Hi, I'm Thanasis
Hi, I'm Thanasis
Working remotely for 3y
Working remotely for 3y
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Work Marketplaces
Work Marketplaces
They connect us to a world of job offerings
They connect us to a world of job offerings
Customers Marketplace Remote Worker
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Work Marketplaces
Work Marketplaces
How they work
How they work
1. A Customer posts a job
2. Freelancers make bids (pitch & price)
3. Customer makes a shortlist
4. Customer interviews you
5. Customer selects you
6. You deliver the job
7. You get paid
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Work Marketplaces
Work Marketplaces
How they work
How they work
Marketplace keeps a small fee
You get a review
Better do a good job!
Transaction is guaranteed for both
parties
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Work Marketplaces
Work Marketplaces
Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
Safe environment
Huge Market
Easy usage
Best when starting
Cons
Cons
The Fees
Big Competition
Easy to enter
Platform lock
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Remote work is ... work!
Remote work is ... work!
Be serious about it
It's a career
You are building a brand
Your brand!
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Getting Started is Tough
Getting Started is Tough
You start at the lowest tier
Lots of burger flipping
Lots of small jobs
You charge for 1 hour and work 3
Get's better after 6-12 months
The point is to discover what you're good at and
understand how the market works
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Virtual Assistant
Merchant
Translator
Educator
Production
How to Start
How to Start
Choose your domain
Choose your domain
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How to Start
How to Start
Be Industrious
Be Industrious
Dedicate time to find work
50+ bids / week (~6h work)
Multiple Marketplaces
Try different pitches
Save and reuse pitches
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How to Start
How to Start
Be Persistent!
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How to Pitch
How to Pitch
Start with a personal message about the job
Explain why you are the best candidate for the job
Talk a little bit about yourself (1 paragraph)
[Opt] Provide any previous work samples
Close with your contact details and an actionable
“ My Skype id is 'thanpolas' I would be delighted if we
could arrange for a time to talk
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Tools of the Trade
Tools of the Trade
Gmail
gmail matters, calendar, Gdrive, etc
Skype
Communication
Dropbox / Google Drive
Collaboration (file sharing services)
Paypal
Get paid
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Hourly vs Fixed
Hourly vs Fixed
Always prefer Hourly
Hourly can easily extend
Fixed price is easier for customer to
understand
With Fixed price someone always looses
Two ways to charge:
Per Hour (Hourly)
Per Project (Fixed)
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Rates
Rates
We always talk in USD
Entry VA $3 $1 - $3
Expert VA $5 $4 - $7
Specialist $10 $8+
...per hour
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Rates
Rates
Monthly income assuming 30hours / week
Entry VA $3 ~320€
Expert VA $5 ~500€
Specialist $10 ~1.000€
...per month
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Etiquette
Etiquette
Never directly ask to get paid
Protect your work (when possible)
Credit as much as you can lose
You can ask to get paid on time
Getting paid on time is the token
of appreciation for your timely
and hard work
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How to Business
How to Business
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DISCLAIMER
DISCLAIMER
I am not an accountant, this is not
accounting advice!
This is just my experience.
Please consult with an accountant before
you make any move
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No need to start a business
No need to start a business
Up to 10.000€ / year
Article 51 §6
Ν. 4172/2013
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Starting a Business in
Starting a Business in
Greece
Greece
Don't do it
Costs too much to start
Costs too much to maintain
Taxes and healthcare are extreme (55%+)
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Starting in Greece
Starting in Greece
Start Up Costs
Start Up Costs
~500€ to Setup
Start a personal business
Declare your house as office
If on rent requires special
authorization by owner
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Starting in Greece
Starting in Greece
Upkeep Costs
Upkeep Costs
~300€ yearly upkeep by accountant
2.700€ yearly for healthcare
26% Tax
55% of Tax Advance Payment
2% Solidarity Tax
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Starting in Greece
Starting in Greece
Let's lol together
Let's lol together
10.000€ Income
- 2.700€ HealthCare
= 7.300€ Pre Taxes
* 26% Tax: -1.898€
* 55% of Tax: -1.043€
* 2% Solidarity: -146€
= 4.213€ Net Income
(58% in taxes & healthcare)
20.000€ Income
- 2.700€ HealthCare
= 17.300€ Pre Taxes
* 26% Tax: -4.498€
* 55% of Tax: -2.473€
* 2% Solidarity: -346€
= 9.983€ Net Income
(51% in taxes & healthcare)
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Paypal
Paypal
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Paypal
Paypal
The Internet Bank
The Internet Bank
It's not really a bank...
Requires a Bank Account and a Credit /
Debit Card
You can withdraw money to your bank
Limitations apply if unverified
Can verify relatively easy
You can pay directly from Paypal
https://euros.gr
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Start Up Abroad
Start Up Abroad
As Service Providers that's easy and convenient
Small tax
Initial and upkeep costs can be significant
But lower taxes make up for it
Consider it for income that exceed 20k / year
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Thank you
(here is where you applaud)
Thanasis Polychronakis
@thanpolas