Navigating the Freelance World in 2023 (Tips for Beginner Freelancers)

Want to become a success story in the freelance world? Then be sure to check out these tips on how to get started and establish yourself in this fast-growing niche.

The freelance industry has seen significant growth over the past few years. In fact, there are approximately 1.56 billion freelancers operating internationally in 2022, and that number is projected to continue rising in the coming decades. 

But as an ever-growing number of people hop on the freelance bandwagon, the industry becomes more competitive and difficult to navigate. The sheer number of different platforms, rate systems, niche options and trend cycles is enough to make one’s head spin.

However, with the right strategy, anyone can become a successful freelancer (even without any experience). 

You just need to know how.

Check out eight tips for becoming a freelancer from scratch, as well as helpful information about what to expect from the industry in 2023.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Before you do anything, start with research.

To effectively compete with others in your field, you need to develop a sound understanding of what it looks like in current terms and what kind of work is most in demand for your area of expertise. 

For example, if you are a copywriter, venture onto popular freelance writing platforms and see what kind of content is most in demand. Note how the profiles are set up, what skills are being searched for, and which writing styles are being advertised for hire. And if you're a freelance web designer or front-end developer, do your research on what type of websites are in demand, where clients need your skills the most, and how others in your field are marketing themselves. You should also look for tools like BOWWE that give you an edge over your competitors. With BOWWE, you'll have everything you need to create a professional-looking website, ensuring you can deliver quality results in a short turnaround time.  

Whatever type of freelancer you are and whatever field you work in, by doing your research you’ll gain a better idea of the industry and you’ll feel more prepared to manage the dynamics of this type of work.

If you look at some of the most successful freelancers, you’ll notice they all have something in common: a niche, or a specialized area of expertise. This sets them apart from the rest and makes them more appealing to high-profile clients. 

Although it might be tempting to accept any work you can in the beginning, taking a more calculated approach will be more rewarding in the long run. Assess your skills and determine which ones are A) your strengths, B) in demand, and C) profitable. There’s your niche.

If you look at some of the most successful freelancers, you’ll notice they all have something in common: a niche, or a specialized area of expertise. This sets them apart from the rest and makes them more appealing to high-profile clients. 

Although it might be tempting to accept any work you can in the beginning, taking a more calculated approach will be more rewarding in the long run. Assess your skills and determine which ones are A) your strengths, B) in demand, and C) profitable. There’s your niche.

In 2022 (and no doubt in future years), there is a wide variety of freelance platforms to choose from. However, only a few are worth putting the time and energy into. Based on some of the most in-demand freelance skills, here are some of the highest-ranking platforms out there:

• Web Dev and Graphic Design – Upstack, Upwork, Toptal, Dribbble, and Turing 
• Copywriting, Editing and SEO – ClearVoice, Contently, Upwork, and The Writer Finder 
• Accounting and Bookkeeping – Upwork, Accountingly, Toptal, and Fiverr 
• Digital Marketing and Advertising – Guru, Upwork, Hubstaff Talent, and Cloud Peeps

If you don’t see your area of expertise on this list, don’t fret—there are plenty of high-ranking freelance platforms that accommodate for a wide variety of skills.

No matter what freelance platform you choose, or if you opt to fly solo, your profile, portfolio, or CV plays a crucial role in how clients will perceive you. It’s the virtual first impression you need to get right to rise above the competition. Here are some tips for creating a stunning online profile:

• Use a professional photo – This helps clients trust you and see you in a professional light.
• Write a confident and concise bio – Keep it brief, succinct, and self-aware. This is not the time to babble! Demonstrate a clear understanding of what you bring to the table.
• Include relevant keywords – This shows your investment in the industry and makes you appear more knowledgeable to clients.
• Be consistent in your brand tone – You want to come across as a cohesive, well put together brand identity.

You should think of your profile as marketing collateral. Use it to sell yourself and your skills. With a strong profile, you’ll have a much better chance of attracting clients. 

If you want to make it in the freelance industry, it can help to think of yourself as a brand rather than an individual for hire.

Because freelancers don’t have the luxury of an overarching company or organization to represent their mission and ideals, that responsibility becomes their own.

Branding yourself with a marketable and consistent identity, ethos, and mission makes you appear more solid to potential clients, and gives them a clearer idea of who you are and what you do.

You can develop a personal brand by using an original logo, being consistent in your choice of language and color palette, and staying active on social media channels.

Setting goals is an important step in any process. But for freelancers, it is especially important. Maintaining a sense of structure and progress is difficult without the security of belonging to an organization, so setting your own goals can help you stay focused on your way to success. 

Some realistically achievable goal examples could look like: 

• Learn a new industry-relevant skill by [date]
• Work 8 hours every day 
• Obtain 2-4 new clients by [date]
• Enquire about 5 potential jobs each week 

Goals like these can help you hold yourself accountable for the stability of your career and keep you focused on achieving consistent milestones. Without setting goals for yourself, you run the risk of becoming complacent and losing touch with your industry peers.

Most freelancers are tasked with the unenviable job of managing their own administration affairs. Things like client communications, writing contracts, sending invoices, tracking monthly income, and basic accounting are all going to become your responsibility. So, developing these skills is essential.

First up, you’ll need your own reusable templates for invoices and contracts.

Second, start up a spreadsheet or download an income statement template that makes it easy for you to track how much you earn, what your expenses are, and what profit you’re making. And third, create a backed-up folder for these things, preferably in the cloud.

This will help you maintain a strong grip on your financial affairs and ensure that you collaborate with clients in a consistently professional and secure way.

Last but certainly not least on the list—be consistent. On average, it can take between 3 months to a year for freelancers to find income stability. If momentum is taking a while to pick up, be patient and don’t give up. It’s the ones that stay committed to their goals that actually meet them.

Now that you have a more rounded idea of how to go about kick-starting your freelance career, let’s take a look at some future projections for this unique and constantly evolving industry. 

The popularity surrounding freelance work has skyrocketed over the past few years. With the pandemic came the need for alternative streams of income—and skilled, at-home workers were the perfect solution. Even as we move on from Covid-19, the freelance bug has officially bitten the world.

Companies are already starting to recognize the value that external hires can bring to their teams, but that trend is only projected to expand. For example, an A.Team and MassChallenge survey found that 73% of technology companies now prefer to operate “blended” teams, i.e. teams with both employees and independents.

This is good news for freelancers because it means more stable opportunities for work will arise. Cultivating better team collaboration skills will make you more hirable in the future.

As freelance work becomes more integrated into global corporations, the demand for different niches is expected to expand. Careers that have previously been associated exclusively with employer-employee situations will soon enter the mainstream freelance market.

Some of the career lanes expected to become more integrated in the next few years include healthcare (dermatologists, psychologists, and other specialized medical professionals), event planners (florists, lighting specialists, and stage managers) as well as language learning.

As more skilled professionals enter the freelance market, the need for better legal protection increases. Improved legislation around freelance work is projected to become more incorporated into society, with proposals such as better social protections and even the launch of e-residency programs being instated. 

Key takeaways 

• Know who you are and what you bring to the table 
• Stay up to date with industry trends and skills 
• Create a professional, up-to-date profile 
• Cultivate a strong brand identity 
• Get your administration affairs in order 
• Don’t give up—stick with it

It can be a lot of work to set yourself up as a newbie freelancer. But if you can play your cards right, the effort is well worth the reward. Freelancing is a great way to lead a more balanced and flexible life, allowing you more control over your time, and giving you the ability to govern your career trajectory. 

With the right amount of determination, research, and drive, anyone can become a successful freelancer—in 2023 and beyond. If you’re at the beginning of your freelancing journey, we hope these tips and insights can help you along the way.