How to Become a Freelancer and Find Orders
Freelancing is a dream for many. You are your own boss. You work from anywhere in the world and earn good money. Sounds like a fairytale, right? But you have to start somewhere. The action plan for any aspiring freelancer is simple: find clients, complete work, and get paid. Let's take a closer look at this process.
What Will We Do?
In other words, first, we choose what we will do. There are many options. You can write texts (like this one), design ads, work as a translator, create websites, or code simple programs. You can do anything that clients pay for and that doesn’t break the law. Choose the field where you excel and can be competitive. Work experience and specialized education also play a big role for a beginner, but be prepared to gain new experience on freelance platforms. Clients usually pay attention to reviews and the number of completed projects. So, it’s best to be patient and ready for small tasks with modest pay at first. Many experienced freelancers recall that at the beginning of their careers, they were willing to work for positive feedback and a successful project in their portfolio. A strong resume means a lot in the freelance world.
Who Will Do It?
It’s important to briefly and clearly describe your skills and capabilities. A freelancer needs to present themselves properly to clients. Try to put yourself in the client's shoes and understand what they consider when choosing a freelancer.
- Experience
- Service cost
- Deadlines
- Communication skills
For repeat orders, the fourth point is often the most important. Create a resume. List all your skills and competencies, and showcase examples of previous work. Don’t hesitate to highlight your strengths: meeting deadlines, reasonable pricing, a responsible approach to work, etc. Your portfolio is ready for publication, and you’re ready to enter the freelance market.
Who Is the Client and How to Work With Them?
From the start, you should decide what kind of projects and clients you want to work with. Some prefer quick and inexpensive orders, while others thrive with long-term projects and high budgets. Some choose a middle ground. Your experience will show which types of projects and clients suit you best.
The freelance world has its own unspoken rules of etiquette. Avoid sending generic applications. Briefly explain to the client how you can help solve their problem. Read the job description carefully. If you need additional information to determine the timeline and cost, ask questions. Clients appreciate freelancers who engage with the project. Asking relevant questions makes you stand out as a competent professional.
Be careful when setting your rates. Undercutting prices doesn’t always impress clients. While freelancing is often seen as a way to get work done “cheaply and quickly,” if you offer to work for pennies, the client may walk away. Losing time, nerves, and even a small amount of money is not an appealing prospect. However, reasonable discounts can help clients choose a freelancer faster.
Once you get a project, make sure to clarify all the details. It’s crucial that both the client and the freelancer have the same vision of the final result. If the client provides a technical specification (TS), great. But many clients struggle to describe exactly what they want. Clarify details, help them create a TS, and your freelancer karma will get another boost.
Where to Find Clients and Orders?
Where do you find your future income? As practice shows, specialized freelance platforms are the most useful for finding clients. Well-known sites like freelance.ru and fl.ru attract a large number of visitors and potential clients. However, these major platforms also have drawbacks, especially for beginners—namely, fierce competition from experienced freelancers with long track records. Additionally, access to high-paying projects often requires a PRO account.
Fortunately, there are young and promising freelance platforms that offer great functionality, are convenient for both freelancers and clients, and don’t charge for access to orders. Many clients are turning to these newer platforms because older ones have become too complex and cumbersome. A great example of a “new wave” freelance marketplace is instado.com. It follows the “convenient and sufficient” principle—featuring an intuitive interface, an easy registration process, and a comfortable categorization system. It’s an ideal place to start your freelance journey.
