How to Kickstart Your Freelance Career as a Beginner: Advice from Seasoned Freelancers

As a freelancer, it is becoming tougher every day to score new projects and high-paying clients. The rising demand for freelance roles has crowded major freelance platforms as professionals today are looking for better work-life balance, freedom from long commutes and variety in the work they do. Although this need has been equally matched by companies that also prefer to hire freelancers or contractual professionals instead of full-time workers, freelancers still struggle to find projects that fit their criteria.

If you’re a beginner or a mid-level freelancer, there is nothing better than getting impactful, practical advice from seasoned freelancers who have made it big in their domains. We have compiled interviews and expert opinions about freelancing from 5 professionals who have had inspiring journeys in the world of freelancing.

Before we dive into the expert advice, let’s brush up on some basics of freelancing.

Finding the Freelance Projects as a Beginner

If you’re new to the field of freelancing, finding freelance work might sound intimidating to you. But there are a few things you can do to improve your visibility on freelance platforms-

Step 1- Identify Your Primary Skillset

Your skills actually matter more than your qualifications when you’re a freelancer. Before you start applying for projects, you need to comprehend the most valuable skills that you have. Some common freelancing skills include web development, graphic designing and copywriting.

Step 2- Define Your Target Clientele

The skills that you choose will further help you identify the ideal companies and clientele in your domain. This way, you will get to work on freelance projects you’ll enjoy and provide the best quality services to clients.

Step 3- Create an Amazing Portfolio  

Having a professional portfolio of all your practice projects, and client projects with reviews and recommendations can greatly help the client in evaluating whether you are the right choice for their project.

Step 4- Create a Perfect Pitch

Now that you are ready with your skills and portfolio, it is time to present yourself to your ideal clients. Creating a pitch to highlight your skills and experiences can greatly enhance your prospects of landing the project.

Finding Freelance Work: The Best Advice You Can Get

Knowing how to get freelance work as a newbie freelancer is essential. These 5 experienced freelance professionals have summarized their freelance journey with the lessons they learnt along the way. Read all about their freelancing careers for inspiration

1. Anamika Shaw

Chegg India talked to Anamika, to share her advice with new freelancers on how they can get into a freelancing career and how to get freelance work. She says the very first step to making a successful freelancing career is to learn and harness a skill. Depending on your interest and market demand. Or if you are like me, and something happens to you by chance and you happen to like that, then boom, you got your lead to pursue a satisfactory freelance career.

It’s crucial to identify your skillset to kickstart your freelance career, and eventually, you also need to specify your niche or specialization for a pleasing and ongoing career. But this can’t be the end of the story. To sustain yourself in the industry, upskilling and keeping yourself updated with the market is an essential part of the process. It is necessary to stay relevant and adaptable to changing industry trends.

Furthermore, having a substantial online presence is crucial for you and the services you offer. Because in today’s digital era, your online presence builds a sense that serves as your virtual storefront or portfolio. For this purpose, you can use one or multiple social media platforms (according to your interest and convenience). In my case, I used LinkedIn to showcase my expertise, previous work, and client testimonials. It will help you to attract potential clients, engage with them, share valuable insights, and build a strong relationship with them, in the process, you will be able to establish yourself as a credible authority in your niche.

I can’t highlight more of the importance of networking. Neither less to say, networking is a cornerstone of freelance success. And the best way to do it is by joining online forums and connecting with fellow freelancers and prospects of your niche. Cultivating genuine relationships is the core of networking because this helps you to stand out as an authentic person and a competent freelancer to work with. It will also ensure that your online peers and clients will refer you to their network as they trust you for your freelance work and relationship-building quality. This way, word-of-mouth referrals can become a strong staple in your freelance career.

In the end, all I can say from my experience is that securing freelance work is a dynamic process that requires a blend of a few things. Like, building a powerful online presence, a bit of strategic planning and consistent marketing efforts, identifying your niche, continuous skill development, relationship building, and effective networking. It all will take you to unlock a world of opportunities and pave the way for a successful freelance career.

Find a link to Anamika’s Fiverr Profile.

Also Read about: How To Get Freelance Clients

2. Pooja Prajapati

For beginners, Pooja advises that if someone is looking to build a successful career as a freelancer, there are some positive and exciting steps that they can take to get freelance work and make the most out of it. The first thing to do is let people know what you’re good at. Create a profile that highlights your skills, experiences, and the services you can offer. This is like your freelance resume. It can attract clients who need exactly what you’re great at. If you’re a talented writer, designer, programmer, or anything else, don’t be shy – let the world know!

She says that in the beginning, it’s a good idea to take on smaller projects. This helps you build a portfolio and gain experience. As you complete more projects and gather positive feedback, you’ll start to establish a strong reputation. Pooja also tells the importance of networking, she advises connecting with other freelancers, professionals, and potential clients on social media platforms or at events. Engaging with others in your field can open doors to collaborations, referrals, and even more work.  

According to her freelancers who are professional and dependable stand out. Responding to messages and emails promptly, meeting deadlines, and providing high-quality work. When you treat your freelance work seriously, clients will notice. For this having an online presence is crucial. Build a website or create social media profiles that showcase your work and personality. Share your achievements, projects, and any success stories. When potential clients search for freelancers, having an impressive online presence can make you more appealing and trustworthy.

Getting freelance work and developing a successful career in freelancing is an exciting journey filled with possibilities. 

By showcasing your skills, starting small, networking, being professional, creating an online presence, and offering value, you can embark on a path towards a fulfilling and prosperous freelance career. 

Remember, freelancing is not just about working independently, it’s about building relationships, growing professionally, and making a name for yourself in the freelance world. 

Find a link to Pooja’s website Social Kreator.

3. Anikesh Prasad

For new freelancers Anikesh advises them– To do well in freelancing, it’s important to connect with people in your field. This could be online or in-person. Joining groups and conversing with others can help you meet potential clients or partners. Also, make sure to show your best freelance work in a collection. This helps others see what you’re good at and might want to hire you for. 

He says, in the world of freelancing, being different is a good thing. Think about what sets you apart. It could be your style, skills, or the way you work. Share this uniqueness online so people remember you.

For getting freelance work, write a clear and polite note to the person looking for help. This is called a proposal. It’s like a mini-introduction where you explain why you’re a good fit for the project. Customize each proposal to show that you understand what the project is about. You can do this on freelancing websites like Upwork too. 

Anikesh advises to keep learning, finding online courses or reading articles about what’s new in your field. This way, you can do better work and offer more things to clients.  And remember when you get a project, do your best. Meet deadlines, and make sure the freelance work is good. Because if you make your clients happy, they might hire you again or tell others about your work.  Freelancing can be tough sometimes. You might not get every job you try for, and that’s okay. Keep trying and don’t give up. If something doesn’t work, try something else. Stay positive and keep learning from your experiences.  By following this advice, you can find more freelance work and grow your career.

Find a link to Anikesh’s Upwork Profile.

Suggested Read: Best Freelancing Sites For Finding Your Next Gig

4. Rashi Chanchal

Talking to Chegg India about how beginners can get freelance work Rashi tells– If I’ll tell you the most proven and effective ways to get consistent work as a freelancer (something I’ve used to get consistent leads landing into my DMs) and build a successful career. That is creating a Personal Brand. A personal brand is your unique identity that reflects your identity. It is a way to promote your freelance work through maintaining active profiles on relevant social media platforms, for example, LinkedIn. It’s one of my favourite platforms for creating a personal brand (no promo). A solid online presence makes you stand out and increases your visibility and credibility.

The second thing is networking, your network is your net worth; believe it. Connect with other professionals in your field, attend industry events, and join online forums. Networking can lead to referrals, collaborations, and direct job offers. So always be open to that. I also suggest freelancers consider signing up on popular freelance platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. As these platforms can connect you with clients looking for your services.

Adding to the advice I’ll also suggest you to regularly promote their services through content creation on their personal brand, blogging, and email newsletters; you can promote these efforts through your personal brand. This keeps you on the radar of potential clients and yes, never forget to take referrals from your happy clients. I’ll also suggest you diversify your income source and never depend on just one skill, use your array of skillset to get different freelance work.

And while doing so, focus on building solid relationships with your clients rather than just working *for them*. Deliver high-quality freelance work, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively. Satisfied clients are more likely to hire you again and refer you to others. Always prioritize retaining clients over acquiring new ones. Also, provide additional value to your clients. This could be in the form of advice, insights, or suggestions that showcase your expertise.

Lastly, remember, building a successful freelance career takes time. Freelancing is a roller-coaster ride, but if you have your seatbelt right (strategies and dedication), you can sail through it easily. So be persistent and keep going despite occasional slow periods. With consistent efforts, you can achieve it all!

Know About: Proven Tips for Freelancers to Succeed in the Gig Economy

5. Priyanka Dubariya

Talking about how new freelancers can get freelance work in this ever-changing market, Priyanka says- Client acquisition remains a cornerstone of freelancing success. Your experience gives you an edge, but staying proactive is the key. She talks about leveraging industry connections and forming a quality network. She also advises maintaining strong relationships with clients and encouraging them to refer you to others. Also, consider setting up a referral program as an incentive.

Priyanka also suggests freelancers consider cold outreach to get clients, for this, they need to research and identify potential clients whose businesses could benefit from their expertise. Craft personalized pitches that showcase their understanding of client’s needs and how they can add value. And yes, freelancers must have an online presence on freelancing platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr.

The next step that Priyanka says to take is crafting a compelling Portfolio. She says-Your portfolio is your digital marketing resume. It should highlight your expertise, showcase your past freelance projects, and convey your unique approach. It should include various elements like Case Studies that showcase and outline specific challenges you’ve tackled, and the results achieved. Including metrics such as increased website traffic, conversion rates, or revenue growth. It should also have diverse freelancing projects to demonstrate your versatility, client testimonials to add credibility and build trust with potential clients.

Another thing about which Priyanka talks is maintaining long-term client relationships. She says securing clients is just the beginning. Ensuring long-term relationships requires dedication and a client-centric approach. For this freelancers should maintain open lines of communication. Regularly update clients on project progress, results, and any changes. Actively listen to their feedback and suggestions. They should focus on delivering tangible results. Regularly analyze and report on the effectiveness of their digital marketing strategies. Show how their efforts are contributing to the client’s business growth. 

She emphasized on being adaptable, as staying updated on industry trends and emerging technologies. Demonstrating your willingness to adapt and evolve your strategies to keep clients ahead of the curve is what keeps freelance work coming your way. And as you deepen your relationship, identify opportunities to offer additional services that align with your client’s goals. This will lead to increased revenue and client loyalty. 

By following these steps of mastering client acquisition, portfolio creation, and long-term relationship building, you can position yourself as a compelling freelancer. Stay dedicated to continuous improvement, remain adaptable, and always prioritize delivering exceptional value to your clients.

Wrapping Up

Finding freelance work is a continuous and recurring task, as freelancers you can’t just rely on a single freelance project or client. You need to have multiple freelance projects and clients so that you have diverse income sources. And to be successful in this pursuit you need to create foolproof client acquisition and retention strategies. About what you got to know here, you just need to follow a strategic plan, be consistent in efforts and upskill constantly.

Dive into our Freelancing guide, to learn strategies to find full-time/ part-time freelance projects to generate more income.