Interested in getting your foot in the door and kick starting your freelancing career? That’s great! You’ve come to the right place.
What Is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is a self-employed professional who offers services to clients on a project-by-project basis — rather than working as a full-time employee. Freelancers can work across many industries, including writing, design, marketing, video editing, and more.
Unlike traditional jobs, freelancing gives you the flexibility to choose your clients, set your own rates, and work from virtually anywhere. But it also means you’re responsible for finding work, managing your schedule, and building a reputation from scratch.
Many freelancers work with multiple clients at once, while others develop long-term relationships with one or two brands. Whether you're looking to earn extra income on the side or build a full-time freelance career, getting started is easier than you might think.
How to Start Freelancing With No Experience
If freelancing is brand new to you, start with the basics:
- Choose your services: What kind of work do you want to do? Writing, editing, graphic design, SEO, etc.
- Pick a niche: Focus on an industry or topic you know well (tech, health, finance, travel, etc.).
- Produce your first work samples: You don’t need a client to do this! Write blog posts, case studies, or social posts that show your style and knowledge.
- Then, publish them: This could be a guest post, Medium article, or even your own blog.
How Do I Choose a Freelance Niche?
Your niche is the specific topic, audience, or industry you focus on. Choosing one helps you:
- Stand out among generalists.
- Attract better-fit clients.
- Create more relevant portfolio samples.
Tip: Pick a niche where you already have experience, knowledge, interest, or skills — it’ll be easier to write with authority.
How Do I Build Credibility Without Experience?
Publishing work online shows potential clients that you can deliver real, valuable content. Here’s how to do it:
- Pitch guest posts to websites in your niche. Many accept free contributions from new writers.
- Start with platforms like Medium, LinkedIn Articles, or Substack if you're not ready to pitch bigger sites.
- Focus on quality over payment at this stage. A strong, well-written article helps build trust, even if it's unpaid.
What Skills Help Me Stand Out as a Freelancer?
Offer a unique skill set that adds value. Consider the following:
- What can you bring to the table that others can’t?
- Have you taken an online course in content marketing, SEO, or UX?
- Do you have experience in sales, teaching, or customer service?
- Can you write both short-form and long-form content?
Clients love freelancers with added capabilities, especially if those skills solve real business problems.
How Do I Build a Strong Freelance Portfolio?
Once you’ve created a few strong samples, it’s time to build or refine your portfolio. This is where clients will evaluate your work — so make it count.
Consider ClearVoice for this task: Creating a ClearVoice portfolio is completely free. It’s also:
- Publicly accessible
- Easy to maintain
- Professionally designed
Creating a freelance portfolio on ClearVoice also allows you to apply for ClearVoice’s Talent Network.
We offer best practices in this Help Center article if you’re looking for guidance on starting from scratch. Here are a few quick tips:
- Write a clear, concise bio that highlights your strengths.
- Include a high-quality professional photo of yourself.
- Highlight 6–10 quality published work samples in your niche.
- Summarize your services, experience, education, credentials, and client testimonials (if available).
- Add your contact information and make it easy to find.
- Update your portfolio regularly. As you grow, so should your samples.
What Mindset Do I Need to Start Freelancing?
Freelancing can be flexible and rewarding, but it also takes consistency and persistence. When you’re just starting out, clients won’t appear overnight — building credibility takes time.
Think of freelancing as planting seeds:
- Be consistent: Publish regularly, update your portfolio, and keep applying.
- Expect slow wins: Your first few projects may be small or unpaid, but they help you gain traction.
- Stay professional: Meet deadlines, communicate clearly, and treat every project like it’s your most important one.
- Play the long game: Building a full freelance career is more like a marathon than a sprint.
If you stick with it, the effort compounds — and those early investments in your portfolio and reputation pay off with better clients down the line.
Quick-Start Freelancer Checklist
Ready to start freelancing? Use this checklist to get started:
Decide what freelance services you want to offer.
Identify your skills and experience areas.Choose a niche or target industry to focus on.Research what clients in your niche are looking for.Set up a professional email and LinkedIn profile.Learn basic tools of the trade (e.g., Google Docs, Canva, Grammarly).Create 2–3 sample projects to showcase your skills.Publish your work on a blog, Medium, or LinkedIn.Begin networking or applying to freelance platforms (like ClearVoice).Commit to a regular writing or content creation habit.Build a professional portfolio — on ClearVoice or through another platform.Next Steps for New Freelancers
Want more guidance? Explore these ClearVoice resources:
- Should Freelancers Charge Per Hour, Per Word, or Per Project?
- 3 Essential Tax Tips for Freelancers
- Email Etiquette Tips for Freelancers: 10 Do’s, 10 Don’ts, 10 Templates
- 8 Time-Saving Tools for Freelancers
- The Future of the Gig Economy: 2025 and Beyond
- What Is Life at ClearVoice Like as a Freelancer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need paid experience to get started?
No. You can create portfolio samples on your own or through guest posting. Clients care more about quality than whether you were paid.
How many samples should I have before applying to jobs?
Aim for 3–5 high-quality samples that reflect the type of work you want to be hired for.
Is guest posting effective even if I don’t get paid?
Yes. Guest posts help you build credibility, show initiative, and create published proof of your skills.
Should I start a blog as a freelancer?
Yes. Start a blog and write consistently. Blogging is a simple way to showcase your voice and expertise. It also helps demonstrate your writing ability, improve your SEO visibility, and build your confidence and consistency. Start with 3–5 articles in your niche. Add these to your portfolio or link to them when applying for freelance gigs.
How much time should I commit to freelancing when I’m just starting out?
It depends on your goals. Some freelancers begin with a few hours a week alongside a day job, while others dive in full time. What matters most is consistency — even dedicating 5–10 hours per week to building samples, pitching, and networking can lead to your first clients within a few months.