Beginner's Guide to 199Jobs: Road to Freelancing



Before I start, I just want to tell you guys that I coined a new term and I'm gonna put patent on it: RakiRoad

 Charot! Hahaha. Basically, it's a term for a Raketero/Raketera inhaling and exhaling the road of raketing. Ang gulo but you get it. #RakiRoad

So I made this post because I have friends who wants to shift to the home-based life. But I can't guarantee that they can get a long term client at 199Jobs, but it's a good way to start. It's where I started. Mostly start on Upwork or OnlinejobsPH.

First and foremost, I'm a graphic artist. But it doesn't mean for GA's lang to. There are so many varieties, from online teachers to accountants, to visual assistants to writers, and more. So here's a step by step guide to crack your way through 199Jobs:

1. Create an Account. You can actually link your facebook/google account like most of the sites out there, para mas mabilis ka makasign-up. While setting up your account, you need to also give your bank account number. I'm so happy actually, because they allow BPI & BDO.



2. Post a Job. So here, you can start selling yourself. The site will ask you what job or service can you offer. So there, you can put whatever you are great on doing--a service you can sell to people. What's great about this too, is that you can have more than one job.



So if you're a writer, but also a graphic artist, you can create two jobs. Much better because it means more job requests.

3.  Make your Profile Hospitable. It's what Filipinos are known for so might as well bring that aspect in your online career! Speak professionally, but be approachable. The way to a successful relationship is through a smile, so make them smile with your words.

NO! I'm not romanticising this shit. It's true.

And sorry for the series of screenshots of my profile that you'll be seeing as it hasn't been update and displays a very cringey tagline and bio.






While customising your profile, you need to input information on the following:

  • what your clients will be getting (i.e, psd file, high resolution file in jpeg and png format, etc.)
  • average days you can deliver a project (this one is a bit critical because most clients want the work done in minimal time)
  • more information such as what you need from the client (reference, details needed for the project, etc), rules you wanted to apply (ie., can only have 2 revision attempts) and other things you want to discuss so you and your future clients can have something to agree on before working on a project.


4. Wait for Todos. I cannot guarantee that you'd be getting 5 clients in one day, or in one sitting. Like most freelancing sites, you would have to fight for the client. 


Tip: What I do is that I always leave the site open, and refresh it every once in a while. That way, if a job request shows up, I'm first in line. I have a higher chance being considered despite being a beginner just because, well, I'm present. 

If you get your first job request, you need to offer your job. You will be directed to a message box between you and the client, and the pursuing begins. 

If you were able to read my blog about working online, you know my messaging tip! ;) But because i'm not popular or anything HAHAHA, i'll just link it here. I'm lazy af :(

http://samescueta.blogspot.com/2018/11/how-im-making-money-online-links-to.html


Guys, you don't have any idea how many clients I did message ever since I made my 199Jobs account! In a scale of 1- 10, only a rate of 4 replied. No, scratch that. 3. 3 out of 10.



But that didn't stop me! I still message every single job request that pops out in my To do page. (Well, except the job requests I am not capable of doing ie., animation, video editing)

You should know what you have to offer. You should know how to sell yourself. Learn how to read clients in general. Know how to approach. 

And don't give up easily. Ang sarap sa feeling pag na-win over mo yung client knowing there are a handful out there that messaged them.

5. Cash Out. So ito na yung favorite part ko. Hahaha hindi yun joke. This is usapang pinansyal! HAHAHA. 

So before you ratatat me, I want you to know that the site gets 20% of every commission you make. That's how they make money as well eh. So as beginners, clients offer 199 pesos, kaya siya 199jobs. Because that's the minimum. 

Pero you won't get the 199 wholly. They will subtract 20% from that (40php). Kaya laging nasa 159 pesos something yung pumapasok sa account ko. But no worries! Worth it naman pag naipon mo. Plus they offer less deduction rates every month na mag exceed ka sa 3,000php a month. One way to motivate the sellers (freelancers) to step up their game and get more and more clients each month.

Also, there are clients who are willing to adjust their budget based on the job they want you to get done. You can always negotiate. Don't be afraid! As long as you and your client are willing to compromise, then you're good to go!

So back to cashing out, you can only cash out with the minimum amount of Php 500. But If I were you, I'd earn it muna for the month, see if I can get more than 3,000, so the site can charge me lesser rates. ;)

That's all for this blog post. I hope I've been helpful. If you have any questions, you can comment down, or message me, or just check 199Jobs' FAQs.

Thank you! I hope you get to enjoy the independent professional/freelancing life!


Love, 
Sam 

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