Everything You Need To Know About Starting A Freelance Career From Turkey

The freelance world is booming. The number of freelancers around the world is expected to rise even more in the near future, as there are many people who recognize the benefits of working on their own terms.

Turkey is one of the countries with a relatively high number of freelancers. There are about 2 million freelancers currently working in Turkey, with this number growing day by day.

Are you also interested in starting a freelance career in Turkey? If your answer is “yes” then keep on reading.

How To Start Working As A Freelancer From Turkey

Learn About The Best Freelancing Jobs Right Now

There are many available jobs in the global freelance market today. Some of the most in-demand profiles are web developers, web designers, marketing managers, graphic designers, project managers, product owners, copywriters, translators, product managers, salespeople, virtual assistants, support agents, consultants and many more. 

If you are curious to learn more about the most in-demand jobs, read our blog post about the 10 Best Jobs For Freelancers And Remote Workers.

Show Off Your Skills With Relevant & Up-to-date Certifications

In a fast-paced freelance environment, some certificates might be even more valuable than diplomas from your university. Such certificates show that you have knowledge from a certain digital field. Make sure that all of your certifications are up-to-date with the fast-changing industry you’re in.

If you haven’t enrolled in any online courses yet, here are some you could check out in order to obtain the desired certificate: Cambridge, Microsoft, Google Digital Garage, Zend, Adobe, Oracle, Cisco, Autodesk, MikroTik and The Linux Foundation.

Build A Portfolio You’re Proud Of!

Now it is time to promote yourself! We recommend you create a nicely designed portfolio, which shows off your previous work.

Check out Canva and its hundreds of free portfolio templates to choose from. If you want to go the extra mile, however, you could also create a personal website with all your projects listed, your bio and your contact details. Try using Squarespace or Wix for that!

Create A Profile On Freelancing Platforms

When you’re finally ready to land your first projects, it’s time to join a few freelancing platforms! You can try some of the better-known global ones, for example, Upwork, Fiverr, Peopleperhour, Freelancer.com and others. 

Nevertheless, the local project finding websites should never be underestimated. 

Bionluk, Uzman Kirala, Hızlı Uzman, Proje Kurdu, Sanal İşçi, Webly, are the platforms we definitely recommend you to check out.

Another great resource to find new freelancing projects is LinkedIn. You can easily filter your search, set your destination to a freelance/remote job in Turkey.

As you and your skills improve with each project you do, don’t forget to update your profile and let employers know about these developments.

Register As A Freelancer In Turkey

Once you land your first clients and took on some projects, it’s time to think of the bureaucracy.

In Turkey, there are limited options for freelancers to work legally. 

The first option is, of course, to set up a sole proprietorship. Even though you can create invoices on your own behalf at this point, creating a tax deduction requires the support of a financial advisor. Incorporating the company will also cost money.

The second option is to establish a limited or joint-stock company. Your taxes will increase even more since you are now an organization, rather than an individual. Aside from the fact that company incorporation will be more expensive, you will also need an accountant.

The last (and the most convenient option) is to use an Employer of Record service such as Native Teams. That way, you will get properly employed under Turkish employment law and regulations.

Get Properly Employed In Turkey With Native Teams

Turkish freelancers and remote workers can easily apply for the Employer of Record service with Native Teams.

That way, you can continue growing your career as a freelancer, but get all the benefits of being properly employed. It is the easiest way to start (or continue) your freelancing career without worrying about all the bureaucracy that comes along.

Invoice Your Clients

With Native Teams you can also easily invoice your local or international clients. Plus, you can keep track of all your invoices, documents and client information in one place.

When you invoice your clients, Native Teams stays behind you as a company. This means, that you shouldn’t worry about your invoices not being paid for since your clients will be legally obliged to pay your invoices in a timely manner.

Payments Made Easy With The Native Teams Virtual Wallet

Our Virtual Wallet gives you the freedom of using your favourite payment method, all while being part of Native Teams.

The Virtual Wallet is a place where you can either top up from any payment system or via the Native Teams client invoicing. Withdrawal on the other hand can be made through Native Teams payroll or any credit card/bank account.

When you join Native Teams, you’ll also be able to get your hands on the Native ATM card. This card will help you make online purchases, withdraw internationally with the lowest fees and keep track of all your financial transactions.

Having a freelance career in Turkey is not as complicated as it might seem. Native Teams is here to help you with payment and employment solutions, so you can focus on your work and take your career to the next level.

Do you have any additional questions about freelancing in Turkey? Make sure to contact us directly or book a free demo call with our Turkish team.