How To Start Freelancing Online

Welcome to my practical article on how to start freelancing online!

In this article I talked about why I think freelancing is a fantastic way to make money online, especially if you need that money rather fast.

While personally I’m a huge fan of affiliate marketing, I have to admit that affiliate marketing is not exactly the fastest way to make money online.

Sure, as an experienced affiliate marketer you can drive traffic to a high converting funnel and get paid, as soon as next week.

But especially as a beginner at affiliate marketing, you need at least a couple of months of hard work before you see major results.

At this point you’re probably wondering why you never came across that level of honesty online…

… And the reason is actually simple: Most so called gurus and shady marketers try to sell you the next shiny thing.

This is especially true in the make money online and internet marketing niche, which is full of unethical people, toxic marketers with no value and zero integrity, and fake gurus.

But I digress. Back to how you can start freelancing online.

Here are a couple of good starting points, if you want to kickstart your online freelancing career.

We’ve got to talk about two major aspects of freelancing firest:

Your Skills & Your Ability To Find Clients

You don’t have to go full-time immediately, of course.

If you have a job, or you primarily run your own business, freelancing can still be your side hustle, producing a nice side-income.

The two most important topics when it comes to freelancing online are:

  1. Your (marketable) skills, and
  2. Your ability to acquire new clients

It should be obivous, but I say it anyway:

The more in-demand your skills are in the marketplace, and the better you’re able to market yourself and your skills, the better.

It definately helps to be a master at XYZ (insert your skill), but it’s not a requirement.

In fact, if you have just a basic understanding of web development and WordPress, for example, you’re already able to help thousands and thousands of businesses out there, who need help with their online presence.

Short-Term Vs Long-Term Game

If you want to make freelancing your full-time gig, or the primary way to make money online and pay your bills, you should pay close attention:

In the long-term, having plenty of great reviews from former clients as well as your own portfolio of past work can help tremendously, especially if you’re looking to raise your prices and serve more “high-end” clients.

But in the short-term, almost none of that matters.

The Main Focus - Especially When Starting Out

If you’re getting into freelancing online in order to start making money online, you should focus on:

Marketing & sales.

Here’s the thing: If you can convince any (business) client that you can actually help them to solve problem XYZ, you’re already 80% there.

For real.

I know this to be true for a fact, because quite often, I outsource work myself.

And what do you think I care most about?

-> Getting my problem at hand solved.

That’s what most business owners primarily care about, when they hire a freelancer.

Places Online Where You Can Find Freelance Work

Keep in mind that ultimately, you don’t want to rely on any third-party platform long-term.

These “job/gig” platforms and freelance marketplaces are a race to the bottom - at least for the freelancer.

Your work becomes a (comparable) commodity and price is a major factor.

That’s not a situation you want to be in, especially long-term.

And that’s also the reason why - over time - you should find a specialty-niche and your USP. (unique selling proposition)

But these marketplaces can - especially in the beginning - be a great starting point, a launch-pad of your freelancing career.

Freelancing Marketplaces

Check out:

Personally, I prefer upwork.

LinkedIn

Out of all social networks, LinkedIn is the one that’s geared towards professionals and business owners.

With the right strategy (value first) you can find great clients here.

Other Ways

Basically any place that you come across business owners might be a good idea and worth trying.

That includes offline events and activities, like your chamber of commerce or other networking events.

Use every opportunity to connect with business owners and let them know:

You’re able and ready to do XYZ for them, or help them with XYZ problems.

Don’t Be Shy - Simply Ask!

If you bring these two things together, you’re halfway there:

  • a valuable (marketable) skill, more precise: Your ability to solve a specific problem for a business (ideas here), and
  • a business owner in need, wanting to solve problem XYZ

And that’s it.

Closing Thoughts

I don’t want to pretend I’m a master at freelancing. I’m not, but I know a thing or two about marketing.

And ultimately, it’s about that: Solving problems.

As long as you can do that, you’re good.

There’s plenty of work out there. You just need to find it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article!

Stay awesome,

Tim

PS: Especially when starting out, it’s all about quickly finding your first few clients… So it’s all about marketing & sales. Get on my list here for more great tips and tricks, and epic content on how to make money online, and how to market the right way. It’s 100% free. You’re welcome! :)