How to Become a Freelancer

How do you become a freelancer?

The freelance market is growing by the day and, if you want to be competitive, you have to prepare accordingly. 

“Getting started is probably the most difficult part. Then building a steady client base,” Chastain said. If you can do that, you’ll be in good shape. 

Follow these steps to get started on the right foot and start building a book of business to call your own.

Step 1: Consider whether freelancing is for you.

Freelancing has its pros and cons but, in general, you must possess a specific mindset to be a freelancer. Being your own boss is a great thing if you’re disciplined and reliable. Freelancing enables you to set your schedule, so you can take a day off whenever you want, but you won’t be paid for that time because there is no such thing as paid leave.

“Being a freelancer is not easy money. It is not passive income. It is hard work. But being your own boss is well worth it if you are a self-starter who is highly motivated,” Chastain said.

If you want to be a freelancer, you should maintain a daily work routine, be ready to juggle several assignments at once and continually look for new projects to maintain a steady flow of work.

If you’re still working full time, don’t immediately quit your job. Instead, combine freelancing and full-time work until you accumulate enough clients and connections to support yourself as a freelancer. Working from a comfortable place of steady work and safe income is a much better environment for developing your freelance business.

Step 2: Find your niche

Consider both your skills and interests to determine what value you can offer as a freelancer. For example, if you want to become a freelance writer, make a list of topics you know a lot about and enthusiastically want to cover. Being able to demonstrate your expertise will help you stand out from writers who will just take any job, and your enthusiasm will help you continuously approach work with passion and energy.

If you’re not sure what your niche is, begin by doing some market research. Figure out what companies hiring freelancers like you are looking for. Ask yourself if there are any gaps in the market or how you can bring a unique spin to your role. Other graphic designers may be happy to take marking orders and spin up images, for example. But are they willing to brainstorm and offer ideation support to their clients? Consider what services you could provide that add value for your clients. 

Step 3: Find a platform.

Most businesses find freelancers for open jobs using third-party platforms and websites. While recommendations and social media channels like LinkedIn can also be a great source of gigs, freelancing websites are popular because they allow you to connect effortlessly with clients looking for freelancers. There are always jobs available there.

“Building a strong LinkedIn profile, creating a portfolio site, joining platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, networking on social media, and asking for referrals are effective ways to find clients,” said Georgi Todorov, founder and CEO of Create & Grow.

In addition to Upwork and Fiverr, Todorov recommended Toptal for high-paying projects.

Also, most of these platforms have policies and offer protection both for freelance workers and those doing the hiring. On freelance platforms, every project you take on is a mini contract, and both you and the client are required to adhere to its terms.

Choosing the platform with the model that fits your needs and salary expectations is incredibly important for your success. For example, there are numerous highly rated freelance websites for finding developers. Plenty of freelancing websites encourage the so-called “race to the bottom,” where freelancers provide poor quality work in exchange for poor compensation.

Ultimately, it doesn’t help anyone — buyers cannot find good quality of work and freelancers cannot earn enough money.

Some freelancing platforms, like Elite Brains, base their business model on admitting only top freelance talent and connecting them with clients based on specific requirements. Being a member of such an exclusive platform allows you to connect with serious clients and get paid for high-quality work. The admission process on these types of platforms can take several weeks and include several rounds of relevant tests.

Step 3: Build your profile.

You don’t have to prepare a classical resume as most freelancing websites have a predesigned template you need to fill out with your information, but you shouldn’t treat your freelancing profile as a check box exercise.

Take time to create a substantial profile that will inform potential clients about your education, skills, expertise and experience. You don’t have to write novels — keep it concise. List your skills, experiences, special achievements and explain why you’re the best person for the job.

>> Learn More: What to Look for When Hiring Freelancers

Step 4: Build your portfolio.

Your profile may state that you’re an astronaut, but unless you upload your selfie from the international space station, potential clients are unlikely to believe you. So, when you create a profile, make sure to provide a portfolio that illustrates your skills and experience.

If you’re a beginner in your chosen field, take time to create a portfolio with sample works or accept several jobs at a discounted rate in exchange for experience.

Step 5: Determine your price.

While your hourly rate or project price heavily depends on your skill set and experience, don’t work for peanuts.

“Your rate should be determined by the value of your experience and time, not just your time,” Chastain said. “Look at what other freelancers and companies are charging for similar work at a similar experience level. Clients are not only paying for the end result, but also the expertise you have spent years learning to complete that work.”

If you have only a couple of years of experience, of course, you cannot charge the same rate as freelancers with a decade of work under their belts. However, if you eventually want to turn freelancing into a full-time job, the rate should cover your monthly expenses if you have steady work, no matter how experienced you are. [Consider a top credit card processing solution to help process client payments easily and efficiently.]

Step 6: Find work.

First, apply only for the jobs you are confident you can do. There is no point in applying for a project you cannot complete on time with satisfactory results. As a freelancer, you’re building your reputation from scratch and, especially in the beginning, it’s of utmost importance to secure positive feedback.

When you apply for jobs, make sure you craft a relevant cover letter that explains why you’re the best choice for that particular job or project. Highlight the skills and experience that are relevant to requirements.

Over time, freelancing platforms reward top-rated freelancers with badges, lower fees and access to specially tailored job offers, so it’s in your best interest to keep your clients happy.

Some freelancers avoid online marketplaces. They come with the fees, usually between 5 percent and 20 percent of their earnings, which can add up by the end of the month. In that case, try to use various groups on Facebook and LinkedIn to find work. However, be aware that with these gigs, there is no contract in place and no guarantee that someone won’t take your work and never pay for it.

Step 7: Focus on client relationships.

Growing your client relationships is the most important part of freelancing. By maintaining a good connection with your current clients and providing quality work, you’ll be more likely to secure more consistent jobs in the future. 

“Freelancing works best when both sides build trust and communicate clearly. Employers should provide detailed briefs, while freelancers must deliver consistent, professional work to foster long-term relationships,” Todorov said.

Make sure you meet every deadline, listen to instructions, make any necessary edits and communicate efficiently with your clients. While you aren’t tied down to set hours, you should still be available to your clients in case they have any questions, requests or concerns.

“Freelancers [who] don’t have corporate/retail experience often fail with responsiveness, timeliness in deliverables, not abiding by contracts, not understanding the importance of teamwork,” said Zainab Zafar, owner and lead photographer at Maha Studios.

Additionally, you’ll want to build your portfolio to attract new clients. A good reputation is crucial as a freelancer, so make sure you are delivering your best work. In an age where online reviews are critical, you want to make sure you maintain the highest rating possible. You can advertise your services on social media and on your website, which should be updated regularly. A strong social media presence is critical as clients want to feel they can trust you and your brand before working with you.

What is a freelancer?

A freelancer is a self-employed individual who offers services to a company (or multiple) without being a W-2 employee. Freelancers can take on as much work from as many businesses as they please. Ultimately, their career and workload are in their own hands.

Since they are technically contractors and not employees, freelancers must pay self-employment taxes every quarter. They also do not have access to benefits like company-sponsored retirement plans or health insurance coverage unless they are a W-2 employer at another company.

Freelancers are most common in creative industries like graphic design, copywriting and photography. However, service-based industries offer a ton of opportunities for freelancers as well. Jobs like consulting, translation, marketing and social media management are often outsourced to contract workers.

How does freelancing work?

Freelancers typically work on a per-project basis. For instance, they might take on a certain number of projects every month and charge either by the project or the amount of time it takes them to complete it, such as an hourly or even daily rate.

Freelancers set their own hours and work on deadlines. For example, they might get four assignments from a client at the beginning of the month, with deadlines scattered throughout the month. Freelancers can work from any location at any hour, and they might even freelance for extra income on the side of a full-time job. 

The freelance process typically goes as follows:

• The freelancer reaches out to clients/vice versa for possible contract work.
• The freelancer tackles projects at a set price, such as per project or per hour.
• The client pays the freelancer for work; taxes are not taken out of paycheck and freelancers must pay quarterly taxes.

A career in freelancing offers flexibility and a chance to hone your skills for a price you set. If a client refuses to compensate you for your worth, you can simply reject their offer and move on to another client.

What are the benefits of being a freelancer?

As with anything, there are both pros and cons to freelancing. Some of the benefits include the ability to decide the work you want to take on and the control over how you spend your time. It can also provide an opportunity to gain experience in your field:

• There are always work opportunities: Every hour, there are dozens of new job postings added to freelance platforms. Of course, you won’t be hired for each of those, but there are plenty of offers to go around.
• You control your schedule: You work when you want, how you want and as much as you want. You don’t have to beg for days off. You don’t have to get up in the morning if you’re a person whose focus is sharpest late at night. With freelancing, you make the best of your peak productivity, without being tied to the office for specific hours.
• You have an amazing opportunity to gather experience: You can work with different clients on various projects and amass experience that would be impossible to come by in a traditional office setting.
• You choose whom you work with: If things aren’t working out with a client, you can always find another one. You don’t have to stick around in a toxic environment because you’re afraid to quit your job.

What are the drawbacks of freelancing?

Even though there’s a lot to love about being a freelancer, there are some downsides, including:

• You need discipline and routine: If you want to be a good freelancer, you have to be self-motivated. There is no boss checking what you’re doing. You’re that boss. You have to be strict with yourself.
• Sometimes, there won’t be work: There will be times when you’ll be offered more projects than you can accept, and there will be periods when it seems that no one is hiring. To combat this, establish a stable of clients before quitting your day job.
• Sometimes, you’ll work longer hours: There will be times when maintaining a steady flow of work and income means working outside of your normal working hours. You may find yourself working longer hours than when you had a regular full-time job.
• It can take a while to get your first gig: Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t land a freelance gig immediately. In general, it takes anywhere from three months to a year to build connections and acquire a steady roster of clients. But once you reach that point, you’ll see your career as a freelancer take off.

Mike Berner and Tejas Vemparala contributed to this article.