How to start freelancing with no experience in 2024

min read

How to start freelancing with no experience in 2024

Can I be a freelancer with no experience?

Think of it this way, everyone is a beginner at first. Having no experience in a particular field shouldn’t hold you back - everyone has to start somewhere! Chances are you already have transferable skills that you can apply to numerous freelance opportunities.

Many freelance jobs don’t require extensive former experience to get started. Perhaps you’ll embark on freelance social media management, or you’re looking to give freelance copywriting a try. Before you embark on your freelance adventure, it’s vital that you have a strategic plan in place to improve your chances of success. With a proactive approach and determination, you can establish yourself as a freelancer and grow a loyal client base.

7 tips on becoming a freelancer with no experience

We’ve put together a list of tips on how to start freelancing with no experience, along with expert advice shared by other, experienced freelancers. With these tips, you’ll soon be ready to embark on your new exciting chapter.

1. Identify your transferable skills

If you have no direct experience in freelancing, identifying your transferable skills is vital. You may be surprised how many skills you already have that could be applied to a freelance position. For example, you may have great communication skills or be a problem-solving whizz. You can then take these skills and apply them to different freelance jobs - for example, strong communication skills are key for copywriting where you’ll need to explain complex ideas clearly and concisely.

Giada Del Drago, Life Coach and Consultant, says, ‘The best way to identify transferable skills is to look back through your CV and see which skills you’ve used in different jobs. These can then be your professional strengths or even your USP.’ Recognising these transferable skills can be a great confidence booster and can also help pitch yourself to potential clients.

Emma Georgiou, Executive Coach, Consultant and Trainer has shared the following tips for identifying transferable skills:

Look at your CV and consider the experiences that you have.
Consider what skills you acquired in each role e.g. problem-solving, leadership, coaching, technical abilities. This can be split into hard skills (knowledge / expertise) and soft skills (interpersonal and behavioural).
Consult others around you – ask family, friends and former colleagues who know you well. They may be able to identify other skills that you have learned that may not be obvious to you.
In the work setting you can also look at feedback you’ve received as part of reviews, as this often uncovers your skills.
Once you’ve identified your list of skills, create a document with them in, and add to it once you learn something new.
If looking for a new job, cross-check the job description with your skills list and look for alignment.

2. Create a strategy and pricing structure

As a newbie to the freelance world, you’ll need to create a strategy and pricing structure that aligns with your personal goals, current circumstances and market trends.

To begin with, you may choose to freelance alongside your current job or studies, allowing you to test the waters and decide whether you enjoy freelancing before fully committing to it. Initially, it’s worth prioritising building a strong portfolio of work and gathering client testimonials over making as much money as you can. You may choose to offer your services at a lower rate to begin with, to build a client base. As your confidence and experience grows, you can then adjust your pricing to reflect your expertise.

Take a look at our guide to setting up a freelance business for more information on setting a price for your services.

3. Build your online presence and be active

Building an online presence is crucial as a freelancer. You can use social media to shout about your successes, advertise your services and keep informed about the latest trends and developments in your industry. Networking platforms like LinkedIn can connect you with potential clients and other professionals, for you to attract new opportunities. Being active on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can help you market your services and connect with potential clients.

Make sure you also prioritise creating a website that showcases your work and skills. Your website serves as a central hub and digital portfolio for your previous work, testimonials and contact information.

4. Build a portfolio and grow your testimonials to show off your work

Your portfolio and testimonials are key components of your freelancer toolkit, there to prove your credibility and talent to potential clients. Take the time to put together a portfolio that showcases your best work - the more variety the better, to appeal to different industries. Testimonials are equally as important, as endorsements of your professionalism and quality of work from those who have previously worked with you. With no freelance experience, you may wonder where you’re expected to get testimonials from. Why not ask a previous employer or colleague for a recommendation to include on your website? Once you’ve got a client base to your name, you can request feedback once you’ve completed a project.

5. Find your first freelancing jobs

Deciding to become a freelancer is one thing, but finding freelancing jobs is a different ballgame. There are numerous ways you can find your first freelancing gigs, both online and in person. Here are some ideas on where to start:

Freelancing platforms: These are sites dedicated to helping freelancers find new projects to work on. Platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr are popular freelancing platforms to market your services, connect with potential clients and manage payments.
Job boards: Job boards like Indeed and Reed often list freelance jobs. But unlike freelancing platforms, you’ll need to manage client communications and payments yourself.
Cold pitching: Many shy away from cold pitching due to being left on read, but it can be a simple and effective way to build new connections and land yourself projects you’d otherwise miss out on. Before reaching out to a potential client, be sure to do the research first. Make sure you know about their business and that their values align with your own, so you sound genuinely interested in working with them.

6. Connect with the community and team up with others

Freelance work can feel isolating at times, especially if you work from home. Joining a freelance community can provide you with a network of like-minded professionals who you can rely on and learn from. Your network may even share job opportunities and can recommend you to their network when they’re not available for a project. Taking advantage of a freelance community can help keep you motivated, offer emotional support where needed and help you grow and develop your skills. You’ll have an outlet to discuss any concerns you may have, people to bounce ideas off with, and a space to share knowledge as you advance in your career.

7. Research and expand your knowledge

When starting out as a freelancer, researching and expanding your knowledge is crucial. The more you know, the stronger foundation you’ll have for your freelance business. First, research the industry you’re looking to operate in and the pain points and typical goals of potential clients. Next, research and keep on top of the latest trends and advancements in your industry to ensure you’re producing work that hits the mark. From there, you can tailor the services you offer to these needs and position yourself as a valuable asset to your clients.

Best freelance jobs that require no experience

Looking for the best freelance jobs with no experience? There are numerous fields you can explore that can make the most of your transferable skills. When it comes to the types of jobs out there, the largest occupational group for freelancers is those in artistic, literary and media occupations which now account for 16% of all freelancers. For those who prefer to work from home (or abroad!), there are plenty of freelance remote jobs with no experience out there that may suit you.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best freelance jobs with no experience below, for you to consider:

Copywriter: You’ll find plenty of entry-level writing gigs on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. The more you write, the better your work will become. Learning the basics of SEO and optimising your copy for search will impress potential clients.
Virtual Assistant: If you’re an organised person who lives by to-do lists, you could use your skills to assist businesses with day-to-day admin tasks. These jobs may include email management, data entry and scheduling meetings. Virtual Assistant roles can often be done remotely.
Social media management: You could help brands build their social media presence by managing their social media platforms, creating and scheduling content, interacting with followers and analysing performance. It’s likely you’ll be able to work remotely too.
Graphic design: Perhaps you’re a whizz with Photoshop or naturally artistic, if so, becoming a freelance graphic designer could be for you. You can even use free or inexpensive tools like Canva to get you started. Why not build a portfolio of your designs to pitch to potential clients?
Customer service: Customer service representatives provide email, phone or chat support to customers on behalf of a company. You’ll be there to provide support, answer questions and resolve issues. It’s likely you’ll have a stricter schedule than other freelance positions, but you may be able to choose your hours and work remotely.
Online tutor: If you have a knack for a certain subject, you could teach it online. You can make your home your classroom through platforms like MyTutor and iTalki, allowing you to connect with students across the globe. This is a flexible freelance option, and a rewarding one too.
Proofreader: If you have an eye for detail and a way with words, you could look to become a freelance proofreader. You’ll be sent content to review for grammar and spelling errors, and can often work remotely.

Start your freelance journey with SUAZ

Taking the leap into freelancing can feel daunting, but the benefits are certainly worth it. Chances are you already have plenty of transferable skills that can stand you in good stead for your freelance career. So, what are you waiting for?

There’s no better time to make your business dreams a reality. Form your business today with SUAZ, and take the freelance world by storm.