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How to get into freelancing this 2023 (Philippines)

Posted on by Bianca Duran

What’s freelancing in the Philippines

Freelancing in the Philippines has become a popular career choice for many Filipinos, offering flexibility, independence, and the opportunity to work with clients worldwide.

The Philippines has a large pool of talented and skilled professionals, including graphic designers, writers, programmers, and virtual assistants, who are in high demand globally. Freelancing platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer have made it easier for Filipinos to connect with clients and find work online.

Where to start your freelancing journey?

In order to start freelancing, one needs to have a specific skill set or area of expertise. A strong online presence and a portfolio showcasing one’s skills can also help attract clients.

One advantage of freelancing in the Philippines is the cost of living, which is lower compared to other countries. This allows freelancers to offer competitive rates while still being able to make a decent income.

However, there are also challenges that come with freelancing, such as self-discipline, time management, and the need for reliable internet access. In addition, it’s important to understand tax laws and regulations in the Philippines, as well as the requirements for setting up a freelance business.

Despite the challenges, freelancing in the Philippines continues to grow and provide a viable career option for many Filipinos. With the right skills, dedication, and a strong work ethic, freelancers can enjoy the benefits of working on their own terms and building a successful career in this field.

Tips for freelancers/ digital nomads in the Philippines

Here are some tips to get you started on your freelancing journey! This has worked for me and can give Human resource perspective.

Tip #1

Find your niche and best skills

There are different kinds of freelancing jobs it maybe a virtual assistant, graphic designer, social media manager, developer and so on. A freelancing career is a free world of possibilities but is best to know where you are good at and it can give you an advantage especially if your skills are a match to what a client is looking for.

Example for me: I have been working as a Human resource professional for Fortune 500 companies to start-up companies and mostly I handle recruitment and onboarding. I usually showcase my certifications that I recently took or courses plus my educational background and what I can do for my clients.

Another example would be if you are interested in Photography or posting photos on your feed – you may earn a profit by sharing your photos online through Photojobz.com

Tip #2

Create your portfolio

Great! now you know where you are good at or what you want in your freelancing career. Creating a portfolio is best to showcase if you are applying to a client or getting a client’s attention.

This can mean a Resume, Linkedin profile, online jobs profile, a portfolio website using Word press, and host it via Hostinger (you may use this link and I am an avid user of Hostinger and affliate), Google sites, Canva.

Always be mindful of what you include on your portfolio and clients are looking for someone who can solve their problem so it is best to showcase your creativity, technical/nontechnical skills, and where you are good at.

Let’s say you are a video editor – make sure to create your best sample outputs or best results on what you can do as an editor. This will be a key point for the client if you are worth contacting or to interview.

Lastly, don’t forget to add your contact details because how can they keep in touch?

Tip #3

Practice good communication skills

I recruit for my clients based in the US and they really love working with Filipinos but during one on one discussions with a client, it can be nerve-wracking so make sure to practice good communication skills.

I would also recommend this Linkedin learning course about maintaining a relationship and managing your consulting business and I actually landed my client using that informative course.

Tip #4

Client search

So where do you actually look for clients?

Here are some remote sites that can work for you! I can only put websites that worked for me but feel free to comment if you have other sites

  • Upwork – this is where I got my first gig – just keep connecting
  • OnlinejobsPH – got my consistent clients here
  • Linkedin – a client reached out to me because he saw my old WordPress account
  • Fiverr
  • Photojobz.com – earn a profit by uploading your photo
  • Clickearners.com – this is for beginners and with just a click you may earn working from home

That’s it! Just be patient you’ll land your first client and Goodluck. If you get into an independent contractor role or freelancing job. Read about how I registered as a freelancer here in the Philippines.

Bianca Duran

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