There are a lot of perks to doing freelance work — you get to own your time, choose who you work with, and have more control over the kind of projects you take on.
And if you’re freelancing online? Even better. You can work from anywhere, meet clients from all over the world, and sometimes even travel while earning.
You’ve probably seen videos of people doing exactly that and thought, “Okay, but how do I actually start?”
In this article, we’ll go over the basics of how to start freelancing online — even if you have zero experience.
1. Figure Out What You Can Offer (What are you good at?)
Before you jump in, think about what skills you already have. Freelancing doesn’t always mean being a designer or developer. Maybe you’re good at writing, organizing, editing videos, researching, or entertaining.
And if what you’re really good at is a super niche skill? That’s actually a good thing. It might take longer to find clients who need exactly what you do, but once you do, they’ll really value your expertise.
If you’re not sure, make a list of things you enjoy doing and tasks you’re good at — even small ones. There’s a high chance someone out there is willing to pay for that.
2. Build a Simple Portfolio (Even Without Clients)
Your portfolio doesn’t need to be fancy or full of client work. You just need something that shows what you can do. If you don’t have clients yet, create sample projects that highlight your skills.
- For writers: Write 2–3 short pieces about topics you care about or the kind of work you want to get hired for. It could be blog posts, short copies, or even product descriptions — anything that shows range and personality.
- For designers: Create mock projects like fake brand logos or app designs. You can use AI tools to brainstorm prompts or check out sites like fakeclients.com for design challenges.
- For video editors: Create both long-form and short-form videos to start. Choose a message or main topic. Utilize stock footage, public-domain videos, or YouTube content with proper permission. Show your style, pacing, and creativity.
You can use free site builders like Notion, Carrd, or Canva to organize everything in one place, or even post your samples directly on LinkedIn (great for building a professional presence) or Behance (which also works as a portfolio site).
Canva’s website builder.
3. Create a Profile on Freelance Platforms
Once you’ve got a few samples ready, it’s time to put yourself out there and find your first clients. You don’t need to sign up for every site — just pick one or two that actually fit your goals and skills. Here are some good places to start:
- Upwork: Great for beginners who want short-term or ongoing projects. There’s a bit of competition, but if your profile and proposals stand out, you’ll get noticed.
- Contra: Perfect for creatives and remote-friendly clients. The platform feels more modern and collaborative compared to traditional ones.
- LinkedIn: Surprisingly effective for freelancers! Posting about your work, sharing insights, and connecting with people in your field can help clients find you.
Make sure your profile actually sells your skills and not just lists them. Add a photo, a short intro about what you do, who you help, what problems you can help solve, and a few examples of your work. Even better if you include a short tagline or headline that instantly tells clients what you offer, like “I help small businesses grow through content and design.”
👊 Pro tip: Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to land your first gig! Most freelancers take a few tries to get their rhythm, and that’s totally normal.
An example of a simple tagline on a web portfolio.
4. Apply for Small Gigs First
When you’re starting out, your goal is to build experience, not chase the biggest paychecks right away. Smaller projects help you learn how to communicate with clients, meet deadlines, and handle feedback. Start by looking for simple one-time tasks such as:
Writing short blog posts or captions
Designing a logo for a small business
Editing short clips or podcast snippets
Creating templates or social media graphics
Landing projects like these builds your confidence and helps you figure out what type of projects you enjoy most. Plus, they give you something to show in your portfolio and reviews to build credibility.
Once you’ve done a few projects and gathered feedback, start raising your rates and applying for more complex or higher-value work. You’ll know when you’re ready because you’ll feel more confident pitching your services (and clients will start finding you too).
🔥 Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to take slightly lower-paying gigs at the start if they help you gain experience, skills, or testimonials. Just make sure it’s worth your time. Be intentional with gigs you take on!
5. Learn How to Communicate (Communication Is Key)
Good communication is one of the main reasons clients stick with freelancers long-term. Always keep them updated, ask clarifying questions, and don’t disappear — even if you’re running behind.
You can build a simple habit for updates, like sending quick weekly messages:
“Hey [Client Name], just finished [task]. Next up: [next task]. Everything’s on track for [date].”
Or follow up after a meeting with a quick summary:
“Hey! Thanks for your time earlier. Just wanted to send a quick recap of what we discussed [then add the main notes from your meeting]. Let me know if I missed anything!”
These small messages can make a huge difference. They show you’re organized, reliable, and easy to work with.
Another good habit? Set expectations early. Let clients know your working hours, your preferred method of communication, and when they can expect updates. It helps avoid confusion and shows that you take your work seriously.
Even if a project doesn’t end perfectly, try to maintain a professional demeanor. Sometimes a client who wasn’t the right fit can still refer you to someone who is, especially if you handled the situation with respect.
6. Set Your Rates — and STICK TO IT
Pricing can be tricky when you’re new to freelancing. Start with a rate that feels fair for your experience, but don’t undersell yourself either. You can charge hourly, per project, or even per deliverable (like per post, per video, or per design).
If you’re not sure where to start, look at what other freelancers in your niche are charging. As you gain experience, update your rates every few months. You’ll naturally start attracting better clients who value your time and quality of work.
💸Pro Tip: When a potential client tries to negotiate your rate, it’s okay to be flexible, but don’t lower it too much just to land the job. If they really want to work with you, they’ll find a way to make it work.
7. Don’t Stop Learning and Improving
Freelancing changes fast. New tools, apps, and trends pop up every week. The best freelancers are the ones who never stop learning and know how to adapt – whether that’s through YouTube tutorials, online courses, or just experimenting with new projects.
There’s a ton of free content online about freelancing, design, marketing, and video editing. Take your improvement seriously, just as you do with your projects. Set aside time each week to learn something new — even just 30 minutes a day consistently makes a difference.
The more you grow, the more valuable (and flexible) you become.
🤸 Pro Tip: Follow other freelancers who are a few steps ahead of you. See what kind of content they post, how they present themselves, and how they talk about their work. You’ll pick up a lot just by observing.
Freelancing online can be one of the most rewarding ways to work, but it takes patience and consistency. Don’t stress if your first few weeks (or months) feel slow — everyone starts somewhere. What matters is that you keep showing up and improving bit by bit. Build good habits, learn as you go, and steadily grow your skills.
Last note: don’t be afraid to take chances.
A baby duckling with some wise words.
