How to Find Freelance Work From Home Jobs in Malaysia
In 2020, more than 4 million Malaysians (a little more than 10 per cent of the population) were full-time freelancers or gig workers. There has been a major uptick in the number of freelance workers throughout the country, especially in the last couple of years.
Are you thinking about joining them? Do you want to find a freelance job that you can do without having to leave the house? If so, this guide features everything you need to know.
Read on to learn about the pros and cons of doing freelance work-from-home jobs in Malaysia. You’ll also find tips on where to find these jobs, as well as a list of the country’s top 5 freelance remote jobs.
5 Benefits of Doing Freelance Work from Home Jobs in Malaysia
When you consider the benefits that freelance jobs from home offer, you’ll understand why so many people are opting for this type of work in 2022. Listed below are the top 5 reasons why Malaysians prefer remote freelance work:
1. More Flexibility
In response to a 2021 service, 81 per cent of Malaysians said that they thought their work-life would improve as working from home became the norm.
Most people agree that working remotely provides a better sense of balance between their work and personal lives. This is especially true when you work as a freelancer who can set their own schedule.
If you’re looking to reduce work-related stress while still earning a good living, switching to freelancing could be a smart move.
2. More Autonomy
The same survey linked above also revealed that 74 per cent of Malaysians also expect their productivity to improve when they work remotely.
One reason why working from home can improve productivity has to do with the fact that they get to enjoy more autonomy and control over their schedule. Freelancers get to decide when and where they work.
This means they get to work when they feel most alert and productive, whether that’s in the middle of the night or as the sun rises. They can also move around with ease and work in environments that are most comfortable and conducive to a good workday for them.
3. Gain Valuable Skills
When you work from home as a freelancer, you gain new skills and have chances to improve your existing skill set.
Let’s say you’re a freelance writer. You won’t just become a better writer by freelancing. You’ll also gain a variety of other skills, such as time management skills, money management skills, the ability to effectively communicate with clients, and the ability to effectively advertise your services online.
All of these skills can be carried over into different jobs in the future.
4. Higher Pay Rates and More Earning Potential
Many freelancers find that they can charge more for their services and earn more money when they switch to being their own boss instead of being full-time employees.
This is especially true after you’ve been working in a particular field for a while and have built up a larger client base. As demand grows for your services, you can adjust your prices accordingly and enjoy a higher income.
5. Save Money and Time
There are a few different ways that doing freelance jobs from home can help you save money and time.
Let’s start with money. When you work from home as a freelancer, you don’t have to pay to refill your vehicle’s gas tank to pay to take public transportation as often, nor do you have to pay for expensive professional clothes to wear to the office. You can also deduct certain expenses from your taxes, which reduces the amount you have to pay the government.
As for time, you also get to cut out your commute when you work from home as a freelancer, which saves you from having to waste time in city traffic each day. This allows you to get to work faster and be more productive, which means you can get more done in less time.
5 Challenges of Doing Freelance Work from Home Jobs in Malaysia
Freelance work has a lot of benefits to offer, but there are also some downsides to these jobs. Here are 5 potential challenges to keep in mind when considering doing freelance jobs online from home.
1. No Full-Time Benefits
One of the biggest obstacles you’ll have to face as a freelancer is the absence of benefits offered to full-time employees.
Some of the benefits you might miss out on include paid sick leave, maternity leave, health insurance, and education assistance. You’ll need to factor these things in when creating a budget or calculating how much you need to earn each month, which can be challenging when you’re first getting started in your new career.
2. Less Security
Some people are hesitant to jump into freelancing because they worry about the lack of job security freelancers experience. This is understandable, to an extent.
As a freelancer, you have to be a lot more vigilant about seeking out new clients and continue building your business if you want to make sure your bills are paid each month. There’s no guaranteed income if you’re not consistently hustling.
At the same time, though, some people overestimate the amount of security that traditional jobs offer. There’s no guarantee that you won’t get laid off or that your job will be made redundant in the future. This is why lots of people pick up freelancing on the side, even if they don’t make it a full-time job.
3. Potential Loneliness
If you’re used to working in a busy office or a bustling business each day, the switch to working from home as a freelancer might be a bit jarring at first. Keep in mind that 57 per cent of Malaysians reported feeling lonely or isolated while working from home, compared to the global average of 49 percent.
Freelancers need to make sure they’re creating room for socialization in their schedules to avoid being overwhelmed by loneliness when they move out of the traditional work environment.
4. Potential Distractions
You may find that you’re more prone to distractions when you start working from home. This is especially true if you have kids, pets, or a partner who also works from home.
If you find yourself frequently giving in to distractions and being less productive, you’ll need to set better boundaries, such as working in a different part of the house with the door shut. This can be hard at first, but it will pay off and help you achieve a better sense of work-life balance.
5. Scam Risks
Finally, freelancers may be more vulnerable to scams than other professionals. Some job sites feature questionable advertisements that may require you to pay before you can apply for a position.
Never hand over your payment information or personal information to the people who post these ads. There are lots of reputable — and free — resources you can use instead to find gigs and connect with potential clients.
How to Find Freelance Work from Home Jobs in Malaysia
With so many people doing freelance jobs online from home these days, it’s easier than ever to find opportunities. If you’re not sure where to start your search, though, you might feel a bit overwhelmed.
Here are 4 ways to start learning about freelance options that are available for Malaysians:
1. Visit GrabJobs
GrabJobs is a free job search tool used by job seekers from across the globe — including those located in Malaysia. If you’re interested in finding freelance job opportunities, GrabJobs has got you covered.
This AI-powered platform allows you to narrow your search based on factors like salary, education, experience requirements, and job type. It lets you create a profile and apply for jobs without a CV, too, so you can speed up the search process and find matches faster.
GrabJobs doesn’t just simplify the job search process. It also provides a variety of resources to make you more hireable. This includes resume-writing tips, interview prep tips, guides on upskilling, and more.
2. Use Freelance-Specific Sites
In addition to checking out GrabJobs, there are some other sites worth perusing when you’re looking for freelance work. Look for sites that are geared toward freelancers, such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancing Malaysia.
Many entrepreneurs and businesses are familiar with these sites and regularly visit them to look for freelancers who can provide the services they need. If you have an active profile and advertise regularly on these platforms, you can increase your visibility as well as your chances of getting hired.
3. Search Social Media
Lots of freelancers have good luck searching for job opportunities on social media.
When they publish posts letting their friends and family members know that they’re looking for freelance work, they often receive responses and chances to show off their skills. This can be especially useful when you’re first getting started and looking to build your clientele.
Don’t forget that you can also use social media groups — such as those on LinkedIn and Facebook — to connect with other freelancers and learn about gigs that might be a good fit for you.
4. Advertise on Classifieds Sites
Consider posting advertisements for your freelance services on classified sites like CADSLIST and Mudah.
Let people know that you’re a freelance writer, video editor, virtual assistant, etc., and share — briefly — how your services can benefit other business owners in the area. This can be a good way to spread the word about your services and start making connections.
Just use caution when communicating with people you meet through classified ads. Not everyone who searches through these ads is reputable or worth working with.
Top 5 Freelance Work from Home Jobs in Malaysia
There are plenty of options for freelance work from home job in Malaysia. However, the following 5 jobs are some of the best ones to consider:
If you’re passionate about writing and have a flair for marketing and advertising, you may want to consider a job as a freelance writer.
Freelance writers work on all kinds of projects, but the majority of them work with businesses and entrepreneurs to help them promote their products and services. They may write anything from product descriptions for a business’s website to marketing emails and blog posts.
To build a career as a freelance writer, you need more than just a good knowledge of writing conventions and grammar rules. You also need to be creative and good at adjusting your tone and style to meet different brands’ messaging. You should be a good time manager and good at communicating with clients, too.
The average salary for a freelance writer in Malaysia is RM 92,631 per year, so this is a great way to earn a good living here.
Do you speak more than one language fluently? If so, you may want to look into working from home as a freelance translator.
Translators may join in on phone or video conversations to ensure everyone involved can understand each other. They may also translate written documents or transcribe videos and audio files from one language to another so that more people can access them.
To be a good translator and build a strong client base, you must be proficient in at least 2 languages. You should also be detail-oriented, a good listener, and a good communicator. You need to be able to meet deadlines and manage your time effectively, too.
On average, translators in Malaysia earn RM 70,395 per year. Depending on the types of clients you attract and the complexity of what you translate, though, you may be able to earn a lot more.
Have you spent a long time working in the corporate world? Perhaps you have a degree in business or a related field. If this is the case and you’re looking to transition into a career as a freelancer, working as a business consultant might be a good choice.
As a freelance business consultant, you can work remotely and — you guessed it — consult with businesspeople from all over the world. You can connect with them to talk about specific challenges their companies are facing and work alongside them to create and implement strategies to address these problems.
Business consultants play an important role in helping companies succeed and thrive long-term. As such, they are paid very well for their services. The average salary for a business consultant in Malaysia is RM 127,489 per year.
Are you good with numbers and good at managing finances? Do you have a background in bookkeeping, accounting, or a related field? If so, you may want to think about earning a living as a freelance bookkeeper.
Freelance bookkeepers work with various businesses and individual entrepreneurs. They help them keep track of their finances — this includes monitoring incoming and outgoing funds, sending invoices, managing payroll, and assisting with tax preparation.
To be a good bookkeeper, you must have an in-depth understanding of the financial matters that the average business deals with each day. You should also know how to use bookkeeping software like Quickbooks. Being detail-oriented, good at meeting deadlines, and a clear communicator is also helpful.
The average salary for a bookkeeper in Malaysia is RM 59,285 per year. Depending on your experience or the extent of your services, though, you may be able to earn much more as you build your career and expand your client list.
There’s a great demand for tech professionals — especially web and app developers — in Malaysia and throughout the world right now.
You could easily find a job as a developer at a tech company, but that’s not everyone’s dream. Some people would rather work remotely and create websites or apps for a wide range of clients. If the latter sounds more like you, a career as a freelance web or app developer could be an excellent option.
To be a freelance web or app developer, you of course need an extensive understanding of programming languages and the technical skills needed to create an app or website from scratch. You must also be a good listener and communicator who can interview clients, figure out their vision, and turn it into a reality. Good time management skills are a must, too, so you can meet deadlines and prevent unhappy clients.
Because web and app developers are in such high demand right now, they earn salaries that are well above average for Malaysia. The average income for a developer here is RM 119,226 per year.
Search for Freelance Work from Home Jobs in Malaysia
Are you ready to kick off your journey and look for freelance work from home opportunities in Malaysia?
It doesn’t matter if you’re dreaming of a career as a freelance writer, web developer, or anything in between. You can use this guide to get started — don’t forget to include GrabJobs in your search as well.
GrabJobs takes a lot of guesswork out of finding freelance work and also provides lots of resources to make you more employable. Give it a try for free today!
Photo by Honest Paws on Unsplash
