Freelancing as a side gig is a great way to make some extra money, test the waters before making a career change or try out a new skill in the real world.
But if you’ve never freelanced for pay before, it can feel a little scary. What will your first assignment be? Will you get paid on time? What happens if you have a bad client experience?
The good news is that freelance platforms are designed to help make it easier for people to connect with work opportunities and avoid common issues.
Here are 11 things you can do to give yourself an edge as you start out:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Start with a Clear Business Plan |
| 2. Build a Strong Online Presence |
| 3. Determine Your Niche and Expertise |
| 4. Set Realistic and Competitive Rates |
| 5. Create a Professional Portfolio |
| 6. Network and Connect with Potential Clients |
| 7. Always Deliver High-Quality Work |
| 8. Manage Your Time and Prioritize Tasks |
| 9. Communicate Effectively with Clients |
| 10. Embrace Continuous Learning and Skill Development |
| 11. Don’t Be Afraid to Market Yourself and Your Services |
1. Make A Plan
Before you start working as a freelancer, make a business plan. This will help you figure out how much to charge and what your profit margins are. You’ll also want to think about how you can grow your business over time. Are there new skills or services you want to learn? Is there a particular industry you want to work with?
This is also the time when you should ask yourself what your “big picture” goals are for this business, and whether they align with the type of freelancing you plan to do.
For example, if one of your goals is to have more free time outside of work, then freelance writing might be more enjoyable than working as a freelance web developer. But if one of your goals is to create an agency that employs other people, then web development might be the better option for you because it has more potential for long-term growth.
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2. Know What You Want
Before you take steps to become a freelancer, it’s important to know why you want to do it. What do you gain by becoming your own boss? What do you lose? Be honest with yourself about what motivates you and what scares you. Understanding your own goals and fears will help guide your decision-making process and prepare you for the challenges ahead.
3. Understand The Risks
Freelancing is not easy work. Even though more and more people are choosing this path, it still carries some stigma in our culture, with lots of misconceptions about how much money freelancers make and whether they deserve it.
You’ll need to be prepared for friends, family members, and perhaps even strangers to question your decision or ask if you really “make enough” money to live on. If those questions bother you, consider how you plan to respond before someone asks them of you.
4. Complete Your Profile
Your profile is the first thing clients see when they search for freelancers, so it’s important to fill it out completely and honestly. Think of it like your resume and cover letter rolled into one — it’s how you’ll introduce yourself and market your skills to others. It’s okay if you’re not super experienced yet, but do include any relevant education and projects. The more complete your profile is, the more likely clients will be able to find you when they’re searching through candidates.
5. Do Your Research
It’s easy to feel intimidated by your competition — especially when they have years of experience under their belt. But even if it seems like everyone has a leg up on you, remember that there are millions of people using these websites to hire workers in every industry imaginable. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone.
If the thought of competing with such a large pool of candidates is overwhelming, don’t worry. Websites like Upwork use algorithms to match candidates with jobs based on their experience, skills, and availability.
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6. Choose A Niche
While being a jack of all trades has its benefits, is known as the master of one is valuable in the long run. With so many freelance professionals focusing on one specific area of the market, choosing a niche makes it easier for you to stand out from the crowd.
For example, if you’re looking for web design clients, why not specialize in creating websites for health and wellness professionals? Or culinary blogs? The more specific you are in your niche, the less competition you’ll have when bidding on jobs.
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7. Figure Out How Much To Charge
Before you can start working, you need to figure out how much to charge. Many people make the mistake of charging too little because they think that low prices will bring in more work. They are wrong! Although low prices may attract clients at first, once potential clients see what kind of work is being produced for that cheap price, they will not hire you again.
8. Do What You Love
The most important thing to remember is that you should do what you love because passion makes everything easier and more enjoyable. If you’re passionate about something and enjoy it, you’ll be much more likely to stick with it, regardless of the challenges and obstacles in your path.
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9. Set Boundaries
As a freelancer, it’s important that you get comfortable saying “no.” You can’t take every project offered to you or else your time will quickly become overwhelmed with clients instead of focusing on the ones who pay well and appreciate your abilities. This is why it’s critical to set boundaries from the beginning: boundaries around what type of clients you’ll work with, when you’re available for projects, and how much time you’ll give them each week.
10. Focus On Your Clients’ Needs First
All too often, new freelancers make the mistake of talking about themselves rather than their clients’ problems. They boast about their experience and expertise instead of taking time to understand what the client needs and how they can help them achieve their goals. The most successful freelancers put their clients first by focusing on the specific challenges they face and what they hope to achieve in working with them. This allows them to make recommendations that directly address those challenges and speak to the client’s pain points — something every potential client wants to hear.
11. Put Your Best Work Forward
It doesn’t matter what field you’re in, it’s important to put your best work forward. Freelance writer? Create a portfolio of your best work and update it often. Freelance artist? Make sure your website showcases your best pieces and make sure they’re optimized for search. Freelance Web designer? Create a website that showcases your best designs and make sure the code is clean and secure. The point is this: You want potential clients to see your very best work as quickly as possible, so make sure it stands out on your website or portfolio!
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Final Thought
Freelancing is an attractive option for many people because they don’t have to worry about getting a job with a company and having to answer to a boss. They can work from home or while traveling abroad, as long as they have an internet connection. It can be a great way to make money from your talents and experience.
However, it’s not for everyone. It takes hard work and dedication to get a freelancing career off the ground, so if you’re not prepared for that, it’s probably best not to pursue this path. Before you jump into the world of freelancing.
Further Reading
21 Tips for First-Time Freelancers: Explore practical advice and essential tips to navigate the world of freelancing successfully.
How to Be a Freelancer: Learn the key steps and considerations to kickstart your freelance career.
25 Essential Tips for First-Time Freelancers: Discover 25 crucial tips to ensure a smooth transition into the freelancing world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Workspace?
One of the most enjoyable things about freelancing is being able to work from home, but this also means that there are fewer boundaries between your work life and home life. This is why it’s important to have a designated workspace where you can focus and get your job done. It doesn’t have to be an office, but it should be somewhere you can concentrate on your tasks without any distractions. It could be as simple as a desk in the corner of your room or your favorite spot at the local coffee shop.
What’s the best way to find work online?
There are dozens of online platforms that can help you find freelance work. Upwork is a good place for beginners because it offers a wide variety of jobs that are suitable for beginners and allows you to build up your portfolio.
How should I price my services?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here; pricing depends on what type of service you provide, how much time it takes, and how much money the client has budgeted for it. Most freelancers charge by the hour, but it may be more lucrative and convenient for you to offer flat rates instead. When determining how much to charge per hour or per project, make sure that you’re including your expenses in your calculations.
I’m ready to start freelancing, but where would I find clients?
If you’re not sure where to begin your search, think about people you know. Do they need help with anything that you could do? For example, a friend of mine is a graphic designer and has done small freelance jobs for people she knows. Also, look on LinkedIn to see if there are people in your network who might be able to help you get some quick gigs. Once you get going, you can start posting listings on sites like Craigslist and Upwork to generate more leads. Good luck!
How do I know when I’m ready to start freelancing?
If you have a skill that is in demand and have at least one client lined up who is willing to pay you an amount that will make it worth your while, then yes, you’re ready. The key is the combination of skill in demand and a client willing to pay.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!