When I first started in the freelance business, I was not profitable. In fact, I was very far from it.
After spending several months in the industry, I realized there were things that I needed to learn and implement. I was clueless about everything related to freelancing.
Although I came on the scene with a giant portfolio of work, it didn’t matter. No one cared about my work experiences or my portfolio.
Why? Because potential clients wanted to know if I could deliver their projects on time, if I could develop their ideas into working products and if they could trust me with their money.
I’m writing this now because I know that many of you are thinking about becoming a freelancer, or maybe you have just started out and are still looking for your first client. Either way, this is for you.
Let’s get started.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Start from scratch and build your freelancing career. |
| 2. Aim to achieve profitability within 6 months or even less. |
| 3. Emphasize confidence and self-assurance in your freelancing journey. |
| 4. Leverage diverse expertise to land the best freelance jobs. |
| 5. Write persuasive proposals to win high-paying projects. |
| 6. Stay updated with the changing dynamics of freelancing. |
| 7. Build a strong support system within the freelancing community. |
| 8. Explore the new generation of freelancing and its opportunities. |
| 9. Prioritize time management to balance work and personal life. |
| 10. Adapt and evolve as freelancing continues to change the workforce landscape. |
1. Get Your Website Up And Running
I know, I know — you’re thinking “I’m a freelance designer, not a web developer. Why do I need a website?” Because that’s what people expect these days. Most people will look up your website to see if you are legitimate. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive — just something that looks professional enough to impress potential clients and tell them who you are and what you do.
Building a successful freelancing career from scratch is no easy feat. If you want to learn how to get jobs like an Ag-Tech freelancer, our comprehensive guide will show you the way. Discover the strategies to attract clients in the agricultural technology industry and take your freelancing to the next level. Check out our guide on How to Get Jobs Like an Ag-Tech Freelancer and start growing your freelancing business today.
2. Get On Social Media
Social media is one of the best ways for new freelancers to get noticed and share their work online. It can also be a great way for clients to connect with you as well! All I did was create my accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and started following people in my industry (designers and business owners). This was enough to get me going — now I have almost 20k.
3. Start With A Plan
The biggest mistake new freelancers make? They don’t start with a plan.
You need to decide what kind of skills you have that others would be willing to pay for. Do you write well? Are you great at marketing? These are valuable skills in the remote working world, and there is a demand for them. Then write them down on paper and think about how you can market them to businesses who need these skills.
Plan out when and where you will work. I mean really work. Don’t wait until inspiration strikes, or until it feels right inside your gut to work on something. Just do it! Get into the habit of working at certain times of the day, and carve out some space at home (or even better — a coffee shop) where you can go to be productive and focused on your work.
4. Don’t Stay A Secret—Market Your Services!
The fastest way to grow your freelancing business is to let people know what services you offer. And you know who should be talking about those services? You!
Post on social media. Announce it at your next family gathering. Put it on your website. Blast out an email newsletter. Do whatever feels right for you and your business, just don’t stay a secret!
Confidence is key when it comes to freelancing. Learn how to overcome self-doubt and uncertainty in your freelancing journey. Our guide on How to Freelance with Confidence provides practical tips and techniques to boost your self-assurance and excel as a freelancer.
5. Charge What You’re Worth!
You’ve got skills, so charge for them! Do some research and figure out what other freelancers in your industry are charging, then set a price that makes sense for you and your goals. Yes, it might feel scary at first to raise your prices—that’s normal! Everyone has been there before. But remember: you’ve got this.
6. Start Where You Are
You don’t have to have a full-time gig lined up before you get started—you can get your first client with just a few hours every week. After all, if you can do it for one person, you can do it for two!
7. Get Clear On Your Niche
Before you start talking about what you do, make sure you can answer these questions: 1) What do I want to be known for? 2) Who is my ideal customer? 3) What problems are cheap enough that people will pay me to solve them? (Hint: This problem should be worth at least $100/hr, as that’s what most experienced freelancers charge.) If you can’t answer these questions, it’s time to do some thinking and research before moving forward.
8. Don’t Quit Your Day Job
Depending on how much money you’ve saved up for this transition, you may not have the option of quitting your job right away—and that’s okay! Don’t feel like you need to make the leap all at once in order to be a true freelancer.
Sometimes it’s best just to start taking on freelance gigs while still holding down your full-time job. Not only will this give you more time and flexibility until you get going as a freelancer, it will also allow you to build up your reputation and portfolio without having to rush things along.
The freelance landscape is evolving, and you need to stay ahead as a modern freelancer. Embrace the changing dynamics and become a part of the new generation of freelancers. Explore the possibilities in our article on Freelance Gen: The New Generation of Freelancers and revolutionize the way you freelance.
9. Diversify Your Skills
Maybe it’s not the skills that are holding you back from success. Maybe it’s the target audience for your skills. Find out who else needs what you have to offer, and get to work convincing them.
10. Don’t Expect Overnight Success
Freelancing is tough work, and it’s going to take time to build up your skills and reputation in order to start making money as a freelancer. But with persistence and patience, you’ll get there!
Freelance writers with diverse expertise have a competitive edge in the job market. Find out how to leverage your skills and land the best freelance writing jobs. Our guide on How Freelance Writers with Diverse Expertise Can Get the Best Jobs offers valuable insights and strategies to maximize your freelance writing career.
11. Reach Out To Old Clients
When you’re just getting started as a freelancer, it can be easy to forget about all of the clients you worked within the past. However, your old clients are one of your best resources for getting new work! Successful freelancers are proactive about reaching out to their old customers and seeing if they need any additional work done (or if they know anyone who does).
12. Create A Plan For Pricing Your Work
There are a lot of different ways to price your work. You can charge by the hour, by the word, by the project, by retainer… there are a lot of options! But it’s important to get clear on how you want to structure your pricing before you set out on your freelance journey. Do a little research and decide what works best for you and how much you need/want to make each month.
Writing persuasive and compelling freelance proposals is crucial for winning clients. Learn the ins and outs of creating winning proposals with our comprehensive guide. Discover the key elements that make a proposal stand out in The Definitive Guide to Freelance Proposals and improve your chances of landing high-paying projects.
Final Thoughts
We’ve compiled every tip we could find, every strategy that has worked for other freelancers so you can implement them today to get your first freelance job and start earning money in a matter of days.
Hopefully, our list above gets you on your path to success as a freelancer…or at least shows you the direction to be able to succeed by yourself. The tips above should be more than enough for anyone to start making money working for themselves…as long as they are willing to work hard and keep pursuing their dreams.
Further Reading
How Long Does It Take to Earn Money Freelancing?: Discover the factors that influence your freelancing income and how to accelerate your earnings in the freelance world.
How I Went From Day Job to Full-Time Freelancer in Three Months: Learn from a real-life success story of transitioning from a traditional job to a full-time freelancing career in a short span of time.
8 Tips to Make Money as a Freelancer: Explore eight practical tips to increase your earning potential and build a sustainable income stream as a freelancer.
FAQs
What Exactly Is A Freelancer?
A freelancer is a self-employed worker who performs tasks for clients when they need the work done without being their permanent employee. Freelancers are not salaried by an hourly rate, but rather by the job or project.
How Long Does It Take To Make Money As A Freelancer?
It takes about 6 months on average to learn the skills needed and establish yourself as a freelancer so that you can make money from your new career.
How Much Money Can You Make?
Freelancers earn between $10 and $80 an hour on average depending upon their skillset and experience. Highly experienced designers can earn upwards of $150 an hour or more.
How Do I Get Started?
Find your skills niche and pursue training online on websites like Skillshare, Lynda, Udemy, etc., and set up your website to showcase your skills to potential employers. Then sign up at online freelance marketplaces like UpWork, Toptal, Fiverr, and People Per Hour where work waits for you.
How Do I Find My Niche?
Do some soul-searching! Think about what skills, interests, and experience you already have that could be useful to others. You may already have hobbies or recreational activities that lend themselves well to freelance work, such as writing about sports if you’re an avid baseball fan or creating graphic design projects for small businesses if you enjoy tinkering with Photoshop.
How Do I Find My First Project?
The best way to find your first project is online, on a site like Upwork. Upwork is a site where businesses and entrepreneurs go to look for freelancers to hire. In order to create an account, you’ll need to fill out your profile and then apply for jobs that fit your skills. You’ll submit a proposal including your background, why you’re the best person for the job, and what you plan to accomplish if you’re hired. It can take some time before you start getting jobs, so don’t get discouraged!
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.