Freelancing: Tips, Scams to Avoid, and Success Stories - SimplVest

Happy November! It’s a great time to get into freelancing, so we’ve got essential tips, ways to avoid common scams, and success stories from top freelancers to inspire you.


Happy new month!

October is finally done, and I, for one, am so glad to see its rainy behind wave goodbye. Here’s hoping the clouds take a well-deserved break—I’m more than ready for the sunshine!

On a personal note, this month marks my seventh year as a freelancer! I can’t remember the exact date, but sometime in 2017, I picked up my phone in search of extra ways to make some dough—and it kicked off with a little gig on a speech for a CEO at their company AGM.

Back up to the cloud, fam, it saves lives!


Seven years later, I’m still amazed by how people make money in the digital space. Just this week, I had the privilege of interviewing someone who turned a friend’s compliment into a six-figure global career! You can read all about it below.

Speaking of freelancing, we’ve put together a crucial guide on the top 10 scams every freelancer needs to watch out for. Because let’s face it – nobody has money to lose to scammers in this economy! This one’s a must-read.

And, since we’re on point, there’s something from the biggest freelancer I know to date. Vaami’s got you covered with a step-by-step guide to building a profitable writing career in Nigeria. He’s laying out practical strategies that have helped Nigerian writers turn their passion into a steady income, so if you’re serious about getting paid for your words, this guide is your blueprint.

Let’s jump to the latest stories…


🎯 This Week’s Must-Reads:

🚀The Voice That Launched a Career

🚀Dodge These Bullets

🚀Words That Pay


Spotlight Article

🎙️ The Voice That Launched a Career

Ever thought about voiceover work? Many folks (myself included) always hear about how soothing our voices are (don’t hate on it; it’s just God’s gift, please 😌). 

But what if you could turn the “you have a nice voice” compliment into a thriving six-figure career? Our SimplVest Exclusive this week is on Hannah, a Nigerian voiceover artist who broke into the international market, earning six figures by voicing everything from commercials to gaming characters.

In our exclusive Q&A, Hannah shares the story of her unexpected start in voiceover work, plus the dedication it took to go from recording in a closet and a $50 gig to commanding top dollar in a competitive field. If you’ve ever been curious about the world of voiceover or simply want a dose of inspiration, this is one to read.

Who knows, maybe this could inspire your next big move!

Read Hannah’s story ➔


✍️ From Vaami’s Desk

📜Words That Pay

For all my writers out there (and those who think they’ve got a shot at it), we’ve got a fresh guide on building a profitable writing career in Nigeria. I’ve always maintained that we live in a world hungry for quality content and that making a living from words isn’t reserved for the newsroom or bestseller lists anymore.

From finding your niche, landing that first high-paying gig, or growing your freelance income, we’re breaking down the practical steps you need– stuff I used to build my own career. And it’s perfect for newbies and seasoned writers alike. I don’t want to toot my horn (I do), but these insights are pure gold.

Explore the tips for a successful writing career

Vaami out! 🐉


🧠 Monthly2K Focus: Is Your Paycheck Enough?

Ever feel like your paycheck disappears faster than it arrives? It doesn’t have to be that way. With Monthly2K, you’ll learn how to create an income stream that adds $2,000 monthly to your pocket. We’ll give you the playbook, the ideas, and the success stories to make it happen. Ready to stop living paycheck to paycheck? Let’s get started.


⚠️ Dodge These Bullets

Freelancing offers amazing freedom, but it also means being on guard. Scammers know how to target freelancers with promises of “easy work” and “great pay”—until, of course, they ask for that “quick unpaid test.”

This guide will walk you through the top red flags every freelancer should know. From the “free work” scam to shady clients who ask for “deposits,” these are the warning signs that experienced freelancers swear by to stay safe. Avoid common traps, protect your time, and focus on finding real, paying clients.

Stay scam-savvy with these 10 tips ➔


📺 Binge-Watch Alert

I’m always big on learning money lessons, and if you’ve been keeping up with us at SimplVest, you know our brand is teaching money lessons in a fun way—after all, all work and no play dull Tunde, Chioma and Ali.

That’s why we’re excited that the second season of Smart Money Woman premieres this weekend. It’s a favourite around the editorial team, and if you’re a longtime fan, you know why.

But if you’re new to the show or need a quick refresher, check out this recap of Season 1. It’s the perfect way to catch up on all the drama, money lessons, and life hacks our favourite characters have been navigating. Trust us, it’s worth it!

Watch the recap here →


📊 Did You Know?

Here’s a little something to prep you for the holiday deals:

🛒 Black Friday fans, here’s some interesting news from Jumia! Starting November 1st and running all the way until November 30th, this year’s Black Friday isn’t just a one-day event—it’s a full month of unbeatable deals, and you can snag discounts on everything from gadgets to fashion essentials.

💡 What’s the takeaway? If you’ve been waiting to make those big purchases or stock up for the holidays, now’s the time to get organized and save big!


👋Before you go

If these freelancing insights spoke to you, pass them along to someone who’d benefit. Whether they’re getting into voice acting, scaling their writing career, or freelancing safely, there’s a little something for everyone in this edition.

Share SimplVest with a Friend!

Thanks for sending your replies to last week’s big question on your biggest money move this past quarter. Here’s what some of you had to say:

Looking forward to this week’s replies!

Until next week, 

Dami from SimplVest 🚀


P.S. Got a unique side hustle/ freelancing story? Hit reply and tell me about it – you might just feature in our next spotlight!

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