6 Ways to Become a Successful Freelancer in Rwanda
Rwanda is gradually becoming a base for freelancing opportunities in Africa, all thanks to the government for the significant improvement in the ICT needs of the nation, especially those in-demand skills including e-commerce, online services, mobile technology, app development, and automation. Professionals here are highly sought after by global clients, getting paid in foreign currencies from the comfort of their homes.
Since African freelancers make up 10% of global freelancers, it’s clear that freelancers are in high demand and will continue to shape the future of work in Africa for decades. Working from home offers a pathway to financial success, flexibility in work-life balance, and potential for career growth, making it instantly appealing for skilled professionals and amateurs looking to work from home in Africa.
As more businesses go online, entrepreneurs and business owners want to lighten their workload. This is where you, as a freelancer, come in—to help them handle tasks they can’t manage on their own. To succeed, you’ll need the right information to guide you in building a strong freelancing career. This blog answers your question about “how to become a freelancer in Rwanda.”.
What Do You Need to Start Freelancing in Rwanda?
Getting started with freelancing in Rwanda isn’t rocket science. We’ve worked with numerous freelancers who have successfully transitioned into the remote workspace, and the patterns in their journeys are clear. You can kickstart your freelancing career with the right tools, mindset, and strategy. Let’s break down the essentials you need to get started with ease:
1. Growth Mindset
Working from home with no prior experience can take time and effort. Remote jobs are not a “get rich quick” scheme. The journey may be rocky at first, especially when taking on small tasks to build your authority in the freelance space. It requires consistency and dedication.
Imagine spending six months submitting proposals without landing a single client. In this scenario, a fixed mindset might lead you to back down, believing that the effort isn’t worth it. However, with a growth mindset, you’ll understand that success requires persistence and continuous improvement. But don’t worry—you don’t have to wait months to see results. With Audible Talents Comprehensive Guide, you’ll have the tools and strategies to simplify your freelancing journey and overcome challenges.
2. Access to Technology
To successfully work from home, being active and available during designated work hours is crucial. While mobile devices are convenient, they often fall short and are limited in productivity. Desktops and laptops are therefore highly recommended, as they provide the power, versatility, and efficiency needed to perform tasks effectively and maintain a professional standard.
Important Factors you can not overlook when choosing a work-from-home laptop
Performance: Look for a laptop with a good processor (like an Intel Core i5 ) and at least 8GB of RAM. This will help you run multiple applications smoothly and handle demanding tasks.
Portability: If you need to work from different locations within your home or occasionally travel, choose a lightweight and slim laptop, such as the MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13, which are easy to carry around.
Battery Life: A long battery life is crucial, especially if you don’t want to be tied to a power outlet all day. Look for laptops that offer at least 8-10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Storage: Consider a laptop with an SSD (Solid State Drive) for faster performance. An SSD with 256GB of storage should be enough for most people, but you can opt for more if you deal with large files.
Connectivity: Make sure the laptop has enough ports for your needs, like USB, HDMI, and a headphone jack. You might also want a laptop with good Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities for seamless connections.
3. Good Internet Connectivity
A good internet connection is non-negotiable for remote work. Many clients will ask you to take a speed test as part of the application process, emphasizing the importance of a stable and fast connection. Clients want to hire freelancers who can deliver without being hindered by connectivity issues. Rwanda’s internet is relatively the cheapest in Africa, costing $0.55 per gigabyte, which is 666.67 in the country’s currency. Major cities like Kigali have high-speed internet connectivity. Access to internet connectivity is a significant advantage for any freelancer in Rwanda.
4. Marketable Skill
There’s a common misconception that only tech skills can earn you money online, but there are many in-demand skills beyond tech. Before committing to working from home, it’s essential to niche down and identify your strengths or areas of interest. Ask yourself, “What value can I add to a client if hired?” As the international market continues to open up to African freelancers, no one serious about freelancing should feel limited by a lack of skills. You can start with what you enjoy—voice acting, language transcription, which pays 17$-22$/hr, or another niche. Numerous online resources are available to help you polish these skills over time.
How Can I Become a Successful Freelancer in Rwanda?
Freelancing is more than just a way to make money; it’s an opportunity to tap into the global job market right from home. To stay informed and succeed as a freelancer, it is crucial to master key skills, build a strong network, and adapt to the fast-paced remote job ecosystem. With the right approach, you can position yourself for success in this growing field.
1. Understand the Freelance Marketplace
The first thing an aspiring freelancer needs to do is understand the ins and outs of working from home. This isn’t just about having a laptop and an internet connection. It’s about researching the best platform for your skillset, and understanding that some platforms are niche-focused, e.g. Toptal for tech gigs. In contrast, others offer a range of opportunities, e.g., Upwork and Fiverr. Setting boundaries between work and personal life, staying disciplined without constant supervision, and using the right tools to communicate and collaborate effectively are also important. Without learning the ropes of freelancing from the early stages, it can be challenging.
Top Freelancing Platforms to Check Out in Rwanda.
In this table, we have compiled the top freelancing websites across all niches including platforms dedicated to Rwandans only.
2. Understand the Job Description
The first thing every good freelancer should do, even before applying for an online job, is to gain a thorough understanding of the requirements and deliverables of the position. This helps you grasp what needs to be done and prompts you to ask the right questions, ensuring clarity. This approach shows the client that you are a meticulous and detail-oriented freelancer.
3. Create a Portfolio
In the freelancing space, a portfolio speaks louder than a resume. Unlike a resume, which can sometimes be vague, a portfolio provides a tangible way to showcase your work in real-time. Portfolios are compilations of work samples intended to show your capabilities to a prospective client. Hiring managers and clients frequently ask for portfolios from diverse professionals, including designers and developers, writers, virtual assistants, and community managers. A strong portfolio can significantly enhance your job applications. Creating an online portfolio has become easier with the rise of no-code tools.
Steps to Create an Online Portfolio Without Experience:
- Start by creating a profile on a freelance platform that aligns with your niche, e.g. Upwork.
- Identify clients you want to work with.
- Look for less competitive jobs within your niche on these platforms.
- Tackle 4-5 demo jobs within your niche. Begin by taking on a few demo jobs in your chosen field. These projects will help you gain practical experience and start building your portfolio.
- Add your portfolio to your freelance profiles and remember to regularly update with projects relevant to your target audience.
These approaches display your work and demonstrate to potential clients that you take demo jobs seriously and are prepared to deliver high-quality results.
4. Respect Cultural Diversity
The freelancing/remote job market exposes you to diverse individuals, cultures, habits, and work ethics. You’ll be communicating with people from all over the world, so it’s important to understand the work culture of a client or organization and adapt to it. What may seem normal to you may not be normal to the client.
5. Personal Branding
Personal branding is the easiest way a freelancer can position themselves for hiring. “What are you known for?” and “Can your work speak for itself?” Branding establishes you as a thought leader in your industry. By sharing your craft, documenting your journey from scratch, and articulating your challenges or major career shifts on LinkedIn or YouTube, you are setting a digital footprint for aspirants in your industry.
6. Invest in Your Skill
Staying updated with industry trends sets a freelancer up for success. In the traditional workforce, an individual’s track record is often shown through promotion. In freelancing, your scorecard is the knowledge you acquire. Practice in-demand skills related to your specialization. For example, virtual assistants (VAs) are no longer limited to administrative tasks; they are now evolving into tech VAs, handling automation tasks and more.
Conclusion
If you are from Rwanda and interested in working from home, you might wonder if it’s worth applying for jobs across borders. The simple answer is yes. With continuous learning and consistent application, financial freedom is at your fingertips. You can map out the hours you wish to work, making it easy to combine with your full-time job.
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