Looking for a new job? Thinking about adding another income stream? Looking to be your own boss? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, it might be worthwhile to look into freelancing. Also known as the gig economy, easy availability of mobile phones and the widespread use of Internet has heralded a new type of economy that is fueled by a multitude of people who felt disenfranchised with the old school way of earning a steady income from a 9 to 5 job.

It takes a different mindset to step into the role of a freelancer. Working whenever and wherever can be an enticing pull to those who have limited time to juggle household and work. Sometimes, it is due to time restrictions or limited resources that compels a person into freelancing instead of permanent employment. Unfortunately, being self-employed means that jobs are usually contract-based with little to no additional coverage in terms of insurance, SOCSO, or EPF.

In this current pandemic, the benefits of working from home are beneficial, avoiding the risk of close contact or exposure to infection. Some freelance jobs come with flexible hours to cater to parenting needs, as it usually stipulates the due date of delivery, so it is up to the freelancer to arrange their time. It is up to the freelancer to balance the pros and cons.

But where does a freelancer go to get job requests? Here are some local marketplaces that will help a starting Malaysian freelancer make the correct connections.

#1. eRezeki

For households earning RM4K or lower, eRezeki was created with the intention of supplementing your income with simple jobs. These are categorised as digital micro tasks which includes data entry, processing images, and SEO related tasks.

Created by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the eRezeki portal has expanded to provide additional jobs categorised under digital works and digitally-enabled tasks. The former category of tasks are related to software and web design and development, whereas the latter pertains to tasks that require one to complete an errand offline, such as running a delivery.

There are several requirements to participate under eRezeki:

  • Household income should not exceed more than RM4,000. If it does, you can still register, but only for tasks grouped under digital works.
  • There are no fees to register
  • You should be 18 years old and above
  • Only Malaysian citizens are eligible to register

There are also eRezeki centers providing the IT infrastructure needed for participants to join in on the eRezeki programme.

The newest introduction to their programme is the digital tourism category, which covers providing Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA) and becoming an experience host – someone that shares their hobbies, skills, and expertise to others.

#2. TeachMe

TeachMe’s online services was introduced in 2017 with the goal of providing an online tutoring platform for anyone with knowledge and interest. TeachMe has a low entry bar, but each tutor will be interviewed by TeachMe’s team before they are brought into the system.

Signup is free and you are required to have at least 2MBps of Internet connection speed with your own laptop or computer with camera and microphone, running either Firefox or Chrome browser. Tutors will utilize TeachMe’s own software to conduct online classes with their student.

The types of subjects available to choose from includes:

  • Form 1-3 Science
  • Chess
  • Languages, such as Arabic
  • Form 6 STPM Physics

You dictate your hourly rates, ranging from RM10 to RM40 per hour. TeachMe will take a cut for their commission and the rest is banked into your account at the end of the month.

#3. JomPaw

If you have a love for animals and caring for them, then JomPaw is the site for you. Offering its services nationwide, applicants have to go through a 5-step process to qualify for the role. Would-be sitters need to register their details and sit through a test. This will vet through the person’s knowledge on pet care, pet hygiene, pet diet, and customer service skills.

After that, there will be a tutorial on JomPaw’s site, including how to use and access all the features available to the sitter. If all previous steps are completed, the sitter’s identity will then be verified using their photo, full name, and birth date. Once the background check has been done, the sitter will be given approval by the JomPaw team. From time to time, the sitter’s performances will be evaluated by the team to ensure quality standards are met.

Some of the services available to enroll are:

  • Pet boarding
  • Drop-in visits
  • Dog walking
  • Pet taxi
  • Pet Training

Some of them could provide you with a monthly income of RM1,100 or more!

#4. Mytaskboss

This online platform is a newcomer among the other local freelance marketplaces.

Some of the tasks available are:

  • Repairs
  • Installation
  • Cleaning
  • Delivery
  • Online Work

Mytaskboss is a local site catering to listing tasks and jobs ranging from cleaning services to movers for hire to just about anything. What makes Mytaskboss unique is its freedom for a client to post just about any task in any price range. This makes it easier to find a job which meets your unique capabilities.

Once you find a contract that is suitable, you can begin negotiating an offer with the client and describe why you are the perfect candidate for the job. It then falls on the client to review your proposal and quotation. If the client agrees, both parties will proceed with the job. Mytaskboss does offer limited insurance to the client, but with stipulations.

As a freelancer, you will be charged a service fee by the platform before you undertake a task.

#5. Rtist

This freelance marketplace prides itself being the No.1 Creative Job Platform in Malaysia. After registering on Rtist, talents are able to highlight their skillsets and work portfolio for potential clients to browse through.

By utilizing the tools Rtist gives to its talents such as tags and features, clients are able to glean useful information about your portfolio at a glance. A work calendar is provided to each talent to allow clients to view your availability.

Some of the more unique talents on site are:

  • Ebook creation and publication
  • Mascot and mural design
  • Audio editing and mixing
  • VR design and creation

On top of the free account option, Rtist also has 2 paid account tiers, Plus and Premium. Both increase the probability of your profile being selected by the Rtist’s team during times when a client requests for a talent recommendation.

Conclusion

Malaysian’s freelance marketplace is still in its infancy, and the quality of service and support provided will vary from site to site. Prospective freelancers need to take extra precautions while treading into these marketplaces and ensure they have done their due diligence instead of relying 100% on the marketplace to enforce some sort of rules. Some even have a policy of not getting involved where there are disputes between client and freelancer.

Learn each of the platform’s pros and cons, call their tech support to inquire further on their services provided, and glean actual reviews from those that have participated on these sites to get a better insight.

 

Are you getting excited to start a new freelancing career on these platforms? Let us know how it goes in the comments down below.

 

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