What comes to mind when you think of
Freelancing? Do you see it as merely a
sideline job or as what we Filipinos informally call ‘Raket’? By common
definition, Freelancing is when you are self-employed, by offering your skills
and services to clients or businesses, without necessarily being bounded to a
single employer or a long-term contract. If you haven’t dipped your toes in
Freelancing, then perhaps now is the time to consider.
Did you know that according to
Upwork, a leading global online jobs platform, the Philippines is the third
highest - earning country in the world when it comes to freelancing? In fact,
more than 1.4 million Filipinos are registered in the platform alone!
With the sheer power of that number,
it only attests to an overwhelming number of individuals who have found their
fulfillment and achieved their #Lifegoals in Freelancing. This is not to ignore
that like any other profession or job, Freelancing does have its own unique
struggles, but if you’re the kind of person who wishes to feel and be more
empowered in one or in all aspects of your life, then allow us to sum up what
Freelancing can give you: F-R-E-E-D-O-M.
And yes, we do intend to spell it out literally, by giving you our take
of what that word means in the world of Freelancing. So if you’re an aspiring freelancer or
entrepreneur, or avoiding a potential bout of “FOMO”, then read on!
1) F - lexibility and Autonomy
We live in the Digital Age, so it
should come as no surprise the technologies that can allow us to work anytime
and anywhere, and provide services to clients from anywhere in the globe! Say
goodbye to long commutes and hello to telecommuting! Also, the nature of
Freelancing can give you the flexibility and autonomy to work at your own pace
and choose the clients and projects you want to work on.
2)
R – ewarding Career
Who says that Freelancing can’t be a
career or profession? For many who have gone this route, it has paved way for
them to pursue their dream jobs without the constraints of a fixed job
description or the frustration of being stuck in a mundane ‘9-5’ office job. As
a self-employed professional, you are fully empowered to pursue projects that
would nurture your skills and passions.
3)
E – ndless possibilities
As a freelancer, there is no limit to
the opportunities and possibilities you can pursue, now that you have full
control of your career, profession and time. Whereas before, the most part of
your day and energy would be spent in long energy-draining meetings and long
commutes, Freelancing lets you color and fill each day with activities that you
consider truly aligned in attaining your life goals.
4)
E – nables you to design your own lifestyle
Are you a night owl who is most
productive in the evenings? Dreamed of having your own 4-Hour Work Week? Or
what about getting down to finally working on that business plan for your dream
start-up? With Freelancing, you can get creative on how you design your typical
week, that would specially cater to your unique personality, interests and
quirks.
5)
D – o things your way
Always had a need to be in full
control of your work, surroundings and growth? Then Freelancing will definitely
give you that! Being your own boss is one of the great perks of being a
Freelancer, and that means getting things AND results done just the way you
envisioned it.
6)
O – wn your time
Ever wondered how it would be like to
respond to emails in your swimwear, with your toes brushing the sand as it
points towards a breathtaking view of the beach? Well, in the Freelancing
Handbook, you are free to take a vacation in the middle of the week, just as
long as you get the job done and your clients happy. Becoming a Freelancer
means taking full control of your time and schedule.
7) M – ake room for the people and
things that truly matter
And here’s the most important part. Freelancing enables you to spend
more time with your family, and other things that truly make life meaningful.
With Freelancing, it has paved way for the rise of thousands of hands-on
mommies, who find fulfillment in being able to nurture both their families and
careers. Whilst for many others, they found it in more time spent in pursuing
volunteer work, or in endeavors which define their passions and values.
There you have it.
That’s how you spell Freedom with Freelancing!
And if you’re
itching to learn more about the boundless opportunities of being a Freelancer,
then you’re in luck. This year, Manila Workshops, with the support of the Department of Information Communications and
Technology (DICT), will be holding the 2nd
Freelancer Fair on Sept. 2, 2017, to be held at the Bayanihan Center,
Pioneer, Pasig City. It is the country’s
first and largest event for Freelancers, which would gather together freelancers,
business owners and brands for a whole day of talks tackling the Freelancing
Landscape and the different opportunities in store for both existing and
aspiring freelancers. The theme for this
year’s full day event is Cultivating Relationships, as inspired by the mission
to cultivate, nurture and help more people discover how Freelancing can help
them achieve their professional and personal goals.
For more
information about this year’s The Freelancer Fair, visit their Event
Page. Get your ticket and see you at the
Fair!
Php 200 Off for this event: Use this
code TFF17blog_LF200off
PROGRAM & SPEAKER SCHEDULE:
8:30 am to 9:00 am: Registration
◊ Part 1: FREELANCING: AN OVERVIEW
9:00 am to 9:15 am: Opening Remarks: Cultivating Relationships w/ Ginger Arboleda, CEO of Manila Workshops
9:15 am to 9:35 am: The Freelancing Industry in the Philippines w/ Mon Ibrahim, Director of Department of Information Communications & Technology (DICT)
9:40 am to 10:00 am: Freelancing Association: Introduction of DCAP w/ Genesis Reonico, Founder of OnlineJobsUniversity.com
◊ Part 2: FREELANCING AS A PROFESSION: SUPPORT & SERVICES
10:00 am to 10:20 am: Business Registration and Taxation w/ Dandy Victa, President of Manila Civil Service Review & Mark Ong of Taxumo
10:20 am to 11:00 am: Freelancers’ Funds Flow: Local and International w/ EON & PAYONEER
11:00 am to 11:20 am: Freelancers: Finding Your Purpose w/ Jackie Cañiza, Founder of Haraya Coaching
11:40 am to 12:15 pm: Freelancing Opportunities and Tools w/ Fitz Villafuerte, Founder of 199jobs.com
12:15 pm to 1:00 pm: Lunch Break
◊ Part 3: ONLINE FREELANCING
1:00 pm to 1:20 pm: Building Relationship Through Email w/ Allan Ngo, Founder of Digital Solopreneur
1:20 pm to 2:00 pm: Building a Brand and Relationships as Freelancers (Panel) w/ Nix Eniego, Marketing Head of Sprout Solutions & CJ Maturino, Founder of Online Freelance Community, together with successful & seasoned freelancers – Allie Pasag, John Pagulayan, Nina Mendoza & Liberty Baldovino
2:20 pm to 2:40pm: Fitness Freelancing Opportunities and Tips (Panel) with Rach Bonifacio of Treehouse Yoga, & Allan Enriquez, Fitness Blogger
◊ Part 4: SOFTWARE & SERVICE FREELANCING
3:00 pm to 3:15 pm: Financial Freelancing w/ Bong Fajardo, Jr., Regional Sales Manager of SunLife Financial Philippines
3:15 pm to 3:30 pm: Real Estate Freelancing w/ Carl Dy of Spectrum Investments
◊ Part 5: CREATIVE DESIGN & FREELANCING
4:00 pm to 4:20 pm: Creative and Design Freelancing w/ Francis Miranda, CEO of Tagline Communications Inc.
4:20 pm to 4:45 pm: Creative Freelancing: Opportunities and Tips (Panel) w/ Ria Lu, CEO of Komikasi Games Charlie Aquino, Managing Director of SophieCreatives; Dennis Abad, Co-founder of SHOOT! Practical Videography School
5:00 pm: Closing Remarks
WHO YOU’LL MEET:
- Industry Experts & Influencers
- Freelancers and Entrepreneurs
- Small and local Businesses, Organizations and Partner Communities
- The Manila Workshops Team!
To learn more about Manila Workshops,
the organization behind this event, connect with them on Facebook and Twitter. You can also view
their upcoming workshops by visiting their official website.
*About The Freelancer Fair:
The Freelancer Fair
is an annual event started last by Manila Workshops, headed by the team’s CEO –
Ginger Arboleda, a former employee, freelancer and now a serial entrepreneur /
technopreneur, and mom blogger. The Freelancer Fair was built especially for
aspiring and existing freelancers, companies, brands and organizations who want
to support the Philippines’ freelancing industry.
