As we know, freelancing is becoming popular online work in Ethiopia. If we have the necessary skills, freelancing provides the opportunity to work from home and offers us freedom. Unfortunately, the freelancing market is becoming saturated because for every freelancer, there are many competitors worldwide. For instance, on the popular freelancing platform Upwork, every new job posting receives numerous proposals. This means that for a single job, many freelancers are trying to get hired, but clients only need one freelancer. This is good for clients, but for freelancers, it’s difficult to win the competition. As an Ethiopian, you will be competing with people from other countries like India, Pakistan, and others, making it challenging to win the competition.
This is why I wrote today’s article. In this article, we will explore the best alternative freelancing sites to work on without as much competition. If you find this article useful, please don’t forget to share it with others. Let’s get started!
Best freelancing sites
Upwork
This freelancing site is the biggest freelancing network in the world. Because of that, many freelance job posts are made every second, and thousands of people work on both long-term projects and fixed-price projects. Upwork has a system to manage work quality using a connect system. When you first register on Upwork, you are given some connects. These connects are used each time you submit a proposal, and if they run out without securing any work, you will need to purchase more to continue submitting proposals.
Many Ethiopian freelancers work on Upwork in various fields. If you have skills that can be offered as a remote service, you can start your freelancing journey today. Click here to begin.
Fiverr
This freelancing site is an alternative to Upwork. As I explained above, Upwork works on a connect system. The unique feature of Fiverr is that you can create gigs and sell them. Gigs are like packages for your services. When you create gigs on Fiverr, you will list your prices depending on the amount of service you offer. For example, if you are a video editor, you can create gig prices based on video length or the types of work you do in the video.
Many Ethiopians are making a lot of money by selling their services on this platform. As I mentioned in the introduction, Upwork has a lot of competition, but on Fiverr, it is a little easier to win clients. To succeed on Fiverr, you should create attractive gigs that can draw in clients. Once you do that, you can start freelancing on Fiverr.
If you are from Ethiopia, I will provide you with more videos about Fiverr below. If you are not, you can find plenty of instructional videos on YouTube.
Truelancer
Freelancing platforms, like the one I mentioned earlier, focus on connecting businesses with freelancers in emerging markets. This is the best option if you are struggling with competition because many Ethiopians are successfully working through this platform.
Truelancer has a strong presence in Ethiopia and offers a variety of features to help freelancers find work, including a search engine, project listings, and the ability to submit proposals. It also uses AI technology to connect clients and freelancers, making it unique from other freelancing platforms. So, if you are struggling with competition, this is the best option for you. Don’t forget to check out Truelancer.
Afriwork
A freelancing platform designed specifically for the African market. Afriwork offers a variety of projects and freelancers from all over Africa, including Ethiopia. It has a user-friendly interface and is free to use for both freelancers and clients. Afriwork is a great option for Ethiopian freelancers who want to find work from African clients. The surprising part is that this platform was created in Ethiopia by Semegn Tadesse. They are expanding this freelancing platform in East Africa to the whole Africa so this means that if you are Ethiopian this platform are working perfectly so don’t forget to check out the afriwork.
Freelancer
This platform offers similar services to other freelancing platforms, but its unique features make it stand out. One of the main advantages is the ease of customizing your portfolio, allowing you to present it in a beautiful way to attract more clients. Another benefit is that, unlike other freelancing platforms where direct contact with clients is not permitted, this platform allows direct communication with clients without any penalties. This enables you to submit more proposals and build loyal client relationships.
Additionally, it has many other useful features, making it an excellent option for Ethiopian freelancers. Many Ethiopian freelancers are already working here. Don’t forget to check out the Freelancer website.
Guru
So, this freelancing platform is my final recommendation. Like other freelancing websites, you can register, submit your portfolio, and start submitting proposals. This is also a good way to overcome the competition in the freelancing world.
Guru offers a broad range of freelance projects and has a good pool of clients specifically looking for African talent. If you are Ethiopian, don’t forget to register on this website.
Final word
Finally, we have reached the end of today’s article. We explored five freelancing websites that serve as alternatives to Upwork and examined the unique features of each. If you are struggling with competition, don’t forget to register on these platforms, as they offer you the opportunity to be discovered by clients. Don’t limit yourself to just one platform; try the others as well. All the platforms mentioned work for Ethiopian freelancers, and I am confident that you will find work as a freelancer if you follow these suggestions.
If you need to know more about freelancing, especially starting out, you can check my previous article on how to start freelancing in Ethiopia. My main advice for Ethiopian freelancers is to never give up until you find work. Once you do, be good to your clients and loyal to your work. If you are not proficient in your niche, please try to improve by watching videos, taking courses, and more.
As I mentioned at the beginning, if you find this article useful, please share it with others.
