adminFrom your experience as an African freelancer, you’ve likely already worked on temporary contracts, project gigs, or full-time remote positions. But there’s what we know as fractional freelancing, which takes freelancing a step further. It enables professionals to secure senior-level positions in companies, all while working part-time, online, and enjoying the independence of regular freelancing. It’s a combination of consulting and being part of the team at the same time.
So, what exactly is fractional freelancing, and how can it be a good choice for you as an African freelancer? Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or just picking up your freelancing career, right here is all that you need to know about fractional freelancing.
What is Fractional Freelancing?
Fractional freelancing is when a freelancer takes on an expert role in a company but works with them part-time or fractionally. Instead of being a full-time employee, you get contracted to bring a specific skill or service, which is generally at a leadership or strategic level, without committing to full-time hours. Interesting right?
It’s as if a startup can’t afford a full-time Chief Marketing Officer, so they opt for a part-time fractional CMO who works 10 hours a week. The freelancer brings in profound expertise, plays a part in guiding direction, and provides well-thought-out plans.
This model is increasingly used by startups, small businesses, and even larger enterprises wanting top-notch talent without the overhead cost of full-time hiring.
Some examples of fractional freelance roles include:
- Fractional Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
- Fractional Marketing Manager.
- Fractional Financial Analyst.
- Fractional Human Resources Consultant.
- Fractional Product Designer.
Fractional freelancing is not just for executive roles; many freelancers are now offering fractional assistance in design, content, operations, and project management as well.
Why Fractional Freelancing is Becoming Popular
The new freelance websites, telecommuting culture, and international reach of talent created fertile ground for fractional work. For African freelancers, it offers open-ended possibilities, moving beyond the constraints of one-off gigs and tight timelines. Fractional freelancers are experiencing more reliable pay and sustained influence with richer client relationships.
Here’s why you can try out Fractional freelancing:
1. Stability Without Commitment to Full-Time
Traditional freelance work is unstable; one week you’re fully booked, the next you can’t find a client to help you sort your bills, even with you embracing financial management. With fractional freelancing, you commit to more stable arrangements where you’re guaranteed a certain number of hours weekly or monthly. It brings stability to your freelancing life without losing freedom.
2. More Valuable Client Relationships
In typical freelance work, you can do a logo today and never hear from the client again. With a fractional role, however, you are brought onto the internal team even while the role is only part-time. You get to see deeper into the business, understand its goals, and assist in getting it to long-term success.
3. More Pay
Companies know they’re getting someone with senior-level experience without paying full-time, and they’re usually willing to pay well for it. As a fractional freelancer, you’re not just “completing tasks;” you are also advising, leading, and building. This is the reason for your special pay rate.
How to Get Started as a Fractional Freelancer
If you’re already a freelance services provider, then fractional freelancing is the next step. With fractional freelancing, you’re no longer just a designer, writer, or developer. You’re now a strategic partner offering time, technical know-how, and long-term value.
Here’s a way to get started:
Identify Your Niche and Area of Expertise
Fractional freelancers are hired for their deep understanding of a niche topic. Find out where you are most gifted. Branding strategy? Backend development? Market analysis? Your expertise needs to be well-defined because that’s what clients will pay you for. Grow and become an expert in that field. A top voice among many others.
Build an Illustrative Portfolio
A fractional role is not about getting the work done, like we mentioned earlier. It’s about providing expertise. So your portfolio will illustrate past projects where you helped define decisions, managed teams, introduced strategy, or optimised performance.
Even if you’ve got experience working on task-based freelance work in the past, you can highlight the thinking and problem-solving that came with it.
Set Your Availability and Pricing Clearly
Since fractional freelancing most likely involves a regular time commitment, keep it easy for prospects to understand. Be clear about how many hours you are available for, and if you want to be paid hourly or monthly.
Establish clear boundaries to come across as professional and help clients determine if you’re the right fit for them.
Final Thoughts
The freelance world is leveraging fractional freelancing to drive technological advancements. There are many freelance platforms where fractional freelancing is now getting popular. For African freelancers, it turns you away from gig-to-gig hustling to a more stable, high-paying work without compromising the freedom that attracted you to freelancing in the first place. There’s so much happening in the freelancing world, and you need to stay updated; join us now for unlimited updates.
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Muhammed Badamasi
