Being a freelancer sounds exciting. You can set your own schedule, choose the projects you want to undertake, and work from anywhere, be it your home or a remote island. But how can you start freelancing if you’ve never done it before and your portfolio is as empty as a pub on a Monday morning? Most companies do require client testimonials or reviews before outsourcing a task; however, don’t be discouraged. We all start somewhere, and with the right approach, you can find freelance work without any experience.
Whether you’re just hoping to become a freelancer or haven’t succeeded in finding clients for a while, this ten-step guide will help you refine your strategy and secure your first freelance projects. Let’s dive in!
How to find freelance work without any experience: 10 proven tips
With plenty of advice out there on how to make it as a freelancer, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are the ten essential steps you should follow to find freelance work without experience—guiding you from choosing a niche to landing your first clients.
Define your niche
As you set out on your freelancing journey, think about what kind of tasks you’re skilled at and would be willing to do for others. It can be tempting to offer as many services as possible to attract more clients; however, it will make you appear less of an expert in a particular field and will make it harder to stand out in a crowded market.
In order to boost your competitiveness, you need to define your niche. Consider your hobbies or areas where you already have some skills and interests. This will make freelancing more enjoyable and sustainable, and you’ll be able to increase your rates, too. For example, if you like writing, you might specialize in blog posts or copywriting for small businesses.
Improve your skills
Once you have determined your niche, do some research and try to understand what vital knowledge or skills you currently lack to succeed in the field. At this point, the main goal is to build a foundation of skills that will give you confidence to begin rather than become an expert overnight.
Even if you don’t have any experience in your chosen area, there are plenty of online courses, tutorials, and other resources to fill your knowledge gap. You can start with free education tools like YouTube videos or Coursera, and move on to paid courses when you’re ready to get certified.
Be it graphic design, SEO, or coding—nowadays, nearly any skill can be taught online. Keep in mind that you’ll need to continue boosting your competencies also after several years of freelancing as learning will help you stay on top of industry trends and remain competitive.
Do a trial run (for a friend)
One of the easiest ways to understand if you can make it as a freelancer is to offer your services to friends and family first. Not only will you gain experience working on real-life projects and earn valuable feedback but you will also have something to show in your portfolio.
Remember that your early projects are more about learning and gaining confidence instead of making hundreds of dollars, so don’t hesitate to offer your services for free or at a very low rate at first. You’ll gain testimonials, which can help you secure paying gigs and bigger clients in the future.
For example, if you want to become a freelance web designer, offer to build a simple website for a friend’s small business or your favorite café.
Create a portfolio
Having a portfolio is essential for any freelancer, especially when you’re just starting out. Many companies won’t care about your resumé but they will want to see your skills in actions. So, even without any professional experience, you can showcase work you’ve done for friends or even mock-ups for imaginary projects that demonstrate your capabilities.
Your portfolio doesn’t have to be extensive. It should highlight your best work and should be available online either on a simple website or platforms like Behance, Issuu, and others. If possible, include case studies or a brief description of the process you followed for each project, outlining the problem you solved and the value you provided.
Set your rates
Pricing your services when you have zero experience in the field can feel intimidating but it’s something every freelancer has to go through to make sure your work is valued accordingly. You won’t do projects pro bono forever, so you need to understand what’s the minimum amount you feel comfortable with.
Research the typical rates for freelancers in your niche to get a sense of the market situation, or ask your family and friends how much they’d be willing to pay for the service. Your first projects will also give you an idea of how much time each task takes.
Remember that as a beginner, you’ll have to charge less but as you gain credibility and clientele, you’ll be able to increase your rates. Whatever is your base rate, make sure it’s a fair reflection of your skill level and the value you’re delivering.
Learn to pitch yourself
Freelancing isn’t just about delivering a particular service. You should also be good at sales to stand out to potential clients and convince them to choose you for the job. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a natural-born salesperson to pitch yourself effectively—these skills can be learned.
When approaching a client, tailor the offer to the client’s specific needs, focus on showing you understand their business and pain points, and help solve them. Showcase the skills you have and emphasize your willingness to go the extra mile.
For example, instead of saying “I’m a web developer,” try something more targeted and impactful like, “I help small businesses reach their audiences and get conversions.
Engage your network
Finding your first clients as a beginner freelancer can be challenging so use your personal network to your advantage. Reach out to friends, family, and acquaintances to let them know about your services and ask them to circulate the information in their social and professional circles. Word-of-mouth is a powerful client attraction tool.
Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram are also great places to spread the word about your freelancing business. Create an appealing visual with a clear message and CTA and ask for shares and comments to increase the visibility and reach of your post.
Use online marketplaces
Aside from social media platforms, online freelancing marketplaces are great for inexperienced freelancers to find their first clients. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer have low barriers to entry, mostly free, and are great not only for freelancer content writers but also for graphic designers and web developers.
While the competition is fierce on these marketplaces, you can get clients and gain experience if you’re highly specific about your niche (e.g. instead of content writing, you offer blog writing in the health industry). Make sure you tailor your proposal for each specific project and highlight your reliability and credibility.
Although these platforms take a percentage of your earnings, they also provide a convenient way to find work and begin building your client base.
Approach small businesses
If you feel stuck and can’t seem to find new projects through social media or any of the marketplaces, don’t hesitate to approach potential clients directly yourself. Small businesses may be your best bet as they often have limited budgets but still need quality freelance work and don’t ask for extensive experience.
Research local businesses in your area and consider how you can add value to them. Highlight your flexibility and willingness to customize your work to meet their needs. Small businesses often value personal relationships and local connections, so positioning yourself as a trusted, approachable partner can help you secure these early gigs.
Exceed client expectations
The key to long-term freelancing projects and successful partnerships is exceeding client expectations whenever possible. But this is especially crucial if you’re just making a name for yourself in the industry.
This doesn’t mean over-promising, but rather delivering high-quality work on time, communicating effectively, and being forthcoming. A satisfied client will likely leave positive reviews, return for more projects, and recommend you to others in their network.
Don’t push yourself to limits trying to deliver extra something each time but simply focus on staying true to your word and providing great customer service. In the long run, consistently delivering high-quality work will help you build recognition for your freelance business and ensure a steady flow of opportunities.
Final verdict: Can you succeed as a freelancer without experience?
Starting a freelance work without experience can be challenging and daunting but with the right mindset, strategy, and tools at hand, you can certainly join the list of successful freelancers.
Start small and build your clientele as you go. Don’t worry if you have to take free or low-paying projects at the beginning—you need to gain experience somehow.
Remember, freelancing is as much about persistence as it is about talent so give yourself time to learn the necessary skills and make sure you deliver your best every time—you’ll create a reputation that draws new clients and opens doors to more complex, higher-paying work.
And as you grow as a freelancer, consider using Abillio—an invoicing, accounting, and payments platform designed specifically for freelancers. You’ll have one less thing to worry about!
