How To Start Freelancing From Scratch In 2022
Learn how to become a successful freelancer in 2022. We'll discuss what skills you need to have and where you should find your first client. We'll also talk about the How To Start Freelancing From Scratch In 2022 also how much money you can make.
In today’s gig economy, freelancing and remote work opportunities are on the rise. In fact, a recent survey by Upwork found that 63 million Americans will be working as freelancers by 2020. But launching a freelance career from scratch can feel like a scary proposition, especially in light of the uncertain economic climate many people are facing right now.
If you’ve been thinking about making the leap into freelancing but aren’t sure where to start, keep reading for tips on how to get started with freelance gigs in 2022.
What is freelancing?
Freelancing, or “contracting for services on an as-needed
basis” is a way of making a living that’s become increasingly popular in the
last decade or two. While it’s been around for as long as people have been
doing work, the trend has usually been associated with fields like writing and
IT, where workers typically do short-term projects for multiple clients. A
recent survey by Upwork found that 63 million Americans will be working as
freelancers by 2020.
How to start freelancing
If you’re new to the freelance game, you’ll want to start small and find your feet before signing on with multiple clients. One good way to get your first freelance gig is to find a business owner in your area and offer to do some work for them for free in exchange for some experience.
You’ll
be able to showcase your work and get a feel for the type of work you’re good
at without having to pay for it. Another option is to work on a platform that
connects workers to businesses. You can try UpWork or Fiverr, which will likely
allow you to start by completing smaller projects and work your way up to more
complex jobs.
Know your worth
Before you start freelancing, it’s important that you know what you’re worth. You don’t want to take jobs that don’t pay enough, but you don’t want to start off by charging too much either. It’s important to find the right balance, and the best way to do that is by taking stock of your skills and the value they bring to the table. Work out what you could charge for a project, and don’t accept anything less. It’s also important to be realistic.
If you’re just starting out as a writer, you shouldn’t expect to be charging as much as a seasoned author who has been working in the industry for years. Start with lower-paying projects and work your way up to bigger and better things.
Build your portfolio
If you’re just starting out freelancing, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get by with just a business card and a warm smile. In fact, many clients will only consider you for jobs if you’ve got a portfolio that showcases your skill set. Building a portfolio as a freelancer can feel like an impossible task, especially when you’ve only got one client.
Thankfully, there
are plenty of ways to build your portfolio online. Websites like Behance and
Dribbble allow you to upload your work and showcase it to the world. It’s also
a good idea to try to get your work featured on as many sites as you can.
You’ll gain more exposure, and it could land you a few freelance gigs along the
way.
Find the right gigs
As you start to build up your portfolio and client base, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking on the right gigs. It’s important to aim high and take on work that’s going to pay the bills, but it’s also important not to burn bridges.
If you’re offered a job that pays well, but it’s outside
the bounds of what you want to do, try to negotiate with the client and see if
you can get the gig re-focused around what you do best. You don’t want to take
on work that’s beneath you and will bring down your rate, but you also don’t
want to turn away clients who could help lead you to bigger projects down the
line.
Conclusion
Freelancing is an excellent way to make a living, but it’s
not an easy path to walk. Before you jump into it with both feet, it’s
important to be prepared and know what you’re getting into. Start by finding
clients and building your portfolio, and before you know it, you’ll be well on
your way to a successful freelance career.
