How To Start Freelancing: A Step-By-Step Guide For 2024

An increasingly large number of people around the world are turning to freelancing, either as a supplement to their full-time career, or a full substitute.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as among all the pros and cons of freelancing, the flexibility it offers is a boon that both freelancers and their potential clients heavily appreciate.

Despite its promises and prospects, some people feel put off by the idea of starting a freelance career.

Getting a freelance business started is out of the comfort zone for most people used to working regular jobs, due to the apparent loss of structure that comes with freelance work.

Suppose you’re considering launching a freelance business, this article has everything you need to know.

We cover how to start freelancing, including a detailed step-by-step guide and a list of the best platforms for offering freelance services.

What Do Freelancers Do?

A freelancer works for one or more clients as an independent contractor, by the job, day, or hour.

These clients may range from individuals in need of business services, to large companies looking for additional manpower.

What’s common for working with all these freelance clients is that the partnerships tend to be short-term commitments, with no permanent ties.

Which Skill is Highly Paid in Freelancing?

Freelance jobs can be found in various industries and provide an opportunity for freelancers to utilize their skills to sell a wide array of services.

Here are some of the most lucrative fields for a freelancer to work:

• Web Development: Web development is a common yet incredibly lucrative freelancer skill, with an average salary of $42/hour.
• SEO: SEO is a useful skill to have in sync with professions such as content writing, or for a stand-alone SEO specialist job, which pays $31/hour on average.
• App Design: Many freelancers take advantage of the current craze for new apps on the digital market by learning app design, which pays an impressive $50/hour on average.
• Copywriting: Freelance copywriters working in digital marketing by creating marketing copy for various clients, at a fairly profitable price of $37/hour.

How Do You Know if Freelancing is Right for You?

Having a freelance business of your own comes with very important benefits, but it’s not free of its drawbacks.

It’s safe to say that freelancing isn’t the right choice for everyone, due to how differently structured it is from a regular day job that most people are used to, and the different habits that it requires.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before deciding to commit yourself to freelancing, you should ask yourself the following questions to make sure your decision to become a freelancer is the right call for you.

How independent are you? 

Freelancers aren’t tied to a specific client, so they can adjust their workload between clients, their total number, the project they will work on, and pay rates in any way they see fit.

While this is highly convenient, it also requires a degree of personal responsibility that most people aren’t used to.

Are you comfortable handling all parts of your business? 

Compared to regular, full-time employees, freelancers tend to have an extra set of responsibilities.

Freelancers usually manage their work hours, projects, and schedules for themselves, take care of bills and invoices, and pay self-employment taxes, which requires a stronger sense of organization and self-discipline.

How okay are you with uncertainty? 

Freelancing can be a precarious position, due to the uncertainty of freelance income and the occasional difficulty of finding a stable freelance job.

Do you have a financial backup plan? 

Due to freelancing’s economic uncertainty, it’s necessary to have a financial backup plan or any other sort of financial safety net, such as a savings account.

Can you find motivation and discipline within? 

Occasionally, keeping up with all your clients’ demands will require going outside of your usual work hours and working overtime, which can be taxing and overwhelming.

Consistently maintaining expectations demands a high level of motivation and discipline.

Are you okay with a lack of structure? 

As a freelancer, you’re your own boss, solely responsible for your schedule, work plan, and profit.

This can be a curse as much as a blessing, due to the level of self-discipline required.

Can you monetize your skills and passions? 

You may legitimately enjoy working in a particular niche as a hobby, but it will likely stop generating any pleasure the moment it becomes a source of financial stress and wasted time and effort.

Make sure to check if your niche of choice is financially sound by looking into gig economy statistics.

How Much Do Beginner Freelancers Earn?

The expected starting salary for freelancers highly depends on the industry, region, and supply and demand for a particular skill.

Still, according to a 2022 report by Payoneer, the average freelancer earns a worldwide average of $28/hour.

This means that, overall, freelancing is a more lucrative opportunity compared to a regular, full-time job.

Realistically, a beginner in the freelance business can expect to earn $15-20 per hour on average from their first client, before gaining experience and a more comprehensive freelancing portfolio.

What Do You Need to Start Freelancing?

Although starting a freelancing business doesn’t require a particularly steep skill curve or financial investments, it’s almost impossible to become a successful freelancer without a strong starting point.

Here is a list of the essentials necessary for anyone looking to become a freelancer.

A skill

Although some low-paying jobs such as data entry require no specific skills or qualifications, more lucrative freelance opportunities will require mastery of a skill that’s in demand on the market.

A financial cushion

Going into freelance business can be a risky venture, especially if your goal is to give up your regular job in favor of freelancing.

If you’re going to quit right away instead of gradually transitioning, make sure not to do it without a financial safety net to keep you from falling through.

A computer

Virtually all contemporary freelance work nowadays is done remotely and requires the use of appropriate software.

Though some tasks may be completed only with the help of a mobile phone, most will require an actual computer that can run the necessary software.

Reliable Internet

A stable, reliable broadband internet connection is a necessary prerequisite for anyone’s freelancing career.

Slow internet and constant outages are the bane of any freelancer, slowing work down and causing a great deal of frustration.

A desire to freelance

None of the above requirements will count for much if you don’t have a real desire to work freelance.

A freelance job requires a great degree of discipline and commitment, so if you want to focus on it for a certain future period make sure to know that you truly want it.

Best Freelancing Websites

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of platforms where a new freelancer could potentially find work, to the point where the repertoire may even appear overwhelming.

Here are the best general-purpose ones that all freelancers should be able to use to find work, no matter what their niche may be.

1. Fiverr

As one of the most popular freelancing platforms, Fiverr is known for its highly competitive pricing model that favors freelancers and makes it possible to earn considerable amounts of money.

Overall, its algorithm works best for short-term or one-off projects, with a high 20% freelancer commission fee that makes it quite unsuitable for long-term arrangements.

2. Upwork

Upwork is differentiated from its competitors by its robust matching algorithm that can quickly and easily match freelancers and their potential clients, with a transparent review and rating system.

It’s mostly suitable for long-term work arrangements, creating a niche of users that could be seen as opposite to Fiverr’s.

3. Freelancer

As one of the older services on the list, Freelancer initially differentiated itself from its competition by offering payments in multiple global currencies.

While this feature is now commonplace for similar platforms, it still offers what’s possibly the broadest array of categories and niches to choose from, with relatively low commission fees.

4. Toptal

Toptal differs from the other platforms on the list with its more exclusive freelancer base.

It has a rigorous screening process that accepts only the top 3% of freelance talent in software development, design, finance, and management.

Out of all the websites on this list, Toptal offers the highest average earning potential.

5. Flexjobs

As deducible from its name, Flexjobs is a platform that focuses on flexible jobs.

It provides freelancers with exclusive research on prospective clients, along with advanced search capabilities.

As a downside, freelancers are required to pay a membership fee, although there is no commission.

6. PeoplePerHour

With over three million registered freelancers and over a million business clients, PeoplePerHour is among the most popular freelancer platforms.

It’s home to a broad array of freelancer services, along with a tough, numerous competition.

Positive reviews serve as a rating boost, though, making it easier for high-quality freelancers to get job opportunities.

How to Start Freelancing

Regardless of whether you want to become a freelancer full-time or simply use the freelance gig as a supplementary source of income, there’s a fairly straightforward path that you need to take before taking on your first freelance client and starting your own business as a freelancer.

How to Start Freelancing With No Experience

Starting a freelance career with no prior experience can be tricky, but it shouldn’t be an issue as long as you follow the guide laid out here.

1. Choose the Kind of Freelancing You Want to Do

The niche should derive from your interests, aspirations, and skills you already possess.

For example, if you have a knack for art and an interest in creating graphics and visuals, going into freelance graphic design is a logical progression.

2. Work on Your Skills

Most freelancers find themselves working in fields which they have no degrees or official qualifications for and are thus forced to rely on nothing but their skills to prove their worth.

Taking online courses on platforms, such as Coursera or Freelance University, not only improves your skills in a particular subject but also gives you access to certificates that you can add to your portfolio.

3. Set Your Rates

You should avoid setting your price too high, as clients will simply go for the cheaper alternative, but don’t sell yourself too short either — setting a low initial price will make it hard to get a raise later.

The principal factors to consider are your previous experience, education level, industry prices, supply and demand, and average rates on your platform of choice.

4. Start Building Your Portfolio

Having a strong portfolio is one of the primary factors that will contribute to new clients wanting to hire you, so don’t neglect this step under any circumstance.

To pad your portfolio, it’s always useful to gain one or more certificates for skills, and try to get as many jobs as possible to add as examples of previous work.

5. Market Yourself as a Freelancer

For the most successful freelancers, it’s essential to go beyond simply creating an online space for themselves — they need to actively strive to make their online presence known.

Many new freelancers use their social media channels to give an initial boost to their freelance careers, by announcing their new venture to their existing online circle.

6. Reach Out to Your Network for Assignments

New freelancers often find it necessary to actively pitch their services to potential clients.

If you have any professionals from industries you want to target inside your personal or professional network, feel free to contact them and ask if they have any job opportunities for you.

7. Make a Portfolio Website

Creating a personal website or a blog is the next step for many freelancers, which they either do themselves or hire a professional web designer for.

Its primary purpose is housing the freelancer’s portfolio, but a clever option is to include SEO articles relevant to the target niche to attract new clients who can stumble upon the site through a search engine.

How to Start Freelancing as a Student

One of the main challenges of freelancing as a student comes from finding a healthy balance between work and studying, especially since for many students freelancing and other jobs are necessary to sustain them during studies.

Still, as long as you’re able to thoughtfully plan out your freelancing journey, time management should prove to be a breeze.

1. Figure Out What Kind of Freelancing to Do

If you’re a student, you may want to prioritize niches related to your education course, since it will not only help you gain skills and references for a future full-time job in your field of choice but also help you get better-paying freelance jobs with more discerning clients.

2. Define Your Target Client

A more narrow, specific client focus will help you cater your marketing efforts toward a specific clientele.

Most potential clients will prefer hiring a client who focuses on their particular niche rather than a generalist, as it’s a more certain guarantee that they will do their task effectively and with expertise.

3. Come Up With a Pricing Structure

You should calculate your average annual and monthly expenses, taking the eventual freelance tax into account, too.

A pricing structure where your expected profits cover all your expenses and leave another 25% on the side is one that you should plan your rate around.

4. Join Freelancing Platforms

Joining one or more freelance platforms among the ones mentioned above is the easiest way to meet potential clients and find new gigs.

Most importantly, using a platform to hunt for gigs will save time and effort, leaving more space for your studies.

5. Start Building a Portfolio

A solid portfolio will not only help your freelance career but also help you with your future job prospects.

If some current or past clients have been particularly satisfied with your work, you may ask them to provide a testimonial — personal references are often the most powerful ones that you can get.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does It Cost to Start Freelancing?

It can be as low as $0 if you already own a PC and have a stable broadband internet connection. With extra comfort, convenience, and equipment necessary for certain niche work, the initial cost may go up to $2,000–$3,000.

What Are the Benefits of Being a Freelancer?

The ability to set your hours and schedules when working on freelance projects, and working from home rather than getting bogged in office schedules are the main benefits of freelancing. The only thing that matters is meeting clients’ deadlines and task demands.

Wrapping Up

As long as you follow the right steps, entering the freelancing world should be much more straightforward and less challenging than it may appear at first.

The planning and preparation phase might look difficult but with a clear idea of your business goals setting up a freelance gig shouldn’t be an issue.

What’s likely the most challenging part is the immediate follow-up: landing your first client.

After the first project is completed, though, you will not only gain the confidence necessary for the endeavors to come but also receive a rating and review — or maybe even a referral — that will just make your future freelance work progressively easier, quickly turning it into a routine just like any other.

If you found this guide helpful, make sure to share it with your fellow freelancers,  and if you have some extra suggestions of your own, feel free to drop them in the comments below!