Gift Wogu

We’re almost 50% into 2024 and, like me, most of us had big plans for the year. 2024 was the year we planned to get serious with our goals, make more money, start that business, hit the gym, prioritize our mental health, and take our relationship with God seriously. Unfortunately, the only goal we’ve managed to hit is beating our previous procrastination record.

You are not alone in this. I had big plans for 2024, and look at me, shifting the goalpost for 2024. It doesn’t have to be like that. If your goal for 2024 includes starting freelancing, I’m going to share some freelancing tips for 2024 in this article.

Freelancing changed my life; it gave me financial freedom. Well, until I relocated from Nigeria, but that’s not the point. I went from being broke and jobless to earning in dollars, living on my own, getting featured on platforms like Upwork as a Top-Rated freelancer, getting recommended by people, working from home since 2019, and even getting multiple full-time jobs because of my experience in freelancing.

If you’ve stumbled on this post, it means you want a beginner’s guide to freelancing or want to start freelancing with no experience. If you don’t know what freelancing means, you can click here.

Since you’ve decided to give freelancing a chance in 2024, this article highlights 10 steps to becoming a successful freelancer in 2024. It gives you tips on how to build a successful freelancing career and shows you essential skills for new freelancers.

Research

The first step to becoming a successful freelancer in 2024 is researching extensively on what freelancing is about. It might seem like a fancy way to make extra money, but it’s not a walk in the park. Freelancing is quite hard, especially as a beginner. You’d do everything right and still not get anything, but it’s easier if you research to know what freelancing is all about and how to start freelancing in 2024.

Knowing what to expect is the first step, and not just with freelancing, but with everything in life. You can also read freelancing success stories. Alexandra Fasulo, who made $150,000 in 6 months freelancing on Fiverr, is a good example. She achieved financial freedom through freelancing, and you can too.

Choose a Skill

There are so many services you can offer as a freelancer, but let’s be honest, you cannot be a Jack of all trades; you can’t know it all. You need to choose a skill and be good at it.

Some of the best freelancing skills in 2024 include writing, editing, graphic design, accounting, software engineering, copywriting, content marketing, social media management, data entry, and even working as a virtual assistant. But you cannot do everything. So, find a skill you’re really good at and focus on it.

Sharpen Your Skill

When you’ve researched essential skills for new freelancers and figured out what skill you have to offer, you have to get better at it. You don’t want to get into freelancing platforms offering mediocre services because a bad review can ruin your brand.

If you’re venturing into new territories, check the best freelancing courses and certifications for your skill, and start from scratch to learn. Take online courses and get your hands dirty by working on projects. If you intend to offer a service you are already good at, you might want to refresh your memory on that skill to be sure you still understand how it works, especially if you haven’t practiced in a long time.

I went back to writing after almost 2 years and had to take some courses in SEO to refresh my memory. This is important to ensure that I’m not living on past glory and am updated with current trends.

Build a Portfolio

When it comes to freelancing, it’s evidence or you don’t know what you’re doing. You need samples, a portfolio, and to show your prospective client that you’re not using their job to learn.

Building a freelance portfolio is essential. It’s just like going to a hairdresser who is using your hair to learn; you won’t want that. You need to show your work, and show that you’ve done this previously. Even if your portfolio doesn’t contain paid experience, it shows that you’re a serious person who is passionate about learning and will be an amazing asset. There are a couple of portfolio platforms you can use. I use Clippings for mine, but you can find a portfolio platform that works for your skill.

Get the Equipment You Need

If you are serious about understanding how to build a successful freelancing career in 2024, you need to have your freelancing equipment checklist. You don’t want to get your first job and start giving excuses about not having a phone, laptop, or electricity. The client doesn’t care; they just need the job done.

Figure out what you need to do an amazing job and get it ready. I’m not saying break the bank to afford stuff, but you need to get your stuff in order. Use what you have, especially if it’s good enough, and when you start making money, you can upgrade.

If you live in a country with erratic electricity like Nigeria, you might want to invest in a generator or in coworking spaces. I visited coworking spaces a lot for electricity and socialization when I started. Excuses are exhausting in freelancing.

Decide on the Freelancing Platform You Want to Focus On

What are the top freelancing platforms for beginners in 2024? Freelancers these days are spoilt for choice with so many freelancing platforms springing up every other day. However, choosing the right freelancing platform helps in creating a winning freelancing profile that will attract clients. When I started in 2019, I focused on Fiverr and eventually moved to Upwork in 2020.

In 2024, there are more options. I’d suggest that you read up on different platforms and decide on one or two you’d want to focus on. Different platforms have different rules. Some charge you 20% of whatever you earn, so find one you’re comfortable with.

I won’t advise you to overwhelm yourself with various platforms so you don’t get your hands too full and start sending proposals that are subpar. So, maybe focus on one or two and if you’re in the mood for some adventure, you can add a third one. If you want my opinion, I’d recommend Upwork and Fiverr as the top freelancing platforms for beginners, but I’m biased.

Create Your Profile

This is one of the most difficult aspects of freelancing, but one of the most important. Creating a winning freelancing profile can get you clients without even applying for jobs. It involves selling yourself extensively. It’s not every client you’ll get by applying for the job; some clients will look at your profile and reach out to you because they like what they see.

You need to invest in writing a beautiful profile that sells you and your skills in the best way possible. Please, don’t use AI to write this; it is not a great freelancing tip for beginners.

If you’re not a writer, you can hire someone to write your profile for you. I’m not very affordable, but you can reach out to me if you want me to do this for you.

Learn How to Send a Convincing Proposal

Figuring out how to write a freelance proposal is one of the most difficult things because you have to align your experience with what the client wants and give the client a reason why you are the best person for the job.

When I started Fiverr in 2019, it took me 3-4 days to get my first job. For Upwork, it took me up to 3 hours to get my first job. The client was convinced and hired me because my proposal was amazing.

In whatever you do, make sure you have a proposal that sells your skills. It has to tell the client that you read the job description and you are the best candidate for the role. You need to read every part of the job description. Some clients will add a number in their job description and ask you to start the proposal with that number. If you didn’t read the job description in detail, you’ll miss that and be disqualified.

I explained how to write a convincing proposal in detail and how to build a successful freelancing career in my freelancing eBook. You can get it here.

Buy Connects

You have to spend money to make money, and for platforms like Upwork, you have to buy connects to apply for jobs.

I understand that things are hard and it’s not easy, but it’s worth it. It’s not just about building a freelance portfolio or creating a winning freelance profile; invest in things that will help you grow, and connects are important, especially if you choose Upwork.

Start Applying

Freelancing platforms are not the only way to get freelancing gigs or achieve financial freedom through freelancing; you can get gigs from Word of Mouth. To do this, you have to put yourself out there. Share your portfolio with family and friends, share on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Let anyone who knows you know what you do.

It’s easier to be referred when you’re in the mind of your circle about what you do. I remember friends and acquaintances who have blown their trumpets so much regarding what they do. I find myself unconsciously thinking of them when I’m looking for someone with the skill they have.

Talk about what you do every chance you get. When it’s relevant, please read the room.

I hope this beginner’s guide to freelancing has been able to hold your hand and show you how to start freelancing in 2024. It’s not too late to get started. If I can start this blog, then I’m sure you can pursue your freelancing dreams too.

What has been the most difficult thing for you regarding getting started as a freelancer?

Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog and follow me on my social media platforms for more content.

Cheers!