My Inspiring Freelancing Journey: Tips and Insights for All
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Chapter 1: The Start of My Freelancing Adventure
In early 2020, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the allure of freelancing became increasingly appealing. I found myself eager to dive into this new realm, and I can confidently say that since then, I have never experienced a dull moment—or a broke one, for that matter.
I began my journey on a modest scale, taking on local clients who compensated me minimally relative to the effort I invested. As a beginner, my writing skills were still developing, often requiring hours of labor to produce a mere 500-word blog post. Nevertheless, one undeniable truth emerged: every client who entrusted me with a task would invariably return for more, and this was due to the quality of my output.
By sheer fortune, I discovered writerbay.com, and even luckier, they welcomed me into their writer community! WriterBay specializes in providing academic assistance to college students with their assignments, capstone projects, essays, or research papers. This work resonated with me deeply; with a master’s degree in English Literature and Education, it was fulfilling to see my knowledge put to practical use.
However, a shift I hadn’t anticipated was on the horizon.
Section 1.1: Ethical Dilemmas in Academic Freelancing
After a year of academic writing, I began to encounter conflicting views regarding its ethical implications. Some argued that assisting students with their coursework constituted academic dishonesty, while others believed that such help was essential for students working full-time to afford their education. They felt that supporting these students would help lighten their burdens and promote long-term stability.
Photo by Nick Kimel on Unsplash
Section 1.2: A Tough Choice
Walking away from academic freelancing would have meant a complete stop to my income, as I had focused entirely on this niche at that time. It was a challenging decision, especially when viewed from a financial standpoint. However, my strong values guided my perspective. I reached out to my employer, explaining my inability to continue due to my ethical concerns.
Their attempts to change my mind only solidified my decision. The more they tried to persuade me, the more convinced I became that this path was not legitimate.
Chapter 2: Finding New Opportunities
I ultimately stepped away from academic writing entirely. However, I continued to assist students with their admissions essays and professionals with their resumes and cover letters. Recently, I shared tips on crafting an effective essay, drawing from my experiences, including a successful admission essay I wrote for a John Hopkins University (JHU) applicant.
In my quest for new opportunities, I explored various platforms such as Preply, Upwork, Fiverr, and Livingstone.com. My journey on these platforms, along with how I eventually found my way to Medium.com, is a testament to my unwavering dedication to the craft of writing, bolstered by the mentorship of several key figures.
Here's a video titled "What is it like to be a freelancer? My 4 year journey, plus 4 pro tips for you!" that dives deeper into the experiences of freelancing and offers valuable advice for aspiring freelancers.
In addition, check out "5 Surprising Habits of Successful Freelancers," which explores the habits that can lead to success in the freelancing world.
Stay tuned, and thank you for joining me on this journey!