How To Become a Freelancer With No Experience

Updated on May 15, 2025

Freelancing in 2025 gives you the freedom to work on your terms, unleash your creativity, and explore endless ways to earn. Whether you're looking to make extra money on the side or replace your full-time job entirely, this guide will walk you through how to be a freelancer—even with no experience.

Let’s explore the potential of freelancing as a full-time job, build foundations for beginners, and set you up for long-term success.

Why is it worth starting a freelance career in 2025

Freelance work is definitely common these days. 2025 data shows that about 1.57 billion people worldwide are full-time freelancers, making up nearly 47% of the global workforce. The freelance market is now worth over $3.39 billion, rivaling major tech companies.

So, it’s obvious that freelancing has become highly attractive for many people to earn money fast. But why is it worth it? Freelancing lets you be your own boss, choose your projects, enjoy a flexible work schedule, and often work remotely. This flexibility allows for a personalized work-life balance and the potential for uncapped earnings, especially if you specialize in high-demand skills.

However, it’s not without challenges. As a self-employed individual, your income may fluctuate, potentially you won’t have normal working hours, you’ll have to manage new projects, various different clients, your own taxes, and monthly expenses. Still, the freedom, autonomy, and growth opportunities make freelance work a smart and empowering career path for 2025 and beyond.

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Step-by-step: how to be a successful freelancer

Before we jump into the practical steps, it’s important to understand that to become a good freelancer requires more than just to be self-motivated at all times. It takes real determination, a commitment to building and refining your skill set, and the flexibility to adapt to a constantly evolving market. The good news? Even if you're starting with no experience, it's entirely possible to find a place for yourself by positioning wisely within a specific industry and delivering value.

Ready to see how it’s done? Let’s walk through each step together.

1. Define your services and niche

If you're wondering how to become a freelancer and enjoy it as a full-time job, the first step is choosing a niche that aligns with your interests and existing skills. Turning profitable hobbies like writing, graphic design, or web development into services is a great way to get started—and begin earning enough money to make freelancing sustainable.

Not sure where to begin? Try these steps:

Reflect on your strengths: What are you naturally good at? What’s your educational background? Do you have hobbies or past job roles you enjoyed? Dig deep to uncover skills that could translate into freelance services.
Do market research: Look into which freelance services are in demand. For example, in the US, about 21,100 new openings for graphic designers are projected each year, which indicates strong potential for beginners in that niche.
Test the waters: If you’re still unsure, consider volunteering or taking on small gigs. This can help you gain valuable experience, build your portfolio, and collect testimonials, all of which are key to attracting a steady roster of future clients.

Once you’ve found your niche, consider narrowing it further. Rather than offering general services, focus on a specific area, for instance, get paid to write email campaigns for eCommerce brands or start designing UI/UX for startups. Specializing helps you stand out and charge more, making it easier to earn enough money consistently.

2. Set up your business foundation

Once you’ve defined your services and narrowed down your niche, it’s time to monetize your skills.

Here’s how to lay the groundwork:

Pick a business setup: Choose if you’ll work as a solo freelancer or create an LLC (Limited Liability Company). Your choice will affect your taxes and legal protection. Make sure you understand your country’s tax rules from the start.
Create simple contracts: Use clear contracts that explain the work, payment, and deadlines. This helps avoid confusion and protects both you and your clients.
Use basic tools to stay organized: Tools like Trello or Asana can help you manage projects, while PayPal or FreshBooks make handling payments easier. Some tools cost money, so plan for that in your budget.

Setting up your business foundation not only helps you stay professional but also prepares you for future growth. The better your foundation, the easier it will be to scale your freelancing career down the line.

3. Build your brand and online presence

When you’ve laid the groundwork for your business, it’s time to focus on personal branding and visibility, a process that continues throughout your career.

After all, no matter how skilled you are, if potential clients can’t find you, they can’t hire you.

Here are a few ways to stand out:

Create a personal website or portfolio: Showcase your best previous work and highlight the results you’ve achieved.
Polish your LinkedIn profile: Treat it like an online résumé. Add relevant skills, write compelling descriptions, and gather endorsements wherever you can.
Gather testimonials: Even if it’s from pro bono or small gigs, client feedback is powerful social proof.

Over time, your brand and digital marketing efforts—covering your reputation, style, and online portfolio—becomes your most effective tool bringing a steady flow of new clients.

4. Leverage freelance platforms

Here’s a tip for you: most modern freelancing happens on popular freelance job platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, or FlexJobs. These platforms do much of the heavy lifting for you—connecting you with clients around the world.

If you want these platforms to work for you, here’s how to get started:

Optimize your profile: Treat it like a résumé. Use a clear, professional photo, and craft an overview highlighting your strongest skills.
Show off your portfolio: Even personal or small-scale projects can demonstrate your capabilities if they’re well-presented.
Focus on trust and reviews: Positive feedback and high ratings will help you stand out and climb the rankings.
Avoid common pitfalls: Watch out for bidding wars and underpricing. Starting too low might land you the job, but it could undervalue your skills in the long run.

A heads-up for beginners: Competition among other freelancers on these job boards can be tough, and you may need to lower your rates initially to secure your first gig.

However, these platforms provide a built-in online marketplace full of potential clients actively searching for a successful freelancer like you. So make sure to build a strategic approach to establish a strong reputation, attract quality clients, and grow your career over time.

5. Finding your first potential clients

Building client relationships is often the hardest part of freelancing. But once you do, the rest tends to fall into place.

Start by tapping into your personal network, like friends, family, and acquaintances. Let them know about your day job services and share a bit about your past projects. That might lead you to connecting with someone who needs help with a quick freelance gig immediately or even lead to an ongoing working relationship for future projects.

Building a strong social media presence is also important and can open the door to new freelance opportunities. Joining LinkedIn or Facebook groups in your industry can connect you with people actively looking for freelancers, either on a project by project basis or for long-term work.

Another effective approach is cold pitching. Research companies or individuals who could benefit from your skills and send a personalized message explaining how you can solve their problems.

Freelancers on Reddit also offer great advice for beginners. One user highlights the importance of connections:

“If you can find someone in your area of interest, ask if you can shadow or help them out. It might not pay much—or at all—but the experience and connections are invaluable.”

Other freelancers share their early strategy:

“I had some success running paid ads in the beginning when my rates were lower. Depending on your niche, social media platforms can be a great tool to leverage as well.”

For those further along in their freelancing journey, the payoff becomes clear. As one seasoned freelancer puts it:

“Fast forward 3 or 4 years, and the business has absolutely exploded to the point where I don’t look for work—it finds me.”

Just remember: when you become a freelancer, rejection is normal, especially at the beginning. Don’t let it discourage you. Be patient, refine your approach, and keep putting yourself out there. With consistency and persistence, you’ll land enough clients to start freelancing full-time.

6. Setting your rates and negotiating

Once you do land your ideal client, negotiating and setting a fair price is the last step. Your rates not only reflect your skills but also tell clients how much you value your work.

Research industry rates on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to understand what others in your niche charge.
Factor in experience, complexity, and value when setting your prices.
Start lower if you're new, but avoid undervaluing your work—raise rates as you gain experience.
Choose your pricing model: hourly for ongoing work or fixed rates for one-time projects with clear scope.
Be confident in your rates and clearly communicate your value.

Don’t feel pressured to accept low offers—you deserve fair pay for quality work.

Popular freelance career paths to consider for beginners

Freelancing continues to grow as a very flexible career choice. In fact, according to 2025 data, the average freelancer in the U.S. earns over $99,000 per year, with salaries ranging from $31,000 to $275,000, depending on various factors.

Your earning potential as a freelancer is shaped by several key elements:

Industry and skill set: High-demand skills like web development, logo design, copywriting, or consulting often come with higher pay.
Experience and specialization: Focusing on a specific niche, such as email marketing for eCommerce or UI/UX design for startups, allows you to charge premium rates.
Location: Working with international clients can lead to varying rates based on regional budgets.

If you're new to freelancing, it's normal to feel unsure about which path to take. Fortunately, many fields are beginner-friendly and offer room to grow. Below, we’ll explore accessible freelance options, key skills you’ll need, and what you can expect to earn as you gain experience.

Freelance writer

Strong content writing skills, grammar, research ability, and basic SEO knowledge are definitely essential. These kinds of freelancers work with blogging, copywriting, or overall content creation.

Pay range: $15–$75/hour depending on experience and niche.

Great for: College students and teens.

Graphic designer

You’ll need design software skills (like Adobe Illustrator or Canva), creativity, and attention to detail. Ideal for creating logos, ads, or social media graphics.

Pay range: $20–$100/hour.
Great for: Those who want to start a graphic design side hustle.

Web developer and programmer

Basic to advanced coding skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or Python are required. Developers build websites, apps, and tools for clients.

Pay range: $25–$150/hour depending on expertise and project complexity.

Great for: Those skilled in web development.

Requires knowledge of social media management, content planning, engagement strategies, and analytics. Perfect for brands or influencers needing consistent online presence.

Pay range: $15–$50/hour.
Great for: College students and young people wanting to start a side hustle.

Virtual assistant and support specialist

Organizational skills, communication, and basic tech know-how are key. Tasks may include scheduling, email management, and customer support.

Pay range: $10–$40/hour.
Great for: Those who are interested in virtual assisting.

Tips for managing your freelance business finances and taxes

Once your business gets off the ground and the steady stream of income starts rolling in, managing your finances and taxes becomes a critical part of your success.

Start by tracking all income and expenses using tools like QuickBooks, Wave, or even a simple spreadsheet. This helps you stay on top of cash flow and simplifies tax season.

Here are some other tips for financial productivity:

Set aside 20-30% of your income to pay self-employment taxes, as many freelancers often pay quarterly taxes.
Learn the tax rules in your country, including deductions for home office expenses, software, and internet costs.
Unlike a full-time employee who typically doesn't have to stress over income consistency, as a freelancer you’ll need to budget carefully to manage irregular earnings and set aside an emergency fund for slow months or delayed payments.
If freelancing is your full-time career and your main income source, consider hiring an accountant or using tax software to ensure compliance and maximize deductions.

Diversifying your income streams with online opportunities

Freelancing offers flexibility and independence, but income can be unpredictable. Diversifying your income is a smart way to stay financially stable during slower months. Simple online earning methods—like micro-tasks, surveys, or games on platforms like JumpTask—can supplement your freelance work without getting in the way.

You can also explore passive income options like selling digital products, creating courses, or affiliate marketing. These are great for freelancers with skills or knowledge to share. By mixing in extra income streams, you reduce risk and create a more reliable, balanced financial foundation.

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Key takeaways

Freelancing offers the freedom to work on your terms, take on projects you love, and grow your income potential.
Stand out by choosing a niche and building a strong brand with a quality work portfolio.
Become more visible with a personal website, LinkedIn profile, and strong online presence.
Get started with beginner-friendly roles like writing, design, social media, or virtual assistance.
Add stability by diversifying your income through microtasks, digital products, or affiliate marketing.
Set fair rates, negotiate with confidence, raise your prices as your value increases, and manage your own hours wisely.
Stay organized: manage your own schedule, track earnings, set aside taxes, and manage cash flow with budgeting tools.

FAQs

To become a freelancer, you need to start by identifying skills you already have or can quickly learn. Firstly, build a portfolio with high-quality work. Join various freelance platforms, apply for projects, and start a professional network online.

Depends on your goals. As a self-employed freelancer you have more flexibility and control over your projects, but it also comes with income instability and no full-time employee benefits, such as health insurance coverage or company-sponsored retirement plans. However, many choose freelancing for the freedom and long-term earning potential.

Top platforms for beginners include Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. These sites offer a variety of gigs and make it easy to build a strong portfolio and gain reviews. For micro-tasks or side income, try platforms like JumpTask to start earning right away.

Freelancers typically get paid through secure platforms like PayPal, Wise, Payoneer, or directly via bank account transfers. Most freelancers handle their payments internally via their website. Always use clear contracts that outline payment terms, and consider requesting partial upfront payments for larger projects to protect your time and effort.

In many cases, you can begin freelancing without a business license. However, requirements vary by country and state. Some regions may require registration or tax documentation. If freelancing becomes your main income source, it’s smart to consult local laws or a tax professional to stay compliant and protected.

Gabriele Zundaite

Digital Marketing Manager

Meet Gabriele, a marketing specialist focused on digital growth and social media. As a Digital Marketing Manager at JumpTask, she helps others discover new ways to earn online by turning creative ideas into real results. With a degree in Marketing Management and a background in growth marketing and community building, Gabriele shares clear, practical advice for anyone ready to start earning or grow their online presence.