Thinking About Freelancing? Here’s What You Should Know Before You Start

So, you’ve heard about freelancing—people working from home, making dollars, and living the “soft life” without traffic wahala.

Maybe you’ve even seen screenshots of “$1,000 earned” on Twitter, and now you’re wondering, “Can I really make money online?”

The short answer? Yes, you can! But before you jump in, there are a few things you need to know so you don’t get frustrated and quit before you even start.

Let’s break it down like Agege bread and beans.

1. Freelancing is Not MMM or Quick Money

A lot of Nigerians hear “freelancing” and immediately think, “Ah! Fast money!” But freelancing is not one of those Ponzi schemes where you put ₦5,000 today and collect ₦50,000 next week. It takes time, effort, and skills to start earning.

Think of it like selling suya. If you just put raw meat on a stick and expect people to buy it, will it work? No. You must season it well, grill it properly, and attract customers before you start making profits.

Same with freelancing—you need to learn a skill, get experience, and market yourself before you start seeing real money.

2. You Must Have a Skill That People Will Pay For

Let’s be honest—nobody will pay you for just “being online.” You need a skill that is in demand. Some popular freelance skills include:

Writing (articles, blog posts, copywriting)
Graphic design (logos, flyers, social media posts)
Web development (building websites)
Video editing (for YouTube and social media)
Virtual assistance (helping businesses with admin work)

Pro tip: Don’t wait till you are a “professional” before starting. You can start small and improve as you go.

3. You Need to Market Yourself Like a Lagos Businessperson

Ever seen a bus conductor shouting, “Ojota! Ojota! Enter with your change!” They don’t just sit and hope passengers will find them—they advertise themselves.

That’s exactly how freelancing works. If you don’t promote yourself, nobody will hire you.

Ways to market yourself:

Freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer (though I’m not a fan of this platforms)
Social media (post your work on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
Referrals (tell your friends and family what you do)

If you stay quiet, your bank account will stay quiet too.

4. Payment Can Be Tricky—Know Your Options

Freelancing pays well, but if you’re earning in foreign currency, you need a way to withdraw your money. PayPal is limited in Nigeria, so many freelancers use:

Payoneer (best for Upwork and Fiverr)
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Crypto (if you’re comfortable with it)
Naira bank transfer (for Nigerian clients)

You don’t want to work and then struggle to collect your money. Plan ahead!

5. Scammers Are Everywhere—Shine Your Eyes

Freelancing is sweet, but fraudsters are also out there looking for who to scam. Some red flags to watch out for:

Clients asking you to pay for a “job” before they hire you.
Offers that sound too good to be true (“$500 per hour for a beginner”—Omo, run!).
Clients who refuse to use secure payment methods.

Always confirm before you commit. If it smells fishy, it probably is.

6. Be Patient and Consistent—Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day

Many new freelancers give up after one month of trying. But here’s the thing—it takes time to build a solid freelance career.

The first few months may be slow.
You might struggle to get your first client.
You may have to charge lower rates at the beginning.

But if you stay consistent, keep improving, and market yourself well, you’ll start making money and enjoying the benefits of freelancing—no traffic stress, working from home, and earning in foreign currency.