How To Make Money Freelancing While In College

Table of Contents

Why Student Should Become A Freelancer

College is expensive. In fact, the cost of college has risen between 6% and 8% each year for the last 30 years. With tuition rates skyrocketing, many students are struggling to pay for school without taking the time to work during their studies. What’s more, it’s not just tuition that students need to worry about: once they factor in books, housing, food, transportation, and other expenses, they can see that they’re going to be in a lot of debt by the end of their time at college.

Fortunately, there is a way out of this debt trap: becoming a freelancer while you’re still in school. Freelancing is a great way to make money on your own terms while pursuing your studies. It allows you to set your own hours and make enough money to cover all of your expenses with plenty left over for fun. This article will provide you with some tips on how to get started as a freelancer.

You may be thinking that freelancing sounds like a lot of work and that you don’t have any skills! Well, luckily for you there are tons of jobs out there that require little more than being an organized person who can read and write well—and these are things most college students already have!

How to Make Money Freelancing While in College

How to freelance as a college student | Curious Harish

Takeaways
1. Freelancing in college provides an opportunity to earn income while gaining real-world experience.
2. Balancing freelancing and academic responsibilities requires effective time management and prioritization.
3. Building a strong portfolio and networking with professionals in your field can help you find freelance opportunities.
4. Utilizing online platforms and job boards can be a valuable resource for finding freelance gigs.
5. Developing in-demand skills and constantly improving your craft can increase your chances of success as a freelance college student.

11 Steps to Start Freelancing

If you’re in college and want to make money freelancing, it may feel too tricky to balance all of your commitments. But the truth is, you can do it!

If you’re considering getting into freelancing while still taking classes, here are three simple steps to get started:

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1. Define Your Niche

You’ll have more luck if you focus in on one small skill at a time. While you may be able to perform a variety of different tasks for different clients, you’ll have an easier time finding work if you stick with one area for now and decide later if you want to take on more. Once you’ve defined a niche, look for places where people need that skill, like subreddit forums or Facebook groups.

2. Get Some Training And Certifications

If your skill needs some extra training, look into micro-credentials and digital badges that will help establish yourself as a real expert in your niche.

3. Set Up Your Workspace And Manage Your Time Wisely

You’ll find it easier to work if you create a space that allows you to focus on freelancing and keep your personal life separate. You should also manage your time wisely so that you don’t burn out!

4. Prepare Your Pitch

Before you start looking for clients, you should make sure that your pitch is ready. Your pitch should clearly explain what skills or services you offer and why they’re valuable. It’s also important to include any relevant experience or education so that potential clients can see right away why they should choose you over someone else. You’ll want to spend some time thinking about how much money per hour/project will be worth it for both parties since negotiating price points can be tricky when starting out as a freelancer.

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5. Be Passionate About What You Do

Passion is the most important thing when it comes to being successful as a freelancer. If you love what you do, people will be more willing to pay for your services.

6. Do What You Love

If you have dreams of becoming a dancer, go for it! If you want to become a doctor, then that’s great too! The key is to find something that makes you happy and follow your heart.

7. Be Creative

Freelancers need creativity in order to succeed; if they don’t have any creative ideas, then their work will suffer and so will their clients’ businesses. If nothing else, try coming up with new ways of doing things or thinking about ways other people might solve problems differently than yourself.

8. Treat Your Professors Like Clients

But not in a bad way! Remember that they’re busy, so don’t book an appointment with them if you don’t have anything specific to ask for help with or discuss. When you DO need their help, be clear about what exactly you’d like to talk about beforehand so they can come prepared to really help you out when they see you.

9. Try Every Platform You Can Think Of

A lot of college students are working on their portfolios and want to get as much practice as possible. That means that if you’re a college student looking for freelance work, you’ll have even more competition than you would on regular freelancing sites. That’s why it’s important to diversify the places where you apply—the more, the merrier!

Looking for high-paying freelance jobs? Check out our curated list of Freelance Jobs That Pay $30 an Hour to discover opportunities that can help you earn a competitive income while working independently.

10. Post A Portfolio Online

Create a portfolio of your work. This can be anything from programming to drawing to building websites (like this one!). The key is to make sure that you include a wide variety of samples that show off your talents and skills. For example, if you’re good at writing blog posts about food safety issues then post some of those on your website or blog so potential employers know what kind of content they’ll be getting from hiring you as their freelancer!

11. Use Social Media To Network With Potential Clients

If you’re already on social media pretty often, this won’t be too much of a change for you—all you need to do is link up with relevant groups and pages and start reaching out to people. If you’re not super active on social media, don’t worry! You can still use it as an effective tool for networking as long as you’re willing to put in a little work.

Top 10 Most Rewarding Freelancer Tasks

We believe that all Freelancer tasks are rewarding, but we’ve tracked the data to find out which of our tasks are the most rewarding for college students of all. Here you go!

1. Freelance Writing

If you have a passion for writing, love to share your knowledge and enjoy research – then freelance writing may be your perfect match.

Freelance writers are in high demand and there is no shortage of content that needs to be created on the internet.

Freelance writing can be done from home or anywhere you have access to the internet which makes it super flexible and ideal for side hustlers who want a more stable income to supplement their blogging income.

You don’t need any experience or qualifications to get started with freelance writing either. In fact, I didn’t have any experience when I first started out.

2. Graphic Design

Graphic design is art with a purpose. It involves a creative and systematic plan to solve a problem or achieve certain objectives, with the use of images, symbols or even words. It is visual communication and the aesthetic expression of concepts and ideas using various graphic elements and tools.

Graphic design is applied in various ways, such as; print, digital media, broadcast media, motion graphics, advertising, and publishing to name but a few. Most importantly it is used for visual communication across all platforms.

The main objective of graphic design is to communicate effectively with its target audience through visual impact.

A graphic designer will be responsible for the layout and production of all marketing materials from brochures to magazines and advertisements to ensure that there is consistency in design quality. You will also be responsible for designing aesthetic layouts for corporate branding including logo designs and business cards.

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3. Data Entry

Data entry is one of the most popular tasks on freelancer.com and it’s easy to see why. It’s a simple concept, but it’s also in high demand. In this post, I’ll share some tips on finding work, and building your reputation as a data entry expert.

So what is data entry all about?

Data Entry is the process of entering data into a computerized database. Most companies use software to manage their data and need someone to input that information for them.

This could include updating customer records, transferring information from paper documents into digital files, or even doing online research to find numerical data which can be used to track trends or analyses competitors.

4. Blogging

There are thousands of people looking for bloggers out there. If you have a talent for writing, you should consider writing blogs as a freelance job. You can either write your own blog or find a company that is looking for bloggers to do their blogging for them. If you choose to write your own blog, you will probably be paid per post.

However, if you choose to take on someone else’s blog assignment, the pay will most likely be based on traffic or clicks. This means that the more readers you have coming to your site, the more money you will make.

5. Programming And Web Development

Programming and Web Development jobs are some of the most common tasks posted on the site. These tasks usually have a higher budget, as clients require specialized skills for their projects. If you have these skills, then you are in for a treat!

Web Programming includes tasks such as PHP Programming, ASP.NET programming, ASP programming, Java Programming, HTML/HTML 5 Programming, XML Programming, Python Programming, and many others.

Web Design & Development includes tasks such as Website Design & Redesign, Website Maintenance & Repair, E-Commerce Web Design & Development, and many others.

6. Online Teaching

Online teaching is a developing industry. It is getting popular among both students and teachers. In the past, there were only a few online schools where people could take classes, but now there are many such programs that make it easy for students to get an education despite being miles apart.

If you have good communication skills and some knowledge of computer then this job can be done by you. Online teaching is one of the best freelancer jobs in the online market. The instructor should have a thorough knowledge of their subject and should have a passion for teaching.

7. Researching

This simple task allows you to learn something new while earning money at the same time. It gives you the opportunity to learn about what interests you and what doesn’t.

This freelance task can be found anywhere and on any site, in any category, so it’s easy to find something that suits you. As you research, you can always choose a different topic or subject if the current one doesn’t hold your interest anymore.

8. Translating Languages

Translating documents, writing, or even speaking is one of the most popular services you can offer as a freelancer to people all over the world who don’t speak your language.

There is a big demand for translators who speak English and other major languages because many people (especially businessmen) are looking to connect with other people from all over the world in the language they feel most comfortable with.

9. Virtual Assistant

In the past decade, companies have started to realize that by hiring a virtual assistant (VA), they can save money on in-house expenses. On top of that, employees can work remotely and help with just about anything a business may need.

In addition to the trend of working from home and the rise of digital nomads, virtual assistants are enjoying the benefits of being able to choose the flexibility of their hours, what tasks they want to be involved in, and where they want to work from.

In addition to helping businesses save money and time, virtual assistants come with a plethora of skills that can benefit many different industries.

10. Bookkeeping Services

Bookkeepers are in high demand since small business owners are often overwhelmed with accounting tasks and would rather outsource it to a skilled professional.

These professionals keep track of the financial transactions of clients and prepare reports from that data. They also ensure that clients adhere to tax laws.

What Tools Do You Need To Start Freelancing During Your College Years?

And starting a freelancing business can be easy! All you’ll need are a few tools that you probably already have at home:

A smartphone: This will allow you to take pictures of your work, post them on social media platforms like Instagram where potential clients can see them too, and keep track of all projects in one place via apps like Trello or Asana

A laptop or desktop computer (or tablet): These devices allow you to create documents where you can keep track of who owes what when it comes time for invoicing clients as well as how much profit is coming in each month while still having access to all important files stored online so they don’t get lost if something happens to your device at any point during its usage period

Freelancing is a flexible career choice, but it’s important to understand what it entails. Learn more about the true nature of freelancing and dispel common misconceptions by reading our article on What Freelancing Is and Isn’t. Gain a clearer understanding of the freelance lifestyle and the opportunities it offers.

Takeaway

For college students looking to make money on the side, consider freelancing! It’s a great way for you to make money while you’re in school. However, it will require a little bit more planning and research in order to succeed. While it won’t be easy, all the effort will pay off in the end, as you’ll be able to build up your portfolio and earn some extra cash for whatever purposes you need it for (food, beer, textbooks, etc.)!

Freelancing While In College – FAQ

So What’s A Broke College Kid To Do?

Freelancing. And not just because we love it so much (which we do), but because it truly is one of the best ways to earn some extra cash while still keeping your workload manageable.

How Can I Convince My Parents That It’s Worth My Time?

Starting your own business, even if it’s small, is a great way to build experience and learn new skills. It might be hard to get them on board at first, but if you can show them how much you’re learning and how much you’ve accomplished, they’ll likely come around… eventually.

What Kind Of Jobs Should I Take On?

Freelancing is a great way to try out different kinds of work and see what you like best. Give yourself permission to try out new things without the commitment of a full-time job. You never know when something unexpected might spark your interest. Just remember to keep it manageable so you still have time for schoolwork!

Is There Anything Else I Should Keep In Mind?

Don’t forget that being an entrepreneur isn’t all rainbows and sunshine; there will be bad days too. Be prepared for setbacks and don’t let them discourage you from taking on new venture.

What’s The Best Way To Keep Track Of My Hours?

If you’re working on a computer, download an app like Toggl or Clockify to help you keep track of every hour. If your freelance work is offline, try using Google Calendar to schedule out your day or week, then mark off each hour as it passes.

What’s The Best Way To Get Started?

The first step is defining what type of work you want to do so that you can start building a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and expertise. You can freelance in almost anything: writing, photography, graphic design, tutoring—you name it! Once you’ve decided what you want to do, then it’s time to start building your portfolio.

I Know What I Want To Do, But How Will I Find Clients?

First of all, now that you’ve decided to make money freelancing while in college, you’ve already taken a huge step toward success. You’re not going to sit there and wait for clients to come to you—you’re going to go out there and find them yourself.

What Types Of Work Should I Do?

It’s important to think about your goals with freelancing. Are you trying to earn extra cash, or would you like to launch a long-term career? If you’re hoping to make some extra money while still in school, take on a variety of projects that don’t require long-term commitments on your part. This will ensure you have the time and flexibility to do well both academically and professionally.

How Do I Set My Rates?

You can do this by looking at similar jobs on freelancing sites and getting a sense of what people are charging. This will give you an idea of what the market rate is for your skills, which will help inform the rates you set.

Should I Do Any Other Kind Of Side Hustle?

Another great side hustle is taking on writing work through sites like Textbroker or Upwork. Although this will take more time than freelancing at home, it’s still possible to earn an income writing while in college.

Costantine Edward

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.