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- Varidhi Jain
- May 3
- 10 min read
You’re sitting at your desk, scrolling through Instagram, seeing people talk about how they built a lucrative freelance career.
You’re amazed at how they can work from cosy cafes, travel the world, and set their own work hours.
And the next thing that comes to your mind is:
"I wish I could do that too... but how can I start freelancing?”
You’re scared to take the first step because you don’t have years of experience or an amazing portfolio.
But guess what?
You don’t need years of experience to begin. You can start today, even if you’re starting from zero.
In this blog, I’ll share what I learned from my freelance career and show you how to start freelancing without any experience or expensive courses.
You’ll learn how to find your strengths, package them into a service people want, build a portfolio from scratch, and land your first paying clients.
So, let's get into it!
Steps to Start Freelancing
Step 1 - Choose Your Freelance Niche
Before starting your freelance career, you need to identify your niche based on your interests.
What does this mean?
It means building your expertise in a specific industry (like health, tech, finance) or providing a specialised service (like graphic design, SEO writing, social media management), rather than trying to do everything for everyone.
But how does this help?
When you specialise, it becomes easier to stand out. Clients are more willing to work with freelancers who are experts in their field, not generalists who do a little bit of everything.
Niching down helps you:
Get high-paying projects
Find better clients who value your expertise
Market yourself more easily because your messaging and target clients are focused
Let me give you my example:
I started working as a general content writer. But soon, I realised that niching down could help me grow faster. So, I decided to specialise in SEO blog writing.
This helped me attract clients who specifically need SEO expertise in writing. Now, I can charge better rates compared to general writers.
So, take some time to think about what you enjoy doing, what you’re good at (or willing to learn), and what services businesses need.
Step 2 - Build Your Skills
Once you have identified your niche, it’s time to build your skills accordingly.
Want to know a secret?
You don’t need expensive courses to learn something new.
Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, YouTube, Skillshare, etc., provide lots of free and affordable courses. You can easily find a course that fits your budget and start learning at your own pace.
I've seen many people invest in expensive certifications, hoping it will magically land them clients.
But the truth is, clients care more about your work than your certificates.
If your portfolio is strong and you can deliver great results, no one will ask where you studied. So, focus on building basic practical skills.
Pick one skill at a time, master it by working on personal projects, and then move on to the next skill.
The bottom line is: create proof of your skills that you can show to future clients, not just collect certificates.
Step 3 - Set Up Your Freelance Business
The first step to set up your freelance business is to build an impressive portfolio website. This doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
You can easily make one using tools like Canva (I personally used this!), Wix, Webflo, Behance, Dribble, Adobe, and more.
Most of these websites have AI features and ready-made templates that can help you create a professional-looking portfolio quickly.
You just have to choose a template, edit the text, upload your work samples, and you're good to go. Zero design experience needed!
Now, I’ll answer the most important question: what should my portfolio include?
It should include:
A short but impactful "About Me" section
The services you offer
Your work samples or personal projects (If you’ve no client work yet)
Your contact details (email, LinkedIn)
Now, let’s talk about one of the most underrated but powerful tools: your LinkedIn profile.
It’s like your first impression on your clients. It should clearly reflect who you are, what type of service you provide, your academic background, why someone should work with you, etc.
It can help you build a personal brand and attract inbound clients over time.
A strong portfolio & an optimised LinkedIn profile can open doors faster than you think.
Step 4 - Find Your First Clients
This is one of the most exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking parts of your freelance journey: finding your first client.
But the catch is:
These platforms mainly offer short-term gigs.
You often have to bid for projects using connects or tokens.
It can be highly competitive, especially for beginners.
That doesn’t mean you can’t land your first few projects there. You absolutely can!
But, relying solely on these platforms can limit your growth, especially if you want consistent, monthly income.
If you really want to find long-term, high-quality clients, there’s one platform you can't ignore: LinkedIn.
If you optimise your LinkedIn profile (like we discussed earlier), you can start attracting clients who are looking for freelancers for bigger, ongoing projects (not just one-off gigs).
There’s one more method to find freelance clients and it’s one of the best: cold pitching.
I know it sounds scary at first, but trust me, it works. And it’s exactly how I found my first freelance client!
Cold pitching means contacting businesses, startups, agencies, or entrepreneurs who might need your service (even if they haven’t posted a job opening).
You can research companies or individuals in your niche and find their contact details. You can then send them a personalised message that includes:
Who you are
How you can help them
A few work samples
A call-to-action (like "Would you be open to hopping on a quick call?")
Don’t make it sound salesy. Instead, focus on how you can solve their problem and offer a valuable solution. People appreciate it when you genuinely want to help.
Step 5 - Set Your Rates and Manage Payments
One of the most difficult parts of freelancing is deciding how much to charge.
You want to make sure you’re getting paid fairly, but you don’t want to scare away clients with prices that are too high. It’s a tricky balance!
So, what’s the solution?
When you’re starting, don’t focus on the rates. Try to work with as many clients as you can. You might be wondering, “Why?”
The reason is simple: this’ll help you build your portfolio and learn the nitty-gritty of freelancing. Use this time to improve your skills & gain real-world experience.
Once you’ve gained enough experience and confidence, raise your rates. Take some time to research what other freelancers are charging on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Charge based on the complexity of the work. For example, content writing might be less expensive than high-end graphic design or SEO strategy. As you gain more experience, you can charge more based on the value you bring to the client and your growing expertise.
Don’t undercharge in fear of losing clients. Learn to say no to projects that don’t align with your skill set.
Once you have your rates set, you need a reliable way to get paid. The following are some of the popular payment methods for freelancers:
PayPal: It’s one of the most popular options that many freelancers use. It's fast, secure, and widely accepted.
Wise: It’s a great choice for international payments as it offers low transaction fees and competitive exchange rates.
Direct Deposit: If you're working with local clients, setting up direct bank transfers can be a convenient option.
Stripe: It’s a good choice for freelancers who want to set up a more formal payment system with professional invoices.
Whatever payment method you choose, make sure your payment terms are clear from the start.
Will you get paid upfront?
After completing milestones?
Or when the project is done?
This’ll help you avoid confusion down the road.
Step 6 - Protect Yourself Legally
As a freelancer, protecting yourself legally is just as important as doing great work. Two key things can save you from misunderstandings and unpaid invoices:
Contracts
Always work with a written agreement, even for small projects. A contract outlines the scope of work, deadlines, payment terms, revision limits, and cancellation policies.
It keeps you and the client on the same page & serves as proof in case any dispute arises.
Terms & Conditions
You can include terms and conditions in your contract. It should cover things like payment deadlines, late fees, intellectual property rights, and what happens if the project is delayed or cancelled.
These legal basics protect your rights & make you look more professional and trustworthy. So even if you're a beginner, don’t skip this step.
Common Challenges New Freelancers Face (& How to Overcome Them)
Finding clients
One of the biggest challenges new freelancers face is landing their first few clients.
Since you're just starting out, you don’t have a track record, and that can make potential clients hesitant.
Most clients want to invest in someone who has proven results because, at the end of the day, they're spending money and expecting a return.
So, how do you convince someone to take a chance on you?
Start by building a strong portfolio.
Even if you haven’t worked with any paying clients yet, you can still create sample work that reflects your skills and niche. If you’re a writer, write blog posts or website copy for imaginary businesses.
If you're a designer, create mockups of logos or social media graphics for fictional brands. The goal is to show, not just tell, what you're capable of.
Another way to get your foot in the door is by offering to create free samples or do small test projects for prospective clients. This reduces their risk and gives you a chance to prove your value.
But remember: offering free work should be strategic and limited. Do it only when there's a genuine opportunity to convert it into a paid relationship.
Impostor syndrome
Now, let’s talk about something that almost every freelancer deals with (but rarely talks about): impostor syndrome.
That nagging voice in your head that says,
"Who am I to do this?"
"Am I really good enough?"
"What if the client finds out I have no idea what I’m doing?"
But feeling like an impostor doesn’t mean you are one. It just means you care about doing good work. You hold yourself to high standards and that’s actually a strength.
So, how do you deal with it?
Document your wins: Keep a folder with kind client messages, successful projects, and milestones. On tough days, revisit it.
Talk to other freelancers: You’ll quickly find out you’re not the only one who feels this way.
Keep learning, but don’t let it paralyse you: Yes, there's always more to know. But don’t wait to feel 100% ready. Start now, improve as you go.
Take pride in progress, not perfection: You don’t have to be the best, just better than you were yesterday.
Impostor syndrome doesn’t magically disappear. But it loses power the more you show up, take action, and own your work.
Burnout
When you’re your own boss, it’s easy to slip into a cycle of doing everything, all the time.
You take on too many clients, say yes to every opportunity, work late nights & skip breaks. And before you know it, you’re exhausted, unmotivated, and mentally drained.
That’s burnout.
And the worst part? As a freelancer, you don’t get paid sick leave or mental health days. If you don’t work, you don’t earn.
So you push through… until you crash.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
How can you protect yourself from burnout?
Set clear boundaries: Your time is valuable. Define your work hours and stick to them.
Take short breaks: Step away from your screen. Go for a walk, read something unrelated to work, or just rest. Breaks recharge creativity.
Say no when needed: Not every client or project is worth your energy. Learn to recognise your capacity and protect it.
Schedule guilt-free downtime: Rest isn’t a reward; it’s part of the process. Treat self-care like an appointment.
Build systems: Automate tasks, use templates, and create a workflow that saves you time and mental energy.
How to Grow Your Freelance Career
To grow your freelance career and stand out in a competitive market, you need to build your personal brand.
You might be wondering: What’s actually personal branding?
It means clearly communicating who you are, what you do, and why clients should choose you. And some of the best ways to do this include:
Optimising your LinkedIn profile.
Building a portfolio.
Sharing valuable content that shows your expertise.
Another thing that can help you grow your freelance career is raising your rates over time.
Why’s it important?
Raising your rates helps you prevent burnout and attract high-quality clients who respect and value your work. It also ensures you’re fairly compensated for your time & skills.
Moreover, as you take on bigger and more challenging projects, your visibility and credibility in the industry grow naturally.
Final Word
You don’t need years of experience, fancy tools, or expensive courses to start freelancing. What you need is the courage to take the first step and the consistency to keep going, even when it feels hard.
It won’t be perfect in the beginning. And that’s okay!
But with every small win, you’ll gain the confidence, skills, and momentum to build the freelance career you’ve been dreaming of.
Your freelance journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It just has to feel right for you.
FAQs
How to start freelancing as a student?
To start freelancing as a student, choose a skill you’re good at (like writing, design, or coding), create sample work or a simple portfolio, and join freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn.
How to freelance with no experience?
To freelance with no experience, create a strong portfolio using personal or mock projects, and offer free or discounted work to clients. Focus on learning and improving your skills. Use platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to find beginner-friendly jobs.
Is freelancing easy?
Freelancing offers flexibility, but it isn’t easy. It requires self-discipline, time management, and consistent effort to find clients, deliver quality work, and handle your own finances. It gets easier with experience and a strong reputation.
How do freelancers get paid?
Freelancers get paid via online platforms (like PayPal, Wise, or through freelancing websites such as Upwork and Fiverr). Payment terms vary, but many freelancers require 50% upfront or use contracts to ensure timely payments.
Which skill is best for freelancing?
The best freelancing skills include content writing, graphic design, web development, digital marketing, and video editing. The best skill for you depends on your interests, strengths, and market demand.
