Are you stuck in a 9-to-5 job with a limited income and no growth?
Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss and making as much money as you can?
YES! Then freelancing can be the perfect solution for you!
I know what you might be thinking, “I have no experience; how can I possibly start freelancing?”
Trust me; you’re not alone in this thought.
Many people feel overwhelmed by the idea of freelancing because they think they need to have a certain level of skills.
But the reality is you don’t need to have years of experience or a fancy degree to start freelancing.
Today, we will be diving into the exciting world of freelancing, and I will show you step-by-step how you can start freelancing even if you have no skills or prior experience.
I started freelancing with no skills, 0 investment, and even my English was broken.
To make money through FREELANCING, you must be willing to learn new things as you make progress.
Let’s get started!
What’s Freelancing?
Freelancing is the practice of working independently as a self-employed professional, offering services to clients on a contract basis.
You can provide Freelance services in a wide range of fields, such as;
- writing,
- graphic design,
- programming,
- consulting,
- and more.
Freelancers are not tied to a long-term employer and, rather, work with multiple clients.
The biggest benefit of freelancing is you have the flexibility to choose the projects, set your own rates, and work from anywhere.
- You can live the laptop lifestyle
- No need to go office
- Work on your terms
- And make more money
Can a Fresher Make Money Through Freelancing?
Yes, a fresher can make money through freelancing. You won’t be making 50,000 or 100,000 rupees/month from day one.
But you can start making money from day one by giving freelance services.
As you gain more experience, your earnings will increase too.
You can earn more by developing your skills, building a strong portfolio, and marketing yourself effectively to prospects.
As a fresher, you can start offering your services at a lower rate than more experienced freelancers in order to build a portfolio and gain experience.
As you work with real clients and complete projects, your knowledge, skills, subject expertise & INCOME will grow too.
BUT for that, you must be willing to invest time and effort into learning new skills, building your portfolio, and networking with other professionals in your field.
Freelancing is like a business. It takes time and hard work to establish oneself and start making a consistent income. But with effort and determination, anyone can become a successful freelancer.
Freelancing Platforms
There are many freelancing platforms that connect freelancers with clients. On these freelancing platforms, you can list your services, and potential clients may message you.
Many times, clients are looking for freelancers. They post the work requirements, and if you can do that work, you can contact that prospect and discuss the project.
Some of the most popular freelancing platforms are:
Upwork.com – This platform connects freelancers with clients from all over the world and is one of the largest freelancing websites. Upwork offers a wide variety of services, including writing, programming, graphic design, and more.
Fiverr.com – This platform is known for its focus on digital services such as logo design, video editing, and website development at prices as low as $5. Fiverr is a great platform for beginners as it allows you to offer services at a lower rate and gain experience.
Freelancer.com – This platform has a large user base and offers a wide range of services. It allows freelancers to bid on projects and also has a feature that allows clients to post projects and receive bids from freelancers.
Guru.com – This is another platform that connects freelancers with clients from all over the world. You can either offer your services or hire freelancers.
There are so many freelance platforms available, each with its own unique advantages and services. Do your research and find the platform that best suits your needs as a freelancer.
Low income Vs. High-Income Freelancing Skills
Low-income Skills
Low-income freelancing skills are those services that don’t require much expertise, like posting content on social media, moderating comments, or designing social media posts with no-code tools.
These kinds of skills are easier to learn and require less experience, making them more accessible to beginners.
High-income Skills
High-income freelancing skills refer to services that have a higher rate of pay and require more experience and specialized skills.
These skills are;
- web development,
- copywriting,
- media buying
- programming,
- graphic design,
- and digital marketing.
Skills like these are in demand and can earn you decent money, but they can be challenging to learn and may require a substantial investment of time and money.
NOTE: A freelancer’s income is not only determined by the skills they possess but also by the market demand and their ability to market themselves.
Now, it’s up to decide which skills you want to focus on, but it’s recommended to start with skills that are in high demand and easy to learn and then gradually learn high-income skills too.
How to Learn New Skills?
The BEST way to learn any skill is “Learn by Doing.”
But before you do, you must have basic knowledge about the skill you’re trying to learn.
There are many ways to gain information about a skill. Here are a few ways:
Online Courses
Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera, and Khan Academy, which offer courses on a wide range of topics, such as,
- programming,
- graphic designing,
- writing,
- video editing,
- digital marketing,
- And more.
These courses are created by experts in the field and can be a great way to learn new skills.
When I began my freelancing journey, I used to take a lot of online courses related to digital marketing.
I even did a digital marketing internship. In a blog post, I shared what I learned from my first class of digital marketing internship.
Books and Tutorials
On the internet, you can find a lot of books and videos about the skill you want to learn. You can gain information and learn the basics of any skill and try to put your learnings into practice.
Mentorship
If you’re a complete beginner and don’t have money to invest in mentorship, you can use free resources and books to learn.
Once you have gained a certain level of knowledge and expertise, then you can look for a mentor.
Finding a mentor who is experienced in the field you want to learn about can be a great way to gain deep knowledge.
Traits of high-income Freelancers
There is a saying, Success Leaves Clues. Similarly, High-income freelancers hold certain traits that set them apart from low-income freelancers.
Here are a few key characteristics of high-income freelancers:
Professionalism
High-income freelancers take their work seriously and conduct themselves in a professional manner. They understand the importance of building a strong reputation and providing excellent service to clients.
Entrepreneurial spirit
High-income freelancers think of themselves as business owners and not just workers. They are constantly looking for new opportunities to grow their business and boost their income.
Continuous Learning
High-income freelancers are always looking for ways to hone their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in their field. They understand that in order to be successful, they need to learn and adapt continuously.
Confidence
High-income freelancers have confidence in their abilities and are not afraid to charge premium rates for their services. They understand the value of their skills and are willing to negotiate fair compensation for their work.
Sales and Marketing Skills
High-income freelancers understand that in order to attract and retain clients, they need to be good at sales and marketing. They invest time and effort into building their brand, networking, and creating a strong online presence.
How to Get Clients?
There are many ways to get clients. Here are a few methods:
Networking
Attend local networking events, join online communities related to your field, and connect with other professionals on social media. Building relationships with other freelancers in your field can lead to referral business and new clients.
Cold Outreach
Reach out to businesses and individuals who may be in need of your services, and introduce yourself and your business. This can be done through email, phone calls, or even in-person meetings.
Facebook Groups
You can find relevant Facebook groups, and there you can post about your expertise. Just don’t be needy. Show yourself as an expert. Add value to the group.
Creating and sharing value
Clients are more likely to hire freelancers who can demonstrate their expertise and provide value. By creating valuable content such as blog posts, videos, and case studies, you can establish yourself as an authority in your field and attract new clients.
Getting clients is easy if you can build trust and you have the expertise to do your work. When it comes to finding new clients, think like a client.
Think about their challenges and how your service can help.
And you’ll get a lot of clients that you can’t handle. 🙂
How Much Time Does It Take to Earn Money?
The amount of time it takes to make money as a freelancer can vary greatly, like the services you offer and your marketing skills.
Some freelancers may start earning money within a few weeks. At the same time, some may take several months before they start seeing a steady income.
Keep in mind that freelancing is not a get-rich-quick scheme, and it takes time, effort, and patience to establish yourself and build a steady income.
As a freelancer, your income can be unpredictable. Ensure you have
savings and budgeting in place to handle the ups and downs of freelancing income.
In a nutshell, the amount of time it takes to make money as a freelancer will depend on your circumstances and the efforts you put into building and promoting your services.
Prerequisites to Start Freelancing
Before starting freelancing, consider the following prerequisites:
Skills – Make sure you have a specific set of skills or expertise that you can offer to clients. You must have a good understanding of your field and be able to demonstrate your skills through a portfolio or other examples of your work.
A Professional Online Presence – Having a professional website, social media handles, and a strong online portfolio is crucial for attracting clients. Your online presence should accurately reflect your skills and experience, and your branding message should be clear and consistent.
Time Management – Freelancing requires a lot of self-discipline, and it’s essential to be able to manage your time wisely. You will need to be able to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines, so good time management skills are crucial.
Marketing skills – As a freelancer, you are responsible for promoting your own services and finding new projects. Having knowledge of marketing, sales and networking can help you to grow your business and increase your income.
Mentality of an entrepreneur – Being a freelancer means being your own boss, and it’s important to have an entrepreneurial mindset. Being able to think creatively, take calculated risks, and be persistent in the face of challenges.
If you don’t have these skills, you can start learning.
Conclusion
Freelancing can be a good way to take control of your career and earn a steady income, even if you don’t have a lot of experience.
Starting a successful freelancing business requires a combination of skills, effort, and the right mindset.
Plus, you must have a specific set of skills/expertise that you can offer to clients, a solid online presence, and a good understanding of sales and marketing.
Initially, you might have to learn and work a lot. As you gain more experience, you can hire other people and take on more projects and build a real business.
I created a guide on how to make money online. Whether you’re a student, housewife, or working professional, you’ll find this guide useful.
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.