Freelancing for Beginners
When someone decides to switch to remote work, the inevitable question arises: how can a beginner freelancer find clients? First, you need to clearly define what you can do well and what services you can offer to clients. The most in-demand freelancers are those specializing in market research, programming, design, analytics, and content creation. Assess your skills in these categories, analyze the market, and make a list of tasks you can perform. It’s crucial to realistically evaluate your abilities to maintain your reputation from the very first order and build a sustainable client base.
How to Find Your First Freelance Job?
Once you have identified your skills, it’s time to start looking for work. There are several ways for a beginner freelancer to find jobs.
Offering Your Services
In this case, you’ll need to create a resume that highlights your qualifications, achievements, and skills in your chosen field. If you don’t have a portfolio yet, you can offer to complete a free test assignment to demonstrate your abilities. If you’re interested in multiple fields, it’s best to create a separate resume for each since clients are usually looking for specialists in specific areas. From here, you have two main approaches:
- Send your resume to potential employers and wait for a response.
- Upload your resume to job search platforms like hh.ru, zarplata.ru, and others, and wait for clients to reach out.
Searching for Clients
Finding clients is often more effective than simply offering your services and waiting. Employers usually prefer selecting specialists themselves rather than evaluating unsolicited applications. While job search websites can be an option, they tend to have a lower success rate for freelancers. A more effective approach is to use freelance marketplaces where employers post job offers with clear requirements and deadlines.
As a beginner, it’s easier to build a reputation on a newer freelance platform. Established sites with years of experience already have a high number of freelancers, leading to intense competition, making it harder to stand out.
The Ideal Freelance Marketplace for Beginners
The best freelance platform should have the following qualities:
- A large number of clients across various industries.
- A mix of projects suited for both beginners and experienced freelancers.
- A secure transaction system to ensure safe payments.
- An option to create a portfolio for clients to review your work.
- A rating and review system so that positive feedback from past clients builds your reputation.
- Convenient communication options for discussing project details with clients.
- Low or no commission fees for freelancers.
Older platforms often charge freelancers for access to their services, while newer platforms tend to offer better conditions to attract skilled professionals.
For beginners, the best choice is a newer but reputable marketplace with a sufficient number of clients and job opportunities of varying difficulty levels. By consistently completing orders and receiving positive reviews, you’ll increase your ranking, ensuring your applications stand out.
Starting Your Freelance Career Successfully
Be prepared for lower initial rates. At this stage, your priority should be building a strong reputation and a stable client base rather than maximizing earnings from one-off projects. To succeed, follow instructions carefully, meet deadlines, and continually improve your skills.
Even if you have little or no freelance experience, platforms like instado.com can help you find your first clients. The secure transaction feature guarantees payment for completed work. If you are punctual and responsible, you will quickly attract orders and build a solid reputation.
