How to Start Freelancing in Nigeria: Freelancing in Nigeria is an amazing opportunity for Nigerians who are tired of the 9–5 job routine and want an exciting, flexible work schedule. This blog is all about how to get started freelancing in Nigeria.
It lets you control your own time and take on the clients you prefer—even if they’re not looking for a local freelancer who speaks their language! If this sounds like it might be up your alley, keep reading to get some helpful tips as well as find out why becoming a freelancer in Nigeria will give you tons more opportunities than just working for one boss for 8 hours a day!
If real employment is not what you want or you feel like a career change is in order, freelancing is a great way to supplement your income and gain valuable experience that will help you decide which type of work really interests you. Many people find that they enjoy freelancing more than working for just one company.
As an employee, many of your decisions are made for you. When you’re a freelancer, it’s up to you to find work and keep yourself in demand. You have complete freedom over what types of clients and projects you want to work on, so if you don’t like the direction your career is going, you can rest assured that it’s in your hands to steer things back in the right direction!
How to Start Freelancing in Nigeria
Here are steps to starting freelancing in Nigeria:
1. Create a profile on Nigerian freelancing websites
The first step to starting freelancing in Nigeria is to create a profile on Nigerian freelancing websites. I do not recommend creating a profile on international websites such as Upwork and Fiverr because they have more competition and require you to pay huge amounts of money just for basic membership, which takes away your profit. I suggest starting locally on any of the Nigerian freelancing sites listed above.
2. Accept jobs that pique your interest and are within your skill set.
There are so many different jobs on Nigerian freelancing websites that you can do. The jobs range from writing, programming, web design, data entry, accounting, graphic design, music, and video editing, and so much more. You can even get paid to do simple things like join Facebook groups and engage in conversations with people.
The most important thing is to accept jobs that interest you. If you don’t like writing, write for an accounting website or something else that interests you more. Don’t take on a project just to pay the bills when there are other things you enjoy doing. The job will be more fun when you’re doing it out of interest, and you will do a better job.
3. Earn the desired income or more by completing projects to the best of your skills and knowledge.
The best way to get paid as a freelancer is to complete projects to the best of your skills and knowledge. If you have done your research on the client and understand what they are asking for, you should have no problem completing the project before the deadline. If it takes too long, send an email explaining that because of workload or some other important reason (real or not), it will take longer than expected. The important thing to remember is to complete the project on time.
4. You can be paid in your home currency or in bitcoins if you prefer.
The final step is to get paid in your local currency, or in bitcoins if you choose. The easiest way is by using a local bitcoin exchange such as Techmoran or Xbit that allows you to pay with either bitcoins or cash and whose fees are very low.
To earn money on Nigerian freelancing websites, you should not be afraid of paying a small fee. The fees are low because they do not want their visitors to spend a lot of money online, and the monthly membership fees are high, so the fees are actually lower than what they would be if no one used the site.
Many people in Nigeria are still skeptical about using bitcoin. But because the fees are so low and it allows you to get paid really quickly, it is very well worth it. Every month you pay a fee for the site, and you get paid in bitcoin.
The Advantages of starting Freelancing in Nigeria
There are many advantages to working from home as a freelancer.
- FREEDOM: It offers freedom from the daily grind, allowing you to work from anywhere with an Internet connection. With a freelancing job, you can work from home or from a coffee shop—even if you only have an hour or two to spare!
- FLEXIBILITY: Freelancers enjoy greater flexibility with their time and are free to choose the projects they would rather take on. This can allow you to balance your work and personal lives in many different ways that most jobs don’t allow.
- EARN EXTRA MONEY: A more flexible schedule means more free time to make some extra money on the side. When you’re a freelancer, you can work for yourself or for another company at the same time! You get to choose your own hours, so you may not have to put in many hours at all if you don’t want to.
- EXPAND YOUR NETWORK: Freelancing allows for expanded networking outside of your own company or community. You can meet people from a wide variety of industries and build relationships that can last a lifetime!
- Build your reputation: Working from home allows you to develop valuable skills and demonstrates your expertise to potential employers. You can take on challenging projects and grow your experience, which will make you more competitive in the job market.
- EARN MORE MONEY: When you’re working with a company or individual as a freelancer, you have more control over the fees that you charge. Rather than being paid a flat salary, you can charge an hourly rate based on your skill level and experience. You can also negotiate travel costs, equipment reimbursement rates, and other expenses!
- EXPLORE YOUR PASSION: Freelancing lets you focus on the things that bring you joy. You can take advantage of your time at home to explore new hobbies and passions or to pursue full-time goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do freelancers get paid in Nigeria?
Payoneer is probably the best way to withdraw your earnings as a Nigerian freelancer. Since I started using Payoneer to withdraw my funds, I haven’t looked for another option. It is easy to use and set up, and they accept more than 200 countries on their platform, including Nigeria.
Do Nigerian freelancers pay tax?
Personal Income Tax: When you earn an income as an individual freelancer, you’re liable to pay a personal income tax in Nigeria. This annual tax payment is payable as long as you reside in Nigeria.
How many hours do freelancers work?
Did you know that more than half of freelancers work less than 30 hours per week, but only half of it is spent on billable activities? That’s why, even though they work less, freelancers need to charge more than traditional employees. After all, half of their work time is non-billable.
Can I be a freelancer without a company?
Do freelancers need to register a company? Not legally. When you’re just starting out, it can be easier to keep things simple and register as self-employed (also known as “sole trader”)
Which freelancing skill is best for beginners?
- Articles.
- Blog posts.
- Video scripts.
- Podcasts scripts.
- Social media content.
Reference(s)
- Prloguide.ng – How To Become A Freelancer
- Primegatedigital.com – How To Start A Profitable Freelancing Business In Nigeria
- Makemoney.ng – 10 Best Freelancing Websites In Nigeria
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