Knowing where to start can be hard, but the simplest way is to sign up on a freelance site like Upwork or Contently.
The most important part is getting your profile together, so:
- Skim through the sites and take a look at other workers’ profiles.
- Search on some topics you know well and see what people are looking for.
- Put together a profile based on your skills and what you see other people are offering. Make sure to keep in mind the needs of the projects you see offered, and take care with your photo as showing your face too directly can frequently cut back on prospects.
- Review your matches and search for jobs. Apply anywhere you can and see what your responses are like. Getting jobs can be frustrating, but it’s a process of learning what you can offer and refining it.
Side note: Don’t be afraid to take a relatively low-paying (small) assignment to get you started…just don’t make it a habit. One of the hardest parts of freelancing is figuring out what you’re worth and what kind of rates you can command. As you get experience (and you will), don’t be afraid to push the numbers and even double your rates. You’ll be surprised at what you can find if you take a few chances.
Going Deeper
If you’re completely new, check out our page for beginners. It will have you up and running in the freelance world for zero money and just a little bit of time.
If you’d like to read a bit more on the topic, we recommend starting on the articles below:
9 Questions Everyone Should Ask Before They Start Freelancing
10 Ways Freelancing Liberated My Life
For Mid-Career Workers Considering Freelancing
5 Reasons New Graduates Should Freelance (Especially If They’re Black)
Creating Your Best Portfolio (Even before you have samples)
Leave a Reply