So, you’re curious about freelance work but not exactly sure where to start.
Maybe you want an entry-level gig to break into a new industry. Or perhaps you just need to make some extra cash. Either way, you’ve Googled “How can I get a freelance job with no experience” one too many times and are ready for some real answers.
The good news? You’ve come to the right place.
Remote freelance work has become increasingly more popular in the last year and a half, meaning that right now is a great time to start. But you might be wondering:
What is the easiest freelance job out there? How can a beginner start freelancing?
I won’t sugarcoat it – there’s no such thing as “easy” money. At least not in the freelancing world. However, there are many gigs with a more accessible entry point that can be done from home and don’t require in-depth training or specific degrees. But just like any business, it will take some time, practice, and consistent effort to get your freelance hustle off the ground.
Now, let’s get into a round-up of five different types of freelance work that you can start right away:
- Content Writing
Good writing is an art, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also a teachable skill. Think of writing as painting on a blank canvas. No two people will end up with the same result, and you probably won’t pull a Picasso on your first try, but the more you do it, the smoother your brush strokes will be.
Content writers, both creative and technical, are some of the most in-demand freelancers right now. As someone that’s built a 6-figure writing business, I can vouch for how easy it is to get started in this industry. If you already have strong writing skills, all you need is a laptop and access to WiFi. Plus, there’s no downside to brushing up on your writing skills because there will always be a need for them. Now, you might be thinking:
Jasmine, I have nothing to write about, and I have no clue how freelance writing works.
Ever worked in an office environment? A corporation might want your fresh perspective on work culture for their blog. Enjoy travelling abroad? You could write about your trips for a travel magazine. Have a passion for cooking? A YouTuber might need someone kitchen-savvy to write their captions. Heck, even writers need writers sometimes!
And it doesn’t stop there. Here are a few other things you can write for money:
- Resumes
- Academic papers
- Product descriptions
- Ebooks
- Press Releases
In Canada, the average rate for freelance writers is $30 an hour – but there’s potential to earn much more depending on your niche and skillset.
- Social Media Management
Remember the first time you learned how to do something that now comes naturally to you? Maybe it was learning how to drive a car or making the perfect latte at home. Think of social media in the same way. At some point, we all used it for the first time, but it’s quickly become an embedded part of daily routines.
If following along on the latest TikTok trends is something you already do regularly, why not get paid for it? Many businesses need social media support. This freelance work could involve running anything from a Facebook Business account to a Pinterest board. There’s no shortage of tutorials and articles online about how to become a social media manager, meaning that you can essentially train yourself for free.
Plus, with so many different social media apps out there, it’s not hard to carve out a niche. Interested in the professional world? Dive deeper into LinkedIn. Love creating a perfectly aesthetic feed? Get to know the ins and outs of Instagram. You might even land freelance work that just requires you to brainstorm relevant content ideas instead of managing an account.
- Facilitation
Have a knack for hosting masterclasses or running workshops? Then, you could give freelance facilitation work a try. Many organizations and small businesses host workshops all the time and could use the support of a talented freelancer.
As a workshop facilitator, you’re typically responsible for designing workshop content, leading the workshop itself, and reviewing data and feedback post-session. And similar to consulting, you can specialize in various workshop types, from management to arts or tech.
To get started, reach out to your friends and family to see if they, or anybody they know, could use some workshop facilitation support. You could also try hosting a few events on your own to get some testimonials and experience under your belt.
- Virtual Assistance & Administrative Support
Do you jump at the opportunity to plan and organize things? I’m talking spreadsheets, calendar invites, group chats – all that jazz. Coordinating a day trip or themed birthday party might not seem like a big deal, but the foundational skills are exactly what you need for admin gigs.
I won’t lie – booking meetings for service providers and entrepreneurs might not be as exciting as planning a road trip, but if systemizing comes naturally to you, then it’s the perfect way to start a side hustle.
With so many businesses going remote, there’s a huge demand for virtual assistants and admin support. Here are a few tasks that are usually part of this kind of freelance work:
- Inbox management
- Calendar management
- Meeting moderation
- Schedule and booking coordination
If you want to price your services on the premium side, consider learning more about popular project management tools like Asana, Dubsado, and Notion. All three are relatively user-friendly, but having experience with them could give you a leg up on the competition.
- Consulting
Are you an expert at growth marketing? Or maybe you’re a wiz at running online courses? If you have a specialized skill or unique experience, you could turn that into a freelance consulting business.
A consultant is an expert who uses their knowledge to help and provide advice to clients. Consultants can specialize in almost any subject. If there’s a demand for your expertise, you can consult on it. Some common types of consultants include:
- Marketing consultant
- Operations consultant
- Human resources consultant
- Sales consultant
To get started as a freelance consultant, you’ll need to choose a specialization and decide how you want to offer your services (e.g., hourly rate, project-based, etc.). Then it’s time to get the word out that you’re available for freelance work!
Getting started with freelance work is easier than you think.
Freelance work, especially in the age of remote work, is becoming more and more accessible. Plus, it comes with tons of perks like setting your own hours and working from home – which can be highly beneficial to folks that need more flexibility from their work, like parents, caregivers, or people with disabilities.
However, while there are tons of pros, freelance work is not a “get rich quick” scheme. If you’re willing to take some of the skills you already have and put in the work to set up your business correctly and market yourself, then you can absolutely turn a freelance side hustle into a thriving full-time business. And who knows, even if you feel like a wannabe freelancer now, you could end up with a whole new career.
In the meantime, just remember that consistency does pay off. And if you ever need a nudge in the right direction from someone who gets it – I’ve got you. For instance, you can download my free Freelance Creative Business Checklist to help you get started.
Inside this guide, you’ll get:
- A rundown on the key legal, financial, and technical processes you should set up before you start working with clients.
- Recommendations for tools and platforms that I use every day in my business (that will save you time and $$$)
- Clear answers to common questions like “What do I need to do to start freelancing?” or “Have I set my business up right?”
Interested? Click the button below to download the guide!
