SCRIPT 20 MINUTES ENGLISH PRESENTATION

Instruction: Make a 20 minutes presentation about how to become a freelancer ?

Part 1: What is a freelancer ?

First things first: what is a freelancer? A freelancer is a self-employed individual who provides
services to clients on a project-by-project basis, rather than committing to a long-term employer.
Imagine this: you are an employer, and you need a web application built. You have two choices.
You could either hire a full-time employee or hire a freelancer.

Hiring a full-time employee has its perks—it guarantees long-term commitment and gives you
more control over their work. However, it’s also costly. Full-time employees require ongoing
salaries, benefits, and training, and the hiring process takes time.

Now, let’s look at hiring a freelancer. If the project is something short-term—like, say, three
months—freelancers can be a better choice. They bring specialized expertise, greater flexibility,
and lower costs since you’re paying them for specific tasks rather than a full-time salary.
Essentially, freelancers are professionals who solve problems on demand.

But here’s the big question: why would someone choose to become a freelancer? The answer
lies in one simple word: money.

Let’s break it down. A freelance backend developer can earn anywhere from €300 to €600 per
day. A machine learning engineer typically makes around €400 to €800 per day. And a data
analyst earns between €250 and €500 per day. Sounds amazing, right? But before you get carried
away, it’s essential to remember that this is gross income—your revenue before taxes and
deductions.

If you’re freelancing in France, for instance, you’ll need to account for URSSAF deductions. These
can range from 12% to 50%, depending on how much you earn. The more you make, the higher
the percentage of deductions—up to around half of your revenue. On the other hand, if your
earnings are on the lower side, the deductions will be closer to a quarter. So, while freelancing
can be lucrative, you’ll need to factor in taxes when calculating your take-home income.

Of course, freelancing isn’t just about money. It also offers incredible flexibility. Let’s face it—one
of the big advantages of freelancing is the freedom to work on your own terms. For instance, if
your task is to deliver a specific product, how you get there doesn’t matter as long as you deliver
on time. You could work on it at night, during a holiday, or even while traveling—for instance, in
China. The only thing that matters to your client is the result. This flexibility allows you to design
your work-life balance in a way that suits you.

So, freelancing is a combination of high earning potential, flexibility, and specialized work. But it
isn’t without its challenges—you’ll need to navigate taxes, find clients, and deliver consistently
good results. Over the course of this video, we’ll dive deeper into these topics and explore what
it truly takes to succeed as a freelancer. Stay tuned, and let’s uncover the world of freelancing
together!

Part 2: How to become one

Now, what exactly do I mean by "a niche"? A niche is a specialization. It’s something you excel at,
something that sets you apart. This could be being an Angular web developer, a computer vision
engineer, or a Power BI data analyst, for example. The key is to avoid becoming the "jack of all
trades and master of none." You can’t build a solid career on shaky foundations. Specialize and
focus—this is how you cultivate expertise and lay down a strong professional framework.

So, how do you identify a good niche for yourself? Start by taking inventory of what you already
know. For instance, you might have a basic understanding of Power BI, machine learning, or web
development. Once you have that list, get creative and do some research. One practical trick is
to use tools like ChatGPT to explore your options. Imagine asking ChatGPT:

"I want to be a freelancer. I have basic skills in Power BI, machine learning, HTML, and JavaScript.
Which niche should I specialize in? Also, what is currently in demand in France?"

From there, you might discover that Power BI data analytics is a booming niche with a strong
demand in your market. The key is to pinpoint that sweet spot where your existing skills, market
demand, and future growth potential all align.

Once you’ve chosen your niche, it’s time to invest in mastering it. Commit to becoming so skilled,
so efficient, and so valuable in your field that clients won’t care about your experience level—
they’ll want to work with you anyway! This involves building social proof to reassure potential
clients that you’re the right choice for the job.

Let’s take the example of a Power BI data analyst. To build your credibility, you could obtain
certifications like the PL-300 or create sample dashboards using public datasets. Share these
projects as part of your portfolio. Testimonials too—whether they come from your past recruiters,
colleagues, or even classmates—can give you an additional edge. Initially, your first project might
be small: think short-term contracts lasting a day to a week, likely paid below the average market
rate. But this is your opportunity to shine. Deliver exceptional results, and that small project could
turn into longer, more lucrative contracts.

Now that you’ve honed your skills, it’s time to showcase your value to the market. Platforms like
Malt are a great place to start. Create an outstanding profile with SEO optimization, a
professional photo, and a compelling description of your niche. Study how other successful
freelancers on the platform have written their profiles and titles—learn from those who’ve already
mastered the game. I highly recommend following tutorials on Malt or even seeking a profile
review from a top freelancer on the platform to boost your chances of getting noticed.

Here’s one critical tip: lower your starting rate. Let’s say the average daily rate for a Power BI
analyst is €400—position yourself at €200 per day initially. Yes, this is competitive. Yes, you’re
underselling yourself for now. But remember, you’re competing against professionals with 10+
years of experience. To land your first client, you need to be the best deal they see. If you can
execute this strategy correctly, landing your first client might take you just about one month on
average.

Of course, using Malt isn’t the only way to find clients. You can explore traditional platforms like
LinkedIn, HelloWork, content creation, or even leveraging your personal network. These methods
work as well. However, as a beginner with little experience, no established network, and limited
content, Malt offers a streamlined and practical path to kickstart your freelancing career.

Finally—and here’s the exciting part—once you’ve built a solid client base, delivered excellent
results, and garnered glowing reviews, you can begin increasing your rates. This is the natural
progression of freelancing: prove your worth, gain confidence, and watch as your value on the
market grows.

So, if you're ready to launch your freelancing career, choose your niche, focus on delivering
exceptional work, and take strategic steps to stand out. Remember, the beginning might feel like
a grind, but it's that dedication and persistence that pave the way for a successful and profitable
freelancing journey. The time is now. Let’s make it happen!