In this digital world, freelancing has reached new heights of popularity. After the Covid-19 pandemic, many people have shown courage to leave their traditional jobs to start their own freelancing ventures, making freelancing famous particularly among students. One of the biggest advantages of freelancing is freedom of when and where to work. For students, it offers several advantages. However, many students initially struggle with a question: how to start freelancing without experience?
Don’t worry! In this blog, we will cover your doubts about freelancing without prior experience. We’ll also guide you how to land a freelancing job and secure your first client by demonstrating your strengths.
So, buckle up yourself to learn something new that will ease your financial stress during studies!
Is it Possible to Work as a Freelancer With Zero Experience?
If you have ever come across a question regarding the possibility of working as a freelancer without any experience, you are not the only one. The answer to this question is YES. Let’s discuss how.
The first and foremost important requirement is to apply your skills, which you gain during your education, to freelancing work.
For example, if you are studying mathematics, you can teach the subject to school students as a tutor. It will be double beneficial for you. First, you will earn money while studying and second, you will be able to revise your mathematical concepts.
Similarly, students associated with any other disciple can opt for this field even if they don’t have any experience.
How to Get Freelance Work in the Beginning?
Now you know that an individual can work as a freelancer without any experience. Thereafter, you should understand how to get work as a freelancer when you are in college or university. Here are some steps to secure your first freelancing opportunity:
1. Identify your Goals
Before starting your freelancing journey as a student, you should set your goal. You should ask yourself why you want to be a freelancer when you are pursuing higher education? A clear goal will help you embark on your journey in the right direction.
2. Understand Your Skills
The first step is to identify your skills when you are looking for your first task as a freelancer. Skills are an asset which help you grow and perform exceptionally well. In other words, it is something that you can do better than others. You may be good at writing, coding, graphic designing, or video editing. Once you understand your skills, you will get a direction to move ahead. In a nutshell, find a job that aligns with your skills.
3. Choose Experience Over Money
The main objective of freelancing for a student is to earn money. But, initially your focus should be on gaining experience instead of running after money. The more experience you gain, the more you can charge your clients on the basis of your quality work.
The aim should be gaining and strengthening your skills to deliver better results for your clients. Experience will take you to new heights and it will build trust among clients. Initially, your objective should be gaining more experience over money. This will help you make a strong portfolio to present before clients. In the beginning, it will be tough to avoid prioritizing money, but your focus on the bigger picture will be rewarding in the long run.
4. Build a Portfolio
A portfolio shows your work, which acts as a reference for your potential clients. You can demonstrate your skills and information about yourself. You can also add your projects, if any.
You can also create a portfolio website. This will build trust among clients and present you as a genuine freelancer. Moreover, a website, which is easy to access, provides you a chance to retain the client on it. With creativity through the website, the client can get a clear idea about you.
You can create a website without the help of a developer. Many platforms such as Squarespace and Wix have made the website making process simple and easy.
5. Explore Freelancing Platforms
Freelancing platforms help you find your clients. Many people reach out to these platforms to get their work done. Moreover, you can study the profiles of other freelancers, which will give you an understanding of how freelancing works.
You can review the skills possessed by your fellow freelancers. For beginners, platforms like Upwork, Fiver, and Freelancer are popular.
You just need to search for jobs on these platforms by applying filters as per your skills and interest. Your primary target should be getting good review on these platforms to build a reputation.
6. Develop a Client-Winning Proposal
To convince a client, you need to prepare a compelling proposal that will help you land a project. Without considering this, it is really hard to get success due to a stiff competition.
Once you create an account on a freelancing platform, prepare a clear and concise proposal, demonstrating how you are a perfect fit for the project posted by the client.
7. Connect With the Community or Build Your Network
Successful people also start their journey from the beginning. Talking to them or seeking their guidance can be very beneficial. Once you decide to work as a freelancer, you should connect with other experienced freelancers. You will come across freelancers experienced in your field.
They can be a good source of learning about the industry and ways to attract more clients. Fellow or senior freelancers can also refer projects to the beginners so that they can start their freelancing career.
Beginners should not leave any chance to meet their community members i.e fellow freelancers. To approach them, they can send emails, or use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook to reach out to fellow freelancers.
Cold email campaigns can prove handy because through these you can offer support to fellow freelancers to solve their issues.
8. Be active on Internet
An opportunity can knock your door anytime. Therefore, it is important to remain active on online freelancing platforms. Keep looking for even small opportunities to begin your freelancing career.
If you bid or apply for a job, you should stay online for at least 14 hours. This will send a message to clients that you are a diligent freelancer.
By remaining online, there are high chances of getting a project. Time-tracking apps can help you in this process.
9. Research, explore, learn and think out of the box
As it is said that learning never ends, you should keep learning and exploring things related to freelancing. Meanwhile, you should not stop researching for new opportunities.
By doing so, you can find new opportunities and it increasing your chances of rehiring again and again.
10. Online Courses and Certifications
There is no harm in doing some online courses or certification in your choice of field. It is very easy to do such courses and they add value to your resume. There is also a possibility that clients may prefer you over others since you expand your knowledge by doing online courses and certifications.
You can pursue courses to improve your skills such as Communication, Negotiation, Industry Knowledge, Marketing, Creativity, Empathy, and Time Management.
It is easy to find time during your studies to finish online courses. There are platforms such as Skillshare, Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning that offer such courses.
Top Freelance Jobs for Students that Require Experience
There are ample opportunities for students to take up freelancing jobs that need no prior experience. By upskilling, patience, and regular research, you can do these freelancing jobs. Here are some best freelance jobs for students:
Copywriting
In school, you learn how to write essays and creative writing. By strengthening the basics of essay and creative writing, you can land good copywriting jobs while pursuing higher education in college or university. Initially, you may not be able to make much money, but the experience you gain will open doors to high-paying projects.
Transcriptionist
The transcriptionist niche is another good option for freelancers in the beginning of their career. You just need to hear sensibly and transcribe it for your clients. It will help you gain experience that will prove handy in the future.
Social Media Manager
You can turn your hobby into a profession. If you are an active social media user, then this is one of the best freelancing jobs for you. With your strategy, you need to manage the social media account of your clients. The main objective of this job is to drive organic growth of social media accounts.
Online Consultant
You can offer online consultation regarding any product to customers on behalf of your clients. This job requires good communication skills and patience. This is an easy freelancing job that pays well.
Blogging
It is one of the popular freelancing jobs and you can become a blogger with no experience. You just need to gather some information such as how to start a blog and what are those things you need to keep in mind while writing one.
Many big companies or small businesses hire bloggers to enhance their online presence by promoting their products or brand. With experience, you refine your craft of writing.
Customer Service
Companies selling their products need customer service experts on a freelance basis. Many companies or bloggers may hire customer service experts to handle their emails.
If you can explain things well, this freelance job is for you.
Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant performs several tasks and to become one, you don’t need any skill or prior experience. This job is perfect for freelancer beginners.
Your job responsibility requires you to send emails to clients, schedule meetings, create social media posts, and send invoices.
As per an estimate, on an average, a virtual assistant earns up to USD 50 per hour.
Web Research
As part of this freelancing job, you need to research topics related to the firms that hire you. Your job responsibility includes compiling data and providing clients clear and concise presentations. Web Research is a popular job for which you don’t need any prior experience.
Video Editing
It is a skill which pays well. There are numerous clients who look for skilled video editors. If you know video editing, you can work as a freelancer.
You should work to enhance your video editing skills to land a job in this field. It is a well-paying profession and offers growth.
Tutor
You can offer tutoring services on a freelance basis to students, especially those studying in school. It is a convenient option for students to work as a freelancer.
It will help you revise your concepts when you teach students subjects such as accounting, science, and maths.
Top Platforms for Student Freelancers
Freelancing has become an increasingly popular way for students to earn income while managing their studies. Here are some of the top platforms that cater to student freelancers, each with unique features and benefits.
1. Fiverr
- Overview: Fiverr is known for its user-friendly interface and allows freelancers to create profiles showcasing their services, known as “gigs.” It is particularly favorable for beginners due to its simplicity and diverse categories.
- Benefits:
- Easy to set up and start earning.
- A wide range of service categories, from writing to graphic design.
- Clients come to freelancers, reducing the need for aggressive bidding.
2. Upwork
- Overview: Upwork is one of the largest freelancing platforms, offering a vast marketplace for various skills. It is ideal for students looking for more serious, long-term projects.
- Benefits:
- Extensive job listings across multiple industries.
- Secure payment system with an escrow feature.
- High earning potential as freelancers can set their own rates.
3. Freelancer
- Overview: Freelancer.com provides a platform where students can bid on projects, making it suitable for those starting out and looking to build their portfolios.
- Benefits:
- Variety of job opportunities across different fields.
- Good platform for gaining experience and client feedback.
- Flexible bidding system allows freelancers to negotiate their pay.
4. Toptal
- Overview: Toptal is a premium freelancing platform that connects top-tier freelancers with clients. It is best suited for students with advanced skills in tech or finance.
- Benefits:
- Access to high-paying jobs and prestigious clients.
- Rigorous screening process ensures quality matches between freelancers and companies.
- Strong networking opportunities within the industry.
5. LinkedIn
- Overview: While primarily a professional networking site, LinkedIn also offers freelancing opportunities through its job listings and connections.
- Benefits:
- Ability to showcase professional profiles and connect with potential clients directly.
- Access to job postings specifically targeting freelance roles.
- Ideal for building a professional network that can lead to freelance opportunities
How to Select Freelancing Jobs?
Vast amount of data is available on the Internet, and it is important to optimally use this technology. The Internet can help you select the right freelancing job for you. If you are unsure about which job you should opt for, you should do online research.
Choose Jobs that Align With Your Interest
Always give preference to jobs which suit your interest. This will help give your 100 per cent and allow you to grow in your field quickly. Moreover, jobs that align with your interest provide you the rewarding and desired results.
For example, if you are interested in editing videos, you should look for freelancing video editing jobs.
Opt for Jobs that Hire Beginners
Always look for clients who are looking for beginners. With this approach, the chances of getting hired increases. There is not much pressure on beginners and you can handle tasks efficiently.
Some jobs are advertised for beginners and since you are starting your freelancing career, you should opt for such jobs. You will need to leave other perks behind till you gain good experience
Consider the Complexity of a Niche
Before choosing your freelancing job, you should consider its complexity. The option of learning is a lifelong process and you can learn every time. There are jobs that need proper education and skills. You can learn these skills, but in the beginning, you should stick to jobs which you love and perform well in.
Conclusion: Overcoming Challenges and Conquer the World
To become successful in freelancing, determination and continuous efforts to hone your skills are key to overcoming challenges that come in your way.
No matter how much difficulty or setbacks you face in the starting, you need determination to achieve success. This approach will help you stay focussed on your target. You will learn from your mistakes, and it will improve your skills.
If at any stage, you feel less motivated, you should contact freelancers who have vast experience. Their guidance will certainly uplift your morale and motivate you to do well irrespective of the situation.
You can conquer the world with patience, perseverance, consistency, and dedication. So before you embark on this journey, you need to keep this in your mind.
Start your journey with these points, you will certainly become a successful freelancer, even while studying.
FAQs
Q1. Is freelancing tough for beginners?
Beginners may face challenges when starting their freelancing career. You should know how the freelancing market works. Beginners should know how to market your skills, manage time, and find clients. If you are willinging to learn and keep patience, you can quickly grow in freelancing.
Q2. What is the first step to start freelancing?
If you are thinking of starting your career in freelancing, you should enhance your skills and select a niche. Once you identify your strong points, you should create a portfolio and make an account on freelancing platforms.
Q3. Can I do freelancing writing as a student?
Yes, students can also do freelancing writing. The best way to improve your writing skills is continuous reading and writing practice. It offers several benefits to students, including flexible timings. If you are good at writing, you can earn good money while being a student.
Q4. How to start freelancing with no experience?
Initially, you should focus on gaining experience rather than earning money. After making a portfolio, you should look for projects that require no experience. Building professional connections, improving skills, and using freelancing websites, you can start freelancing without any experience.
Q5. Which freelancing skill is best for students?
Writing, video editing, graphic designing, social media management, or web development are some popular skills that are best for students.