Deciding between a current vs. savings account may appear straightforward, but it's a crucial decision for <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-build-a-professional-portfolio-as-a-freelancer?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">freelancers</a>.&nbsp;

Each has advantages and limitations, but understanding which aligns best with your freelancing needs can significantly impact your financial success.&nbsp;

Let's delve into the difference between a savings account and a current account to help you make an informed choice.

Difference Between Savings Account and Current Account

The default choice often leans towards a savings account, which offers a secure avenue for saving and earning interest.&nbsp;

However, as your business evolves and transaction volumes increase, you'll likely need a <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-are-capital-and-current-account-transactions?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">current account</a>, which is typically designed for businesses.

Here’s the core difference between a current account and a savings account.

Here’s Why Savings Accounts Might Not be Ideal for Freelancers

Advantages of Current Accounts for Freelancers

Here are five key reasons why having a current account is essential.

Considerations for Freelancers Without Expansion Plans

If you're a freelancer without immediate expansion plans or the need for business credit, a savings account might suffice.&nbsp;

However, it's essential to evaluate your individual needs and long-term goals to ensure your chosen account aligns with your financial aspirations.

Choosing between a Current vs. Savings Account is a significant decision for freelancers, impacting financial organization, growth opportunities, and international transactions.&nbsp;

By understanding the difference between a current account and a savings account and assessing your specific requirements, you can make an informed choice tailored to your freelance business.

Remember, the right account choice is crucial for your financial success. For further support and resources tailored to freelancers, consider joining our <a href="https://bit.ly/48UsWkh">community</a>.&nbsp;

Q1. Can I use a current account for personal use?

Ans: It is advisable to steer clear of using a current account for personal purposes to avoid bookkeeping issues.

Q2. Who is eligible for a current account?

Ans: You are eligible to open a current account if you fall under any of the following categories:

Q3. How much money is required to open a current account?

Ans: The minimum balance requirement for a normal current account is Rs. 10000. It's advisable to check with your preferred banking institution for specific requirements.

Q4. Which bank is best for a current account?

Ans: The best bank for a current account depends on your specific needs, including transaction volume, international transactions, fees, and additional services required. Conducting thorough research and comparing offerings can help you find the most suitable option.

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For freelancers, timely and accurate GST filing is non-negotiable. Failure to comply can result in hefty penalties. With two filing frequencies—monthly or quarterly—ensuring you file them during these set durations is crucial.&nbsp;

This blog simplifies GST for freelancers, covering registration, filing returns, and staying compliant.

Under GST regulations, mandatory registration is necessary in the following scenarios.

In 2019, the Union government introduced the <a href="https://tutorial.gst.gov.in/userguide/compositionpoc/optforcomposition.htm">composition scheme</a>, offering freelancers earning less than Rs. 50 lakhs annually to pay GST at a reduced rate. Under this scheme, freelancers must pay a combined GST rate of 6% every quarter, with 3% allocated for CGST and 3% for SGST.

To verify your existing GST registration status, follow these steps.

Monthly vs. Quarterly Filing: Which one should you choose?

Consider the following factors to choose between monthly and quarterly GST filing.

GSTR-1 is a monthly or quarterly return that contains details of outward supplies of goods or services. It is a summary of all sales transactions made by a taxpayer during a specific period.

Timely and accurate filing of GSTR-1 is crucial to claim <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-claim-input-tax-credit-refund-in-india?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">Input Tax Credit (ITC)</a> and for reconciliation purposes.

For freelancers who opt for monthly filing, you need to file GSTR-1 every month, generally by the 11th of the next month. If you choose quarterly filing, you must submit GSTR-1 once every quarter, typically by the 13th of the month following the end of the quarter.

GSTR-3B is a self-declared summary GST return filed every month (quarterly for the QRMP scheme). You need to report the summary figures of sales, ITC claimed, and net tax payable in GSTR-3B.

The due date for the monthly filers is the 20th day of the next month, whereas, for quarterly GST returns, it is either the 22nd or the 24th day of the month following the quarter, depending on the state or union territory of the place of business.&nbsp;

Late filing will lead to accumulating interest and penalties. Therefore, choose wisely.

Collect all relevant documents, such as invoices, bills, and bank statements, that will be required for filing GST returns.

#2: Log In to the <a href="https://selfservice.gstsystem.in/">GST Portal</a>

Visit the official GST portal and log in using your credentials.

#3: File GSTR-1 (Outward Supplies Details)

#4: Reconcile and Finalise GSTR- 2A (Auto-populated Supplier Details)

#6: Make Online GST Payments Based on GSTR-3B

After filing GSTR-3B, make online GST payments using the available payment options on the GST portal. Ensure timely payment of tax liabilities to avoid penalties and interest charges.

Staying GST compliant is paramount for freelancers to avoid penalties and maintain financial health. If you need more clarification, it's wise to seek personalised advice from a <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/chartered-accountants-approve-skydo-for-seamless-gst-refunds?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">tax professional</a>.

The GST portal is your go-to resource for more help navigating GST for freelancers. It's packed with handy tools, guidelines, and updates to keep you on track with GST regulations.&nbsp;

If you're eager to dive deeper into tax filing strategies tailored for freelancers, don't forget to explore our <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-file-taxes-under-44ada?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">blog.</a>&nbsp;

Q1. Do I need to pay advance tax if my GST liability is high?

Ans: There is no provision for paying advance tax in case of higher GST liability.

Q2. What are the benefits of opting for the Composition Scheme?

Ans: Benefits of opting for the composition scheme:

Q3. What documents do I need to keep for GST filing?

Ans: Documents Required for GST Filing include:

Q4. What are the different types of GST returns I need to file?

Ans: Here are the main types of GST returns you might need to file.

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The <a href="https://assets-global.website-files.com/60a241ae6727e385f83bb3f5/62d19f3e4e6e63282b6c08dc_Global%20Freelancer%20Survey%20Report%202022.pdf">Global Freelancer Survey Report 2022</a> reveals invoicing, billing and managing international payments as one of the top three freelancing challenges.

You have scaled your business by catering to global clients. However, each client has different payment terms and pays in different currencies. How do you manage all cross-border transactions with clients?

You can tackle this challenge using Skydo. This modern payment platform helps you streamline international payments for your freelancing business by opening an international bank account in just five minutes.

This blog explains how you can open <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/benefits-of-multi-currency-accounts">multi-currency bank accounts</a>, with Skydo and track payments in real-time.

Create an International Bank Account with Skydo in 5 Minutes

Opening a virtual international bank account with Skydo enables your foreign clients to do a local bank transfer.&nbsp;

Once you receive the payments in your international bank account, Skydo facilitates a seamless transfer of funds to your Indian bank account within 1 day.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/benefits-of-multi-currency-accounts">Multicurrency accounts</a> reduce the risk of payment delay, payment failure and high transaction costs.

Here is how you can open an <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/seamless-payment-experience-with-international-bank-accounts">international bank account with Skydo</a> in 6 simple steps.

Skydo aims to tackle issues related to cross-border transaction issues for global freelancers. To open an international bank account, you should have at least one paid invoice and or a contract with an international client to show that you engage with foreign clients.

2. Documents Required to Create International Accounts With Skydo

Once you are eligible to open an international bank account with Skydo, collect all the following documents for virtual KYC.

Enter your email ID and verify it using an OTP to register on Skydo.&nbsp;

Next, you have to complete the virtual KYC formalities. The page will display all relevant instructions and the required documents to open an international bank account. You will have to click on ‘Accept and Continue ‘.

It will redirect you to a window where you have to enter your freelancing service details, bank account details and other relevant information along with uploading copies of the required documents.

After uploading relevant documents, you must verify your Aadhar number through an OTP sent to your mobile number.

The last involves bank account authentication, where a nominal amount of ₹1 or ₹2 is deposited in your bank account to verify the details.

The entire process is designed for a smooth and fast user experience which facilitates opening an international bank account within 5 minutes.

Benefits of Using Skydo for Your International Freelance Payments

The key benefits of using Skydo for freelance international payments include the following.

As a freelancer, you are alone responsible for client acquisition, project management, project delivery, sending invoices, following up for payments and all other operational tasks.&nbsp;

You can free up a lot of your bandwidth and improve efficiency by using Skydo's automated invoicing features.

Skydo provides <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/simplify-your-global-payments-with-skydo?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">customisable invoice templates</a> for each client and prepares automatic drafts. Moreover, it automatically adds the purpose code to each invoice and allows you to send e-invoices. Therefore, you can generate and send recurring invoices to clients in no time.

In addition to automated invoices, you can also send <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/receive-timely-payments-with-skydo's-automated-reminder-feature?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">automated payment reminders</a> to clients through Skydo in just one click.

It saves you the time and effort required to write several follow-up emails. The best part is that you can track your payment reminders and check when the client has viewed the reminder email.

3. One-Click FIRA Download for GST Compliance

The <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/automated-firc-simplifying-international-payments-compliance">Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRA)</a> is one of the most crucial GST compliance documents for Indian freelancers and businesses exporting goods and services.&nbsp;

It serves as proof of payment details and verifies that your foreign earnings are legitimate.&nbsp;

Most freelancers and vendors collect FIRA from local banks. However, seeking FIRA for each international payment requires a lot of manual effort.

Skydo simplifies this process by automatically generating FIRA for each cross-border transaction. You can download all the FIRA receipts in one click from Skydo's dashboard.

4. Flat Fee With Live FX Rate and Zero-Margin&nbsp;

Other payment solutions like PayPal and Payoneer charge a 3-5% currency conversion fee in addition to the transaction fee, which significantly impacts your total earnings.

However, Skydo charges a flat transaction fee of $19 for payments up to $2000 and $29 for payments of $2001-$10,000.

Moreover, Skydo charges zero margin for currency conversion, thus maximising your freelance earnings. You can view the live Foreign Exchange (FX) rate on Skydo's platform.

Check your potential savings through <a href="https://fx-calculator.skydo.com/comparison?utm_source=linkedin&amp;utm_medium=skydohandle&amp;utm_campaign=fxcalculator&amp;utm_content=2">Skydo's FX calculator</a>.&nbsp;

5. Boost Earnings from Freelance Platforms

Moreover, one of the best use cases of Skydo is that it enables hassle-free payment withdrawals from freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, Toptal and Deel. This helps reduce transaction costs by up to 50%.

Skydo offers a variety of automated features to streamline your payment processes and maximise your savings. <a href="https://www.skydo.com/?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=demo_click">Join Skydo today</a> to receive international payments hassle-free!

Q1. Why should I open an international bank account?

Ans. Receiving cross-border payments is a cumbersome affair. Payment completion can take up to 15-20 days. Not to forget the risk of payment failure, high transaction costs and hidden fees.&nbsp;

Opening an international bank account simplifies cross-border transactions by allowing your client to transfer the payment to a local bank account. It reduces payment failure risk and reduces losses due to currency conversion.

Q2. What additional features does Skydo offer?

Ans. Skydo is a comprehensive payment platform that offers holistic solutions for global businesses and freelancers. In addition to opening an international bank account, it provides automated invoicing and payment reminders, real-time payment tracking, automatic FIRA generation and an intuitive dashboard.

Q3. How many virtual international bank accounts can I open with Skydo?

Ans. Through Skydo, you can open a virtual international bank account in 20 countries, including the US and the UK.

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Freelancers and businesses are turning to platforms like <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/">Fiverr</a> and <a href="https://www.upwork.com/">Upwork</a> to connect, collaborate, and thrive. However, with a higher supply of experienced professionals looking for work, these platforms have become highly competitive. Which one should you choose?

In this blog, you will find the intricacies of these platforms, exploring their impact on the freelance ecosystem and providing insights into their prevailing saturation.

According to a 2020 <a href="https://help.fiverr.com/hc/en-us/articles/4409139668369-Hiring-freelancers-is-the-new-normal-statistics-say">report</a>, at least 2 million people officially joined the freelance workforce. As the <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/top-3-freelancing-trends-in-the-gig-economy">gig economy</a> expands, the Fiverr vs Upwork battle has reached new peaks.&nbsp;

According to companies' 2022 annual earnings reports, <a href="https://investors.upwork.com/static-files/a8118825-8d1f-49b9-884d-be8be6ad4eb2">Upwork</a> has 827,000 active buyers, and <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/news/report-20f-2022">Fiverr</a> has 4.3 million active buyers, which means the volume of opportunities on Fiverr is more than on Upwork. Simultaneously, the number of registered freelancers on Upwork and Fiverr has skyrocketed.&nbsp;

It is becoming more challenging for individuals aiming to secure clients and build sustainable freelance careers. Winning through this saturation requires a strategic approach and a keen understanding of the evolving dynamics of the freelance market.

Online platforms like Fiverr and Upwork serve as the connecting bridge between freelancers and clients, operating with distinct business models. Fiverr, known for its "<a href="https://help.fiverr.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011421218-Gig-policies#:~:text=At%20Fiverr%2C%20the%20service%20you,prior%20to%20placing%20an%20order.">gig</a>" structure, allows freelancers to showcase specific services, while Upwork is a comprehensive marketplace for various skills and projects.&nbsp;

Both platforms boast diverse services from graphic design and writing to programming and marketing.

The user experience and interface of Fiverr and Upwork play a crucial role in attracting and retaining users. Service providers are called freelancers on Upwork and sellers on Fiverr whereas the service seekers are called clients and buyers.

Freelancers can put filters to find jobs on Upwork and send proposals via <a href="https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211062898">connects</a> or respond to client requests. However, Fiverr sellers must create “gig packages” to find buyers.

The vetting process of both Upwork and Fiverr is confusing and there is no one-fit-for-all answer on how these platforms accept freelancer profiles. A freelancer with a <a href="https://community.upwork.com/t5/Freelancers/Very-Experienced-Freelancer-But-Can-t-Get-a-Job-Here/m-p/1425022#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20discussions%20about%20%22changes%22%20in,it's%20probably%20just%20not%20your%20turn%20yet.">3-year work experience on Upwork</a> might not be accepted at all on Fiverr for reasons unknown.

However, once accepted, you can receive profile badges based on the quality of your work. Upwork provides profile badges like Rising Talent, Top Rated, Top Rated Plus, and Expert-Vetted Talent.&nbsp;

Fiverr provides badges like New Seller, Rising Talent, Level One, Level Two, and Top-Rated Seller. These badges help clients or buyers find the right freelancer.

Understanding the pricing structures adopted by Fiverr and Upwork is essential for freelancers looking to optimise their earnings.&nbsp;

One of the most crucial advantages of freelancing on these platforms is that the payments are nearly hassle-free as they operate on escrow services.&nbsp; In escrow services, these online platforms take payment from the client at the start of work and hold it in an escrow account until both parties have agreed that the contract is fulfilled, at which point the funds are released to the service provider or a freelancer.

On Upwork, you <a href="https://www.upwork.com/tools/upwork-fee-calculator">pay</a> a flat 10% as a freelancer service fee on all earnings whereas the clients are charged a 5% <a href="https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/4660220468499-Client-Marketplace-and-Contract-Initiation-Fees#:~:text=When%20you%20hire%20on%20Upwork,Marketplace%20and%20Project%20Catalog%20contract.">Client Marketplace Fee</a>. Fiverr <a href="https://help.fiverr.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010558038-How-Fiverr-works">charges</a> a flat 20% of the order value from its sellers and a 5.5% service fee from its <a href="https://help-pro.fiverr.com/hc/en-us/articles/17029612552849-What-is-a-service-fee-#:~:text=The%20service%20fee%20is%20charged,5.5%25%20of%20the%20purchase%20amount.">buyers</a>.

Let’s explore the strengths and weaknesses of Fiverr and Upwork.

For freelancers seeking diverse opportunities, you can check out alternatives such as&nbsp;

1. <a href="https://www.peopleperhour.com/">PeoplePerHour</a>

An online platform connecting freelancers with businesses in various fields. Freelancers in areas such as writing, design, programming, marketing, and other creative and technical fields can explore it.

2. <a href="https://www.flexjobs.com/">FlexJobs</a>

A job platform that focuses on remote and flexible job opportunities. It caters to individuals seeking flexible and remote job opportunities across various industries.

3. <a href="https://www.guru.com/">Guru</a>

A secure, flexible and cost-effective platform to find and hire expert freelancers. Top skills include programming &amp; development, writing &amp; translation, design &amp; arts among many more.

4. <a href="https://www.toptal.com/">Toptal</a>

Toptal is a marketplace for top freelancers in software development, design, and finance. It is known for connecting clients with highly skilled professionals.

5. <a href="https://weworkremotely.com/">We work remotely</a>

We Work Remotely is a job board exclusively for remote job opportunities. It covers a wide range of industries and professions.

6. <a href="https://contra.com/">Contra</a>

Contra is a platform that connects freelancers with startups for project-based work. It aims to build long-term relationships between freelancers and clients. It is ideal for freelancers interested in project-based work with startups.

7. <a href="https://www.bark.com/en/in/">Bark</a>

Bark is a revolutionary way for local service providers and professionals to find jobs. This is best for professionals providing services in the home, garden, health, well-being, weddings &amp; events among others.

8. <a href="https://remoteok.com/">Remote Ok</a>

&nbsp;Remote OK is a job board specifically focused on remote job opportunities across various industries.

9. <a href="https://www.virtualvocations.com/">Virtual Vocation</a>

A job board that helps you find legitimate remote jobs quickly, easily and safely. It caters to a wide range of professions.

10. <a href="https://www.freelancer.com/">Freelancer.com</a>

It claims to be the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by number of users and projects. It connects over 71,212,893 employers and freelancers of almost all domains globally from over 247 countries, regions and territories.&nbsp;

With the increasing popularity of freelancing jobs, the pricing structure of platforms like Upwork and Fiverr is adding up to saturation.

However, Upwork has easier acceptance for freelance profiles than Fiverr even though it costs freelancers money in the form of Connects. With the <a href="https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211062898-Understanding-and-Using-Connects#:~:text=You'll%20receive%2050%20free,an%20established%20client%20on%20Upwork.">latest connect updates</a>, it is becoming more difficult for serious professionals to get clients. Fiverr on the other hand, is more difficult to crack than Upwork.&nbsp;

It is better to try alternatives to these online platforms as well as have <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-find-freelance-job-quickly">other avenues</a> to onboard clients instead of depending on third-party platforms.

Q1. What are the other Fiverr and Upwork alternatives?

Ans: You can explore alternatives like <a href="https://www.peopleperhour.com/">PeoplePerHour</a>, <a href="https://www.flexjobs.com/">FlexJobs, Guru</a>, and <a href="https://www.toptal.com/">Toptal</a>, <a href="https://weworkremotely.com/">We work remotely</a>.

Ans: The choice between Fiverr and Upwork depends on individual needs. Alternatives like <a href="https://www.toptal.com/">Toptal</a> and <a href="https://www.freelancer.com/">Freelancer.com</a> may offer different dynamics.

Q3. What is the best platform to start freelancing?

Ans: Fiverr and Upwork are excellent starting points, but exploring alternatives like <a href="https://www.flexjobs.com/">FlexJobs or Guru</a> can provide tailored opportunities.

Q4. What is the best way to become a freelancer?

Ans: You can start your freelance journey by identifying your skills, creating a compelling profile on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, and gradually expanding to other specialised platforms based on your expertise and market demand.

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The best part about freelancing is the flexibility and convenience of the work. However, digging slightly deeper into this discussion with the freelancing folks helped gauge some common problems that they face. There are feelings about feeling isolated and experiencing a lack of motivation and networking opportunities in their work.&nbsp;

Things such as joining social media groups and attending seminars or conferences for networking can be helpful. One consistent solution includes signing up for online forums that will always cater to your need for a community experience.&nbsp;

Here’s a look at some online communities for freelancers.

Reddit is a social media platform and online community made up of different forums. These forums can be categorised based on professions, students, cultures, hobbies, movie interests, nationalities, and many other topics, also known as subreddits. One such subreddit exists for freelancers, known as <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/freelance/">r/freelance</a>.&nbsp;

Here, freelancers share their experiences, and ask doubts about their dealings with clients, and others in the community can help them by commenting on their posts.&nbsp;

This community is useful when discussing general freelancing; you won’t find field-specific topics being discussed here much often. Questions about <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-late-payments-from-your-clients?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">how to deal with clients</a>, how to charge them, and <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-build-a-professional-portfolio-as-a-freelancer?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">how to make a portfolio</a> or market yourself are addressed in this community. This is a free-of-charge community– all you need to access it is a registered account on Reddit.

<a href="https://freelancersunion.org/">Freelancers Union</a> is a non-profit organisation that supports freelancers through advocacy, services, education, and general guidance. It is a holistic freelance community that is also open to solopreneurs and founders as well. It fosters an environment of idea-sharing, learning, and co-working through its multiple initiatives.

They have a vast bank of blogs and resources that you can learn from, including important paperwork information, future planning, and how-to guides on all things freelance.&nbsp;

Additionally, they have information about upcoming events and programmes within the community that you can join to network with your peers.&nbsp;

They recognise that while freelancers might be great at what they do, what they don’t like dealing with is the technical aspect of the field (which might usually be handled by a human resources or office administrator in a full-time work setup). Because of this, Freelancers Union also provides <a href="https://freelancersunion.org/insurance/">health insurance plans </a>and <a href="https://freelancersunion.org/tax-center/">tax services</a>, a step I am certain is welcomed by many freelancers.

While the workshops and co-working initiatives of the Freelancers Union are open to all, they also provide two types of paid plans for members which include extra features.&nbsp;

<a href="https://millo.co/">Millo</a> is a global community of freelancers that houses seasoned experts, mid-career freelancers, as well as beginners, all under one roof. They believe in empowering their freelancers through education, which is what most of their initiatives are focussed on.&nbsp;

Additionally, Millo used Facebook and LinkedIn to help its members connect, ask questions in a safe space and get answers. Since they use social media applications for this, you can become a part of a large freelance online community without paying anything.&nbsp;

They have a huge <a href="https://millo.co/top-tools-freelancers-solopreneurs">database of tools</a> that can be used by freelancers such as time trackers, invoice templates, legal tools, CRM tools, insurance services, outsourcing, etc. that help save you time on the non-core functions of your work.&nbsp;

Joining Millo’s community and getting access to resources like the newsletter, blog, and tools is free.

Fiverr is one of the most commonly used and well-known platforms for clients and freelancers to connect and work together. It hosts <a href="https://community.fiverr.com/forums/forum/52-starter-questions/">forums</a> where users can ask questions and get answers from other members of the community.&nbsp;

Some examples of the forums include New Members Introductions, Tips from Buyers, Tips from Sellers, Gig Advice, Fiverr Experience, and a Lounge forum for informal conversations, among others.

A Fiverr forum is a great freelancer community to join because it essentially houses all your freelance needs in the same platform–right from getting work to getting help related to the work. While the forums are free to join and participate in, Fiverr does offer paid plans for its freelancers to get better access to work opportunities.

Similar to Fiverr Forums, <a href="https://community.upwork.com/">Upwork Community</a> provides a platform for its freelancers to discuss their doubts and ideas and get answers from other freelancers. However, Upwork had more features and offerings for its freelancers in the form of weekly workshops, Bulletin Boards with important announcements, and diverse forums that included one for casual conversations and discussions about work-life balance.&nbsp;

Upwork has public and private <a href="https://community.upwork.com/t5/Groups/ct-p/groups">Community Groups </a>for its users, that are categorised according to <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/the-top-8-countries-to-find-freelance-jobs-in-2024?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">country</a> which makes it easier for members to ask more specific questions about the freelancing situation in their region.&nbsp;

Upwork Community is free for use, including registration for events and workshops, or signing up for the newsletter and reading the blog.

<a href="https://www.toptal.com/">Toptal</a> is an exclusive freelancer community of freelancers that houses the most distinguished professionals under its banner. If you have some good brand names under your belt and have enough experience, this is the community for you.&nbsp;

Toptal claims to offer <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/top-5-new-age-freelance-services-going-to-take-off-in-2024?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">freelance services</a> from the top 3% of the industry–now that’s quite an offering, and who doesn’t want to be a part of that niche category?&nbsp;

The application process itself will show you how tough it is to get in. It is a rigorous assessment that includes language and personality tests, skill tests, and sample projects. But once you do get in, you get to work for some of the most prestigious brands to exist, including Shopify, Zendesk, Gucci, etc.&nbsp;

This means that their freelance community events help you network with the most distinguished people, work with them on important projects and scale your business.&nbsp;

As a freelancer, you should always be on the hunt for external resources such as communities and job boards that help make your work better. In addition to the names mentioned above, keep your eyes peeled for social media communities as well. For instance, Slack has <a href="https://othership.com/community/othership-slack/">Othership</a>, LinkedIn has <a href="https://thehiveindex.com/communities/the-freelance-writers-connection/">The Freelancer Writers’ Connection</a> specifically for writers and Discord has <a href="https://thehiveindex.com/communities/freeflow/">Freeflow</a>. All these communities are often free to join and can prove to be a treasure trove of resources and ideas.&nbsp;

To sum it up, being a part of a community not only helps you break free from isolation, a feeling that most freelancers deal with, but it also helps you grow through networking, new job opportunities, and upskilling initiatives.&nbsp;

Q1. What type of community is best for beginners?

Ans. As a beginner in freelancing, you might want to join free communities on Facebook or LinkedIn that will help you connect with other freelancers. A free-to-join community is best when you are just starting and might not have spare funds to get a premium membership or join an exclusive community.&nbsp;

Try joining both general freelance groups and field-specific groups to get a hand in the freelancing experience.&nbsp;

Q2. How can I find a community for my specific niche?&nbsp;

Ans. Finding an online community for your niche is easiest on social media. You can join a Facebook or LinkedIn group, a Slack channel or a Discord server by simply searching for the community on these platforms.

For example, if you are a photographer from Mumbai, look for ‘Freelance Photographers Mumbai’ on these platforms and you will find similar search results that will lead you to these groups.&nbsp;

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