How I Started Freelancing
Since childhood, I have had a strong desire to achieve something through my hard work, but I never quite knew how.
 |
| How I Started Freelancing and What I Learned |
When the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, a new path unfolded before me. Through Facebook, I discovered a website called Uptrennd. At first, I thought it might be a scam, but to my surprise, it turned out to be completely real.
This website was quite like Facebook — you could post content, and others would engage with it through likes, comments, and shares across platforms like Twitter, Medium, and more.
The key difference? You couldn’t post copied content. It had to be 100% original. Even short posts or just uploading pictures would lead to penalties and deductions from your earnings.
Through that platform, I learned content writing, and by applying those skills, I began writing on various topics and started earning!
Every like on your content earned you 1UP cryptocurrency, and once you met the withdrawal limit, you could convert it to PKR or other local currencies. The platform had over 100,000 users globally — it was truly international.
My Earnings from Uptrennd
 |
| My Earning from Uptrennd |
- ✅ First earning: PKR 2,550 from 4,980 1UP tokens
- ✅ Second time: PKR 5,000
- ✅ Third time: PKR 9,000
- ✅ Fourth time: PKR 12,000
Later, an Urdu community was introduced. I was selected as a community admin/moderator, which increased both my responsibilities and income.
📈 Total earnings: PKR 400,000 – 600,000 in one year — just by writing and engaging with a global audience.
What Happened After Uptrennd Shut Down?
When Uptrennd shut down in April 2021, I felt lost. But then, a friend started hosting "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) sessions on Telegram to promote crypto projects. I joined and started earning $20 to $50 per week.
This marked a new phase in my freelancing journey.
My Freelancing Work Expanded
I began working with local and international clients. My tasks included:
- 📝 Content writing
- 📊 Data entry
- 💍 Product descriptions for a jewelry website
- 🎙️ Voiceovers & 🎥 YouTube video uploads
I even explored crypto trading, which became an extra source of income.
My journey became more versatile — I also worked on PeoplePerHour, where I customized a Wix website for an international client. That experience boosted my confidence.
Currently, I’m offering services on Fiverr and Upwork, and I’m planning to promote my work through Blogger as well.
📚 What I Learned from Freelancing:
- ⏳ Time Management: Freelancing taught me how to meet deadlines and manage tasks effectively.
- ✍️ Writing: I learned how to write clearly, concisely, and on a wide range of topics.
- 🛠️ Skill Discovery: I became a content writer, data entry operator, social media marketer, and part-time designer & WordPress developer — skills I never knew I had.
- 🤝 Honesty: Being honest with clients and myself has always paid off.
- 🌍 Understanding Digital Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Fiverr, Telegram, YouTube — these platforms can empower you if used correctly.
- 📈 Trading: It had ups and downs, but I learned a lot and even earned from it.
- 💬 Communication: Talking with clients helped improve my messaging, proposals, and negotiation skills.
- 🔥 Self-Motivation: Earning money through my own skills was the biggest motivator.
- 🌐 Global Exposure: I learned how to work with people from different countries and cultures.
- 🔁 Adaptability: Every project and every client are different. I’ve gained:
- Experience in handling unexpected issues
- Flexibility in learning new tools
- Confidence in working independently
💡 Final Thoughts:
My freelancing journey has been anything but conventional — and that’s what makes it special. I started from a little-known platform during a global crisis and ended up with multiple skills, an international network, and a strong sense of purpose.
If you’re hesitant to start freelancing, remember this:
You don’t need to be perfect to begin — you just need to begin to get perfect.
💬 What About You?
Have you started freelancing yet? If not, what’s holding you back?
Let me know in the comments!