Step 5: Getting Paid as a Freelancer
You might be wondering, why is this the 5th step of my 7 Actionable Steps to a Scalable Freelancing Business?
Well, that’s because in Freelancing there are other fundamental steps to introduce first before thinking about how to get paid and accept online payments.
I do agree that getting paid by your client from overseas is probably the most exciting part of being a Freelancer.
The good thing about that is it’s not really that complicated!
Freelancers in the Philippines usually get paid through PayPal or Payoneer. As a Freelancer, you get paid in different currencies depending on where your clients are located. Essentially though, it’s best to have multiple options in receiving payments, both from local and international clients.
Freelancing platforms like Upwork can transfer payments directly to local banks. So it’s best to have a local bank account.
There might be cases that opening a bank account is not that easy, particularly for students or fresh graduates who don’t have enough documents yet to comply with bank requirements. For situations like this, I normally recommend digital banking options like ING or CIMB.
Mobile wallets like GCash and Paymaya also give you extra flexibility in accepting payments from local clients.
Just recently though, I have experienced working with a client who pays in Bitcoin. In that case, I use Coins.ph to receive this form of payment.
You know, when you already start receiving payments from clients and continue doing it, it will come to a point where you want to charge higher fees and earn more.
Of course, that’s possible, and it would be easier for you to achieve that by leveling-up your Focus Skills and developing your Core Skills.
And that’s exactly what I will share with you in the next step!