How To Become A Freelancer In 2024 (A Step-By-Step Guide)

A detailed guide to launching your freelance career in 2024

Do you want to know how to become a freelancer and escape the 9 to 5 grind while embracing your independence and controlling your destiny?

Well, that’s what we will show you how to do with our step-by-step guide to setting yourself up for your freelance career.

There’s never been a time when the opportunities to work for yourself have been better, with potential clients hiring talent worldwide.

What Is a Freelancer?

Freelancing is not a new concept; it's been around since the Middle Ages when knights hired out their services to wealthy clients.

The modern equivalent, sees self-employed individuals offering their expertise to multiple clients on various projects, operating independently without long-term commitments to any single employer.

These jobs, or “gigs,” allow freelancers to manage their workload, choose projects, and set their rates based on their skill level and market demand.

This new work model provides flexibility, enabling individuals to balance work and personal life more easily and potentially earning higher incomes than traditional employment.

To start freelancing, you must first identify your niche, leveraging your expertise or passion to offer specialized services to a specific group of clients.

As you build a portfolio of work and client testimonials, attracting potential clients and establishing your credibility as a successful freelancer will become easier.

You can streamline the process of finding your first clients and kickstarting your freelance business when you start freelancing on popular platforms.

Benefits of Being a Freelancer

There are numerous benefits to becoming a successful freelancer, especially if you value work flexibility and autonomy with financial freedom and security.

Rather than having a boss to tell you how to manage your day, you take responsibility for your own time, working when you want to.

You can work from anywhere in the world where there’s an internet connection, and avoid the daily commute that plagues most traditional employees.

One of the primary advantages of freelancing is the opportunity to diversify income streams by working with more than one freelance client simultaneously.

This reduces the risk of relying solely on one employer and provides a more stable financial foundation if you have enough work coming in.

Experienced freelancers capitalize on their expertise across various industries, offering services to a wide range of clients and selecting projects that align with their career goals.

Freelancers expand their networks by forging new relationships and providing high-quality solutions, resulting in recurring projects, referrals, and collaborations over time.

Attaining financial independence is the most compelling reason to embrace what the gig economy offers, presenting your services to the highest bidder.

Best Freelance Websites 2024

So, where should you start looking for your first freelance client, and which websites will help you find jobs that take advantage of gig economy trends today? 

We recommend that you try the following five websites, which have been around for years and provide a trusted resource for freelance gigs.

1. Upwork

Upwork is one of the most popular online marketplaces, connects freelancers with clients who need contractors in various fields like writing, design, and programming.

There are integrated platform tools to help secure payment, and thorough vetting ensures a reliable and supportive environment for freelancers.

While it is competitive, freelancers can access educational resources and a responsive help desk for support on their journey into the gig economy.

2. Freelancer

This job portal is a gig economy company that connects freelancers and employers worldwide, particularly in IT, design, and the media sector.

Freelancer has an extensive job database and easy-to-use communication tools, offering numerous opportunities for new freelancers to market their skills and build their careers.

However, most freelancers should know they may initially face lower pay rates due to high competition before establishing their reputation and credentials.

3. Fiverr

Fiverr is a multinational online marketplace for digital services, offering freelancers opportunities to provide many different tasks at competitive rates.

With no bidding, Fiverr is ideal for new freelancers looking to access gigs without the hassle of extensive proposals quickly.

While strict rules may limit client-building opportunities, Fiverr's popularity and trusted reputation make it a valuable resource for freelancers.

4. Toptal

Toptal is a global platform connecting businesses with top-tier professionals across a range of technical fields like software engineering and finance.

Its rigorous talent selection process ensures a high level of expertise among freelancers, potentially leading to higher-paying opportunities for new freelancers with specialized skills.

The website utilizes AI and live support, facilitating effective freelancer-client matching and enhancing the chances of finding suitable gigs in specific industries.

5. Flexjobs

FlexJobs is a gig economy platform specializing in connecting individuals with remote, flexible, and hybrid job opportunities across various categories.

With thoroughly screened job listings and a focus on flexibility, it's suitable for new freelancers seeking legitimate, quality gigs without the risk of scams.

Its subscription-based model grants access to an extensive range of resources, including career coaching and webinars, helping freelancers develop their careers.

How to Become a Freelancer in 2024: Step-by-Step

Currently, more than 30% of the U.S. workforce is engaged in some form of freelance work, taking on gigs and working on their own terms.

But before you start, you must do a few things to ensure you hit the ground running when applying for freelance work.

The following 10 steps will help you narrow down your freelance niche and show you exactly how to become a freelancer in 2024:

Step 1: Identify Your Niche

As counter-intuitive as it may sound at first, working exclusively in a specific niche increases your chances of being successful exponentially.

You can either find a niche where you feel comfortable and have skills and experience, or you can create your own niche.

In a creative environment, like writing, focus on a specific topic and make that the target of your marketing endeavors.

If you have experience in accounts payable in a retail environment, then make sure that you make that your focal point when attracting potential clients.

By avoiding being all things to all people, you become a trusted resource in one specific area of expertise, and clients will return repeatedly.

Here are some of the things you should consider when differentiating your services:

• Demographic – Think about the type of person or company you want to work with, such as small payroll companies or graphic design agencies.
• Experience – Are they startup companies, entrepreneurs, or sales managers?
• Industry – You might target accounting firms that require bookkeepers with real estate experience.
• Location – Your potential clients may be located in Tampa, Florida, or Canada.
• Problem – Think of all the problems you can help your client solve, like how to file taxes, for example.

Step 2: Research Your Market

For you to be successful, you need to understand your target audience based on factors such as their age, location, education level, income, and gender.

Age matters, as you won’t market your services to millennials in the same way that you would approach a Gen Z or a more mature audience.

Establish what your potential clients’ shared problems are and address those pain points when talking to them or sending a proposal.

Look for the best gig economy jobs on freelance platforms like Upwork and analyze the services they are looking for, client expectations, and pricing trends.

Don’t overlook your existing connections in your industry, letting them know you are freelancing while finding out what they might need.

Step 3: Define Your Offer

Once you understand your target market’s needs, put yourself in your ideal customer’s shoes and tailor your offer to their pain points and needs.

Clients are looking for solutions to their problems, so highlight how your skills and expertise will help them move forward.

When packaging your skills, focus on explaining the benefits and outcomes rather than getting hung up on technical details and educational background.

You must understand that selling yourself is paramount, and communicating your unique value proposition requires some thought and testing.

Your offer will not always be successful, so you must test and tweak your approach until you find what works best for you.

Step 4: Build Your Portfolio

If you are new to freelancing, then you may not have much work to show prospective clients – so get creative.

Your portfolio includes examples of work you’ve done and doesn’t necessarily mean that it was done for a specific client.

In the absence of previous client work, create examples of what you can do by going to freelance websites and finding jobs that fit your experience.

Complete the job as if it were an assignment, and then add it to your portfolio as an example of what you can do.

Graphic artists could create a logo, or writers may put together an article or email sequence that serves a specific purpose.

Make sure you treat it like a real task and put 100% effort into producing your best work – it will pay off in no time.

When applying for jobs, customize your portfolio as best you can to highlight the areas the potential client is looking for.

Don’t forget to regularly update your portfolio and add in any achievements or testimonials you receive from happy clients.

Step 5: Set Your Rates

As a freelancer, you have an opportunity to set your rates according to your experience and skill level, but you may charge less initially to get experience.

Research the prevailing rates within your industry and geographic location to gain insights into typical pricing structures for your specialty.

It is wise to calculate your budget first so that you know what your monthly expenses are; then calculate your minimum hourly rate.

Avoid undervaluing your services; otherwise, you’ll burn out working for excessively low rates that don’t reflect your quality and professionalism.

Make a point of increasing your rates with each new client until you reach a point where you cannot secure new jobs.

Step 6: Establish Your Brand

While a website isn’t essential, it will help you establish some credibility with potential clients when they search for you online.

Many freelancers make do with a portfolio made up of a Google doc that they share with each potential client.

This is fine if you are applying for jobs that are advertised online, but it is not enough to make you stand out and attract clients passively.

A website or blog will help you to stand out and help potential clients see whether you are a good fit for their business.

You can create social media profiles and provide content that interests potential clients or frequent forums to ask and answer questions.

Step 7: Craft A Proposal

A proposal is usually the first chance a client gets to see your work, so it must be professional, concise, and free from typos and other errors.

Your proposal gives you one chance to make a good first impression, and, as such, it should address your clients’ needs and sell your ability to provide solutions.

Preferably start by selecting only projects within your expertise, as this increases your chances of delivering excellent service and securing repeat work.

Tailor your proposal for each client using a template you can customize to fit the specific client and project requirements.

By personalizing your proposal, you show sincerity and enthusiasm for securing the job, revealing your professionalism and attention to detail.

Step 8: Land Your First Client

Now that you have a portfolio, know how to create a proposal, and understand how much to charge, it is time to land a client.

The quickest way to land a client is to apply for jobs on the best gig economy platforms, like Upwork or Freelancer.

Platforms like Simply Hired, GitHub Jobs, or ProBlogger Job Board can also offer opportunities to land your very first client.

However, the competition may be pretty tough in your area of expertise, so you have to find multiple ways to attract clients.

Reddit's forums offer an opportunity to engage with clients, as does X and Facebook, as well as any industry-specific forums.

You can also use cold email to contact clients directly, sending personalized messages to various companies inquiring about job opportunities.

Don’t forget to contact your network and ask for referrals from anyone you think may be able to help you secure gigs.

Step 9: Keep Marketing Your Services

It is easy to become excited about your first client and focus on just completing the gig, but that is a huge mistake.

If you stop searching for new clients and sending out proposals, you’ll struggle to maintain momentum in your new business.

You must keep your new business pipeline full; otherwise, you risk a “feast and famine” scenario where there’s no work after completing your gig.

To do this, dedicate some time daily to marketing, send out emails to potential clients, set up alerts on job websites, and engage with your niche.

Utilize social media websites like X and LinkedIn to get your message in front of your target audience with engaging, entertaining content and news.

The ability to keep marketing your services is an indication of whether gig work is a fit for you or not.

Step 10: Manage Your Finances

Being a freelancer comes with many positives, but many gig workers struggle financially because they fail to plan and manage their finances.

After calculating your monthly expenses, you must set clear income goals that provide for your costs and any additional requirements.

Keep track of your weekly earnings, and if you see that you are falling behind your income goals, ramp up your marketing to get more work.

Use a spreadsheet or accounting software to keep track of your expenses, and look for ways to minimize costs, especially non-essential items.

As a freelancer, you must make provision for your quarterly tax returns, keeping money back each month to cover your self-employment taxes.

Use a tax prep checklist to ensure that you keep copies of the documents required by the IRS so that you don’t get caught out when your tax return is due.

You must pay self-employment taxes regardless of your income, whether you are in a full-time job or not, and understanding basic accounting terms helps.

Summary

Freelancing can be the most satisfying way to earn a living, especially if you prepare well and follow the advice we’ve given you here.

With more and more companies laying off staff, the pool of freelancers is growing each year, making it more challenging to stand out.

So don’t wait for the opportunity to pass you by; take action and become a freelancer, even if it's just part-time at first.