Is Freelancing a Good Career Option in Sri Lanka?

In recent years, freelancing in Sri Lanka has gained immense popularity as more professionals seek flexible work opportunities. However, if you intend to be a freelancer in Sri Lanka it is always good to weigh down the pros and cons first before you make the final decision. Is Freelancing a good career option in Sri Lanka? Let us help you make an informed decision. Let’s get going.

What is Freelancing?

In the simplest forms, freelancing means working for yourself instead of a company. Freelancers offer services to clients on a project basis rather than working 8-5 pm. One major advantage of freelancing is that the freelancer can choose their own working hours. 

In addition, they can work with multiple clients at the same time. Can work from home, in a co-working space, or anywhere. Many Sri Lankans use websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer to find remote work. We’ll discuss all of these later in the article.

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Is Freelancing a Good Career Option in Sri Lanka?

Yes, freelancing can be a very good career option in Sri Lanka, and it is becoming popular in the country. Freelancing offers flexibility and many job opportunities. In addition to that, it offers the opportunity to earn money in foreign currencies which can be beneficial for Sri Lanka as a country as well.

One big advantage of it is flexibility. As we mentioned, freelancers can choose their own working hours. They do not have to travel to an office. This saves time and money. They can also work with clients from different countries. This helps them earn more than local jobs.

If your ambition is to work online, freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer make it easy to find work. Some of the popular freelance jobs include writing, graphic design, programming, and digital marketing. If you are skilled enough, finding work on such websites is not a Himalayan task.

However, if you are completely new to freelancing, you must keep in mind that income stability can be an issue, especially at the beginning of your journey, as freelancers do not get a fixed salary. They must find new clients often. Some months, they may earn well. In other months, they may earn very little.

Freelancers also do not get job benefits like EPF, ETF, or health insurance. They must manage their own savings and expenses. Taxes can also be confusing for freelancers at this point in time.

Despite these challenges, freelancing is a good career option for skilled and self-motivated people. We would say it is ideal for students, stay-at-home parents, and professionals looking for extra income. Learning new skills and networking can help freelancers succeed.

Pros and Cons of Freelancing in Sri Lanka

Here are the pros and cons a freelancer would face in Sri Lanka.

Pros 

• You can choose when to work. No fixed office hours.
• You can work from home or anywhere you like.
• You can get paid in foreign currencies.
• No 8-5 working stress.
• You can find projects from individuals and companies worldwide.
• Skilled freelancers can earn more than regular jobs.
• Freelancing lets you improve your skills and stay updated with the latest market trends.
• You can set rates for your work.
• More often than not, you only need a computer and internet to begin.

Cons

• Some months you earn well, some months you don’t.
• You need to market yourself and build a strong profile.
• There can be issues when withdrawing funds, as some popular payment methods, like PayPal, are not available in Sri Lanka. You will have to use Payoneer or Wise.
• You have to compete with the rest of the world to find jobs.
• Many freelancers are competing for the same jobs.
• Unstable internet or power cuts can affect work.

Related: Are Online Loans a Good Choice for Sri Lankan Professionals?

Tips to Succeed as a Freelancer in Sri Lanka

Here are some of the must-follow tips to become a successful freelancer in Sri Lanka. These are tried and tested tips, and following them will help you end up on the right side of things.

Choose the Correct Skill

When selecting a skill to sell, you have to find one that has a high demand as well as one that pays well. However, it must be something that is familiar to you as well as something you can improve in the future. If you don’t improve your skills according to the industry demands, surviving as a freelancer can be really difficult.

Build a Strong Portfolio

When hiring a freelancer, most companies and individuals ask for your portfolio. Yes, as a newbie, you may not have a strong portfolio to showcase, but it is something you should gradually build in order to grab the eyeballs of potential buyers. 

You can even do free work at the beginning to get reviews to build your portfolio.

Join Freelancing Sites

Some of the popular online freelancing sites include Upwork, Fiverr and PeoplePerHour. Most Sri Lankan freelancers work successfully on those sites. However, you have to be consistent and stay online as much as possible to get jobs using online freelancer sites. 

We highly recommend studying such platforms for a period of time before creating your profile or gigs to understand the culture and how those platforms work.

Price

Do not charge too high at the start. Until you build your portfolio and get consistent work, it is better to offer your services at a tad lower than the market price. You can always increase the price as you gain experience. 

Communication and Delivery

Proper communication is utterly important to be successful in online platforms. Reply to messages quickly. Be polite and professional. Keep your client updated on project progress. Since you don’t get the opportunity to meet your clients physically, the way you communicate can be a game-changer.

When delivering, it is mandatory to deliver the work on time with the highest quality. One of the best tips we can offer you is to promise less and deliver beyond the expectations of your client. There is a high chance of a satisfied client returning and getting your services again and again. It can help you minimize the time you would put into searching for new clients, especially in the beginning. 

Learn New Skills

As we touched on earlier, if you are to be successful in freelancing, it is important to hone and learn new skills to stay head and shoulders above the competition. Freelancing is competitive; make no mistake about it. You can take online courses on Udemy, Coursera, or YouTube to improve your skills.