When I started to realize working in a corporate setting was not my cup of tea, my alarm bells started ringing. I felt lost and worried how I would survive. I had to look for other ways to earn a living. Right on time, a friend of mine asked if I was interested to do some captioning project. All I had to do was write captions for images their clients give her.

 

I eventually confided and told her how I was feeling restless with my current job. She told me that was the same exact reason she left her previous job and started taking work online. She encouraged me to look around and get a feel of the work. In hindsight, I have a lot to thank my friend for and there are definitely things I wish I could have prepared for. Here are 10 things I wish I knew before I started working online.

 

1. Online Work Alone Is Not Binding

 

Working online requires courage to take a leap of faith. It is not enough to land a client, you also have to make sure they keep their end of the bargain. Doing online work, especially for a foreign client, involves risks because… geography. I have heard many horror stories where the client ran, did not pay, or backed out the last minute. The last scenario is heartbreaking, especially when you have already started working on the project.

 

To prevent this from happening, I suggest that you draw out a contract (No need to worry because this can be done online. There are plenty of applications that can help you with doing this.) and have your prospective client sign it. If clients refuse to sign, you have the option to decline or ask them to pay a percentage of your total fees to protect yourself and jumpstart the project. This way, your client knows that they have a legal obligation and have already invested in you.

 

2. They Ask Your Internet Speed for a Reason

 

It was so hard to get a stable Internet connection in our previous place. Thank goodness we decided to move. In less than a couple of weeks, we were able to secure a stable Internet connection. When I started out looking for jobs online, I had to use my mobile data. Have you guys ever had to do that? I had no idea it was so hard to try to work with such weak Internet connection!

 

Your Internet connection is crucial because working online means you have to communicate and rely heavily on online communication and work tools. You will also need to be able to research information you are not privy to. Clients always ask this. So, having a stable and fast Internet connection is crucial to your online success.

 

3. You Don’t Get Paid Instantly

 

When I started transitioning to being a full-time online employee, I had enough sense to make sure that I have enough in the bank so I won’t starve or be homeless. I was also lucky enough to be with someone who works hard enough to keep us afloat (I was lucky to have undergone the transition easily).

 

But for some, this was not the case. I have heard many accounts of people who thought working online means instant payday. That is simply not the case – especially when you are new to the scene. It is going to take some time before you land your first client or gig. In my case, I made sure I won’t starve for the next 6 months. This way, I was able to focus on networking and building my online credibility. I also encourage you to familiarize yourself with the payment methods utilized by clients. This is important.

 

4. Online Work Is as Difficult as Traditional Work

 

As I’ve mentioned earlier, my first online stint was with my friend. Foolishly, I thought working online was easier than that of a traditional job. Boy, was I so wrong. While online work permits you to do it from home and does not keep you for 9 solid hours, it does require you to manage your time skillfully.

 

You have deadlines to meet. Online work is output-centric, so you have got to have something to show for your work. If you do not meet your client’s standards and timeline, that is going to be something you have to live down, because it can break your reputation. Do not underestimate online workload and difficulty.

 

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Sell Yourself

 

When I say sell yourself, I mean to be proud of what you know you are capable of. In a weird way, working online has made me more confident. I was no longer afraid to voice what I know I can do.

 

My clients hire me to do a specific job, but I always try to volunteer (appropriately) what else I can do for them. If they hire you to write, you can also tell them you know how to manage social media. Don’t think twice about letting them know because it could also be good for their business.

 

6. The Online Community Is Kind and Helpful

 

When I first started doing online work, another friend of mine directed me to an online community where I can ask questions and get good answers. The online community is kind and helpful.

 

So different from what I know of the Internet – unkind and aggressive. It turns out, there are plenty of people willing to help and tell you what worked and didn’t for them. Value these people, listen to what they have to say, and pay it forward.

 

7. Your Yes Should Be a Yes, and Your No Should Be a No

 

Working online means limitless opportunities. It is unfortunate that some people apply the “Strike while the iron is hot” method here because it does not work; it backfires. Just as you know when to say yes to opportunities, so should you also know when to say no.

 

Do not bite off more than you can chew. Remember, you are dealing with businesses and when you fail to deliver, your client’s business is in jeopardy. This will not give you a sterling reputation. Until you are confident of your productivity, take baby steps first. When the load gets too heavy, try outsourcing affordable labor.

 

8. Your Working Style Will Change

 

There will come a time when you receive a lot of projects and it can get overwhelming – especially when it’s your first time. When I first received multiple projects, I would always think it’s impossible to complete them, but because I set specific daily goals, I always get the job done.

Before you start working online, you should know that working unsupervised is both a blessing and a curse. I don’t like being micromanaged, so the online setup works for me; but if you have the tendency to slack off when no one is watching, you have to be very careful and wise with your time. Your working style and dynamics will change and you have to adapt to it.

 

9. Bills Will Get Fat…

 

When I started working online fully, this was the farthest thing from my mind (I was busy thinking about how to land my first client or constantly improving my application cover letter).

 

When I received my first electricity bill after fully transitioning to working online, I was taken aback! My electricity consumption tripled! You should remember to factor in that you are now home most of the time. You charge your laptop and phone. You use the air conditioning unit longer now. It is only natural that your electricity consumption increases, so be prepared for that.

 

10. …And So Will You

 

Now that you are working from home most of the time, there is no need to leave the comforts of your house. No need to drive, no need to commute. It is also easy to sleep in and make up for it later. You can eat anytime and anything you want.

 

Working online makes it so easy to fall into the prey of sedentary lifestyle, so let this serve as your warning: Keep moving! Be active! Take at least half an hour to sweat. Working online shouldn’t mean you should get fat, only your wallet should.

 

Working online is easily looked down on by people from the outside. They think it’s easy money, but then anyone who has not been in our shoes cannot say that. In the same way that traditional work should be seen as fulfilling and the only way to go – because for some it is not.

 

If you feel like you are at the crossroads between staying in your desk job and joining the online workforce, I am telling you it is possible. There is no need to feel trapped when something is no longer working for you. I know this because I’ve been there and I don’t want you to stay there.

 

Deciding to work online does not have a deadline, take all the time you need; take a temp check as much as you want. Our circumstances and reasons may differ, but just the same, the Internet makes it possible for us to start anew somewhere we can do what we love while keeping a roof over our heads.