VALE A PENA SER FREELANCER?

Summary

The video shares a personal journey through freelancing, from the early days of working as a beginner to managing full projects and eventually transitioning to a business-to-business model. The speaker discusses the evolving challenges, the value of freelancing experience, and the decision-making process behind choosing between freelancing and a traditional career path. The speaker highlights the importance of understanding where you are in your career and making decisions that suit your lifestyle and goals. The video encourages experimenting with freelancing to gain insight and build valuable skills for the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Freelancing can be a great way to boost income early in your career, especially if you're looking for extra cash.
• 😀 Gaining experience through freelancing allows you to build skills and work on different projects, making it a valuable learning opportunity.
• 😀 Starting as a freelancer often involves working with intermediaries, like colleagues, before you begin directly handling clients.
• 😀 As you gain more experience, the scope of your freelancing work can expand, including managing clients and overseeing projects.
• 😀 Over time, you develop the ability to manage client expectations and improve your pricing strategies.
• 😀 Freelancers often bring significant value by leveraging their experience, cutting down on client training costs, and offering expertise right away.
• 😀 It's important to increase your rates as you gain experience to match the value you're providing.
• 😀 Freelancing can eventually transition into a more business-to-business relationship, where pricing and responsibilities increase.
• 😀 As a freelancer, you may reach a point where local markets no longer provide adequate compensation, prompting a shift to international opportunities.
• 😀 It's essential to evaluate whether freelancing still aligns with your career goals as you progress in your professional journey.
• 😀 The career path is not linear, and it's okay to switch between freelancing and traditional employment as your needs and interests evolve.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is whether it is worth pursuing freelancing as a career and how to navigate the freelancer journey from the perspective of someone who has experienced it at various stages of their career.

How did the speaker begin their freelancing career?

The speaker began their freelancing career during their internship by talking to colleagues about how to get more work. They started by doing small tasks for their colleagues, eventually gaining more experience and clients.

What is the importance of networking in the early stages of freelancing?

Networking was crucial for the speaker in the early stages. By discussing with colleagues, they were able to get referred for freelance jobs. The relationships formed at the workplace helped them secure their first few clients.

What were the types of projects the speaker worked on during the early freelancing days?

In the early stages, the speaker worked on simple web projects, particularly using WordPress and older CMS platforms like PHP. They gained experience by completing smaller tasks and learning along the way.

How did the speaker's perception of freelancing evolve over time?

Initially, freelancing was a way to earn extra money while learning. As the speaker gained experience, they started managing more complex projects, handling client interactions, and managing entire sprints, which changed their view of freelancing into a more business-oriented role.

Why did the speaker increase their freelancing rates?

The speaker raised their freelancing rates after realizing the value they were providing, not only in terms of completing tasks but also in offering their business insights and experience. They recognized that clients were paying for their expertise and not just the work itself.

What is the difference between freelancing and starting a business, according to the speaker?

Freelancing involves working independently for clients, whereas starting a business, like the speaker's software company, involves managing a team, handling business relationships, and working on a larger scale with clients. The responsibilities and prices are also higher in a business-to-business context.

Why does the speaker no longer take freelance jobs from Brazil?

The speaker no longer takes freelance jobs from Brazil because the market does not offer compensation that matches their experience and expertise. They now focus on international clients who are willing to pay for their high-level skills.

What advice does the speaker give to beginners who want to start freelancing?

The speaker advises beginners to start small, possibly by offering to take on tasks that others don't want to do. This helps build experience and develop skills for handling more significant projects over time.

Is freelancing a linear career path, according to the speaker?

No, freelancing is not a linear career path. The speaker emphasizes that freelancing can involve ups and downs, and it's important to assess your preferences and career goals at different stages. Freelancing may work at the beginning or mid-career, but one might shift to a traditional career later.