Freelancing is about offering a skill as a service, usually project‑by‑project, instead of having a regular job. Here’s how to get opportunities and what you should have created beforehand.
1. Choose your skill and niche
Before anything else, you need to be clear on what you’re selling.
Think in terms of “I help X do Y”:
- Writing: blog posts, website copy, social media captions.
- Design: logos, thumbnails, posters, slide decks.
- Tech: simple websites, basic apps, Shopify setups, automations.
- Other: video editing, tutoring, translation, virtual assistant, social media management.
Example: “I write short blog posts for small businesses” or “I edit TikTok videos for creators.”
2. Create “proof” before you have clients
You don’t wait for clients to give you work samples—you create them yourself. You should have:
- 3–6 sample projects in your niche (fake or real):
- Writer: 3 blog posts, 2 product descriptions, 1 email newsletter.
- Designer: 3 logo concepts, 3 social media posts, 1 poster.
- Video editor: 3 edited TikToks/Reels, 1 short YouTube edit.
- Social media manager: 1–2 content calendars, sample posts, captions.
How to create them:
- Pick a real business (local café, school club, small brand) and pretend they hired you.
- Create what you would deliver if they were your client.
- Polish it like it’s paid work—good formatting, no typos, clear layout.
3. Build a simple portfolio
You need one place online where people can quickly see your work.
Simple options:
- Google Drive / Docs: One main doc with sections, links, and screenshots.
- Notion page: “My Portfolio” with projects laid out in cards/sections.
- Free website builders (if you want): Carrd, Wix, or a basic WordPress.
Include:
- Short intro: who you are and what you do.
- 3–6 best samples with 2–3 sentences explaining each (who it’s for, what problem it solves).
- Contact info: email, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
4. Make your profiles and “offer” clear
You should have a short, strong description you can reuse everywhere.
Template:
- “I help [type of client] with [service] so they can [result].”
Examples:
- “I help small local businesses write clear, simple website content so more customers understand what they offer.”
- “I edit short vertical videos for TikTok and Reels so creators can post consistently without spending hours editing.”
Put this in:
- Your social media bios (Instagram, LinkedIn, X).
- Your email signature.
- The top of your portfolio.
5. Where to find your first opportunities
You don’t have to use big platforms at the start; your first clients are often close to you.
Places to look:
- People you already know:
- Parents’ friends, teachers who run clubs, local small businesses (cafés, salons, tutors).
- School clubs needing posters, social media, or websites.
- Local community:
- Clubs, community centers, local events, religious organizations that need flyers or content.
- Online:
- Discord servers or communities around your skill (writing, design, coding).
- Simple job boards or gig posts (for teens, sometimes youth programs or entrepreneurship groups).
When you reach out:
- Keep it short, specific, and personalized.
- Show you understand what they need and include 1–2 relevant samples.
Example message:
Hi, I’m [Name]. I’m a student who does [service], and I noticed [specific thing about them, like “your café’s Instagram isn’t very active”].
I’d love to help you with [what you’d do: e.g., 3–4 posts a week, better photos and captions].
Here are a few examples of my work: [link].
If you’re open to it, could we try a small, low‑risk test project this month?
6. How to stand out when you’re new
You don’t compete on “experience”; you compete on being easy to work with.
Do this:
- Reply fast and clearly.
- Deliver on time (or early).
- Ask good questions: goals, audience, “what does a win look like for you?”
- Be open to feedback and fix things without attitude.
For your first 1–3 clients:
- Keep the price low or even do a small test project for free in exchange for:
- A testimonial (short quote).
- Permission to show the work in your portfolio.
These early results are what make paid opportunities easier.
7. Checklist: what to have ready
Before you start asking for work, make sure you have:
- A clear service: “I do X for Y.”
- 3–6 strong sample projects in that area.
- A simple portfolio link (Doc, Notion, or website).
- A short outreach message template you can customize.
- Basic idea of your starting price (even if it’s just “per project, we can discuss”).