Like you, I was once a newbie freelancer. I didn’t know where to seek advice or the pitfalls that awaited me.
Stepping into the world of self-employment can be daunting, especially if you’ve always worked for companies. But don’t worry too much about that. Everyone starts somewhere, and I’m going to walk you through it.
What should you expect as a freelancer?
First, understand what you’re getting into. Excitement can blur the reality of freelancing – like finding consistent work and managing different tasks.
That said, you can always adjust your approach down the road, but for now, focus on getting started.
Next, adopt a growth mindset. With no experience, your willingness to learn and adapt is your greatest asset. And that means:
- being open to feedback,
- experimenting with new strategies,
- and pivoting when something doesn’t work
In my opinion, confidence is key. Believe that you have something valuable to offer and that you can navigate the freelancing world successfully. Your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last.
For example, I started freelancing as an engineer. Then, I grew it into a business that employs other engineers. Eventually, I failed and began another career as a freelance writer.
So, choose something that resonates with you and begin crafting your professional identity around it.
Now, you will find out about identifying your marketable skills, which is the cornerstone of launching your freelancing career. Then, we’ll lay out the stages as you grow as a freelancer.
6 Steps to start freelancing when you have no experience
1. Identify your marketable skills.
Everyone has skills they can offer to clients. Or, if they don’t, they can learn skills to become marketable. It’s all about identifying those transferable skills that can shine in a freelancing context.
For example, you’re good with words, can design cool graphics, or simply have a knack for sorting out documents. Here’s how to identify your skills.
- List skills from your previous jobs, volunteer work, hobbies, or other experiences.
- Recall any friends or family who came to you for help with something specific.
- Seek feedback from peers and mentors who know you professionally.
If you can’t list many skills, don’t worry. You can find many free or affordable online courses where you can learn new skills. The great thing is — many of them cater specifically to freelancers.
Don’t skip this phase of your freelancing journey. It’s foundational, really.
Choose something that resonates with you because passion fuels perseverance. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. So consider this a journey of self-discovery, one that will set the stage for your future success.
2. Create a portfolio to showcase your capabilities
If you’re diving into freelancing with no background to flaunt, don’t worry too much about it. Your portfolio is the tool that’s going to swing the spotlight onto your skills.
Think of a portfolio as your visual resume. It serves as a collection of your best work and will open doors to opportunities.
But the problem is — many newbie freelancers don’t know where to start.
Well, the trick is to start with what you’ve got. Ask yourself.
- Did you design a logo for your friend’s startup?
- Write copy for a local business?
- Capture stunning photos on your travels?
Choose something that resonates with you and showcases your potential—even if the projects are informal or personal.
Consider creating case studies from these experiences. Detail the process, your approach, and the results. This isn’t just about what you did; it’s also about how you tackled the problem and your thought process. And remember, you can always adjust your approach down the road.
Make your portfolio easy to find and navigate. A simple, clean website or a page on a professional network like LinkedIn can do the job. The key is to keep updating it with fresh work, reflecting your evolving skills and expertise.
At worst, you can do what I did: a simple PDF listing the articles I’ve written.
3. Grow Your Online Presence:
In this digital age, visibility is crucial, and your online persona can make or break your chances of success.
Developing a personal brand is vital. Choose something that resonates with you, since authenticity attracts. Your personal brand should communicate who you are, what you do, and how you stand out from the crowd. This isn’t just about creating a logo or a catchy slogan; it’s also about establishing a voice and online personality that people can trust.
I can’t stress enough the importance of being consistent across different platforms. Consistency helps in building recognition and trust. Your bio, profile photos and overall messaging should align, whether on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or your own website.
Finally, don’t worry too much about numbers at the start. Followers and engagement will grow as you produce quality content and interact with the community. Your focus should be on building meaningful connections rather than chasing vanity metrics.
That’s my strategy as I turned to LinkedIn this year.
4. Pitch for jobs
And win them.
Securing your first freelance clients might feel like a daunting task, especially with no previous experience. I’m going to walk you through creating pitches and proposals that highlight your potential and set you apart from the competition. Remember, this isn’t just about selling a service; it’s about presenting a solution to a prospective client’s problem.
First, let’s talk about crafting your pitch.
Focus on communicating clearly and authentically why you’re the right fit for the job. And don’t worry too much about not having a long track record. I remember I only had a few blog posts to show as my portfolio when I started.
Instead, emphasize your fresh perspective, your passion, and your commitment to quality. Provide a brief overview of what you offer, how you will deliver it, and the positive outcome your client can expect.
Also, demonstrate your understanding of the project requirements. Be specific with your proposed solution, a timeline, and, of course, your rates. A well-structured proposal not only showcases your professionalism but also your organizational skills and attention to detail.
In my opinion, a key factor in your proposals should be customization. Don’t use a one-size-fits-all template. Rather, tailor each proposal to the specific client, addressing their needs and showing you’ve done your homework on who they are and what they value.
For example, here’s how I pitch for a writing job on Upwork.
You should also be prepared for some rejections. It’s all part of the process. Don’t worry too much about these. Use them as learning opportunities to refine your pitch and proposal skills.
5. Deliver quality jobs.
Client satisfaction can make or break your freelancing journey. Always deliver on your promises and go the extra mile when you can. Happy clients often lead to repeat business and, better yet, personal referrals.
That said, many freelancers stumble when it matters the most.
After securing a client, the journey doesn’t end there. You’ll transition into managing your freelance operations—keeping projects on track, communicating with clients, and balancing your workload.
That’s where good time managemen is vital. This isn’t just about keeping deadlines; it’s about carving out space for uninterrupted work, as well as rest and personal time.
Establish a daily routine that works for you, leverage productivity methods like the Pomodoro Technique, and remember, unpredictability can be part of the game, so stay flexible.
Also, don’t forget to network professionally. Wether it’s through social media, industry events, or collaborations with other freelancers, expanding your community is crucial. Not only can this lead to new business, but it also creates a support system that can provide guidance and opportunities for joint ventures.
Trust me, you don’t want to repeat my mistakes, where I struggled for years as a digital freelancing before I found my tribe.
6. Keep track of your finance
Now, let’s talk turkey—money, which might not be the most thrilling part, but trust me, it’s fundamental. Start by setting fair pricing. This should reflect your skills, the complexity of the tasks, and industry standards. And don’t worry too much about it being set in stone—you can always adjust your approach down the road as you gain more experience.
For example, I started freelancing on Upwork for $12 per hour. But I’ve gradually scaled my rate to $50 per hour over the years. As you become more competent in what you do, you can increase your fee to match the value you offer.
Lastly, invoicing and taxes are part of the freelance package. Keep accurate records, understand your tax obligations, and don’t shy away from outsourcing to qualified accountants. It’s better to keep things straight from the beginning than to try untangling a mess at tax time. Oh, and stash a portion of your earnings for taxes—you’ll thank yourself later.
Final thoughts
Remember that your freelance career is full of uncertainties. You can always adjust your approach down the road. Your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last, and every experience is an opportunity to learn and refine your craft.
I really hope that this article has given you the insights and confidence you need to jumpstart your freelancing career. Trust in your abilities, leverage your network, and keep evolving. Here’s to your future success!
