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Making money as a freelancer is a great option for those seeking to take control of their income and work schedule. Because of this more and more individuals are now considering freelancing as a viable way to make money and start a business.
Whether it’s the desire for greater autonomy, the need for additional income or the pursuit of a lifelong passion, starting a freelance business can be the key to unlocking personal and financial freedom. For those who are ready to take the plunge, understanding how to monetize their skills effectively is the first step towards successfully making money as a freelancer.
Benefits of being a freelancer
Working as a freelance can offer the following benefits:
- A greater sense of independence: Freelancing often gives you greater control over your workload, as opposed to a full-time employee. You can decide the new projects you accept, the number of clients you work with and the rates you charge for work.
- A more flexible schedule: You can decide where and when you work on your freelance projects. You often have the opportunity to work from home and set your hours as long as you meet your clients’ established deadlines.
- Potential for increased income: Because you can negotiate your pay rate per contract, it’s possible to attain a salary increase more frequently than if you were a full-time employee and generally only able to secure annual raises. It’s also possible to take on freelance work while you still have a full-time job so you can earn extra income.
- Easy entry: You can begin freelancing with very few start-up costs if you already have the necessary equipment and skills for your chosen field. An individual may even quit their full-time job to work on a contract basis with the same company.
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How to become a freelancer
Here are 11 steps you can take to become a successful freelancer:
1. Define your reasons for wanting to be a freelancer
If you want to be a successful freelancer, the first step is to define your ultimate goal. Take some time to ask yourself why you want to become a freelancer. Whether the reason is to achieve a particular lifestyle or earn extra income, knowing your motivation can help you maintain productivity if you ever encounter challenges when working.
2. Give yourself deadlines
Set a deadline for each of your milestone goals. For example, you can set deadlines for selecting your niche, finding your first client and leaving your full-time job if you intend to do so. Because freelancers create and adhere to their schedules without any supervision, giving yourself deadlines from the beginning can help you get comfortable with keeping up with your future responsibilities. You may create some leeway for these deadlines because you’re new to this opportunity and you may encounter unprecedented challenges.
3. Define your niche
Many freelancers start by offering the experience they acquired in previous jobs. It’s a quick way to start working without needing to acquire additional skills. Make a list of your current skills and consider how you can turn these into a service for which clients are willing to pay. Imagine your ideal client and think about what problems they may have that you can help them resolve.You can then create a summary of your service that outlines what you do and describe how it helps prospective clients. This can help you pitch your services to prospective clients and establish yourself in your chosen niche.
4. Gather what you need to get started
Verify with your county or city whether you need to file any paperwork or attain any licenses or permits to work independently in your chosen field. You can also create a business plan that outlines your services, target demographic and marketing strategy. Then, build a website and order business cards to advertise your services.
5. Create a portfolio
Your portfolio is a collection of your previous work that highlights your skills and experience within your specific niche. Prospective clients typically ask freelancers to provide them with a portfolio in addition to their resumes. If you’re just starting out in your chosen niche, then you can create a portfolio with sample works. You can also build your portfolio by working at a discounted rate or for a nonprofit organization to gain experience.
6. Set your income goal
Although it may take some time to reach a full-time income, it’s still important to determine your desired monthly payment. Calculate your monthly expenses for necessities, wants and savings. This exercise can help you figure out how much income you need to live comfortably while meeting your financial goals. When you know this number, you can understand how much you want to charge clients.
7. Keep your expenses low
As a freelancer, you may have business expenses that you wouldn’t have as a full-time employee. For example, your laptop, smartphone, internet connection and any business services you pay for are expenses. Suppose you work from a dedicated home office. In that case, you can also count a portion of your utility costs and housing as business expenses.It can help to make a list of already existing expenses to see which ones are necessary for your freelancing activities. As your business grows, you may invest more into your freelancing activities and increase your costs. In the beginning, keep your costs low and make sure you stay focused on the income level you need to achieve to meet basic financial obligations.
8. Find work
Indeed offers a convenient way to search for freelance jobs online. Simply go to Indeed Job Search and type “freelance” in front of the job title for which you’re searching. Then, enter your city or state and you can view a list of freelance opportunities near you. You can also search by keywords, company, salary estimate and more. Plus, you can filter your results by the job posting date and remote positions, among many other options.
9. Build your professional network
Once you start working as a freelancer, contact everyone you know to tell them about your new business. Mention that you’re ready to start immediately and encourage them to forward your contact information to anyone who may need your services. By doing this, you can introduce yourself as their go-to expert for completing work and start expanding your professional network.
10. Work on your brand
As a freelancer, take the time to refine your image and advertise your brand on different platforms. Focus on creating a strong online presence. Your objective is to be easy to find and easy to remember through the use of a powerful digital brand.In addition to creating a social media profile, consider spending time on forums that are relevant to your industry. Asking and answering questions can be an excellent way to attract clients’ interest in your services. This is a very targeted approach where you can reach potential clients who are already on sites that center on your type of work. Another advantage of online platforms is that you can meet more people than you would in person during the same amount of time. You can also leverage those online meetings into in-person meetings.
11. Find a mentor
Find a mentor who has experience with freelancing in your desired field. They can give you advice on finding clients and improving the quality of the services you provide. You can approach potential mentors with your business plan, website and marketing strategy to show them that you’re determined to succeed.
Why Should You Work as a Freelancer?
1. Set Your Own Hours
One of the biggest benefits of freelancing is that you are in control of your own schedule. You can work as much or as little as you want, and you can take on freelance projects that fit into your lifestyle.
This flexibility is perfect for those who need to balance their freelance work with other commitments, such as parenting or caring for a sick relative.
2. Work From Anywhere in the World
Another great benefit of making money freelancing is that you can work from anywhere in the world without sacrificing your income.
In fact, you can relocate to a cheaper country and have the same – if not more – purchasing power as you did in your home country.
All you need is a reliable internet connection and a laptop, and you are ready to make money freelancing.
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This is perfect for those who want to escape the town or city they live in, or for those who want to travel and work at the same time.
3. You Become Your Own Boss
One thing people love most about the freelancing lifestyle is that you don’t have to work with people you don’t like.
As a freelancer, you are your own boss and can choose which projects to work on and who to work with.
Why Shouldn’t You Work as a Freelancer?
- Inconsistent Work Load
One of the biggest downsides of freelancing is that work can be very inconsistent.
Work Load
There may be times when you have too much work and can’t keep up, and other times when you have no work at all.
This can be very stressful if you rely on your freelancing income to pay your bills.
To avoid this, it’s important to have a financial cushion that you can rely on during lean times.
If you’re the type of person who thrives on consistency and hates surprises, then freelancing may not be the best freelance career choice for you.
- Lack of Motivation
Another downside of freelancing is that it can be easy to lose motivation when you don’t have anyone telling you what to do.
Be Your Own Boss
Since you are your own boss, it’s up to you to stay on track and meet deadlines and trust me, this is not as easy as it sounds.
If you’re the type of person who needs someone looking over your shoulder to get work done, then freelancing is probably not for you.
How Are Freelancers Paid?
Freelancers are paid in a variety of ways, depending on the project and client.
Money
Some common methods of payment include:
Hourly rate: This is the most common method of payment for freelancers.
You will agree on an hourly rate with the client and then invoice them for the number of hours you worked each week.
Project: This is where you and the client agree on a set price for the project before you start work.
This is common for projects with a known scope of work, such as website design or SEO copywriting.
Retainer: This is where the client pays you a set amount each month for your freelance services.
This is common for freelance clients who need on-going work or support.
For example, if you work as an SEO consultant, you may have a retainer agreement with a client to provide monthly SEO services.
Commission: This is common in sales-based roles, such as affiliate digital marketing or real estate.
You will agree on a commission rate with the client and then receive a percentage of the total sale value.
How Much Money Can You Make Freelancing?
The Payoneer’s 2022 Global Freelancer Income Report found that the average freelancer earns $28 per hour.
However, how much money you can make freelancing depends on a number of factors, such as your skillset, experience, and the type of work you do.
Freelance Writer Rate
For example, a solo writer with three years of experience can expect to earn $50-$100 per hour, whereas a beginner writer may only earn $20-$30 per hour.
The bottom line is that how much money you can make freelancing is up to you. If you’re willing to work hard and market yourself, then there’s no reason why you can’t earn a full-time income from freelancing.
What Are the Best Niches for Freelancing?
The best niches for freelancing are those that offer a high hourly rate and consistent work.
Some of the best niches for freelancing include:
- Web development
- Graphic design
- Video editing
- Copywriting
- Social media marketing
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Virtual assistant
- Tutoring online courses
- Translation
What makes freelancing profitable
To make money as a freelancer, it’s crucial to define what makes freelancing profitable. A profitable freelancing business is not just about earning money it’s also about creating a sustainable business model that allows for growth and stability. Here are four key aspects that define a profitable freelancing business.
Specialization and expertise
A freelancer who specializes in a niche market or possesses a high level of expertise can command higher rates and attract clients looking for specific skills. Specialization leads to a better understanding of the market, more targeted marketing strategies and the ability to provide exceptional value to clients.
Efficient business management
Profitability or making money is also about how efficiently you can run your business. This includes having effective systems and processes in place for tasks such as invoicing, project management and client communication. Streamlining these operations saves time and resources, allowing you to focus more on revenue-generating activities.
Strong client relationships
Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients can lead to repeat business, referrals and a steady income stream. A profitable freelancing business often has a loyal client base that trusts the freelancer’s work and is willing to pay for their expertise.
Scalability
Lastly, a profitable freelancing business is one that has the potential to scale. This could mean outsourcing certain tasks, offering new services or even productizing your services to serve more clients without a proportional increase in workload. It could also mean choosing a scalable business idea from the start.
14 ways to make money as a freelancer
The freelancing landscape is diverse, offering numerous paths to monetization. Here are 15 freelancing business ideas, each with insights on how to maximize their profitability.
- Graphic design
- Web design and development
- Content writing
- SEO consulting
- Social media management
- Photography
- Virtual assistance
- Video production
- Voice over work
- Programming and software development
- Digital marketing
- Illustration
- Coaching and consulting
- eCommerce management
Popular freelancing occupations
Clients are looking for successful freelancers to solve their problems across almost every industry, job, and skill set. Businesses ranging from startups to 50% of the Fortune 500 have made hiring freelance talent on Upwork part of their business strategy.
Regardless of your skillset, a client is looking for a freelancer like you to solve their problem. Below are some of the most popular freelancing jobs in 2024 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s projected job outlook.
- Software developer – 25%
- Writer – 4%
- Digital marketer – 6%
- Web/mobile developer – 16%
- Graphic designer – 3%
- Virtual assistant
- Social media manager – 6%
- Translator – 4%
- Photographer – 4%
- Content developer
Businesses in over 180 countries use Upwork’s work marketplace to find talented freelancers across 8,000 skills and 180+ categories of work. Thousands of work opportunities are offered every day.
01. Graphic design
As a freelancer, you can make money by offering design services for logos, branding materials, or social media graphics. To increase your chance of profitability, create design packages for businesses or offer subscription services for ongoing graphic design work.
Graphic designer Kath Anderson uses her online portfolio to share her past work and her openness to new graphic design commissions.
In order to make money as a graphic designer you’ll need to create a portfolio website to showcase your work and to show your work. You should also consider building your social media presence in order to market your design work. You can take inspiration from these freelance website examples.
02. Web design and development
Make money as a freelancer by building websites for clients, or specialize in creating sites on a specific website builder, like Wix. You’ll also need to make your own freelance website to showcase the websites you’ve created and your specific skills or niche.
Check out web designer Olya Black’s website. Her freelance work focuses on Wix sites.
Websites are a huge part of many businesses’ marketing and brand efforts and there’s huge demand for the creation and management of them.
03. Content writing
Making money as a freelance writer is a popular online venture and business idea. You can create and write content for company or lifestyle blogs, online publications or websites. It’s a flexible way to make money from home.
Some freelancers focus on specific niches, tech for example, or lifestyle content. But you can also work across a wide spectrum of topics. Freelance writing can turn into a consistent source of income if you build good working relationships with your clients.
However, it can be a competitive field and you’ll need to be able to stand out and deliver high-quality work in order to make money as a freelance writer.
If you’re looking to make money as a freelance writer, you’ll need a portfolio website but you could also consider starting a blog. It’s easy to get one set up with a blog maker, like Wix and it’s a great way to not only market your writing and content creation skills but it can also be something that, with a dedicated readership, can be monetized either through ads or sponsored content.
04. SEO consulting
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) consulting is one way to make money as a freelancer. If you have SEO experience you can channel that into building up a client base and working freelance. Many companies have a need for SEO consulting, strategy and work but don’t necessarily have the budget or resources for an in-house team. This is where freelance SEO experts come in. Most SEO work, if not all, can be done online, making this a flexible way to make money that can be done from anywhere in the world.
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If you’re looking to make money through freelance SEO work, it’s a good idea to build case studies of how you’ve helped websites and brands rank well. You can also build test websites to test SEO best practices and strategies, which can then be used to market your skills and experience.
If you’re looking to make money as a freelance SEO, we recommend following some of these industry giants for strategies, tips and more.
05. Social media management
There are other ways to make money as a freelancer when it comes to digital and online marketing and social media management is one of the most popular and in-demand services. It broadly involves managing the social media accounts of brands, while also creating new content and engagement strategies. You’ll need to offer tracking and reporting as well.
If you’re looking to become a freelance social media consultant, it’s worth making sure you have a strong social media presence across a wide range of platforms. The best way to prove your social media marketing skills is through your own social media success and following.
Looking for more inspiration here I have included wix guidelines!:
- How to make money on YouTube
- How to make money on Instagram
- How to make money on TikTok
- How to make money online
06. Photography
A photography business is a well-known way to make money as a freelancer. There are many different areas to specialize in, from weddings and events to products or real estate. If you’re looking to start a photography business, you’ll need a photography website to show your work and to manage your services. Like this photography website and portfolio from El Gallo Photography.
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You can also diversify and expand on the ways you make money as a photographer by selling your photos to stock image websites, by selling your images via your website or by offering photo editing services to other photographers and creatives.
Photography is a great freelance career for someone looking to retain creative control and who wants a flexible work schedule.
07. Virtual assistance
As more and more work can take place online and remotely, virtual assistance has become an increasingly popular way to make money as a freelancer. Starting a virtual assistant business involves providing administrative support to businesses. It could be answering calls for them, organizing paperwork or spreadsheets, or even bookkeeping for more specialized needs.
A great way to make money with this type of freelance work is by creating packages of your services, to ensure consistent income and to retain clients. You can also offer tiered pricing for different levels of administrative support.
08. Video production
Video is in high demand, both from marketing agencies and big brands. Because of this, creating and producing video content can be an effective way to make money as a freelancer. It can be promotional videos for product launches, educational content for brands or advertisements for small and large businesses. You can offer end-to-end services from scriptwriting to post-production, or just parts of the process – for example, just the scriptwriting, or just the filming, depending on your specific skills.
09. Voice over work
Looking for a fun way to make money as a freelancer? If so, voice-over work might be just the thing. You can lend your voice to commercials, audiobooks or video games. It’s definitely advisable to create a portfolio, use these portfolio templates to get started, showcase your past work and share with casting agents for potential new work and projects.
Voice-over work can be pursued as a freelance career or as a side hustle, alongside long-term regular employment or other freelance work, such as being an extra in film or TV or starring in commercials.
You might also want to consider how to make money as a model, as a freelancing gig.
10. Programming and software development
Making money as a freelancer specializing in programming and software development can build into a very successful career that can be fully remote. It can involve developing custom software solutions, mobile apps or online games. Some freelancers work with multiple clients, others might choose to work with one large company as a freelancer, it all depends on your niche and available opportunities. You’ll need to have some experience in programming to make this type of freelancing work.
11. Digital marketing
There are many ways to make money as a freelance digital marketer. In part because the field of digital marketing is so broad and can cover so many different services, from PPC advertising to email marketing or content marketing. You can choose to offer services in all of these different marketing branches or specialize in a particular niche. It all depends on your particular skills and experience.
Making money as a freelance digital marketer can be difficult, as the industry is highly competitive and this is a much sought-after freelance role, as it often means consistent, high-income and flexible, remote work. You’ll need to provide high-quality work and deliver results in order to retain clients and earn new ones.
12. Illustration
If you’re artistic and looking to make money as an artist and freelancer, consider creating custom illustrations for books, websites, or products.
Illustrator and graphic designer Juliette van Rhyn uses her website to showcase her award-winning work. Van Rhyn says of her portfolio: “I wanted to develop a look and feel for my website that reflected the characteristics of my work; I opted for a playful, offbeat layout, using colors found in some of my posters. My aim was to make my website feel like one of my designs in its own right, to create a cohesive identity that gives a strong sense of what I offer as a designer.”
You could also consider starting a print-on-demand business, or website, in order to sell your own illustrations on merchandise ranging from mugs to t-shirts to hats. This can be a low-investment business idea to start which allows you to balance your creative passions with making money.
13. Coaching and consulting
Starting a coaching business, or a consulting venture, can be an effective way to make money as a freelancer. Coaching could cover anything from sports to life coaching, fitness and career advice. Consulting is usually more business-focused and tends to involve providing specific support or strategies for business growth and management.
Both are great ways to make money as a freelancer for people with the necessary skills and expertise to impart to other people who need or may benefit from them. Both services can be offered to individuals, to groups you run yourself, or to corporate groups within companies.
If you’re looking to make money as a freelance coach or consultant, consider creating a website with booking capabilities or scheduling software in order to help you better manage clients and groups, while growing your business.
14. eCommerce management
If you have experience running an eCommerce website or eCommerce business, offering your services to other businesses can be a way to make money as a freelancer. This can involve helping businesses and brands set up and manage their online stores. You can choose to specialize in working with multiple platforms or specialize in one, such as Wix.
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Part of this service might include helping promote the eCommerce site you’ve set up which can mean consistent work with the same client, even after the online store is up and running.
If you’re looking to make money as a freelancer this way, it’s also advisable to set up and run your own eCommerce business, not only to hone and practice your skills and experience but to be able to show future clients the impact you’re able to create and deliver. Choose from a number of best ecommerce platforms to get started.
How to get started with making money as a freelancer
Embarking on a freelance career involves several key steps. Here’s how to lay the groundwork for a successful freelancing business.
- Identify your skills and market demand: Start by taking stock of your skills and expertise. But then don’t neglect to research the market to understand where there’s demand for your services and how you can differentiate yourself from competitors. You might find your specialist niche is highly competitive, in which case you’ll need to find a way to stand out from the crowd or offer something different. For example, SEO consulting can be highly competitive but certain niches which require a higher level of expertise or experience, such as SEO for medical sites, may be unique enough for you to stand out and capture clients.
- License and register your business: Choose a business structure and register your business if necessary. Then sort out any licenses or permits required. Consider consulting with a legal professional to ensure everything is in order as requirements for working as a freelancer can vary from state to state and country to country.
- Create a portfolio: Build and publish a freelance website that showcases your best work and if necessary a variety of your work as well – start with a portfolio template. This online showcase of your work will serve as proof of your abilities and help potential clients visualize your services and their potential impact.
- Determine your pricing: Pricing is an important decision to make as a freelancer. You’ll need to decide on your rates based on experience, the value you provide and market standards. It may be that clients are willing to pay a premium for high-quality services and it’s important to take this into account. It’s also possible to consider offering different pricing structures, such as hourly rates or project-based fees.
- Network and market your services: In order to market your services you’ll need to leverage social media, attend industry events and join online communities to network with potential clients and other freelancers. If you plan to make money as a freelancer you’ll need to use content marketing, email campaigns and other strategies to promote your services.
- Establish a workflow: Invest in tools and software to manage your projects, finances and communication efficiently. Having a solid workflow will help you stay organized and professional. This could include booking tools or payment systems to streamline running a freelance venture.
How to make money as a freelancer FAQ
What services can I offer as a freelancer to make money?
You can offer any service that matches your skills and meets a market need. This includes writing, graphic design, web development, consulting and more. Assess your strengths and research market demand to find the right fit for you. If you already have a career in a particular field, consider if it can be turned into a way to make money as a freelancer.
How do I find my first clients?
Start by networking with your existing contacts, including friends, family and former colleagues. Use social media platforms, freelance job boards and attend industry events to connect with potential clients. Also, consider offering your services at a reduced rate to build your portfolio.
Should I quit my job to start freelancing?
It’s often safer to start freelancing as a side hustle before transitioning to full-time. This approach allows you to build your client base and income stream while still having financial security. Making money as a freelancer can take time, so it’s best to be prepared.
How do I set my rates as a freelancer?
Research what others in your field are charging and consider factors like your experience, the complexity of the work and the value you provide. It’s important to set rates that are cIt’s often safer to start freelancing as a side hustle before transitioning to full-time. This approach allows you to build your client base and income stream while still having financial security. Making money as a freelancer can take time, so it’s best to be prepared. Your goal is to make money, so profitability and rates that create that are essential.
Can I make money while freelancing and traveling?
Yes, many freelancers work while traveling, as long as they have access to reliable internet. It’s a route popular with digital nomads. It will involve making sure to plan time zones with clients carefully
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