6 Tips to Become a Successful Full-Time eLearning Freelancer

• 5 min read

This article, offers a variety of tips on how to become a successful full-time eLearning freelancer. If you’re currently doing side jobs or part-time freelancing work, these bits of advice will help you to transition to a rewarding full-time eLearning freelance career.

 How to Become a Successful Full-Time eLearning Freelancer

No doubt, there are a number of benefits associated with becoming a full-time eLearning freelancer. However, making the leap from part-time to full-time work comes with its own set of challenges. Not only is a greater time commitment involved, but there are also financial issues to consider, due to the fact that you’re now banking on the eLearning industry as your sole source of income. However, there are a number of tips and tricks that can help to make the switch less stressful and more profitable!

This article, offers a variety of tips on how to become a successful full-time eLearning freelancer. If you’re currently doing side jobs or part-time freelancing work, these bits of advice will help you to transition to a rewarding full-time eLearning freelance career.

 

How to Become a Successful Full-Time eLearning Freelancer

No doubt, there are a number of benefits associated with becoming a full-time eLearning freelancer. However, making the leap from part-time to full-time work comes with its own set of challenges. Not only is a greater time commitment involved, but there are also financial issues to consider, due to the fact that you’re now banking on the eLearning industry as your sole source of income. However, there are a number of tips and tricks that can help to make the switch less stressful and more profitable!

  1. Make a commitment to work a specific number of hours per week.
    One of the most challenging aspects of making the switch to become a full-time eLearning freelancer is to create the work schedule that is the most effective for you and your lifestyle. It can be tempting to work as many hours a week as possible in the beginning, but that will inevitably lead to burn out. On the other hand, not working enough hours won’t allow you to be as productive and profitable as you could.
    So, it’s always a good idea to make a commitment to work a specific number of hours per week, and to give yourself some time off. Ease yourself into working full-time, so that the transition is as stress-free as humanly possible. Mark your working hours down on a calendar and decide which days you’re going to take off from work. This will offer you the opportunity to achieve the structure that many freelancers may lack. Keep in mind that there should always be a balance between work and life, and that working to the point of exhaustion can ultimately hinder your eLearning freelance career rather than help it.
  1. Update your online eLearning portfolio to showcase your diverse talents and experience.
    Pay attention to your online eLearning portfolio and ensure that it’s always updated. Now that you’re a full-time eLearning freelancer, you’ll want your online eLearning portfolio http://elearningindustry.com/6-top-tips-build-solid-elearning-portfolio to effectively showcase your skill sets and diverse talents so that you have the potential to land more eLearning jobs. Mention that you are a full-time eLearning freelancer, so that potential employers or clients will know that their project will receive your complete attention and dedication.
  1. Perfect your service description and determine your eLearning niche.
    If you haven’t already found your eLearning niche, now is definitely the time to discover your specialty and fine tune your list of services. This will allow you to build your brand image and appeal to the right target audience. Choosing a eLearning niche that gives you the opportunity to utilize your skills and talents can lead to a rewarding full-time freelance eLearning career, and also help you to market to clients who are most likely to hire you for their projects. Perfect your “sales pitch” by learning how to describe the products or services that you offer concisely, and include all of them on your site or blog so that potential clients can find you online.
  1. Boost your online presence and network through social media.
    If you don’t already have a website, then you should definitely consider creating one and even managing a blog where you can post regular updates. This will help you to develop a solid online presence. You’ll also want to network online, especially through social media platforms, like Facebook and LinkedIn. There are several groups about eLearning on LinkedIn that you could join, such as the Instructional Design & E-Learning Professionals’ Group with more than 75,000 members. Joining groups will also give you the chance to find out about new projects or build connections with those who can put in a good word for you with their eLearning employers or clients.
  1. Outsource as you take on more eLearning projects.
    The issue that any full-time eLearning freelancer may face is trying to take on too much of a workload. As you begin to take on more projects, you’re probably going to need to enlist the aid of other eLearning professionals. This is yet another reason why you’ll want to network, as building a list of talented and skilled contacts can also allow you to increase your workload without feeling the stress and strain of juggling multiple tasks at once. You can also look on freelancing sites, such as Odesk, Elance and eLearning Jobs to find experienced eLearning professionals who can help you along the way. Keep in mind that, while outsourcing content and work may require an investment, you will be able to take on more projects and get the job done more quickly which equals to more profit!
  1. Remember that success takes time.
    It takes time to create a thriving eLearning business. Things typically don’t happen overnight. So, just keep in mind that success takes time. Often making the move to become a full-time eLearning freelancer is a gradual process that requires a lot of dedication and patience. It will take time to hear back from clients regarding bids and proposal requests. If at all possible, have some money set aside prior making the transition, or hang onto a side job that can help you make the switch less stressful. This way you can focus on collecting that invaluable set of skills and developing a key marketing strategy, rather than worrying about the financial aspect of things.

Also, be prepared for a slight learning curve. If you’ve been working as a part-time eLearning freelancer, then there will be a few hurdles as you move to full-time. For example, you may find that achieving a work – life balance is more challenging that you expected, or that marketing and promotion is turning out to be a bit daunting. Just remember that all of the hard work and commitment you are putting in is going to pay off.

Hopefully this article has given you the inspiration and insight that will make your switch to a full-time eLearning freelancer go smoothly. While there are always going to be unforeseen bumps in the road, staying focused and dedicated to your profession will always pay off in the end.

Still unsure whether to become a full-time eLearning freelancer? The article 10 Advantages To Becoming an eLearning Freelancer highlights the top 10 advantages to becoming an eLearning freelancer that you may want to consider.

In addition, in the article 7 Questions You Need To Answer Before Becoming A Full-Time eLearning Freelancer you will find 7 all-important questions that will allow you to weigh the pros and cons involved with making the leap to full-time eLearning freelancing.

 

About the author:

pappasbioChristopher Pappas is founder of The eLearning Industry’s Network, which is the largest online community of professionals involved in the eLearning Industry. Christopher holds an MBA, and an MEd (Learning Design) from BGSU. eLearning Blogger | EduTechpreneur | eLearning Analyst | Speaker | Social Media Addict