3 Practical Tips to Succeed When Starting Freelancing

MANILA, Philippines – Freelancing opens doors to career flexibility: choosing your clients and projects, setting your own hours, and building your career on your terms. In theory, freelancing sounds simple: work with multiple international clients, do good work, and grow your income. But it’s rarely that straightforward. Beyond the work itself, there’s a lot you’ll need to figure out, such as finding the right clients, managing your workload, and staying on top of your finances in a very unpredictable setup.

This is where many new freelancers get stuck. It’s not just about being good at what you do; it’s knowing how to navigate the business side of it, too. If you’re a freelancer who’s just getting started, here are three practical tips from freelancing experts on how to set yourself up for success.

1. Build yourself as much as you build your client base

If you spend all your time on client work, it’s difficult to grow your freelance career long-term. At some point, you hit a ceiling, moving from one deadline to the next, with no time to actually build anything beyond your current workload.

But while you might be great at copywriting, design, or accounting, as a freelancer, you’re also responsible for finding leads, keeping up with new technology, staying updated on trends, and regularly updating your portfolio.

 

Arnel Legaspi is doing freelance work. 

As Arnel Legaspi Jr, CPA, shares, “When I started, I thought if I was good at social media marketing, learned enough tools, and delivered well, everything would fall into place. But freelancing tests your boundaries, your self-worth, your discipline, and your money mindset.”

Putting time into improving yourself doesn’t guarantee instant results, but it does make a difference. Over time, it helps you price your work higher and expand what you can offer to a broader range of clients.

2. Build structure into your work and into your day.s

To build yourself, you need to be intentional about how you manage your workdays. Time management is part of this, but building structure goes beyond simply blocking off your calendar. It’s about creating systems that make your work easier to manage and more efficient.

 

Ehdina Tindoy is doing freelance work. 

One way to do this is by creating templates and workflows you can rely on. Ehdina Tindoy, founder of Spark Creative Solutions, says, “Having predefined frameworks for planning, execution, and review significantly reduced decision fatigue and improved turnaround time. In addition, I tracked how I spent my time, from planning and outsourcing to execution and revision. This helped me identify bottlenecks, optimize my process, and continuously improve efficiency.” 

When you add structure to your work, you spend more time getting things done and free up time for other activities beyond just chasing deadlines!

3. Build your money system.

The income of a freelancer can be unpredictable. Delays in payments, issues with transfer platforms – without a system in place, it’s easy to find yourself in a panic. As Arnel points out, “Protection is just as important as saving and investing. Income growth is good, but income protection is critical.”

One tool that can help you manage your income is the new GCash Virtual US Account, designed to help freelancers earning in USD avoid losing money to steep exchange rates and platform transfer fees.

  

Powered by the technology company Meridian¹, the GCash Virtual US Account provides you with your own ACH and Wire Routing Number, which you can share with US employers to facilitate direct transfers. This allows you to receive the full amount of your earnings.

You can then move your USD to your GCash e-wallet and choose exactly when to convert it based on when rates are most favourable to you. With live, updated, and competitive forex rates displayed in the app, you always know how much you’ll get. It’s safe and easy to use!

Once your funds have been deposited into your e-wallet, you can do more with your cash throughout the app, such as paying utility bills and other necessities, saving, and even investing.

Creating a GCash Virtual US Account is easy in just a few steps.

1. Open the GCash app. Tap US Accounts in the Explore the App section
2. Tap Continue and verify your information
3. Complete your account creation

¹ GCash Virtual US Accounts are issued and maintained by Meridian Payments US under a "for the benefit of" arrangement. These are not bank accounts and do not qualify as deposits; hence, they are not covered by any deposit insurance schemes.

The Worth-It Way to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong and Macau

Manila, Philippines — When you think of travelling to Hong Kong, it's easy to see why Macau is often visited too—they're just so close! With its endless shopping spots, iconic attractions, and mouthwatering delicacies, these places have become popular holiday destinations for many Filipinos - especially during Chinese New Year. 

Trips to these cities can feel pricey, especially if you're travelling with family. But it doesn't always have to be that way! There are plenty of cool spots and tasty eats in both cities where you can score great value without sacrificing the experience. 

With your GCash Visa Card and e-wallet, every swipe, scan, or tap helps your money go further—thanks to lower forex rates, more deals, easy payments, real-time spend tracking, and no more counting change.

And if you want great value, you can get that for sure when you use the ultimate shopping hack from GCash. All you need is your GCash Visa Card and e-wallet so you can Swipe-Scan-Tap. When you do, you can stretch every peso, thanks to lower forex rates, more deals, easy payments, real-time spend tracking, and no more counting change. 

If you're heading to Hong Kong and Macau for the Lunar New Year, check out these stops that are perfect for families and guaranteed to give a worthwhile experience. 

Shop sulit and smart hauls at wholesale stores and markets

Hong Kong is admittedly a shopping haven - but if you want to shop smart, you need to know where to go. Lung Fung Mall offers beauty, skincare, and health products at friendlier prices than malls. You can find fragrances, skincare, and other beauty products at reduced prices at their many locations across Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, if you're finally ready to buy that brand new item you've been saving up for, like new running shoes, a bag, or workout gear, Citygate Outlets is your best option. They carry many brands, such as Lululemon, Evisu, Marimekko, and many more. 

For seasoned travellers who frequent Hong Kong, going to Mong Kok to buy clothes, snacks, and a wide variety of anik-anik is also a no-brainer. If you've ever heard of Sneaker Street and Ladies Market, you can find things for you and for your pasalubong back home. The best part is that you can still haggle the prices in certain stores, making shopping in the area even more budget-friendly—so get your tawad skills ready!

And when carrying multiple bags after your pasalubong spree becomes a hassle, you can tap your way to easy, convenient payments with GCash Tap to Pay. Available for all NFC-enabled Android smartphones, it lets you pay with just one tap—making it much easier to get around the often-crowded streets.

Lung Fung Mall

Lung Fung Mall

Lung Fung Mall

Discover hidden gems and family fun in Macau.

Macau isn't just about its famous landmarks and beautiful architecture – though it is worth going just to see them for yourself. But there are also many fun experiences that the family can enjoy, and it's all just a convenient ferry ticket away! These boat trips take about an hour from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, and you can secure your tickets by paying with GCash Scan to Pay for a hassle-free experience. Simply generate your QR code and select Pay Abroad with GCash, and look for merchants with a QR code bearing the A+ logo to scan. 

If you're looking for local delicacies, head over to Taipa Village, where you can stock up on crowd favourites like beef jerky and almond cookies. These treats are delicious, affordable, and loved by locals! 

You can also book tickets to teamLab SuperNature Macau, an incredible interactive art space with 8-meter-tall, colourful exhibitions that kids and adults will enjoy. 

Here's a secret hack when paying with GCash abroad: some merchants also offer special promos and discounts up to PHP 1,500 off, just tap Travel and go into Travel Treats to browse what's available.

Eat without the splurge at Yung's Tangerine Peel Roast Goose and Cheung Hing Kee.

One of the best parts of travelling to Hong Kong and Macao is the food. You can't leave Hong Kong without trying their roast goose, and a great spot to try is Yung's Tangerine Peel Roast Goose. Yung's is rich and flavorful, and best of all, budget-friendly.

Yung's Tangerine Peel Roast Goose

Yung's Tangerine Peel Roast Goose

When you hear that a restaurant has been recognised by Michelin, would you believe that you don't have to pay a fortune for high-quality food? Because that's what you can expect from MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Cheung Hing Kee Shanghai Pan-fried Buns at Lock Road. Other than their pan-fried buns, their scallion noodles and wontons are a must-try—perfect bites to snack on when you want to refuel while exploring the city. 

Scan, Swipe, and Tap for a sulit and enjoyable trip.

Travelling on a budget doesn't have to mean limiting yourself. When you pay with GCash abroad, you get real-time control over your spending, low forex rates updated instantly in-app, and fast, convenient transactions throughout your trip — all while enjoying to the fullest. Remember to scan, swipe, and tap for an experience you'll definitely say is worth it! Download the GCash app today to get started. 

SM CITY MINDPRO KICKS OFF BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE FROM MAY 26 TO JUNE 1

School is almost back in session, and SM City Mindpro is making the transition easier and more exciting with its highly anticipated Back-to-School Sale, happening from May 26 to June 1, 2025.

Whether you're a student, parent, or teacher gearing up for the academic year, SM City Mindpro offers the ultimate one-stop-shop experience with big discounts, amazing deals, and a wide range of school essentials. From uniforms, backpacks, shoes, and stationery to gadgets and study furniture, everything you need to start the school year right is here—all at unbeatable prices.

As part of SM’s commitment to provide convenience and value for every Filipino family, this week-long sale will feature participating stores offering huge discounts on select items. Shoppers can also enjoy exclusive promos and bundle deals, making it the perfect time to stock up on supplies without breaking the budget.

Even more savings await at The SM Store! As part of its Back-to-School Promo, enjoy an extra 10% OFF when you spend ₱3,000 in a single receipt using GCash at The SM Store—making shopping smarter, faster, and more rewarding.

Don’t miss out on the Back-to-School Sale at SM City Mindpro from May 26 to June 1—where great beginnings and great savings meet! (PR)