Profile : Tshiamo Mokgage
Hello world. Meet Tshiamo Mokgage, a rising South African freelancer and business woman. This is how she is transforming South African and international businesses : Last month ( August) was Women’s Month in South Africa, we asked her what it meant to her and what advice she would give to young girls. The following were her responses. What does Women’s Month mean to you? Women’s Month holds great meaning for me. It serves as a crucial opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the countless women who often go unnoticed despite their incredible contributions. While I believe that recognition should not be limited to just one month, I acknowledge that Women’s Month provides a valuable platform for bringing attention to those whose achievements might otherwise be overlooked. It’s a chance to honour both the women who have made groundbreaking strides and those whose everyday efforts deserve acknowledgment. Women’s month is about creating opportunities for women to shine and ensuring their voices and accomplishments are celebrated. What advice would you give girls in high school about freelancing, business / entrepreneurship? As cliché as it might sound, Nike said it best: Just Do It. That dream did not randomly appear in your heart; it was meant for you and there is a purpose behind it. While waiting for the perfect moment or opportunity can be tempting, perfect timing often doesn’t arrive. Instead, have faith and take the leap. The journey itself is where growth and discovery happen, not at some final destination. Just embrace the process, give it your all, and be open to learning new things along the way. Links to her channels LinkedIn Instagram Company Page
Coffee Shops & Restaurants for South African Freelancers.
Freelancing means working from home but that has it’s own disadvantages. Indeed cites distractions, isolation and an imbalance between work and life as some of the cons of working from home. There are alternative working spaces available for freelancers besides working from home. One of the most popular spots for freelancers are coffee shops and restaurants. They offer hot beverages, food, free wifi and a space to meet fellow freelancers. They also have less admin and fees associated with rented shared working spaces. Some co-shared working spaces in South Africa range from R890 to R2890 per person per month. The only associated fees that come with coffee shops and restaurants is only paying for your beverage and food. Here are some of the features South African freelancers should look out for when picking a coffee shop or restaurant to work from : Stable Free Wifi : This kind of internet connectivity in coffee shops and restaurants allows freelancers to download and upload files quickly, attend team meetings and meet deadlines effectively. Therefore, if you are freelancing in South Africa you might want to watch for spots that have complementary stable wifi. Comfortable Seats : This promotes good posture, reduces fatigue, stiffness allowing freelancers to have optimal focus and concentrate better on their tasks. Spending long hours on chairs can lead to aches and pains which can be distracting so you might want to pick a place with comfortable seating. Quiet Atmosphere : Pay attention to the surroundings before picking your coffee or restaurant for the day. Avoid places with construction work happening around unless you have the noise cancelling headphones that will block out the noise. In a quiet environment, freelancers can enter a state of flow allowing maximum productivity and creativity for those who are in creative industries. Multiple Power Outlets : Spending a couple of hours at a coffee shop or restaurants means your devices are likely to run out of power at some point. The smartest decision would be to choose a place that does only have power outlets but multiple outlets. You want to avoid an awkward situation where you ask someone else to share. So multiple outlets would be a bonus! Backup Power : If you are in South Africa, you are familiar with the word ” load shedding”. While most coffee shops and restaurants have backup power, it is best not to assume and ask outright before you sit down and get interrupted during your work sessions. Therefore, backup power is another nice feature to add when looking out for spaces to work out from. Having said that, let’s tap into a few recommendations provided by some members of the Collaborahub community. This also includes spots that are not exclusively coffee shops and restaurants. Fair warning, these are Gauteng biased but most of the list mentions franchises with nation wide outlets. SEATTLE COFFEE CO – ROSEBANK ( Muphulusi Nefale, Founder) ” Seattle Coffee stood out for me out of all coffee shops that I go to. I liked the round table, the plugs and the fact that there seemed to be an active community of people working there. It seemed people do this regularly so Seattle is my recommendation” The Rosebank Branch also came highly recommended by Tshego and Tshimologo Leburu who provided us with a picture from her work session : 2. SEATTLE COFFEE CO – BRAAMFONTEIN ( Denzel Machaka, Social Media Manager and Copywriter) ” I loved the creative atmosphere. There was great lightning , seats and also plugs for charging devices. The coffee was also great! ” 3. Mamakashakanadfriends – BRAAMFONTEIN ( Tshego, Community Member) ” Best working day would be Friday” “ 4. EXCLUSIVE BOOKS – HYDE PARK ( Tshego, Community Member) ” Great place but may get noisy because of Olives & Plates” 5. BOOTLEGGER COFFEE ( Ntando Mdletshe, Community Member) 6. ABIZ RESTAURANT, LONGPOINT – ( Ntando Mdletshe, Community Member) That’s the end of our short and sweet list. We will accommodate more places outside Gauteng in our upcoming blogs. Seattle Coffee for example has nationwide outlets so any freelancer outside Gauteng can try Seattle Coffee as a working space. We will also encourage South African freelancers to join our Hive days, if you missed the last blog on Hive days post, check it out here If you want to join our WhatsApp community you can join using this link
A Guide to Collaborahub’s Hive Days.
Hello, we are Collaborahub! A community of South African freelancers. This is a guide to the ins and outs of our Hive Days. Hive Days are part of our activities to provide opportunities for South African Freelancers to connect and network ( in a more casual and relaxed setting) Here are some benefits of participating in Collaborahub’s Hive days. 1. Find community – Freelancing can be an isolating journey and sometimes virtual spaces like WhatsApp groups may not be enough to build community. There is value in meeting face to face as it creates stronger relationships. You are able to build more rapport and connect more via non verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions. This was the main reason behind Collaborahub creating Hive Days so that South African freelancers can connect more deeply. We strongly recommend safe and relaxed spaces like coffee shops and restaurants. 2. Sharing Knowledge & Resources – Our webinars were designed for this but they can be too formal and restricting for others. Hive Days is a channel for freelancers to casually share knowledge and resources with each other. People tend to share more information when they are in more casual and relaxed settings like coffee meet-ups. Our virtual webinars are more professional and people can be guarded about what they share. On the other hand, in restaurant or coffee set ups there is less evaluation leading to flowing conversations and openness. If comfortable freelancers can offer glimpses into some of the projects they are working on and get advice, support and motivation. 3. Partnerships – Hive Days can lead to potential collaborations and partnerships. This is the heart of our brand as we aim for people to connect and work together. There is a higher likelihood of meeting freelancers with complementary skillsets and this is fertile ground for collaborating on future projects and creating more income for yourself as a freelancer. Another benefit is getting client referrals as sometimes South African freelancers deal with clients that fall outside their expertise. If your skillset fits then you can be able to access more business opportunities for yourself. Ever heard of ” your network is your net worth” . In person-meetings are great for creating a strong network. However, meet ups can be challenging for some freelancers. Therefore, we are introducing Virtual Hive Days. At the time of the writing of this post ( 05/06/24) we have already hosted our first Virtual Hive Day which was a big success! Virtual Hive Days have appeal because of the current times we live in. Remote work has scattered freelancers across South Africa, even far away from the main metropolitan areas such as Johannesburg and Capetown. Therefore, Virtual Hive Days allow people scattered across the country to connect even if it’s virtual. These virtual meet-ups have also have potential to rival the benefits of in person meet-ups so we also encourage members to join as well. If you do not want to miss our Hive Days, join our WhatsApp here If you want to connect with us professionally we are also on LinkedIn , follow us here
Celebrating Freelancers : International Workers’ Day 2024
Freelancing, in South Africa and globally is slowly becoming a recognized and vital part of the modern workforce despite the misconceptions about it not being ” real work” or a ” real career”. Today (at the writing of this article) is International Workers’ Day 2024 and we want to reflect on freelancers as a significant part of the local and global workforce. Before we explore the value of freelancers in the modern workforce let us explore one of the misconceptions about freelancing. Stability and Structure – Traditional jobs typically offer a stable income versus freelancing which comes in seasons of plenty and seasons of lack. This is not to suggest that freelancers cannot experience stability in income. However, the reality for many freelancers is that they experience fluctuations in terms of income especially in our current economic climate where some economies are going through recession. Inconsistent gigs deepen misconceptions about freelancing not being ” real work”. In addition to this, traditional jobs usually come with a set schedule and employee benefits such as medical aid benefits which is usually the case for full-time workers in South Africa. Globally, in countries such as the United States of America, employees usually get health insurance and dental care. Freelancers do not have the privilege of this and usually have to sort out this sort by themselves. This worsens misconceptions about freelance work not being ” real work”. Despite this, freelancing is a valid form of employment for the following reasons Income Generation – Freelancing is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes a long time to build a successful profitable freelance business and individuals with experience and highly specialized skills can command great rates and generate good income for themselves. This exchange of skills for monetary value makes such freelancers valid workers in the local and global workforce. Skill Development – The freelance pool is quite cutthroat and competitive. This necessitates freelancers to constantly keep up with their various industries through upskilling via courses, boot camps, and other professional development programs. One can argue that, unlike traditional employees, freelancers take professional development more seriously to stay relevant and competitive in the South African labour market and globally as well. Freelancing also exposes one to diverse projects and clients which makes it a valid form of employment as this also happens in traditional forms of employment. Having said this, let’s explore more the value of freelancers to South African, regional, and international businesses. 1. Skill and Innovation Access: Businesses can tap into a wider pool of specialized talent, gaining access to fresh ideas and expertise that might not be available locally. This fosters innovation and competitiveness across industries. 2. Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness: Companies can scale their workforce up or down based on project needs, reducing overhead costs associated with full-time employees. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for startups and growing businesses. 3. Global Talent Marketplace: Freelancing platforms connect freelancers worldwide, creating a global talent pool. This allows businesses to find the perfect fit for their needs, regardless of location, and for freelancers to offer their services to a broader market. 4. Diversity and Inclusion: Freelancing empowers individuals from various backgrounds and locations to participate in the workforce, fostering a more inclusive work environment. In conclusion, freelancers are welcome at the International Workers’ Day table, they also deserve to be recognized and celebrated for their contributions to the local South African workforce and the global workforce as well. If you are new to freelancing, be sure to check out our webinars here. If you wish to join our WhatsApp community, feel free to join using this link
The Value of Networking for South African Freelancers.
Freelancing can be a dream career, offering flexibility, autonomy, and the chance to be your own boss. However, it can also feel isolating especially for South African freelancers who are just starting out. Unlike traditional office environments, freelancers often work remotely, missing out on the camaraderie and support of colleagues. This is where freelance communities such as Collaborahub become important. We are a community of South African freelancers and we also welcome other freelancers as well. We recently had a freelancer from Venezuela join our WhatsApp group. This is the beauty of the internet as it provides opportunities to join virtual spaces such as Collaborahub. Freelance communities provide a vital source of connection, support, and professional development for freelancers. They offer a space to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others who understand the unique challenges and rewards of freelance work. Here are some of the key benefits of joining a freelance community: 1. Combat Isolation: Freelancing can be a lonely profession. By connecting with other freelancers, you can combat feelings of isolation and build a network of support. Collaborahub has hive days (a reference to worker bees) where freelancers from the same local area can meet up and connect. These are flexible, you can work together or socialize over a cup of coffee. Our hive days are still in the early days but we are witnessing success in major metropolitan areas such as Johannesburg, Pretoria and Capetown. At the writing of this article, our next hive days are on the 19th of April 2024 and 3rd of May 2024. 2. Professional Development: Freelance communities offer a wealth of resources for professional development, such as workshops, webinars, and mentorship programs. You can also learn from the experiences of other freelancers and stay up-to-date on industry trends. Collaborahub offers webinars from experienced South African freelancers to help you grow as a professional and land clients. You can check them out here 3. Client Acquisition: Your net worth is indeed your network. Many freelance communities offer job boards and other resources to help freelancers find new clients. Collaborahub is one of such communities. You can network with other members and build relationships that can lead to new opportunities. Collaborahub has a thriving WhatsApp group with such opportunities. You can check out the group here. 3. Business Advice: Freelance communities are a great place to get advice on everything from setting rates to managing your finances to marketing your services. As previously mentioned, our webinars cover this extensively and you can check out the link under ” Professional Development” for our webinars. 4. Peer Support: Freelancing can be a rollercoaster ride. Freelance communities provide a safe space to vent your frustrations, celebrate your successes, and get advice from people who have been there. You might not have colleagues like full-time employed workers but you can find that support from fellow freelancers. Collaborahub provides such spaces through our hive days which are usually held on Fridays. They are informal and laid back allowing people to unwind and connect authentically. You can meet in coffee shops, restaurants, book shops, or anywhere that suits you and your fellow freelancers! If you’re looking to build a successful and fulfilling freelance career, joining a freelance community is a great place to start. It can provide you with the support, resources, and connections you need to thrive. The link to our Whatsapp community once again can be found here
5 Steps To Launch Your Freelance Business From Scratch ( South African Freelancer Edition)
Freelancing has become a significant movement in the labor market since the pandemic which normalized remote work not only in South Africa but globally as well. Freelancing has also allowed many South Africans, an opportunity to earn a living given the brutal unemployment stats in the country. If you want to join this growing movement in the labor market then you have come to the right place. At Collaborahub, we assist South African freelancers find their feet and grow their their business. Firstly, congratulations on taking this big step, and we know you might be confused but we here to help you.
Embarking on the Freelance Journey: Essential Tips for Beginners
Entering the world of freelancing is an exciting and liberating journey, but it can also be daunting for beginners. As you navigate this realm of independence and creativity, it’s essential to equip yourself with valuable insights to set the stage for a successful freelance career. In this blog post, we’ll explore a range of tips tailored for those starting their freelance journey. 1. Define Your Niche and Skill Set: Before diving in, take time to identify your niche and core skills. Specialising in a particular area will help you stand out and attract clients seeking expertise in that field. 2. Create a Professional Online Presence: Establish a strong online presence through a personal website or platforms like LinkedIn. Showcase your portfolio, highlight your skills, and craft a compelling bio that communicates your unique value. 3. Set Clear Goals and Objectives: Define your short-term and long-term goals. Having a clear vision will guide your efforts, helping you stay focused and motivated throughout your freelance career. 4. Understand Your Worth: Research industry rates and value your skills appropriately. Don’t undervalue yourself, as this can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Establish fair pricing based on your expertise and the value you provide to clients. 5. Build a Strong Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that highlights your best work. Include a variety of projects to showcase your versatility and demonstrate your ability to tackle different types of assignments.Find out more about A Comprehensive Guide to Building a Strong Freelancer Portfolio 6. Network Effectively: Networking is key in the freelance world. Connect with other freelancers, join online communities, and attend networking events to expand your professional circle. Building relationships can lead to collaborations, referrals, and new opportunities. 7. Develop Excellent Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial for freelancers. Clearly articulate your ideas, expectations, and timelines with clients. Prompt and transparent communication builds trust and fosters positive client relationships. 8. Set a Consistent Work Routine: Establish a routine that works for you. Consistency is vital for productivity and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Define your working hours, take breaks, and avoid overworking yourself. 9. Embrace Continuous Learning: The freelance landscape is ever-evolving. Stay updated on industry trends, technologies, and best practices. Invest time in learning new skills to remain competitive in your chosen field. 10. Manage Finances Wisely: Freelancers are their own business managers. Keep meticulous records of income and expenses, set aside taxes, and create an emergency fund. Financial stability is key to long-term success. Conclusion: Embarking on a freelance career is a thrilling adventure filled with opportunities for growth and creativity. By implementing these tips for beginners, you’ll build a solid foundation, set realistic expectations, and pave the way for a rewarding and successful journey in the world of freelancing. Remember, resilience, adaptability, and a passion for your craft are your greatest allies on this exciting path. Happy freelancing!