Freelance 101
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 | 106 viewsThe decision of engaging in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is undoubtly, a very tough one to make. Aside from the knowledge of the services you, as a freelance service provider will render, you are obliged to learn significant skills like proposal writing, basic english communication skills, and the like.
But this is not to discourage individuals who are planning to engage in this kind of industry. The purpose of stating such requirements is to encourage you to prepare early, and acquire the necessary skills you have to obtain. But no need to worry, those skills are to be developed as you go along the BPO industry.
For starters, acquiring a few technological tools can bring some advantages over those freelancers who have set up their names in the industry. A high-speed internet connection for example. There are some projects that needs a high volume file transfer. So you will be required by your service buyer to have a high bandwidth internet connection for uploads and downloads, 3 mbps - 5 mbps will be very good. This will give you more opportunities to bid on lots of projects. You will no longer be limited by your internet connection. Another tool that may help is a reliable fax machine. It will prove its worth and use on document transfers.
Mastering proposal writing is a very critical skill a freelancer has to acquire in order to increase the freelancer’s chance of winning the bid. Along with the competitive price, you, the freelancer, should understand the scope of the services needed by your buyer. You should maximize the project description given by your buyer and formulate a plan on how you will complete the task. If there are unclear points about the project, don’t hesitate to ask the buyer. It is an advantage when you express your interest by making inquries.
Finally, after the bidding process have been settled and the task have been awarded to you as you have proven your competence through your very professional proposals, it’s now time to perform those plans . Be a good service provider, an easy to approach one. Communicate to your buyer as much as possible. Update him/her of the tasks assigned to you. Be Professional. Know your deadlines and meet it. If the nature of the task requires some extension , let the buyer know your reasons for such extensions.
Treat your employer right, who knows , he/she might be needing help sometime in the future, and a good relationship may be a good reason for him/ her to come back to you and use your services again. Goodluck.
