How to Earn More Money Freelancing (Even If You’re a Total Beginner)
Proven strategies for increasing your freelance income.
Since I started freelancing just over a year ago, I’ve had the chance to work with nearly a dozen
high-growth startups and world-class experts. I’ve never had to negotiate for the premium rates I
charge for my content marketing services, which is why I want to share some tips with you on how to
start freelancing and how to make money doing it, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Because I’ve done such an effective job of defining my value propositions, branding myself as an
expert within my field, and getting my freelance writing content in front of new target audiences, I
now have a 3–6 month waiting list for new freelance clients and projects.
However, that certainly didn’t happen overnight. My rapid success in freelancing is the result of a lot
of strategic positioning, hours of hard work, and good timing.
If you’re ready to get serious about freelancing and multiplying your self-employed income, here are
my top twelve tips for earning more during your first year as a freelancer.
- Choose a Niche
Starting out, you might be tempted to take any paid work on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
However, as you advance in your freelancing career, it’s crucial to be strategic about the types of
work you do and the clients you take on.
You might wonder: How can being selective about freelance work help me earn more money?
When you specialize in a skillset, you become an expert in a specific field, and experts can
command higher rates for their specialized services.
Would you prefer to hire someone who’s a jack of all trades or someone who’s a pro at doing one
thing exceptionally well? Most would choose the specialist.
Choosing to specialize as a content marketing consultant instead of a general digital marketer was
the best decision for my freelance business.
By building my reputation as a skilled content marketer and frequently engaging with related content
on social media, I’ve risen to the top of my niche quickly. New clients often find me through Google
and social media searches for specific expert help.This strategy applies to other fields as well. For example, if you’re starting as a web developer, you
could specialize in migrating blogs to WordPress. This means when someone searches for “help
with migrating a blog to WordPress,” they can find you. This works for graphic designers too; you
could focus on graphic design specifically for WordPress.
Choosing the right niche, specializing, and branding yourself as an expert can really pay off for years
to come.
- Define Your Service Offerings
Early in your freelance career, it’s important to decide what services you offer and what you don’t.
Being specific about your services will help you brand yourself, control how prospective clients
perceive you, and build your portfolio in the direction you want to go.
For example, if you aim to be a sought-after, highly-paid Ruby on Rails developer, don’t accept offers
to customize WordPress themes or design user experiences for apps.
While steady work might be tempting (and sometimes necessary), taking on projects that don’t align
with your ultimate goal will only distract and delay your progress.
- Identify Your Ideal Client
Before seeking clients, develop a clear picture of who you’ll work best with. Do you want to build
websites for small businesses, establish yourself as a professional blogger, work as a copywriter,
contribute to new feature development for tech startups, or secure long-term contracts with large
companies? Or perhaps you want to work with brands that share your values.
Making these distinctions will be crucial for effectively pitching your services.
To define your ideal clients, ask yourself:
- What type of business has problems I can solve?
- Can these businesses afford to hire me?
- What are the demographic trends of decision-makers in these businesses (age, gender,
location, websites they visit, personal interests)?
I know I work best with small startup teams working on projects I can relate to, so I focus on
targeting these types of clients. This narrow focus helps potential clients see that I can
replicate my results for their business.4. Build a High-Quality Portfolio Site
A great way to showcase your skills is with an impressive portfolio site. If you want to be taken
seriously as a new freelancer, you need a website that:
- Demonstrates your expertise.
- Highlights relevant past experiences.
It shows who you are.
Includes your contact information so potential clients can reach you.
If you don’t have much employment experience or testimonials, a well-crafted portfolio can be useful.
The goal of your portfolio is to educate, pique potential clients’ curiosity, and persuade them to
choose you for their needs. Before looking for new projects, take the time to decide what to include
and how to display it.
Once your portfolio is up, include a link in your email signature and on your social profiles.
- Freelance on the Side First
Starting a freelance business while keeping your day job (or working part-time) is a wise move.
Building a high-quality portfolio website, establishing your personal brand, and gaining clients take
time. It’s a good idea to have a few steady clients before quitting your full-time job.
Grow your side income to at least 50–75% of your current income before leaving your full-time job,
depending on your risk tolerance.
Balancing a tight schedule, heavy workload, and client responsibilities with limited time will quickly
teach you what it’s like to run your own business.
Another benefit of freelancing on the side is that you can be selective. Since you don’t absolutely
need the money, you can turn down work that doesn’t pay enough or doesn’t interest you.
- Improve Your Skills
Justifying higher rates is easier when you have impressive skills that are in high demand.
Practice your new skills by building projects you want to be paid to work on, whether that’s
WordPress websites, mobile apps, graphic design, copywriting, etc. Differentiating yourself with cool
side projects and examples will attract potential clients.
Highly trained freelancers can get paid much more, but you don’t need a computer science degree
to get started. Online courses, like those from the best digital marketing course in Calicut, can put
you on the right track and put you in charge of your education.Invest in your skills, build a strong portfolio, and strategically position yourself in your chosen niche
to earn more money freelancing. These tips will help you get started and succeed in your freelance
career
