Learn how to start a freelancing career
Freelancing can be an appealing alternate path to the traditional 9-to-5. However, a freelance career can pose challenges. Prepare yourself for the road ahead and explore strategies to help you stand out in a crowded freelance marketplace.
What is freelancing?
Freelancing is a popular alternative to working full-time for a single employer. Instead, freelancers perform tasks as needed for one or more clients. They usually operate on a per-project or contract basis, collecting an hourly wage or flat rate for their work.
An August 2022 McKinsey Company report found that 36% of the U.S. workforce self-identifies as "independent workers," in contrast to the organizations estimate of 27% in 2016. This increase is an indication that freelance work, while competitive, is on the rise.
People turn to freelancing for various reasons. For many, the flexibility of freelancing is an enticing alternative to a traditional job. Others treat freelancing as a supplementary source of income, picking up gigs on the side for extra money.
While freelancing offers significant appeal, it isn't for everyone. It often takes a long time to get established and access the steady workflow you'll need to earn a livable wage.
Earning potential
Your earning potential as a freelancer varies widely and depends on factors like:
- Industry of employment
- Demand for your skillset
- Access to clients
- Your experience, professional proficiencies, and reputation
Pros and cons of freelancing
Freelancing offers appealing advantages, but it also comes with considerable drawbacks.
Pros
- Freelancers have more freedom than traditionally employed workers. You can set your own schedule and control your own workload.
- Many freelancers work remotely, saving time and money by avoiding the daily commute.
- You'll build business management and marketing skills organically as you seek work and navigate client relationships.
- Self-employed workers are their own bosses and don't typically have to manage workplace social dynamics.
- As you gain experience and build a steady client base, you may be able to earn more than you would by holding a traditional full-time job.
Cons
- Many freelance industries are highly competitive. Getting started can be very challenging, especially if you're competing with well-established professionals.
- Depending on what you do and how well-established you are, workflows can be inconsistent, and your income can be unpredictable.
- Striking a healthy work-life balance can be difficult, especially if you need to accept multiple opportunities to compensate for an inconsistent workload.
- Freelancers don't get the benefits many regular employers offer, like health insurance or retirement contributions. You'll have to fund these things out-of-pocket.
- Payment delays and disputes may occur. If they do, you'll have to navigate them on your own.
How to start freelancing
As you consider how to start freelancing, know that there's no set path to follow. However, the following advice broadly applies to the many industries that employ freelancers:
Identify your niche.
Create a portfolio.
Set your rate or pricing structure.
Connect with clients.
Build your experience.
The more specific the service you offer is, the better your chances of connecting with freelance clients are. Specialists tend to be in shorter supply than generalists.
Employers will often request samples of your work when considering you for a project. These samples may carry more weight than your academic or experiential credentials.
If you're just starting out and don't have any professional samples, create some that showcase your talent and capabilities.
When setting your pay rate, you'll want to position your services as affordable without selling yourself short. This requires research: Look at the rates clients are willing to pay for your expertise, then price your services accordingly.
Use career websites, job boards, social media, networking events, and freelance work platforms to connect with clients. Find professional services firms or agencies that serve the client niche you're looking to work with and market yourself to them.
Your portfolio and your credibility will grow with experience. Over time, you may find it easier to land new clients and charge higher rates.
How I became a freelancer
I started freelancing to support myself after graduate school. Through feedback from clients, I quickly discovered that writers with my combination of technical ability, reliability, versatility, and efficiency were in short supply. This skill set served me increasingly well as online publishers began elevating their editorial standards.
After forming long-term relationships with multiple clients, I was able to start freelancing full-time about four years after taking my first paid writing gig. I've been lucky enough to stay busy ever since, and I plan to continue as a freelance writer until I retire or am displaced by artificial intelligence—whichever comes first!