How to Start Freelancing: A Step-by-Step Plan for Beginners

Freelancing is a convenient way to work online, manage your time, and earn money using your skills. But newcomers often struggle to figure out what to do first.
Here's a simple and clear plan that will help you get started without chaos and mistakes.

1. Define your niche

The main thing is to choose one skill, and not take on everything.
The client is looking for a specialist, not a jack of all trades.

Popular niches:

🔧 Technical:

• web development
• WordPress settings
• landing page creation
• automation, chatbots

🎨 Creative:

• design
• video editing
• content for social networks

✍️ Text:

• copywriting
• SEO texts
• social media management

💼 Business:

• SMM
• marketplace manager
• online business administrator

👉 Choose one nicheYou can expand later.

2. Upgrade your basic skills

You don't need to be a pro to take your first orders—a basic level of confidence is enough.

Useful resources:

• Courses: https://prometheus.org.ua/
• Free lessons: https://www.coursera.org/
• Practice: https://www.youtube.com/

Do 2-3 study projects.

3. Create a portfolio (even without clients)

For the first orders, it is enough to show what you can do.

Where to create a portfolio:

• Design → https://www.behance.net/
• Development → https://github.com/
• Universal → https://www.notion.so/
• The easy option → Google Drive

If there is no work, do your own study projects.

4. Set up your freelancer profile

Your profile is a mini-resume.

Turn on:

• clear title ("Copywriter for Business")
• skill description
• portfolio
• photo
• prices

Don't write templates like:
❌ "I do high-quality work at a low cost."

5. Find your first orders

The best platforms for beginners:

🇺🇦 Ukrainian:

• https://freelancego.pro/
• https://freelancehunt.com/

🌍 International:

• https://www.upwork.com/
• https://www.fiverr.com/

Where else can you receive orders:

• https://work.ua/
• https://robota.ua/

Adviсe:

• choose simple tasks
• write personalized responses
• answer quickly
• Start with small budgets, but don't work "for free"

6. Learn to communicate with clients correctly

Good communication = more orders.

Example of the first message:

"Hello! I've carefully reviewed the task. I can complete it in two days. I have experience with similar projects—I'll provide examples. I'm ready to discuss the details."

7. Set reasonable prices

Approximate starting prices:

• Text 1000 characters — 40–80 UAH
• Banner — 200–400 UAH
• Short video — 150–400 UAH
• Landing page — 1500–3000 UAH

Raise prices after the first reviews.

8. Accept payments securely

Never move work forward without confirmation.

Use:

• secure platform transactions
• partial prepayment
• hourly pay within exchanges

9. Achieve a stable income

After the first orders:

• create a subscription (Instagram management, website management)
• offer additional services
• collect feedback

This way you will get regular customers.

Author: Alex