Top 10 money-making Apps in Nigeria
Making-money is currently driven by technological advancements and a growing preference for flexibility and autonomy.
Take freelancing as an instance, where skilled professionals from diverse fields offer their services on a project-based or contractual basis, this emphasizes skill as an essential feature in leveraging money-making platforms.
According to a 2023 report by Bloomberg, the global freelancing market is expected to reach $18.3 billion by 2031, with a sustainable CAGR ff 15.1%.
This growth is attributed to several factors, including the rise of the digital economy and the increasing demand for remote work, the growing popularity of the gig economy and the desire for project-based employment, the expansion of global communication and collaboration tools, and the increasing availability of online platforms and marketplaces for freelancers, among others.
For many individuals, freelancing brings about financial independence and career fulfilment, heightening the freedom to choose their projects, set their own schedules, and work from anywhere in the world while making money.
Drawing from Sara Horowitz’s intellect, Founder and Executive Director of Freelancers Union, the future of work is freelance, but then, it’s not about where you work, it’s about what you do.
Freelancing is not just about work-life balance, it’s about life-work balance. It’s about creating the life you want, and then working to make it happen.
The ultimate freedom is being your own boss; choosing your projects, your clients, and your schedule. Not limited to these, here are some money-making platforms that will help you scale:
Fiverr
Fiverr is a global marketplace where freelancers can offer their services in a variety of categories, including writing, design, marketing, and technology. It’s one of the popular money-making platforms for beginners due to its gig-based model, where freelancers can offer pre-priced services starting at $5.
According to Fiverr, over 8 million freelancers have earned money on the platform. In 2022 alone, Fiverr freelancers earned over $286 billion. This suggests that a significant portion of Fiverr users have been able to successfully monetise their skills through the platform.
Fiverr is best leveraged by creating high-quality gig descriptions, setting competitive prices, and actively promoting your services.
Building a strong reputation on the platform by consistently delivering high-quality work is crucial for attracting more clients and increasing your earnings.
Upwork
Upwork is another global platform that connects businesses with skilled freelancers in various fields. It’s a more established platform than Fiverr and typically caters to higher-value projects.
Upwork estimates that over 50% of its freelancers earn more than $1,000 per month. The platform also claims that more than half of its clients have found freelancers who have become their go-to professionals for ongoing projects. This indicates that Upwork has been successful in connecting businesses with skilled freelancers and helping both parties achieve their goals.
A unique profile will drive you up on Upwork, highlighting your skills and experience, and showcasing your portfolio of work. Actively bidding on projects that match your expertise and maintaining a strong response rate is essential for securing projects and building a successful freelance career on Upwork.
Freelancer
Freelancer.com is another large freelance marketplace that brings a wide range of freelance services, helping users make over $40,000 annually. It’s known for its competitive pricing and diverse selection of freelancers.
Freelancer.com does not publicly disclose the specific percentage of its freelancers who have earned money on the platform. However, the company claims to have over 49 million registered users, with over 19 million projects posted.
Freelancer.com is best leveraged by creating a detailed freelancer profile, including your skills, experience, and pricing information. Actively bidding on projects and maintaining a high response rate as mentioned earlier is essential for making money on the app.
Guru.com
Guru.com focuses on connecting businesses with experienced and highly skilled freelancers. It’s a good option for individuals with specialised skills seeking high-paying projects.
With over 80% of users earning money on the platform, the company asserts that its top 1% of freelancers earn an average of $100,000 per year, suggesting that Guru.com has a high success rate for freelancers who can establish themselves as top performers on the platform.
How to best leverage the app? Let your presence shine. Create a comprehensive profile, showing your expertise and experience in specific niche areas. Building a strong reputation on the platform by consistently delivering high-quality work is necessary for attracting high-paying clients and establishing yourself as a sought-after guru.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based freelance platform that is popular among freelancers in Europe and Africa. It offers a variety of project types, including hourly, fixed-fee, and contract-based projects.
Providing a platform for freelancers to achieve varying levels of success, depending on their skills, experience, and commitment to building a great career, PeoplePerHour estimates that over 70% of its users have earned money on the platform, with its top 10% of freelancers earning an average of £40,000 per year.
Toptal
Toptal is an exclusive freelance platform that connects businesses with top 3% freelancers in various fields. It’s known for its rigorous screening process and high-quality freelancers. Projects on Toptal are a big deal, ranging from $2,500 to as much as $50,000.
Toptal does not publicly disclose the specific percentage of its freelancers who have earned money on the platform. However, the company claims that only 3% of applicants are accepted as Toptal freelancers, indicating a highly selective process that suggests a high potential for success for accepted freelancers.
Toptal is best leveraged by showcasing exceptional skills and experience in a specific niche area. The rigorous screening process for Toptal freelancers indicates that only those with the highest levels of expertise are accepted, suggesting a competitive advantage for those who make it through the selection process.
Jooble
Jooble is a job search platform that also includes a section for freelance opportunities. It’s a good option for freelancers seeking local or remote freelance work in Nigeria.
Jooble does not publicly disclose the specific percentage of its users who have found freelance work through the platform. However, the company claims to aggregate over 100,000 freelance opportunities daily, suggesting a vast pool of potential projects for freelancers who make $80,000 and more annually.
Jooble is best leveraged by creating a detailed profile and actively searching for relevant freelance opportunities. The platform’s global reach provides access to freelance projects worldwide, expanding the potential for freelancers to connect with clients beyond their immediate location.
Truelancer
Truelancer is a global freelance platform that offers a variety of freelance services, including writing, translation, and web development. It’s a relatively new platform but is growing in popularity, with users making $500 daily depending on skillset.
Truelancer does not publicly disclose the specific percentage of its freelancers who have earned money on the platform. However, the company claims to have over a million registered users, suggesting a significant user base for freelancers to connect with potential clients.
How to best leverage the app? By creating a comprehensive profile, highlighting your skills, experience, and pricing information. Actively bidding on projects and maintaining a high response rate will help you secure projects and earn money on the platform.
FreelanceSwitch
FreelanceSwitch connects businesses with freelancers globally. It’s a good option for Nigerian freelancers seeking local freelance opportunities.
FreelanceSwitch does not publicly disclose the specific percentage of its freelancers who have earned money on the platform. However, the company claims to have over 50,000 registered users, suggesting a growing user base for freelancers in Africa.
FreelanceSwitch was founded in 2016 by Cyan Ta’red and is best leveraged by creating a detailed profile and actively searching for relevant freelance opportunities within Africa. The platform’s focus on the global market provides access to a specific niche of clients and projects, offering potential advantages for freelancers seeking opportunities in that region.
Proz.com
Proz.com is a specialised translation freelance platform that connects businesses with translation professionals. It’s a good option for freelance translators and linguists who seek to make as much as $1500 and more per week.
Proz.com estimates that over 90% of its translators have earned money on the platform. The company also claims to have over 1 million members, suggesting a significant network of translation professionals.
Proz.com is best leveraged by creating a comprehensive profile, highlighting your translation expertise, language skills, and experience. Actively bidding on translation projects and maintaining a high response rate is essential for securing projects and earning money on the platform.
How to leverage these apps for success
These money-making platforms provide a valuable channel for skilled professionals to connect with potential clients and find projects that match their expertise. To maximise the benefits of these apps, consider the following strategies:
- Create a compelling profile that highlights your skills, experience, and portfolio
- Actively search for relevant projects that align with your expertise
- Bid competitively on projects and maintain a high response rate
- Deliver high-quality work consistently to build a strong reputation and attract more clients
- Network with other freelancers and industry professionals to expand your reach
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