Latest news with #freelancing
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Job Hunting Is A Trap. Use This ChatGPT Strategy Instead
Traditional hunting is an exhausting and outdated concept that can negatively impact your mental ... More health and morale If you've been applying for jobs for months and received little to no response, even though you've followed all the right advice and done all the right things with your resume and job interviews, it's not you that's the problem. It's the system. The traditional idea of work is broken. That's why more than half of the U.S. workforce (over 86 million professionals) will be freelancing by 2027. That's also why freelance hiring is up by 260%. Employers and employees are waking up to the realization that the old work model--the employer/employee relationship--no longer works like it used to. I've personally met countless people on LinkedIn who've told me they've been out of the workforce for what feels to them like the longest. Some have been laid off and still searching for jobs for weeks, three months, even six months later. The U.S. unemployment rate may be remaining steady at 4.2% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), yet there are some factors which are continuing to negatively impact the labor market. For example, even though the number of long-term unemployed persons decreased by 218,000 in May, about one in five professionals are long-term unemployed, and over 260,000 workers were still jobless after being out of work for up to five weeks, the BLS said. That number includes workers displaced by the recent administration changes that have led to federal jobs being affected, with employment down by 59,000 since January. AI replacing jobs, mass layoffs and RTO mandates, and sustained peak interest in remote job opportunities--all are creating a highly competitive job market which is increasingly harder to navigate and results in many, like you, feeling despair and overwhelm at their job prospects. And of course, that's reasonable, if your only hope of a fulfilling career and making a steady, lucrative income, was found in a job. But in 2025, if you want to escape the rat race of chasing job applications and constantly being rejected or ghosted, it's time to flip the scripts and adopt a different approach: instead of chasing roles, build leverage and create your own. Job hunting no longer works because today, especially when applying for remote jobs, you'll likely find: So what works instead? Create an engine or system that generates your own opportunities and multiple income streams, without limits. Instead of: Try putting that same energy into: Find a high-income skill that you're already comfortable with, that's in strong demand, and make your presence known wherever the interest is. Using ChatGPT to help you in this process will amplify your reach and reduce your time to market, especially if you're unaccustomed to freelancing and selling yourself from a business standpoint. Here's how it works: To start making money and rebuilding your career today, here are five steps you can take from day one: 1. Create a freelance profile on LinkedIn Services or Upwork, and offer services within a specialism like copywriting, video editing, social media management and marketing, etc. 2. Productize your knowledge into a guide, workshop, template, course, etc. This yields passive income with consistent sales. 3. Build your presence and optimize your visibility wherever your clients are. That could be YouTube, LinkedIn, Substack, Instagram, or Medium. The whole idea is to position yourself as the go-to, leading voice, in your niche and sub-niche. 4. Partner with brands and other leading voices and content creators in your field, through sponsorships, shared content, guest features, podcasts, and affiliate marketing. 5. Offer specific services tied directly to tangible results. Instead of vague, 'I do social media copywriting,' say 'I increase client conversion rates for wellness brands by 30%, through social media content,' or instead of 'I help women achieve their health goals," say 'I help women aged 45+ lose belly fat in less than six months.' Now that you've shifted from the mindset of 'please hire me,' to 'I'm hiring myself, here's the service I can offer you,' here are some platforms that you can start monetizing today: The job hunting process is flawed and outdated. What works today and has a stronger guarantee of success is when you turn your skills (and AI) into leverage to create your own opportunities. In this article, you've just been armed with the tools to make that happen. It's time to remove that green banner and get back to work…for yourself. Focus on establishing leverage using your skills and expertise to build products, partnerships, and ... More visibility Can I make money from my skills without quitting my current job? Of course you can. If you have a role that can finance you and your goals (even if you're not happy in it) even better, because you can put more positive energy into building for yourself. What should I do if I don't receive any job offers? Don't panic. Take your resume and reinvent yourself, not for another employer, but for your own empire. Consider what you can build with the skills you already have.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Turn These 3 ChatGPT Prompts Into Passive Income Within Hours
You don't need to learn code or be a tech nerd to start making money with AI. All you need are a few simple ingredients that you can easily access: These powerful prompts help you implement the right system so you can develop a passive income product in just a few hours, making it easy for anyone, regardless of experience level, to boost their salary or create an entirely new salary from passive income products alone. AI is already disrupting the workforce at scale. Millions of workers have been and are being displaced as it continues to roll out and be implemented across organizational workflows and departments. You've likely seen layoffs at your organization, or have been worried that you'll be the next target of a layoff because of AI and "efficiency". At the same time, the job market is getting tougher. Many find it difficult to regain their professional balance after being laid off, leading to being stranded in several months, even more than a year in some cases, of unemployment and heavy financial strain. However, it's essential to remember that AI is not your enemy. Analysts at the World Economic Forum project that despite layoffs, the effects of automation and new technology will produce 170 million new jobs. At the same time, there is an uptick in freelance workers, with solopreneurs making up more than half of the U.S. workforce by 2027, according to Statista. This creates a situation where AI can actually work in your favor, if you approach it correctly and have a system or strategy in place. You can create your own job from your skills, and make money relatively quickly compared to waiting to be hired by an employer--using ChatGPT to help you develop, deploy, and scale, rapidly. The ChatGPT prompt workflow in this article works because it is: Prompt 1: From my background in [your previous or current job/discipline] I have [skill]. My previous results included [name your results, wins, achievements]. Here are some things I learned [list your experiences and key insights]. List some potential target audiences that I can reach with my expertise, and their pain-points. Prompt 2: What digital products can I create from this information, that can sell and generate passive income? Give me an outline of what the first one would look like. (You might want to give it some follow-up prompts to help you create the product in further detail.) Prompt 3: Give me a 30-day LinkedIn [or other social media platform] engagement strategy to market this product before, during, and post-launch and get people familiar with who I am, positioning me as a thought leader, expert, and the go-to for their questions about [name the pain-point]. 1. Copying and pasting ChatGPT verbatim. Problem: This is annoying to others, lacks personality, depth, and originality, and is a cheapened, bogus, unethical approach to building your career and business. Solution: Incorporate your tone of voice and personality. Fact-check everything it produces, and allow sentences to blend and flow naturally instead of following the same pattern all the time. And don't forget to inject your personal experiences and stories. 2. Building a digital product for passive income based on ChatGPT-based research only. Problem: Generative AI is sometimes inaccurate and the information it gives can be outdated, with the occasional hallucination. It's not possible to conduct in-depth research with ChatGPT alone. You need a variety of real-time sources. Solution: Use Google Trends, industry reports, and pay attention to LinkedIn, social media, and wherever your target clients hang out, so you can figure out what they need and create a targeted solution that sells while you sleep. 3. Thinking passive income = one-time effort. Problem: One of the most common misconceptions about passive income is that it is done once and lasts forever. That's technically not the way it works. Solution: Passive income products (like courses, e-books, templates, etc.) require ongoing marketing efforts to ensure consistent sales. This is the only way you can actually create a career from this. Otherwise no one will know that you exist, or you'll have short-term hype that is insufficient for tangibly boosting your income. Some examples of digital products that can earn you passive income include: Once you have the outline and guidance from ChatGPT, you can then start developing your product quickly, using these tools and platforms: It all starts with a few simple ChatGPT prompts. That leads to a product idea. Then evolves to a tangible digital product. That then leads to establishing you as a leading voice in your industry. That ends with sales and unlimited income as you sleep. This is how you make ChatGPT work for you. Can I really build passive income with ChatGPT? Yes, if you follow the prompt workflow outlined in this article. It will take some time and consistency to start accruing sales, but it's worth the effort, especially if you're feeling unsettled with the job market right now. Do I need a massive audience or thousands of followers to make money with ChatGPT? No, initially you can start small, by selling where your audience is already present (online marketplaces), starting with people you already know, ensuring it's a top-notch product so you gain reviews and referral buyers, and boosting your reach through partnering with well-known voices in your field.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
How to make a mint when you're self-employed: This is exactly how to set up, sort your taxes and get a mortgage - plus the trick to boosting your pension, revealed by an expert
For the 4.4million people in the UK who are self-employed, everything to do with finance is just a little bit harder. I know this because I recently joined their ranks, leaving my full-time job at a newspaper to dive into the world of freelancing. And while I love the flexibility and variety of my new working life - which also means spending more time with my dog, Daphne - I am all too aware of the many financial luxuries I have given up by coming off the payroll.
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Training Ethiopia's next wave of freelancers to earn, grow and go global
A digital training initiative is helping young Ethiopians turn freelancing into a viable career, opening up new opportunities for income, independence and access to global work. Ethiopia is emerging as a strong contender in the global freelance economy. With more than 200,000 science graduates each year, expanding internet access, and some of the most competitive labour costs in Africa, the country has the conditions to scale remote work. Supported by digital payment reforms and a national taskforce focused on freelancing, the country is working to turn its digital talent into a driver of economic growth. Until recently, however, few young people had access to structured support or training to help them enter the freelance market. That's starting to change. A recent Digital Freelancing Training Programme trained 353 participants – 186 women and 167 men – in how to build sustainable careers as freelancers and access the global gig economy. The training covered everything from financial planning and personal branding to project management and securing online clients. The training was supported by the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) Ethiopia Tech project at the International Trade Centre (ITC). From employment to independence Nardos Seifu, a design and research strategist based in Addis Ababa, joined the programme after seeing a post on social media. Her work focuses on human-centred design, innovation, and facilitating learning experiences. She had long been interested in consulting but didn't know how to position herself as a freelancer. 'I had the skills, but I didn't know how to offer them as a service,' she said. 'The training explained how freelancing works, including how to price your time, promote yourself, and manage your work professionally.' Since completing the course, she has formalized a tutoring side job and is applying for remote design consulting roles. She credits the financial planning sessions for helping her organise her income and time and is using platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to grow her visibility. 'I've always wanted to open a design studio that trains young people in design thinking. Now I feel like that's possible.' Adapting to local realities The training was delivered online through weekly webinars, practical guides and interactive sessions. Internet access was a challenge for some participants, particularly outside Addis Ababa, so the team used multiple channels, including Telegram, SMS and email, to keep learners engaged. A key resource was the Become a Freelancer Checklist, a step-by-step guide to setting goals, building online profiles, and managing client work. Enquanhone also authored a companion eBook, Become an Online Freelancer, which covers everything from branding and pricing to productivity and digital tools. Turning lessons into action Participants were encouraged to apply what they learnt immediately. For Seifu, that meant tracking tutoring hours, setting a consistent hourly rate, and using scheduling tools to stay on top of her workload. 'We were taught to treat freelancing like a business,' she said. 'That means knowing your value, being organised, and communicating clearly.' The programme also introduced tools for building an online presence. Nardos, previously hesitant about platforms like TikTok, is now using it to share insights and reach new audiences. 'There are a lot of tools out there. The programme helped me figure out which ones matter and how to use them.' Following the training, many participants began applying their new skills immediately. A total of 148 entrepreneurs – including 63 women and 137 young people – have enhanced their ability to work as freelancers as a result of gaining practical tools to manage clients, projects and income streams. Of those trained, 87 participants (35 women and 81 youth) secured new jobs, demonstrating the programme's early success in improving employability and access to income-generating opportunities. Growing a freelance community Participants came from diverse sectors – including marketing, development, and tech – and peer learning was a core part of the experience. 'We were learning from each other,' said Seifu. 'We talked about our goals and shared what was working.' Still, Ethiopia's freelance ecosystem is young. Seifu noted the lack of local networks or co-working spaces for freelancers. A Telegram group created through the programme helps alumni stay in touch and share opportunities, but participants see the need for more structured, long-term support. A model for future growth The early results are promising. Graduates are putting their new skills into practice and exploring new income streams. But to sustain progress, Ethiopia will need to invest in ongoing mentorship, stronger digital infrastructure and formal recognition of the freelance sector. 'This training was a starting point,' said Enquanhone. 'Now we need to expand access, build networks and make freelancing a respected path to employment.' With the right support, Ethiopia's freelancers could help shape the country's digital economy and become a model for others across the continent. A model for future growth The early results are promising. Graduates are putting their new skills into practice and exploring new income streams. But to sustain progress, Ethiopia will need to invest in ongoing mentorship, stronger digital infrastructure and formal recognition of the freelance sector. 'This training was a starting point,' said Enquanhone. 'Now we need to expand access, build networks and make freelancing a respected path to employment.' With the right support, Ethiopia's freelancers could help shape the country's digital economy and become a model for others across the continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
CNA
11-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Wealth Wise - What it takes to be in the gig economy
Wealth Wise Being your own boss and picking what you want to do… Doing short-term jobs or assignments, instead of having a regular, full-time job… What other benefits can you think of for those working in the gig economy? Lance Alexander discusses with Professor Sumit Agarwal from NUS Business School.
