A conversation with Nasir Uddin Shamim, Founder of NShamimPRO, and a seasoned expert in the freelance industry since 2008, on strategies for scaling up and managing growth in the freelance sector.
How did you break into the online space and carve out a successful career?
I started my journey as a textile engineer, but my passion for the digital world led me to explore Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and internet marketing. Through countless hours of self-learning, trial and error, and key successes, I gained a strong foothold in the industry.
My online career officially began in 2012 as a content publisher at Google. Not long after, I co-founded DevsTeam Limited, a digital marketing and web development agency, alongside a few fellow entrepreneurs. After a few years with DevsTeam, I moved on to establish my own ventures. In 2018, I founded NShamimPRO, an SEO, blogging, and affiliate marketing learning platform, and LateNightBirds LLC, a company specialising in holistic and technical SEO services for niche industries.
Over the years, my primary focus has remained on SEO. Today, I manage over 15 professional blogs across various niches while working with international clients, continuing to expand my expertise and impact in the digital space.
Founder
NShamimPRO
What gave rise to the popularity of freelancing in Bangladesh?
Freelancing began gaining popularity in Bangladesh when oDesk, now known as Upwork, launched its regional campaign in the country. They appointed a business ambassador, and their team started collaborating with local skill development institutes while sponsoring various internet-based events. These efforts, along with press releases, helped oDesk reach the divisional and even rural levels of Bangladesh.
In addition to oDesk, some developers and web designers were already working on other freelance platforms like GetACoder, RentACoder, and 99Designs.
It was in 2011 that freelancing truly began to rise as a recognised profession across Bangladesh. People started believing that it was possible to earn a decent income online from the comfort of their homes. Until then, many were sceptical about whether these freelance platforms actually paid freelancers.
How big is the freelance community in Bangladesh?
I would refer to it as the ‘Online Professionals Community’ rather than the mainstream freelancing community because not all professionals who work online are freelancers. Many web developers have their own products, which are selling exceptionally well worldwide. Similarly, numerous designers create media and design elements that are sold on various marketplaces. There are also professional bloggers, affiliate marketers, funnel designers, and lead generators who may not operate on typical freelancing platforms but work independently.
The number of online professionals in Bangladesh is substantial, but it is challenging to determine an exact figure due to the lack of government regulations and comprehensive data collection. Many individuals work anonymously, without public profiles or social media presence.
According to data published by the ICT Division of Bangladesh in January 2023, there are 6.5 lakh freelancers actively working across different marketplaces. Additionally, a recently published article in Prothom Alo estimates that approximately 10 lakh freelancers in Bangladesh are engaged in over 153 marketplaces worldwide. The ICT Division’s report also highlighted that the freelance economy in Bangladesh in 2023 was valued at around USD 1 billion.
How long does it usually take freelancers to start having a good and steady stream of income?
The timeline depends largely on the mindset of the freelancer. Typically, it takes 2 to 3 years to build a strong profile on freelance marketplaces or establish a solid client base outside of these platforms. Once the profile or client base is well-developed, freelancers often start receiving a significant number of offers.
Some freelancers choose to take on jobs or tasks based solely on their individual capacity, while others focus on learning delegation and team-building skills alongside their freelance work. Those who master delegation can accept a much larger volume of job offers compared to their peers, which often leads to significantly higher earnings.
For individual bloggers, affiliate marketers, or freelancers, if they are fully committed and treat this as their full-time job, it usually takes no more than 2 years to start earning a decent and consistent monthly income online.
TYPICALLY, IT TAKES 2 TO 3 YEARS TO BUILD A STRONG PROFILE ON FREELANCE MARKETPLACES OR ESTABLISH A SOLID CLIENT BASE OUTSIDE OF THESE PLATFORMS. ONCE THE PROFILE OR CLIENT BASE IS WELL-DEVELOPED, FREELANCERS OFTEN START RECEIVING A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OFFERS.
What options do freelancers have in terms of expanding or scaling up?
When the workload becomes overwhelming, such as consistently receiving numerous job offers, freelancers have two main options for scaling up. They can outsource entire projects to third-party agencies or other freelancers with fewer leads, taking on a managerial role to supervise the project. Alternatively, they can establish their own agency and complete the work with a dedicated team. These options are particularly relevant for freelancers offering skill-based services, where they are paid for their ability to complete specific tasks.
For SEO specialists and internet marketers, building a team and offering services as an agency is often the fastest way to scale and increase earnings. However, freelancers can also expand their revenue streams by building assets.
Personally, I prefer creating products and building my own assets to diversify my income. For example, if you are a content writer providing freelance writing services, you could form a team and start a blog. A successful blog can generate revenue through advertisements, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and, eventually, by selling the blog for around 30 times its monthly income. This blog becomes a valuable asset you’ve nurtured over time, which can be sold for a significant profit later.
That said, there are challenges. Freelancers working solo face limited options for scaling because they already juggle multiple roles – manager, CEO, employee, and accountant. While their ultimate goal should be to build an agency, running one isn’t easy. Managing a team of 30 employees is daunting, especially for those accustomed to working independently, which is why many agencies fail within their first year.
My recommendation is to start by building a small team and gradually expand as you gain a better understanding of the business model. Once the team becomes more skilled and you develop project management expertise, you can scale further and work towards establishing a full-fledged agency.
What is the future scenario of freelancing in Bangladesh?
The future of freelancing in Bangladesh looks promising, especially for those who can adapt to emerging technologies like AI. These freelancers will not only survive but thrive in the evolving industry. The freelancing sector, both locally and globally, is growing at a healthy pace. According to Mordor Intelligence, a data research company, the global freelancing market is expected to reach USD 6.56 billion in 2024 and could grow to USD 14.17 billion by 2029.
Currently, 14% of the world’s freelancers are from Bangladesh, and this number is expected to increase steadily with the industry’s growth. Considering these trends, I am optimistic about the future of freelancing in Bangladesh.
Photograph by Shihab Mohammad
