How To Get Started As A Freelancer
Here’s a quick and easy guide for taking the plunge into freelancing.
I started freelancing in 2010 after completing my education in journalism, and then subsequently in marketing and communications. It was already tough for me to get a full-time job in the field — after yet another rejection for a full-time journalism job at a trade magazine, they offered me the chance to write for them on a freelance basis. I accepted their offer, which led me down the path of freelancing and working for myself, at least for the time being.
It’s tough being a freelancer, since it means not only providing whichever service you’re offering – in my case, it’s writing — but also having to do business development and find clients on your own. After all, Lacey Kaelani, the CEO of job search engine Metaintro, likens freelancing to “running a business rather than just an extra job on your plate.”
As overwhelming as freelancing can be, especially to those who are new to being a solopreneur, there are several steps you can take to make sure that you’re successful as you take the plunge.
Identify the service you want to provide.
The first step would be to identify a skill that you’re able to sell and, according to Kaelani, use that to pinpoint the services that you can provide, whether it’s graphic design, coding, photography, or, for me, writing.
Kolby Goodman, a career coach, keynote speaker and current freelancer in San Diego, California, highlights that “one of the most important and overlooked first steps for anyone thinking about freelancing is getting clear on exactly what skill or service they’re actually selling. It sounds simple, but most new freelancers start too broad,” he says.
He recommends that new freelancers get specific in what they’re offering. For instance, he says, “‘I do graphic design’ is a skill, but ‘I design branded social media content for small business owners’ is a service that clients actually hire. The more specific you are, the easier it becomes to find the right clients, set your rates, and explain your value.”
Ensure you’ve built a financial cushion for yourself.
In a previous article I wrote about freelancing, Kaelani and other HR experts have stressed the importance of ensuring you have a financial safety net before taking the leap into freelancing.
After all, in the early days of freelancing, your income can fluctuate, which is why Kaelani recommends giving it a try while you’re still employed. “Taking on one or two freelance projects at night or after work will help you validate without the pressure to scale and make money right away,” she says.
Get the word out about your services.
Once you’ve identified the service you’re going to provide, then comes the hard part — marketing yourself to get the word out about your services and to, ultimately, get customers.
Paige Arnof-Fenn, a freelancer and founder of Mavens & Moguls, a marketing and communications firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, notes that it starts with having a website and search engine optimization (SEO) so that customers can find you. “You do not exist today if you cannot be found online,” she says.
It doesn’t need to be a beautiful, complicated website. In fact, these days, the minimalist approach is often preferred, as it makes websites cleaner, more accessible and easier to navigate.
Of course, digital marketing is only half the battle. The other half is networking and building relationships. Goodman recommends starting with your own network. “That first client won’t come from a website,” he says, “but rather, they’ll come from a relationship you already have with someone who is suffering from the exact thing you can solve.”
Sign up for freelancing websites.
Another way of getting the word out is to sign up for the countless websites that connect freelancers with gigs, which include:
These platforms can be especially helpful when you’re just starting out, since they give you access to clients you wouldn’t otherwise reach on your own. In many ways, they act as a marketplace where businesses are actively looking for help, which means you’re not starting from scratch.
Price your work, even if it feels uncomfortable.
One of the biggest mistakes new freelancers make is underpricing their services. When you’re just starting out, it can feel safer to charge less in order to land your first few clients. But pricing too low doesn’t just affect your income – it shapes how clients perceive your value.
It’s also worth thinking about how you structure your pricing. Charging hourly might seem straightforward, but it can limit your earning potential and tie your income directly to your time. Project-based pricing or packaged services can make your offerings clearer and more appealing to clients.
Most importantly, don’t wait until you feel “ready” to charge what you’re worth. Pricing is something you refine over time, not something you perfect before you start.