In 2020, I was working a regular office job in Indonesia. It was stable, but deep down I knew I wanted more — more flexibility, more income potential, and more freedom.
That’s when I discovered freelancing.
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## My First Step into Freelancing
Like many beginners, I started with zero experience. I didn’t have a portfolio. I didn’t even know where to begin.
After watching hours of YouTube videos and reading blog articles, I created my first profile on [Upwork/Fiverr] and began applying to simple jobs.
I faced tons of rejections — but after two weeks, I finally landed my first job: a writing gig for just $5. It may sound small, but it was a huge confidence booster.
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## What I Learned Along the Way
Freelancing taught me more than any school ever did. Some key lessons I’ve learned:
- Be patient. Success doesn’t come overnight.
- Learn how to write a clear, polite, and direct proposal.
- Always communicate well with clients — it matters more than perfect English.
- Deliver quality work, even for small projects.
- Use tools like Grammarly, Trello, and Google Docs to stay organized.
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## How I Got Paid from Indonesia
One challenge I faced was getting paid internationally. PayPal doesn’t always work well in Indonesia, so I signed up for **Wise** (formerly TransferWise) — it was simple, fast, and saved on fees.
You can also try **Payoneer** or local platforms depending on your niche.
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## Going Full-Time
After a few months of consistent small gigs, I started earning more than my office salary. That’s when I made a big decision: I quit my 9–5 job and went full-time as a freelancer.
Now I work remotely from home (or cafés), set my own schedule, and choose projects that excite me.
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## My Advice to Beginners in Asia
If you’re just starting out, especially from Southeast Asia, here’s what I recommend:
1. Don’t wait to be “ready” — just start.
2. Use the skills you already have (writing, design, admin work).
3. Join freelance platforms and send daily applications.
4. Accept that rejection is part of the process.
5. Keep learning from free online resources.
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## Why I Started This Blog
I created *Work Anywhere Asia* to share my experience and help others — especially from Indonesia and Asia — start their freelancing journey.
This blog will cover:
- Step-by-step freelance guides
- Tools and apps I use
- Personal stories and real results
- Resources to help you grow
Thanks for reading!
Feel free to leave a comment or reach out if you have any questions. Let’s build your freelance journey — one project at a time.
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