₦airaland Forum

I am creating this in the Diary section to avoid other users breaking my flow of thought. Lol. When I am done writing, I’ll beg Lalasticlala to move it to Careers.


I wanted to create this thread for my 1 year anniversary, but it might take too long, I might forget and someone out there wouldn’t get the needed motivation.

When I see people hyping yahoo boys or claiming they are into it due to unemployment, I get pissed. There are so many things out there. Why not tap into one? Why yahoo or hookup?

Nigerian youths have data to watch TikTok videos, but we say we don't have the one for online courses.

Please do not send me a PM after reading this thread. I wouldn’t respond . All the information you need would be here, on the internet and you can connect with more Nairalanders on THIS THREAD

I didn’t quote her on that thread. I didn’t send her a message. I simply did a quick research and in 48hrs, I had installed all the four freelance platforms she mentioned in her post.


After going through all of them, I chose UPWORK because its UI and clientele appealed to me the most.

Next, I messaged my friend who has been a remote worker - a tech bro. There is no reason in the world he shouldn’t know this. He must explain to me o. I told him it was very urgent. Sent him the link to her comment and asked for an explanation. He replied almost immediately. He wasn’t familiar with Upwork, but he went through the platform and explained. He told me he needed to get to work and we would continue later.

I couldn't wait. I needed to make more money, honorably and legally too.

1)Most Nigerian freelancers do not talk enough about it for many reasons. They get misunderstood by the bulk of Nigerians that are stuck to 9-5. They don’t want the competition. They don’t have the time to talk about it. They don’t want you to tax them (some people around me refused to learn, but assumed I have more disposable cash) …etc

2) Many people are scared. I know people that would open the app and be so afraid to send proposals. I went through that stage too. Now I crack “Nigerian jokes” with my boss. They only have one head and they are even more accessible than your average Nigerian boss.

3) Many new freelancers are not prepared enough…

They are not adequately equipped with the right skills, but they think they are. Sometimes when you are even that good, you may have a problem selling yourself well. It took me 8 months after creating my account and 4 months of actively working to be TOP RATED. By then my proposal writing skills were way better. I don’t apply much anymore, but for every job I applied for, I got interviewed and I even turned down a few. I was searching for my friends, not myself.

-They are not prepared for how competitive the freelance marketplace is. Unlike your Nigerian 9-5 where you can do eye service and carry files from one place to another to look busy, with remote work, it is survival of the fittest. When you see the listed requirements, you would know you haven’t started.

4) Nigerians hate to research. I stupidly told some clients I didn’t know this and that. Whereas I could have learned it in a few hours via YouTube. EVERY INFORMATION YOU NEED IS JUST A CLICK AWAY.

I had sent many proposals and nothing was coming. In my mind, I was putting in my best. Abi my village people do not want me to earn in dollars too?

Anyway, I did something weird at this point!

I contacted ALL the people that interviewed and dropped me. I politely asked for a review. Told them I was new here and their reviews would help me grow. Two said Nigeria has power issues and they can’t deal with that. One said I sounded tense in my interview but he understands I am new. Another said I clearly told him I can’t use a particular tool.

Reviews gotten…

I stepped back and went through all the job postings in my niche. All of them needed knowledge of various project management tools. So I called a friend in that field for her online course and she sent it to me. After that, I paid for two more on Udemy. Dedicated time to the class and self-practiced. Then I came back... ready to apply again.

There are some that do not require you to be resident in that country. At best they ask that you have EXCELLENT written and spoken English - NO HEAVY ACCENT. Some would require you to be familiar with American English. So you know it is FAMILIARIZE not SE.

- You would also need an uninterrupted power supply.

- A noise-canceling headset with a microphone. Make them no hear “ekaro ologi de o” or “condemned iron… aluminum”

- Stable and backup internet connection.

- A quiet and proper workstation because your back go hear am.

- They pay entry-level customer service $3/hr to $5/hr and you would work 40hrs a week or more.

- You should also be familiar with CRM and Ticketing tools. Mostly Zendesk and Freshdesk. They are things you can learn in a day on YouTube.

- For your portfolio, create a google slide of bespoke customer service responses to various situations. DELAYED DELIVERY, MISSING ITEM, DAMAGED ITEM, REQUEST FOR REFUND…etc. These are the recurring issues in customer support for e-commerce and the majority are e-commerce firms. Close it with your name. Make it look real and sell it as your sample responses while working in a similar capacity for another client. You simply attach the google link to the body of your proposals.

Before I got my first main job ehn? Kai! If you snatch my phone by mistake, you would definitely see Upwork open. I was addicted to the platform!!! Morning, afternoon, and night, I was on Upwork!

My first main job was with an American firm. An Upwork Plus client that has spent over $4m paying remote workers. He had an assessment test and I scaled through. He specifically told me he scored me 98% because there would always be space for human errors. I was flattered!

He sent a long list of rules and regulations. Added me to Slack. Created a staff profile and introduced me to my direct supervisor. Time to make dollars!

I resumed work and I didn’t need a pastor to tell me I had entered the lion's den. The client was such a critic. Had no respect for work-life balance and was borderline toxic!!

I rushed back to read reviews from his past employees, something I should have done first. That was when I realized who I was dealing with.

A few days later he threatened me and I politely told him to end the contract. He did it in nanoseconds. Lol!!

For English-speaking countries:- USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. They are the top pick and every freelancer wants to work with them.

I have only tried one Australian briefly and his rate was too low. But then…

Brits Over Americans.

This is not to start a fight, but in my short time working with clients remotely, I have realised that American clients are something else . I thought it was just me, but few friends corroborated it. However, they are the main sinzu spending! An American can splurge $40/hr on an assistant for a C-suite executive. My major problem with them is that they don’t know that humans need rest. They just keep working. They are too bot-like. Maybe the Brits are pretending, but I appreciate them for at least pretending.

The Brits have this attitude of work small, play small. My British boss hates when I work overtime. He hates when I work at night. But with time he realised I am nocturnal and allowed me to complete leftovers or urgent work at night.

Asian Countries

Anything India, Pakistan, Bangladesh…count me out! Most times they are acting as middlemen and would want to pay rock bottom. In the same manner, they low-bid as freelancers. Severely crashing market rates.

Japan, China, and Singapore are open to paying more, but due to the language barrier, I rarely see Japanese and Chinese jobs that are open to any freelancer. At best they would want a freelancer that can speak Mandarin AND English!

I decided to try out a new niche. Something less saturated…

Some niches are very saturated and would make you compete against more people. Some of whom are experienced. That is why one is advised to learn scarce skills. In my case, I was looking for something easy that wouldn't interfere with my 9-5.

---

I opened a specialized profile as a food blogger/enthusiast and started focusing on food blogging vacancies. Finally, I got a job as a data entry assistant for a food blogger. During the interview, she told me she would have to pay me directly and my alarm went off. Na the scammers them be this! It is a WRITTEN rule to avoid talking to clients off the platform. But I was desperate and wanted to see it to the end. She went on to ask if I have had to deal with someone with mental health issues and I said NO. That was when she confided in me that she had mental issues, and as such, I would be relating more with her PA.

The pay was $300 a month and I was to post twice a week and eight (8 ) times a month. They provided the recipe and pictures. All I did was use WP recipe maker for my entries.

She is an American and gave no issues, though her PA was quite a handful. I resigned this at some point because I couldn't handle two freelance jobs, alongside my 9-5.

Nigerians would always say time is money, but I doubt they apply this in their daily activities, given their predisposition to African Time. With remote work, clients are bothered about output. They need to see the result of the work you claimed to be doing. Every
second counts especially when you are being paid by the hour. So if you decide to leave your work and chat on WhatsApp, sorry for you.

A lot of clients (on hourly pay) use time-tracking apps to monitor your work. The app takes screenshots and monitors your activities. Mouse clicks, open browsers…etc

I try to be as honest as possible. Though my boss never checks my timesheet, he just approves payment. The guy likes me too much.

One day I stumbled on this job posting looking for a data entry assistant and he said the applicant should have knowledge of VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP. The number of proposals was “less than 5” when I applied. Honestly, I was scared of applying and not very interested in the job, but I decided to just try. I gave it my best shot and I got the Upwork message notification almost immediately. I was ecstatic. I replied with the speed of light. Try as much as you can to reply in the shortest possible time. It is sometimes a game of luck. He told me what he needed me to do and sent the offer. I remember my colleague telling me the rate was too small at $100 and I asked him to give me N56,000. He in turn asked what I did to deserve his 56k. See face! Just open moth waaaa! I finished it very fast and the client asked how he could employ me again. That was how we began what turned out to be a promising relationship.

So now I had this client and I didn’t want to be here and there. I wanted one client that would give me a full-time role. My client told me his assistants were overwhelmed with duties and they both resigned. He said he didn’t have an ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT anymore too and would love to add it to my duties. I said no wahala. He did this immediately and every time I worked, he would tell me “sorry” “try have your lunch” “don’t work beyond XYZ”...etc

He trained me with Loom videos and I was very quick to catch up. He was also very good at showering me with praises, lol! I started taking a genuine interest in the organization. Went to google about it. Checked LinkedIn and IG too. That was when I realized I was talking with the co-founder all the while.

I took it a step further by using the word “WE” a lot. (e.g) The Business Manager of ABC sent an email, what do WE say to him? I asked a lot of questions about our processes and he always answered. If he teaches me something once, I don’t forget. Na me go even remind am. My boss was getting stuck and it was very evident at this point. He started asking me about Lagos and Nigeria. Told me he has heard so much about my country - the good and the bad of course. I just Mmmmm-ed. No be me go explain African Prince matter.

The money was coming in small-small. I was like ahnahn, why am I just discovering this now? I called my friend, the tech-bro. I told him he didn’t try o. Why you no give me orientation since? He quickly reminded me how averse I was to remote work. I said ehn, you would have opened my coconut head and put it inside. E sha tell me sorry.

Back to my boss…

He woke one day and asked if I could manage another role. I asked for the details and he explained. I wasn’t very happy that I wouldn’t be working as his administrative assistant again. He noticed this and clarified. I would still be his assistant, but I would work with some other team lead. I would also be paid for both roles - SEPARATELY.

It wasn’t easy and it is still not easy, but money must be made.

But I wasn’t entirely satisfied…

I wanted a full-time role with benefits, so I started applying again. Remember Americans are the kings, I had to humble myself and go for them. Thankfully I got one to interview me. He gave a very long assessment and I remember solving Maths questions on a paper and clicking away. I got shortlisted for the interview and training.

I had to go tell my British boss that I had gotten an offer and was in the process of training. He was happy for me but worried about getting a new person and training again. A few days later, he comes to ask what role and pay the American firm offered me and I told him. He said he couldn’t meet up, but he could come a bit close and with benefits.

Sometimes the only thing you did wrong is being a Nigerian. I once applied for a job, and got to the interview stage, only for the client to tell me they don’t employ Nigerians (living in Nigeria). I asked why and he said for security reasons. Apologized profusely and disappeared.

I have seen some Nigerian freelancers act like this bias is not there, simply because they have been lucky to meet clients who do not care. I just shake my head for these ones.

For the entry roles in Customer Support, most American clients prefer Filipinos. They overwork, can take the lowest rate, and tend to stay longer. So a lot of clients love to work with them for support roles. That is the major reason I don’t advise anyone to go for it, but if you have to, be very prepared.

There is this fear of data breach. You would be dealing with customers’ data; mobile numbers, email addresses…etc. No client wants you to give these details to your yahoo (boy)friend.

Some have concluded we don’t have a good power supply and electricity. Maybe out of previous experiences.

I have also seen this writer complain that African writers are not well-rated. In fact, we are not considered good writers on average.

All my close friends and family still wonder how I do it. The thing is, once I put my mind to something, I do it. I am quite tenacious and very strong-willed. I used Google a lot and I always asked my friends. I avoided asking my boss too many questions, make e no know say I be olodo.

So abeg, learn to research and try dey follow who know road. No be every time, man and woman matter.

As with everything, it gets easier with time.

The competition is stiffer now, but people said that in 2020 and some others got in after then and made it. I saw this Nairaland thread of June 2021 HERE . People were complaining and this particular Nairalander said he hopes to be back with good news. In less than a month, he commented on the same thread with his success story.

It was by chance that I stumbled on that thread and went through all the comments.

Someone like Kayperry would use it to troll me and talk about how I work 40hrs a week. 40hrs a week is simply 9-5.

9-5 is 8hrs a day, multiplied by 5 days = 40hrs

Whatever we do daily in Nigeria and a city like Lagos is the same if not worse na.

Some Nigerians still don’t understand how you can sit at home and claim to be working. So you would have to deal with their plenty talk. That doesn’t mean they won’t ask you for urgent 2k sha.

Have it in mind that $5/hr at 40hrs a week would give you $640 a month and that is a little over 400k.

You don't have to be a programmer. I am not a programmer. You just have to find a marketable skill and be very good at it.

I forgot to add that all the talking down on Nigerians on the diaspora for doing jobs we consider low is trash. Because if there is one thing I am sure of, it is the fact that they break their backs to do this job.

If you have to wash plates over there, best believe you would wash those plates until your fingers hurt. Nobody dashes you money there for nothing. They are really trying to be remitting money to home-based folks after washing plate. I am not even washing plates, but I rarely give out my earnings to just anyone.

I stopped taking soda, but recently I found myself sneaking in a few bottles for energy.
I still workout, it is good for my general wellbeing and helps me stay refreshed in a way.

I feel guilty for the soda I have taken in the past week to beat deadlines. So I would find an alternative.

Scenario 1
Order - REFUND

PRODUCT: ELECTRIC BLENDER

CUSTOMER’S NAME: GLORIOUSGBOLA

CUSTOMER’S MESSAGE TO SUPPORT: Disaster!!! My order arrived damaged. I have pictures. Refund me at once and send me a new one. Terrible experience with your company.


Scenario 2

A customer ordered five bra and panties set. The customer received three and wants to know when the other sets are going to arrive.

CUSTOMER: FOLAKE4U
 


SUBJECT: Re: Your red bra and panties set has been delivered!!

PRODUCT: Set of red bras and panties.

CUSTOMER’S MESSAGE TO SUPPORT:
Thank you. I received one today and received two last week. I ordered and paid for five. Are the other two going to be shipped?

They fit perfectly and look like they are well made. I hope to get a lot of use out of them. Thank you!

Remember you are Nigerian, you have no reviews and proven experience. Other foreigners would automatically rank above you and outnumber you. Especially the Filipinos. Interestingly, their English isn't always that impeccable. The admirable quality in them is that they are VERY CONTENT and LOYAL. They turn up anytime and every time. Sometimes I wonder if they have bfs, gfs, spouses, or even pets who need their attention.

Don't drag jobs with these ones, you can hardly beat them to the game.

If a client says he/she wants an executive assistant and is willing to train, everyone would apply.

If the client says they want an EA assistant with at least 2 yrs of experience with knowledge of Notion, HubSpot, Trello, Docs, Google Calendar, and the ability to handle presentations. You would see that the proposals won't pass 15 to 20. Inside those 15 to 20, I can assure you that at least 7, are trash.

If the same client comes back to say he is looking for customer support officers. You would see 50+ proposals in 20 seconds. If he says he wants the ones with proven knowledge of ticketing software (Freshdesk and Zendesk), a noise-canceling headset, and a microphone. Interested candidates should also attach a voice/video recording. Applicants would automatically drop.

1) Excel Central
2) Contextures
3) Mr. Excel
4) Excel Easy
5) Excel Jet
6) Chandoo
7) Microsoft Excel Help Center

mysticgal:
Hi @pocohantas,
I wanna thank you for the expose, it's really eye opening.


I have been wanting to join Upwork but I was told I have to get recommended by someone on upwork. For instance, one chick said she'd open up a job vacancy and then I’d bid, ‘work’ and she’d pay me (I mean, technically that is me paying) but that would open me up to be potentially taken. Does this work ?

2. Are there proposal template out there that works that can be used ?

3. Is there a niche for financial modeling?
That data entry job you mentioned would have been a sweet gig for me(xlookup and vlookup is my thing)?

4. what is the payment method. PayPal or payoneer?


Thanks once again.

1) It works and it gives you a headstart. Basically, the person just wants to help you get a review, not a recommendation per se. Clients are more open to working with someone who has a track record on Upwork.


2) Yes, there are proposal templates. I don’t advise you to talk too much in your cover letter. Have portfolios - VERY IMPORTANT. The client wants to know you can do the work and how you would do the work. Use terms and explain the processes in such a way the client knows you are not claiming to be what you are not. Many would ask for you to talk about a similar project you’ve handled - feel free to talk. Attach the google link to your portfolio inside the body of your proposal. Don’t attach it as a file.
Where you schooled and your years of experience no too concern them - skip it.

3) There is. There is always a niche for people that can compute and forecast data. People don’t like figures, so you would always have lesser competition if you are into figures. When you sign up, you would select your niche and its close niches. Then top it with the tools you work with. The system would automatically filter job vacancies for you. You would still search for some yourself though.

4) I use Payoneer. From Payoneer to my Dorm. Paypal doesn’t work in Nigeria. Except for people trying to cheat the process. Not worth the time and stress for me.

pocohantas:
It was exactly November 2nd, 2021, I was cruising around Nairaland and I saw THIS COMMENT by a female Nairalander.