How to Start Freelancing (With No Experience)
/I started freelancing without a traditional background, and I’ve since built a six-figure career working with established creators and brands. This guide breaks down exactly how to get started without fluff, gatekeeping, or overwhelm. You'll learn how to start freelancing from scratch, build your skills, and land your first client.
Starting a freelance career can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have formal experience, a polished portfolio, or a clear niche yet. The good news is that freelancing is more accessible than ever, and you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin.
I started freelancing without a traditional background, and over time, built a six-figure career working with established brands in the food and wellness space. What made the difference wasn’t talent or luck. It was having a clear plan and taking consistent, practical steps forward.
This guide walks you through exactly how to start freelancing with no experience, from choosing a service to landing your first clients without fluff, gatekeeping, or pressure to “hustle” nonstop. By the end, you’ll know what to focus on first and what actually matters.
What Is Freelancing? (And What It’s Not)
Freelancing means working independently and offering services to clients on a project or contract basis. You’re not an employee, and you’re not locked into a single company. Instead, you choose who you work with, what you offer, and how you structure your time.
Freelancing is not:
Passive income
Overnight success
A shortcut to easy money
Something that requires a degree or certifications to begin
It is:
Skill-based work
Relationship-driven
Flexible and scalable
A legitimate long-term career path
Once you understand that freelancing is a business, not a side hustle you stumble into, everything becomes clearer.
Can You Really Start Freelancing With No Experience?
Yes. In fact, most freelancers do.
What many people call “experience” is often just proof that you can solve a problem, communicate clearly, and follow through. Clients rarely expect beginners to have an impressive resume. They want someone reliable who understands their needs and can deliver quality work.
You likely already have transferable skills, even if you’ve never freelanced before:
Writing, editing, or research
Organization and admin support
Social media or content creation
Customer service or communication
Project coordination or planning
When I started freelancing, I didn’t have formal credentials, just skills I’d built through previous roles and personal projects. That’s enough to get started.
Why Start Freelancing?
Freelancing is more accessible than ever. With the rise of remote work, businesses are actively seeking independent contractors to handle everything from writing and design to virtual assistance and marketing. Here’s why freelancing is a great option, whether you want to take it full-time or pursue it as a side gig:
Low barrier to entry – No formal education or certifications are required.
Work from anywhere – You can freelance from home, a coffee shop, or while traveling.
Unlimited earning potential – Your income is determined by your skills and effort.
Control over your schedule – Say goodbye to the 9-5 grind and set your own hours.
How to Start Freelancing
Below are the first steps I would take if I had to restart my freelance writing career and wanted to grow fast.
Step 1: Choose a Freelance Skill (Start Narrow)
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to offer everything at once. Freelancing works best when you start with one clear service and refine it over time.
Beginner-friendly freelance skills include:
Writing or content creation
Virtual assistance
Social media management
Email marketing
SEO or blog management
Design or tech support (if applicable)
To choose your first skill, ask yourself:
What do I already know how to do reasonably well?
What are businesses actively paying for?
What could I realistically improve at within 30–60 days?
You are not locking yourself into this skill forever. You’re choosing a starting point.
Step 2: Pick a Niche (Without Overthinking It)
A niche helps clients quickly understand who you help and how. You don’t need a hyper-specific niche right away, but “everyone” is not a niche.
A simple way to think about it is: Skill + Industry
Examples:
Freelance writer for food bloggers
Virtual assistant for online coaches
Email copywriter for wellness brands
Social media manager for small businesses
Your niche can evolve. The goal early on is clarity, not perfection.
Step 3: Create a Simple Portfolio (Even Without Clients)
You do not need paid client work to create a portfolio. What clients want to see is proof of ability, not proof of employment.
A strong beginner portfolio includes:
3–5 relevant samples
A clear description of your services
A short bio and contact method
If you don’t have client work yet, you can:
Create sample projects
Rewrite or improve existing content
Build mock projects based on real business scenarios
Use personal or volunteer work
Your portfolio should show how you think, how you communicate, and what kind of work you want more of.
Step 4: Set Your Freelance Rates (Beginner-Friendly)
Pricing is one of the most stressful parts of freelancing, especially at the beginning. You don’t need to get it perfect. You just need to start.
Some general guidelines:
Avoid pricing far below market rates just to get work
Focus on project-based pricing when possible
Price based on scope, value, and time — not fear
It’s normal for your rates to change as you gain experience. Most freelancers adjust pricing multiple times in their first year.
Step 5: Find Your First Freelance Clients
You don’t need a massive audience to land clients. Most beginners get their first work through direct outreach or referrals.
Common ways to find freelance clients in 2025 include:
Cold pitching via email
Freelance job boards
Referrals from past coworkers or connections
Social platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram
Communities and newsletters in your niche
When pitching, focus on:
The client’s needs
How you can help
Clear, confident communication
Clients respond to relevance and clarity far more than flashy language.
Step 6: Get Paid, Stay Organized, and Protect Yourself
Treat freelancing like a business from the start. This builds trust and protects your time.
At a minimum:
Use a contract (even a simple one)
Send professional invoices
Set payment terms upfront
Track deadlines and deliverables
Systems don’t need to be complicated. They just need to exist!
Common Freelancing Mistakes to Avoid
Trying to do everything at once
Underpricing out of fear
Waiting to feel “ready”
Skipping contracts
Saying yes to misaligned work
Progress comes from action, not over-preparation. Pick one niche and one skill, start pitching, learn, and adjust.
How Long Does It Take to Start Freelancing?
There’s no universal timeline. Some people land a client within weeks. Others take a few months. What matters most is consistency.
Most people don’t fail at freelancing. They just quit too early. If you keep showing up, refining your approach, and learning from feedback, momentum builds, and you’ll be a successful freelancer before you know it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. A simple portfolio page or document is enough to begin.
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Yes. Many freelancers start part-time while working another job.
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Start with one skill, learn through doing, and refine as you go.
Final Thoughts
Starting freelancing with no experience takes effort, but it's 100% possible (and worth it in my biased opinion). Focus on learning, building a portfolio, networking, and consistently pitching clients. Within a few months, you can land paying clients and start growing a successful freelance business!
Are you ready to start freelancing in 2025? Let me know in the comments what niche you're considering. Happy writing!