If you’re looking to make more money on your own terms, now’s the time. With hundreds of online businesses popping up daily, there’s no shortage of people looking to pay for different skills.
This guide will show you how to launch a successful freelance business, set your rates, and ultimately build a lifestyle that works for you.
6 Steps to Start the Freelancing Journey
Here are 6 simple steps you can take to start off as a freelancer:
1. What do you want to offer?
The freelancing world is huge, and there’s room for just about every skill—from bookkeeping to crafting engaging content as a digital marketer or building apps as a developer.
Some gigs will pay more than others, depending on the industry, location, and demand. But here’s where you shine. Think about what you’re truly passionate about and how to turn that into a service offering that feels 100% you.
Tip: High-demand fields like SEO, UX design, and app development often pay top rates, with some earning $75 to $150 per hour. If you have those skills, you’re in a good spot!
But here’s the key: clients want solutions, not just someone to complete tasks. Look for the intersection between your skills and what problems your ideal clients have.
Even better, make it your niche specialization! For example, if you work in marketing and have a knitting hobby, you might coach people with small knitting home businesses who would otherwise struggle to market themselves.
2. Build a portfolio
If you don’t have work to show, clients might be hesitant to hire you. You can do work for people you know to help you get a few testimonials and examples to share.
But don’t just list what you’ve done—focus on the impact of your work. Instead of saying, “I wrote content for a tech company,” use, “I helped a SaaS company increase revenue by 50% with a targeted content strategy.” That’s the kind of result clients care about.
Next, decide where you want to host your portfolio. You can set up a website, but it’s much quicker to use existing platforms (especially if potential clients are already looking on those platforms).
If you’re a designer, showcase your work on Behance or Dribbble. Developers can use GitHub to highlight coding projects. Writers can create a portfolio on Clippings.me or Medium, while marketers can use Clutch or The Manifest to show client reviews.
Make sure to include links to actual work such as websites you’ve built, designs you’ve created, or writing samples. Your portfolio should feel like a snapshot of what it’s like to work with you.
3. Define your pricing
Figuring out how much to charge can feel tricky when you’re starting. At the very beginning, the important factor here isn’t actually what you want to make, what others are charging or what clients are willing to pay.
The amount you charge is the amount that you’re “on the hook” for.
Overall, a good starting rate overall is $15-20/hr if you have next to no experience. More, and you’ll be expected to bring more to the table. Less, and you’ll be undervalued. You can also consider doing free or low-priced work for testimonials and experience.
If you do have prior experience but are new to freelancing, make sure to take that into account. In this case, your hourly rate from your working job is a good rule of thumb.
I recommend hourly at first, then move onto project rates when you’re more experienced and understand the value of what you can bring. Eventually, you can negotiate retainers to secure monthly rates. I have a video on more traditional salary negotiation (with word for word scripts) that will be helpful to reference:
4. Land your first gig
The simple principle to landing your first gig: find people or businesses who need what you’re good at.
LinkedIn is a great place to start—you can connect with potential clients and personalize your outreach easily. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Toptal, FlexJobs, PeoplePerHour, and Guru are great for landing your first gigs and building a portfolio, however they often have high competition and lower rates. You can build your rep there and work up to higher level gigs, but you can also use your experience as a stepping stone towards building your own online presence and client base.
Your first project should closely match your work experience and capabilities, but here is what you need to remember when pitching your proposal.
- Introduce yourself: Start with a brief intro that grabs the client’s attention and focuses on them, not you. Make your proposal feel personalized and not like a copy-paste template.
- Offer your service: Show you understand their problem and offer your service as the solution.
- Highlight the benefits: Explain how your work will benefit them. Are you going to free up more time for them? Are you going to maximize profits by X amount?
- Get a foot in the door: Start by getting them to agree to a quick, low-cost project or even just a consultation. Once you’ve delivered value on that task, it becomes way easier to ask for larger projects later.
- Take the next step: End your proposal by booking an interview or asking them to review your portfolio.
If you need help getting your resume ready for freelance or job applications, here’s a guide on creating a winning resume that can help you through the process:
After completing a project, ask satisfied clients for testimonials or referrals. Prioritize building strong relationships with clients, as these connections often lead to more consistent opportunities.
5. Market yourself beyond freelance platforms
If you want to be a serious freelancer, how you market yourself is everything. It’s not just about having the skills—it’s about making sure people know you’re the one they need.
There are many ways to build a personal brand, but the first step is to get yourself seen online. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is polished and highlights what you bring to the table. If you have experience across different niches, you can take it up a notch by creating a simple website with tools like Wix or Squarespace to pull everything together in one place.
And don’t just stop there. Get active on Reddit, Quora, or even X, where you can share tips, answer questions, and show off your expertise. Many clients lurk in these communities, and offering value can make you the go-to person when they need help.
6. Cultivate your network
Scrolling through LinkedIn and seeing a flood of cold pitches in your DMs? Yeah, that’s not how to get your first client online. Let’s be honest—nobody’s jumping at the chance to hire someone based on a random message.
Real talk: Networking isn’t about what you can get; it’s about what you can give. When you focus on adding value without immediate expectations, that’s when the magic happens.
Here’s how you can start adding value to your network in a way that builds genuine relationships:
- LinkedIn: Engage by sharing helpful articles or commenting thoughtfully on posts.
- Slack Communities: Join industry-specific groups (like Designer Hangout or Online Geniuses) where you can connect with potential clients.
- X Spaces: Hop into live discussions to showcase your expertise and meet people in real time.
4 Key Tips To Running A Sustainable Freelance Business
Running a sustainable freelance business isn’t easy, so here are 4 simple tips to help you out.
1. Set a schedule
Freelancing may seem like the ultimate freedom, but it requires serious discipline. Honestly, most freelancers end up working more than 30 hours a week, and if you’re still juggling a day job, that number can easily shoot up to 80+.
Create a clear schedule with dedicated work hours, breaks, and personal time to maintain balance, boost productivity, and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
2. Balance your client workload
Handling several clients at once is all about balancing your time well, keeping communication clear, and sticking to your commitments. Here are a few strategies to help you manage your workload effectively:
- Prioritize quality over quantity: It’s tempting to say yes to every project, but overcommitting can quickly become overwhelming. Focus on projects that align with your long-term goals and provide the most value, both in income and career growth.
- Stay organized with project management: Using a project management tool lets you track tasks, deadlines, and communication for each client in one place.
- Set boundaries and avoid burnout: Establish how much work you can realistically handle, and communicate deadlines clearly to clients.
3. Pick your freelance platform strategically
With an abundance of freelance marketplaces available, it can be tempting to join them all.
If you’re a writer or marketer, Upwork and Freelancer is a good starting point. If you’re a designer, 99designs or Dribbble’s job board could be a better fit. Developers might find more luck on Toptal or Gun.io.
Be strategic—choose platforms where your skills are in demand and where clients value quality over low bids. For example, Toptal is a more exclusive site, which means less competition and higher pay, but harder to get into.
These platforms are great for getting your feet wet but don’t spread yourself too thin. Find one that works for you and stick to it. As you grow, you can expand to other areas like social media, creating your website, and tapping into relevant communities.
4. Use tools and software later
When it comes to tools and software for freelancing, less is often more. Focus on the basics that are critical for your work.
For everything else, such as invoicing, getting paid and communicating with your clients, your freelancing platform should cover everything.
Once you have a solid foundation, then consider investing in additional tools that can enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow.
Start Your Freelancing Journey Today
Starting to freelance today can lead to a career that fits your skills and what you like to do. This guide has covered the basics to help you get started—decide what services you’ll offer, land your first few gigs, and focus on building a strong portfolio and network. To do well in freelancing, you need to do great work and plan smartly. So dive in, and start shaping a freelance career that gives you the freedom to live your version of a Rich Life.
Whether you prefer binge-watching, reading, or listening on the go, there are plenty of ways to learn about the Rich Life. Check out my Netflix series, books, and podcasts to start now!
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