It is no secret that the economy has been becoming more and more globalized over the past few decades. To the point that today, a significant portion of work is done by freelancers operating in different countries than their clients. There are many pros and cons to the complex relationship that exists between freelancers and their clients. The international flavor of their ties hints at many of them. Here’s a taste of what you can expect when working with international clients as a freelancer.
Getting Paid
To begin, you’ll want to be aware of the exchange rate between your country and that of your client. Your pay rates may sound all well and good until you factor in the exchange rate. If you are a US freelancer, for example, EU and UK clients offer an exchange rate that works in your favor, given the relative strength between the dollar, euro, and pound. By contrast, the ruble and yuan are weaker. It means that even if you receive lots of work from Russian or Chinese clients, your pay may be less than you might expect from US, UK, or EU employers.
Time Zone Differences
If you work for a client overseas, the time zone difference can be huge. It’s a five-hour time difference between New York and London, while Berlin is six away, Moscow ten, and Beijing a whopping twelve. Now imagine those time zone differences while working in Chicago, Denver, or Los Angeles. Freelancing for international clients might mean working some odd hours on your end.
Cultural Factors
There are small and large differences that come with working with people from different cultures. You may spell a word differently than that of your employer, so spell check will be necessary. However, you may have to be aware of what topics are taboo or off-limits for specific countries, especially when mentioning governments. Cultural factors such as these are a genuine reality for freelancers and clients alike.
If you are thinking about freelancing for international clients, these pieces of advice can help you go global the right way.