Become a Freelancer - Make Money Online Today!

Since I am hunkered down at home during this Coronavirus Outbreak, I thought that I would share some of the ways that I am able to work online and become a freelancer of digital products.

I've been working remotely for over 9 years now, and the question that I get from a lot of people is....how can I start? Well, it isn't that easy.

I started doing side hustles when I was working 3 traditional jobs and putting in about a 100 hours per week. I thought to myself, this isn't fun LOL. I went on a european backpacking trip many years ago, and my goal was always to find a way to work online so that I can travel for as long as I wanted. Being location dependent wasn't for me, so I worked hard to find things to do to make money online. Are you tired of doing the same thing, don't feel like your career is going anywhere, need extra money to make ends meet? This is how I felt, and I'm sure that there are many people who feel this way now, how about you?

The one thing that I like about being a freelancer (Digital Nomad), is the freedom to work anywhere around the world as long as I have an internet connection. And if I want to take a break from travel, I have the opportunity to hunker down at home, which is what Im doing now during this coronavirus pandemic! =)

THING TO KNOW: It's not easy becoming a Freelancer or Entrepreneur. It is based on your performance. If you don't hustle, you will not get paid. But there are things like residual income, basically money that you make even when you're sleeping. It's possible, but you have to work to make that happen. Do you have what it takes to work hard for 2-5 years, to have time freedom for the rest of your life? Most people don't, but if you're one of the OTHER people who likes to set goals, and really crush them, then you can join the 2-5% population who is successful doing this.

You don't have to be part of the 2% to be a freelancer though, we're talking about a 6-7 figure residual entrepreneur, so don't get your hopes down, you can do this! =) Some of these people start with being a part-time freelancer like I did, and end up being really successful entrepreneurs, so it can happen!

I am currently based in the Philippines raising a family and working my freelance business. I try to stay home as much as I can, but sometimes I will be hired to do a film project and that's when, and how I travel these days, all expensed paid which is nice. That's the thing with online freelancing, some or all of your travel can be paid for! And who wouldn't want a free vacation!! =)

SO WHAT DO I DO?

I will give you guys somewhat of an idea on some of the things that I do. You can give some of them a try, or all of them. Keep in mind, most of these things will take some time, I recommend implementing some of these options based on what you enjoy doing. What I mean by this is, make sure that you are doing something that makes you happy, and not just because you can make money.

Yes, money is good. It pays the bills. It can help you buy things, but it can't buy you happiness in the long run. So start thinking about what you love, and find things that you can do to turn that passion into a business.

ONLINE COURSES:

I love watching youtube videos and documentaries on Netflix, it always sparks my creative side especially the fact that I have a small video media business. Yes, you can learn a lot from youtube, but I recommend that you take some online courses because they are structured and takes you step by step. I mean you can spend months surfing from video to video on youtube, when it can take a day or two to learn it with a certified online course like on Fiverr. Browsing youtube can waste a lot of your time, so taking an online course will help you become more productive, which in turn will help you make money faster.

A lot of these online freelance courses are hosted by people who are freelancers and entrepreneurs themselves. So what better way to learn from the people who are actually doing it!

I take a lot of online courses that help me learn about selling online, promoting digital products, social media marketing, and storytelling. Remember, this post is about being an online freelancer, so it just make sense to learn about how you can be successful with digital products and services.

There are a lot of places to learn: Udemy, Masterclass, Skillshare etc. This is where I take a lot of my online courses because its very affordable and you can learn at your own pace. I use the Fiverr Learning Platform, check it out here!

I am also a member of Fiverr and sell some digital products there for extra income, it's like the Amazon of Digital Products and Services, it's awesome! Not a member yet, click here and start buying and selling digital products, a great way to start a side hustle as an online freelancer.

Join Fiverr and Start a Side Hustle as an Online Freelancer!

AFFILIATE MARKETING:

Now this is what I love. For those of you who are not familiar with affiliate marketing, its quite simple. All you really do is promote or share products from the companies that you love, and make commissions. You can get cash back deals, to commissions per sale, all the way up to a whopping 6-7 figure residual income. All you do is promote, and they handle everything else for you! 

Remember, it's all about doing what you love. So I recommend that you find a company that you love, and then find out if they have a referral or affiliate program. Once you are set up as an affiliate (it can be free up to a small nominal fee), you can start sharing and earning 24/7. 

These are some of the top companies who I am working with as an affiliate. 

- Team Beachbody, because I've used their products for years, and I love being healthy and active. I love their digital streaming workout platform. This is the NETFLIX of fitness! With this affiliation, you can earn 25% commissions, and up to $200+ bonus commissions, and more. I've been a TBB affiliate and online coach for 9 years, and this is by far my favorite online business to date =) 

You can be an online affiliate with TBB here, and start earning huge rewards for being an online social media fitness influencer. No experience required and always a great way to start a fitness journey and make extra cash during the process! Join here =)

-  Airbnb, because I love traveling and enjoy non-traditional accommodations. You can save money, earn free travel, and get huge rewards for helping others become a host. It's free, you can join here!  

-  Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency, because I know that crypto is the future of money and business. I've always been a fan of technology and all things digital. This is all about a Free Crypto Training Program for people who would like to learn more about Bitcoin and how they can start trading. The crypto markets are open 24/7, and once you get really good, you can really do this full time and travel all over the world. If you have no interest in bitcoin trading, but still want to be a part of the booming Bitcoin/Crypto Gold Rush, you can still earn good affiliate commissions for sharing the online training platform. You can check out their Free Training and open a free affiliate account here! It's a great way start to learning how you can make money with Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Industry with No experience required. 

*this is my 2nd best affiliate program. Everything is digital, and you can market globally, no limits on territories! 

- Binance, because I am a Crypto Enthusiast! This is one of the BEST Crypto Affiliate Programs out there! With the Binance Affiliate Program, you can earn commissions every single time your customer places a trade, 24/7!!! Some of the top affiliates are CRUSHING IT and earning $1200 to $30,000 USD per day and $100,000 per week! 

You can get your FREE Binance Trading and Affiliate Account here, and start promoting and making money. A really good way to earn Bitcoin without even trading =) 

US Citizens, use Binance.US

Photo: Crypto Playhouse

- AMAZON.com, just one of the best all time affiliate programs out there! You can make commissions on just about any product out there. Freelancer or not, I think everyone should have an Amazon Affiliate account, its a great way to earn for things that you are buying, and all you have to do is share your links and get paid for products that you love! Become an Amazon Affiliate here.

Learn How to Make Money With Bitcoin - No Experience Required

Get your Free Training Account here!

YOUTUBE:

This is such a powerful online tool. You can share and make a video about anything. Some people think that you can make a lot of money with the ads on your video, but that is far from the truth. In order to be a Youtube Partner, there are strict qualifications. One of them being that you must have over 1,000 subscribers! I currently have about 4,700 subscribers on my youtube channel, and even though I still receive checks from google, they are not very big at all, only good for a nice meal, or a cheap one way ticket somewhere =)

I'm here to tell you that you can still earn from a youtube channel with far fewer subscribers than that. By using the links from your affiliate programs and companies that you work with, you can earn commissions from your video. For example, lets say you make a video about your workout, you can say something like, "oh btw, my workout shorts are from so and so, if you like them, i will put the link below in the video description", and if people like it and purchase from your link, you will get paid. If you are a videographer, you can showcase your talent on youtube as your online portfolio. Simply send your future clients to your page and if they like what they see, they can hire you for a video project. I have been hired by adventure companies, hotels, athletes, celebrities, corporations, non-profits etc all to do video projects for them. Your video may only have 100 views, but if someone hires you for a video project, you can earn $100, 500, or thousands depending on the project. You see where this is going? =)  You can check out my OCR youtube here.

Check out my Video Editing Services here on Fiverr

Get 20% off your First Order here!

Filming a Spartan Race in Morzine, France 

So I think that's a lot to share and help you get started for now. Of course there is a lot to learn about online freelancing. There is so much opportunity! Remember, always do something that you enjoy, and don't make it all about making money. Your happiness comes first, and when people see that you are happy, and you are passionate about what you do, you will have more opportunity to get paid for doing what you love =)

Although there are other ways that Freelancers earn, I just wanted to share with you some of the things that I do to make money online, I hope it helps or sparks a little interest in you to start a side hustle that can one day change your life! 

If you do not know where to start, I would begin with taking some online courses here. And you can always connect with me, and I can assist you as well. Let's work together, looking forward to it! =)

Free Home Workouts - Click here!

The Pros and Cons of Working from Home

I have been based in the Philippines for a little over a year now starting a new family, but before that, I was pretty nomadic and working remotely all over the world. Did I love it?

The answer is yes! Working remotely around the world gave me a sense of freedom, and the ability to explore a new place excitingly different from where I was from, which is the the USA. I did this for many, many years, and was able to experience so much. The friendships, bonds, and memories that I made along the way are priceless. But doing remote work and working from home are two different things, at least for me it is.

Co working in Changsha International Airport - China

Although working from home might be considered remote work from that typical office type of atmosphere, it is quite different in the sense that traveling is pretty much left out. Yes, you can travel, but becoming a nomad at home is not the same as being a nomad all over the planet. Do I like my new life working from home? Let me share the pros and cons of working from home from my experience.

THE PROS:

1.  Non-Corporate/Political - Not having to deal with the stress of a corporate environment or the politics from co workers and superiors makes working from home a lot more productive and healthy.

2.  Family - The ability to stay home and be with family is like a dream come true for many including myself. As long as you can find balance, and create your own space for family and work, this is a real positive.

3.  Own Schedule - You can create your own hours, and not be bothered with someone else telling you when to work. If you want to take a break, you do it on your own terms.

4.  Saves Money - Working from home and not having to go out to eat can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per year. Why pay over $5 for a coffee at Starbucks when you can make your own at home for under a $1.

5.  Comfortable - Home is where the heart is. You can work at home in your pajamas, you don't have to wear make up, you don't have to try to impress anyone. Home is a place where you can always be yourself.

HOW MUCH MONEY I MAKE

THE CONS

1.  Distractions - This is one of the biggest cons if you are not careful. Sometimes being able to work from home and be with family can also hurt you. I don't know how many times I had to stop working because I wanted to hug my little baby. Although there is nothing wrong with that, but from a business-building perspective, its just not productive. At home there are a lot of things going on: friends coming over, family watching TV and talking to you while you are working, the list goes on. If you are easily distracted, this will be a tough obstacle for you to overcome.

2.  Productivity - Yes, you can make up your own hours, and yes you have the freedom to take your own breaks, but that can hurt you too. Most people who work from home tend to take a lot more breaks then they would from the office or a job environment. In order to stay productive at home, I recommend having the work mindset that you would have working from your job at the office etc, or else you will have a tough time getting work done. I'm guilty of this =)

3.  Office Space - People tend to be more productive if they are in the right atmosphere. It is tough to get things done when you are working on a couch in front of the TV, it's just not a working environment. For success, it's recommended to create your own office space at home. If its the kitchen, let the family know that you are working these hours, and ask them to respect that and to not distract you when you are working. If you can turn an extra bedroom to an office, that would be best!

4.  Social Space - Working from home can be peaceful at times, sometimes.... too peaceful and quiet. Sometimes I work well knowing that there are others being productive around me, that's why working at a coffee shop or a co working space has always been a great place for me to get work done as a Digital Nomad. If you need a break from home, just find a local coffee shop or meet up with other remote workers at a co working space to share and learn about business ideas.

The Common Space - BF Homes/Paranaque Philippines

5.  Professionalism - If you are trying to build a business, sometimes a home address may not seem professional. In my case, I really don't care =) Being your own boss is fast becoming the thing to do in today's society. It really all depends on the line of work you are in, but in most cases, an online presence is much more ideal and cost-effective than having a bricks and mortar office. This is a choice that you have to make on your own.

So that's about it guys. I hope this helps some of you get an idea on what it's like being able to work from home. Is it for you? Is there something that you feel that I missed based on your experiences, please let me know!

My small desk in the kitchen at home in the Philippines =)

See you all soon, and as always, make everyday count!!! =)

Work with me as a Online Social Media Fitness Influencer