You must be professional, polite and honest with your clients
Hi, This is Ashraful Alam. I was born in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. It is a small city, but a very peaceful place of the world. The city is in the northern part of Bangladesh. I have a very handsome son named Roddur, and he is 8 years old. My pretty beautiful wife is working as a teacher at a government primary school. We are very much happy in our family. I believe in love and happiness! We enjoy living a peaceful and Independent life! I am also a happy human that believes in one love!
What is your field of specialty?
I completed Post-Graduation of Fine Arts from the University of Rajshahi in 2007. I always like to create stories on motion camera. I am an avid creator of video production! I like to portray people’s lifestyle on camera. In fact, started my career as a Video Producer at Boishakhi Television, a private satellite television channel in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The filmmaker Mr. Haider Rizvi, the former founder and chief executive director of this channel, had mentored me and he observed my inner creative persona. He was my first and foremost teacher in the TV production industry.
However, after 13 years I quit my television production job because I wanted to be an independent creator. It was a very critical decision for me because I was giving up my monthly salary and I had become used to that life. But, I felt that it was a form of slavery, which I truly hate, and it should be immediately stopped everywhere around the world!
A period of professional setbacks
After I left my television job I had a series of professional setbacks! 1) I lost monetization of my verified YouTube channel and 2) my account on another freelancing site was suspended around the year 2018. I was simply blacked out and I struggled with a period of being totally jobless!
How did you overcome your professional setbacks?
Despite these setbacks I never stopped using my video camera and editing panel! During that time Workshift had come along as a blessing for me. To be perfectly honest, I can say that initially I was not sure about this new freelancing platform. I didn’t have confidence in this site! But now I can proudly say that Workshift is the best outsourcing platform around the world. Therefore, the timing and my decision to join Workshift was perfect.
How does freelancing fit your lifestyle?
I believe in the freedom of free speech! Everyone should have the right to choose anything. I always feel that I am a citizen of the Global Village. There are no boundaries. Basically, I am an independent person; I love my parents, my son, my wife, my siblings and of course my friends. I like to spend my time with them. On the other hand, I tremendously enjoy traveling. Therefore, I should say that freelancing is the best fit for my lifestyle.
Do you have any future plans?
I look upon life as a time to be enjoyed in the present. I don’t believe in simply dwelling on the past or living for the future alone. I think the beauty of life is in the present. I want to work hard on video production and want to be a successful Independent creator. Only then will the past be acceptable and the future will take care of itself.
What are your impressions of Workshift, if any?
I can just say that it is simply incredible, I am happy to work with Workshift. It was very smooth receiving payment from Workshift after I completed a job. Workshift transferred my earnings from Japan to my local bank in Bangladesh.
Do you have any advice for new freelancers?
First of all, I would like to welcome all newcomers to Workshift because it is the best outsourcing platform, especially for beginners. It is very simple and user friendly. Secondly, anyone can get a job, but to do so first you should complete your Profile page, List your Skills, upload samples to your Portfolio (if you are an artist or a creator), upload your CV and write about your professional work experience to highlight your strengths.
What tips do you offer for success?
Once you do that a potential client must be convinced you are qualified and they must select you over other competing freelancers. Therefore, new freelancers can get a job. Finally, you have to get your first job and sometimes that could be low budget, but that doesn’t matter because like any job first you have to prove yourself, prove that you are qualified and that you deserve more. Last but not least, you must be professional, polite and honest with your clients. I wish you every success!