Do you want to start a freelancing business but aren’t sure where to begin? This is the guide for you. This is an all-in-one instruction for novices on how to get started freelancing. 

Before you begin you should know that freelancing is a lot more difficult than it appears. It’s not as simple as getting a computer and access to the internet and making money online. It’s a lot more complex. 

Continue reading only if you’re ready to put in the effort necessary to attain your goal of building a freelancing business and achieving financial independence.  

 

Step 1: Get the right tools 

When you’re desperate, you make horrible choices and decisions so, understand that freelancing is not a get-rich-quick scam. It requires a great deal of effort.  

People often ask if there is any job they can perform with just a smartphone. The short answer is no. At the very least, not worthwhile ones. 

The functionalities of smartphone applications are restricted. You’ll need a computer to run the software you’ll need to get the job done well and give excellent results. 

So, before you think about working online, get a laptop or a good ol’ PC. 

This is the first step in starting a freelancing business. 

 

Step 2: Determine your selling skill 

The second, and most important, step is to choose a skill and provide it as a service. 

This could be as simple as taking minutes during meetings, or as difficult as developing software. Whatever it is, discovering a skill that you are good at and that has adequate market demand is the key to freelance success. 

If there are enough job advertisements for the talent you’re strong at on a freelancing site like Apply4Gigs, you’ve struck gold. 

This is the second step in starting a freelancing business. 

 

Step 3: Establish the reputation of your freelancing business 

Success in a freelancing business depends on your ability to demonstrate your talents and effort. It doesn’t matter if you have a college diploma or if you have years of experience. Clients won’t hire you until you can demonstrate that you are competent in your field. 

If you’re a writer, you should have work published on well-known blogs. If you’re a graphic designer, you should be able to point to a brand and say you designed its logo. If you work as a web designer, you must be able to give a link to a website that you created. 

In a nutshell, get your stuff out there. If you have to, do some pro bono work first. Contact blogs that allow guest posting and get put yourself out there. 

This is the third step in starting a freelancing business. 

Learn more: 7 affordable ways to promote your freelance business 

Step 4: Build your online (or offline) portfolio  

Create a portfolio to save all of your published/live work in one location as you begin to establish your reputation. 

A portfolio is a website, webpage, or document that displays all of your work. 

If you’re a graphic designer, for example, you may build a portfolio page on a site to showcase all of your work. When you’re contacting a customer, you may simply send them a link to your portfolio (or a copy) so they can check out your talents. 

Ensure that your portfolio only includes your greatest work. 

This is the fourth step in starting a freelancing business. 

Related: 20 Ideas To Help You Land Your First Freelance Client 

 

Step 5: Register on a freelance platform  

This phase is critical in determining how easy you’ll obtain tasks and the kind of clients with whom you’ll be able to work. 

Most new freelancers make the mistake of looking for the most popular freelancing marketplace and joining to get started.  

Keep in mind that millions of freelancers from all over the world already use these platforms. They also engage in bidding wars to gain jobs as a result of the competition. To get the job, they will keep lowering their costs. This won’t help you go anywhere. 

So, the ideal strategy is to join a very young marketplace. There will be less competition because there will be fewer freelancers. It will also improve your chances of finding a job. 

 

Bottom line 

Freelancing can be enjoyed when you put in the work to be the best using the appropriate tools. These 5 steps are far from exhaustive, but they should be a good start to help you build your freelancing business.