Let me guess—you’ve been Googling “how to start freelancing” like it’s your full-time job (ironically, you’re trying to leave your actual job), and now your brain feels like a scrambled egg. Relax—I’ve been there, and I’m here to tell you that starting freelancing with no experience is totally possible. Spoiler: you don’t need a fancy résumé, a LinkedIn profile with 500 connections, or an MBA.
What you do need? A plan. Let’s get into it.
Step 1: Forget Experience—Start with Skills You Already Have
Here’s the thing: You don’t need to have years of experience to offer value. Think about what you already know how to do. Are you a social media pro? Good with emails? Excel at organizing other people’s chaos? Boom—you’ve got freelance services to offer.
And don’t underestimate your “random” skills. Are you the friend who plans epic vacations? You could be a virtual assistant. Can you create Canva graphics like it’s your superpower? Hello, freelance design gigs.
👉 Action Tip: Write down a list of skills people compliment you on or things you already do at your current job. You might surprise yourself.
Step 2: Fake It (But Not in a Shady Way)
No portfolio? No problem. Create one. Grab the $9 portfolio that helped me score high paying clients!
Seriously, make up a couple of sample projects that show off your skills. For example:
- If you want to be a social media manager, create a mock content plan for a brand you love.
- If you want to write, whip up a few blog posts or website copy samples for imaginary businesses.
Clients don’t care if the work was for a real business—they care about whether you can deliver results.
👉 Pro Tip: Use free tools like Canva to make your portfolio look slick. Presentation matters!
Step 3: Pick Your Platforms (a.k.a. Where to Find Clients)
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, but these are the top places to find freelance gigs:
- Freelance platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal are great for beginners.
- Social media: Post about your services on Instagram, LinkedIn, or even TikTok. Let people know what you offer!
- Cold outreach: Slide into inboxes (professionally, of course) and offer your services.
Oh, and don’t forget word of mouth—tell your friends, family, and that one nosy neighbor that you’re freelancing now. Referrals are gold.
Step 4: Set Your Rates Without Crying
Talking about money can feel weird, especially when you’re new. But here’s a cheat code: Research what others in your field are charging, and start somewhere in the middle.
For example, new virtual assistants might charge $20-$30/hour, while seasoned pros can command $50+. You don’t need to start at the bottom of the barrel, but don’t price yourself out of the game either.
👉 Action Tip: Check out sites like Glassdoor or join Facebook groups for freelancers to see real-world pricing examples.
Step 5: Don’t Overthink It—Just Start
The biggest mistake you can make is waiting until everything is perfect. Newsflash: It never will be. You’ll tweak your services, rates, and pitch as you go, and that’s okay.
When I first started freelancing, I had no clue what I was doing. I just jumped in, figured it out, and made plenty of mistakes along the way. (For example: not charging for extra hours. Ouch.) But you know what? Every gig taught me something, and now freelancing pays my bills.
FAQs for the Overthinkers in the Room
Q: What if I don’t know enough to freelance?
A: You know something. Start with that, and keep learning as you go. Nobody knows everything when they begin.
Q: What if clients ghost me?
A: It happens. Move on and pitch to the next one. Freelancing is a numbers game—don’t take it personally.
Q: What if I fail?
A: You won’t. But even if you stumble, that’s just part of the process. Failure is just data to improve your next move.
Final Thoughts: Freelancing Isn’t Just a Career—It’s a Glow-Up
Starting freelancing with no experience might feel intimidating, but trust me, you’re more capable than you think. The first step is saying yes to yourself and diving in.
So, what’s stopping you? Start messy, start scared—just start. Your freelance future is waiting!