancers can also afford, and you can stand distinct.
Communication is vital for any business, and freelancing is no exception. Be clear about your thoughts, ideas, project, and payment with the client.
If you have any questions or doubts regarding the project, clarify them with the client. If possible, try to conduct an online meeting. This can help you avoid any misunderstandings and build smooth relations with clients.
Creating a portfolio and getting clients is not enough. To succeed as a freelancer, ensure you deliver high-quality work to clients and meet their expectations. Listen to every point, provide feedback actively, and make revisions accordingly.
Thus, you can build trust and maintain excellent and long-lasting relationships with clients. If a client likes your services, they will come back to you again.
Technology is changing rapidly, and as a freelancer, it is essential to keep up with the latest trends and techniques. The newer skills you learn, the easier freelancing will become for you. Attend seminars and conferences and enroll in online courses and workshops to stay ahead of the competition.
Moreover, AI and even AI-based copilots have limited research. Sometimes, they offer research data only to a specific period and sometimes can crawl to a limited time. Besides, many models parse data only to a limited extent and don’t carve anything unique. Here’s where staying updated and having exceptional skills will help you stand remarkable.
For instance, Zdnet and Similarweb state that Generative AI chatbot ChatGPT, which was projected to amass 200 million active users by 2030, has seen its decline in June 2023 itself
The word freelancing sometimes seems so easy, but in reality, it is not, especially in the time of AI. Establishing a successful freelance career requires a lot of dedication and a combination of technical abilities, business, and nеtworking skills.
You should know that it’s never AI vs humans but AI and humans. While you wonder whether AI can replace humans, as Forbes, it cannot! Its statistics suggest that AI cannot substitute humans. Instead, it helps with automation, and thus, you achieve better productivity.
Besides, you need to develop your skills, identify your nichе, build a portfolio, and nеtworks. With the right mindset, you can make a successful frееlancе career in thе AI world and achiеvе your goals
