Latest news with #Freelancers
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Reasons Why Every Freelancer Should Be Using LinkedIn
Woman works online on her laptop getty LinkedIn usage and engagement are heating up, and for good reason. It can be a goldmine for finding new freelance clients, building your personal brand, and growing your business. In fact, 44% of marketers say LinkedIn is the most important social media platform for B2B (business-to-business) marketing. Attracting leads and growing our pipeline is important to growing a sustainable and future-proof business. Here are five reasons why a LinkedIn profile is a freelancer's best way to do this. LinkedIn may have started as a networking platform and an 'online CV', but it has well and truly evolved since then. It's now a comprehensive marketing tool that freelancers can use to build their brand and source new clients. LinkedIn offers many different options for posting content, such as articles, carousels, videos, and even newsletters. You can use their newsletter function to build a loyal subscriber base and nurture leads, rather than using an entirely separate email platform. Business owners, CEOs, executives, and founders (or anyone who decides to hire you as a freelancer) are all active on LinkedIn. It offers the opportunity to build your personal brand right in front of them by strategically posting consistent and value-first content. Unlike Facebook, where users usually only add people they know personally, it's a regular part of LinkedIn culture to connect with people you do not know. You can send invitations to connect with your ideal clients, send a personalized InMail, and implement a value-first strategy to start conversations with them. Hot tip: 86% of people are more likely to read your InMail if you view their LinkedIn profile first. Thanks to a few special features, LinkedIn can be used as a highly curated and personalized resume with undeniable social proof. These features can help you stand out to ideal clients and build trust when they view your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn allows colleagues and clients to leave a recommendation on your profile, which is a powerful testimonial to potential clients. If you add skills (make sure they're relevant to your freelance services) to your profile, anyone on LinkedIn can endorse you for these skills. Again, ask your colleagues and clients (past or present) to do so, as these skill endorsements are powerful social proof. Despite the ever-present argument that organic reach is dying on social media, LinkedIn has stood the test of time. Freelancers have an exciting opportunity to utilize their personal profiles to get visible and earn reach they may not be able to on other social media platforms. The best news is you don't need a large following to earn significant reach on LinkedIn. If you post high-quality, value-first content, share your expertise, and participate in meaningful conversations, you can create large waves of influence in your industry, regardless of your follower count. People who use LinkedIn are professionals looking to collaborate, network, learn, and invest in themselves. This platform isn't where you unsupportive aunties or friends with no ambitions hang out! Your regular users of LinkedIn know that it's a hub for B2B marketing and business transactions, so their mindset is more primed and open to seeing businesses promoting themselves. This mindset makes it much easier for freelancers to sell their services. As long as you're also offering value to others and engaging in meaningful ways, you'll never be out of place. Every freelancer should add LinkedIn to their marketing strategy. Consistent and strategic use of LinkedIn could be the secret weapon that helps grow your personal brand and client base to new heights.
Malay Mail
10-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
A framework for gig workers to thrive — Cheah Chan Fatt
MAY 10 — The gig economy has rapidly grown in Malaysia, providing flexible work opportunities to millions of individuals across various industries. Gig workers, including ride-hailing drivers, food delivery riders, freelancers, and digital platform workers, play a crucial role in the country's labour market. However, despite their significant contributions to the economy, many gig workers face job insecurity, lack of social protections, and unfair treatment due to the absence of a legal framework governing their rights. Recognising these challenges, the Malaysian government is set to introduce the Gig Workers' Bill, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at safeguarding the welfare and rights of gig workers. This Bill is essential for improving worker protection, strengthening Malaysia's economy and promoting sustainable GDP growth. Gig work offers flexibility and autonomy, allowing individuals to earn income outside the traditional employment model. However, this flexibility often comes at a cost — many gig workers lack access to health benefits, retirement savings, job security, and protections against unfair dismissal. The Gig Workers' Bill addresses these concerns by defining gig workers as a separate labour category from full-time employees. This distinction enables policymakers to introduce targeted regulations that suit the unique nature of gig work while ensuring fair treatment and labour protections. By recognising gig workers within the legal framework, the Bill establishes minimum wage standards, reasonable working conditions, and mechanisms for dispute resolution between workers and platform providers. Gig work offers flexibility and autonomy, allowing individuals to earn income outside the traditional employment model. — Unsplash pic One of the most critical aspects of the Gig Workers' Bill is the implementation of mandatory social security contributions. Under the proposed legislation, gig platforms must contribute to gig workers' Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (Socso) schemes. This ensures that gig workers have financial security during unemployment, illness, or retirement, reducing their economic vulnerability. Many gig workers currently do not have retirement savings, putting them at risk of financial instability in the future. By mandating contributions to these social safety nets, the Bill provides long-term financial protection for millions of gig workers, ensuring they are not left behind in Malaysia's evolving labour market. Beyond protecting individual workers, the Gig Workers' Bill is pivotal in driving Malaysia's GDP growth. The gig economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Malaysia, with more than 2.2 million gig workers actively participating in various industries. As demand for gig-based services continues to rise, stabilising the gig workforce through legal protections will contribute to higher productivity and economic sustainability. Many gig workers face income fluctuations, exploitation, and sudden job losses, leading to low job retention rates. By introducing fair wage practices and social protections, the Bill encourages greater workforce stability, reducing turnover rates and ensuring that skilled gig workers remain in the industry. A structured gig economy also facilitates better financial integration, allowing gig workers to access banking services, credit facilities, and investment opportunities. With formal recognition, gig workers can secure loans to invest in housing, education, and personal development, contributing to greater economic participation. Additionally, the Bill establishes taxation policies for gig platforms, ensuring that companies operating within Malaysia's gig economy contribute fairly to national revenue. The additional tax income can be reinvested into education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, fostering long-term economic growth. Apart from strengthening Malaysia's economy, the Gig Workers' Bill acknowledges gig workers' vital contributions to national development. Gig workers provide essential services that improve efficiency in multiple sectors, including transportation, food delivery, digital services, and creative industries. Their efforts help bridge gaps in the labour market while catering to consumer demands for convenient, on-demand services. The Bill enhances gig workers' job satisfaction, motivation, and long-term commitment by ensuring fair compensation, job stability, and career development opportunities. When gig workers feel valued and protected, they are more likely to invest in skill development, improving overall service quality. The Bill encourages skills development and vocational training programs to empower gig workers further. By partnering with educational institutions and industry stakeholders, the government aims to provide gig workers with opportunities to upskill and transition into higher-paying roles. Access to continuous learning will increase Malaysia's human capital, allowing gig workers to participate in high-value industries such as technology, finance, and entrepreneurship. A more skilled gig workforce will boost Malaysia's competitiveness on a global scale, attracting investments and accelerating economic expansion. In conclusion, the Gig Workers' Bill is a crucial legislative development that will reshape Malaysia's gig economy by establishing legal protections, stabilising the workforce, and promoting long-term GDP growth. By addressing worker rights, social security, and fair compensation, the Bill creates a more sustainable and inclusive labour market that benefits not only gig workers but also the national economy. As Malaysia continues to adapt to modern work trends, a balanced and well-regulated gig economy is key to ensuring economic resilience, innovation, and global competitiveness. With stronger legal frameworks in place, gig workers will be able to thrive in a fair and equitable labour environment, ultimately contributing to Malaysia's vision for a progressive and sustainable future. * Dr Cheah Chan Fatt is a Research Fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UAC), Universiti Malaya. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
