Did you know that freelance made up 36% of the U.S. workforce in 2020?. No wonder the percentage is still growing – freelancers can enjoy the freedom of choosing their workload, projects, and clients. 

During the COVID-19 outbreak, companies are increasingly recruiting freelancers to cope with work demands. Hence, the number of available freelance jobs – from grocery shoppers to web developers – is now bigger than ever. 

If you’ve been looking for freelance jobs, you probably know how overwhelming the task can be, even if you’ve already created an online portfolio.

One of the most common refrains you’ll hear, is that it takes time to build up a freelancing career. You need to invest in yourself, whether it be classes, software, or branding. You need to make connections, you need to start with lower paying work to build up a portfolio and get your name out there. And yeah, all of that is true. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start now.

There are so many job boards designed for freelancers that finding new opportunities is just a few clicks away. This article will focus on 30 of these premium freelance websites you can look to in 2023.

• What is Freelance Work?
• Top 30 Premium Freelance Websites to Find Work in 2023
• Which Platform is Best for New Freelancers?
• Which Skill is Best for Freelancing in 2023?
• Which Freelancing Skill is Best for Future?
• What Freelance Jobs are Most in Demand?
• What is the Easiest Freelance Job?
• Which Site is Best for Beginner Freelancer?
• Which Freelance Skill Pays the Most?
• What are the Highest Paying Skills on Upwork?
• What is the Best Freelance Job for Beginners?
• Which Country has the Cheapest Freelancers?
• How can I Start Freelance With no Skills?
• What Jobs Will be Needed in 2025?
• How do I Get my First Freelance Job?
• Which Country has Most Freelancers?

What is Freelance Work?

Freelance work is a professional work or service provided by a person or agency individually and independently without being committed as an employee. A Freelance worker is a self-employed professional service provider who remotely provides various services like Programming, Web design, Graphic design, writing, Video production, Music, translating, etc.

Top 30 Premium Freelance Websites to Find Work in 2023

These marketplaces websites have a broad sampling of freelance jobs. Whether you’re a writer, designer, developer, marketer, salesperson, photographer or virtually any other service provider, there are freelance jobs for you on these marketplaces.

1. FlexJobs

This is a very well-curated site for not only freelance jobs, but also remote and otherwise flexible gigs. It’s sorted by the type of freelance job (or otherwise) you may want, and you won’t have to worry about scam postings, because they research the jobs and monitor new gigs pretty thoroughly. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, it’s not free if you want regular access to their freelance jobs, though.

2. SolidGigs

As a freelancer, time is money. Which means if you spend hours every week hunting down new freelance jobs instead of doing billable client work, you’re missing out on revenue.

Read Also: Top 10 Tech Skills in Demand

The team at SolidGigs (including my good friend Preston Lee) combs through dozens of freelance job boards and sends you the very best 2% of freelance gigs from around the web every single week—removing the time-consuming work of filtering through dozens of freelance job boards and vetting the opportunities yourself.

On top of just the curated gigs list each week, they’ve also got an enormous resource library with courses, interviews, templates, scripts and other tools all with the focus on helping you land more freelance jobs, negotiate your rates, pitch high profile clients and grow your freelance business. Seriously, this lethal combination of weekly curated gigs and training resources (from top freelancers around the world) is a ridiculous steal for the very low monthly cost.

3. Fiverr

Fiverr gets its name from its site design: every job starts at $5. It sounds low, but you can set up tiers above the base $5 option, which adds up fast! It’s also a great way to get started and build up your portfolio.

4. Upwork

Once upon a time, there existed two leading platforms for landing freelance jobs: oDesk and Elance. Eventually, their two kingdoms combined to create one large peaceful marketplace for people to land freelance jobs from clients all over the world. Enter: Upwork. As a result, this freelance jobs site is huge. They have over 12 million freelancers and 5 million clients listing upwards of 3 million freelance jobs each year.

Just about every freelancer can find their niche here, but beware: Upwork takes a 20% cut until you build up a regular relationship with a client. It’s very beginner friendly, but be prepared to take lower-priced freelance jobs through sites like Upwork, than you would from the more carefully curated marketplaces that focus on a specific niche.

5. Toptal

Toptal’s promise is that they only work with the top 3% of freelance talent in the world. Their exclusive (application-based) network is designed primarily for top freelance software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers and project managers.

If you apply and are approved to work with Toptal clients, you can expect to gain access to very well-paid freelance gigs from recognizable companies like Shopify, Thumbtack, Priceline, USC and many more.

6. Indeed

Indeed collects all the jobs on the Internet and puts them all in one place. They’re easy to search through, and looking specifically for remote jobs is a piece of cake. If you’re open to working at a local company, you can search that too. Best of all, it’s free!

7. College Recruiter

Student or recent grad? Browse this site to see what kind of part time freelance jobs pop up within your degree. These are going to be great beginner jobs that will get you experience and, hopefully, contacts for future work.

8. Freelancer

This site has a huge variety of projects, some formatted as hourly and some as contests – the only downside is that they only give 8 free applications before you have to pay the membership fee. The project fee is also a little different – pay between $3-5 or 3-5%, whichever is greater (one of the cheaper commission rates).

9. Guru

Guru makes it easy to create a profile that shows off your experience, making it easier to be contacted by potential employers, while also wading through the massive amounts of job postings made every day. This freelance job site is particularly great for hiring marketers, developers, writers and designers. They give a decent amount of free applications, rationed by the year, and charge about 9% commission.

10. ServiceScape

Launched originally back in the year 2000, ServiceScape is a global marketplace for freelancers with a range of skills and experience—with an emphasis on graphic design, writing, editing, and translating. To date, they’ve had over 259,000 completed projects with more than 79,000 clients that’ve used the platform.

ServiceScape is a great freelance job website for working with startups and SMBs that are already online outsourcing-friendly. So, if you’ve got the skills (like blogging skills) and experience, ServiceScape is a great place to spend some time and apply to projects that work for you.

11. Craigslist

Forget selling your grandma’s dusty couch, Craigslist has a pretty great job posting section too. You don’t get the security of a site that holds the client accountable, so it’s an excellent idea to set up a contract (or meet up in person, if possible), but most people posting are looking for work done as quick as possible. Here’s a hack if you want to look through remote jobs: go to the corresponding Craigslist for major cities and search for remote work that way. You’re welcome.

You weave word magic, your sentences are sensational, your calls to action make people want to call their mothers to tell them they love them. Turn all that writing wizardry into some cold hard cash with these sites:

12. Contena

Contena tops this section of the best writing freelance jobs because of the sheer volume of well-paid (and high quality) jobs they always have available for writers, editors and content creators of all kinds. What I love most about Contena, is that they feature a mixture of freelance jobs and full-time remote jobs on their platform.

Examples of real freelance jobs recently featured on their homepage include a $10,000/mo eBook writing gig for a tech publication, a sports writing position, photography-focused content writing jobs, and seriously thousands of more opportunities across many industries doing freelance jobs for trustworthy companies.

13. Freelance Writing Gigs

The name isn’t winning any creative awards, but it gets the point across. This site is basically a well-curated job board that’s updated Monday to Friday with the hottest new clients willing to pay you actual money to write things. Sounds too good to be true, right?

14. Blogging Pro

Despite the name, you can find everything from tasks like helping people start blogging to editing to general copywriting jobs here—they aggregate all the best writing jobs they can find to make them easy to find and search through on their site. Also, it’s totally free!

15. Journalism Jobs

If you have Dan Rather dreams, don’t let them die! Check out this job board that curates journalism jobs from around the web – along with other typical writing and editing gigs thrown in.

16. Morning Coffee Newsletter

This is an easy one to sign up for, then you get an email every day with the latest and greatest freelance writing jobs. Totally free, and a great way to jumpstart your search.

17. Freelance Writing

This source of writing jobs is excellent for freelancers all over the map, from brand spanking new to very experienced. It’s easy to filter for the type of job you want and the experience you have, and it’s totally free.

18. All Indie Writers

This site has been around for years, and you can search for the jobs that are posted and subscribe to a feed based on keywords you like. It’s free to use and apply for jobs, and their layout makes it easy to compare the available projects by the client’s budget – it will even indicate when the budget is low.

19. Freedom With Writing

Not only can you sign up for their newsletter with writing opportunities, you can actually submit to write for them. They pay well, but you’ll need to come up with a pretty good idea to pitch. If you have a concept you think will work well, it’s definitely worth a shot. While you’re waiting to hear back, you can always check out the opportunities in their newsletter too.

20. Media Bistro

Media Bistro has a nice little variety of categories, which includes writing and editing. Their curated list features everything from book editing to PR content, so you’re sure to find a few things that fit your niche.

21. Paid to Blog

Calling all bloggers! This site was thought up by a freelance writer who already went through the grind and wanted to come up with a better way. The good news is that they put together an extremely well-curated list of jobs to apply for (sorted by blog niche), and they make writing jobs available for their site as well.

The bad news is that it costs $30 a month to subscribe to. If you’re trying to get your freelance career off the ground on your lunch break, it could be more than worth it to invest a little money to save a lot of time.

22. Due

We couldn’t leave out the technical writers! You can write helpful guides on invoicing, payments, blockchain currency and more. They’re looking for longform and well-researched posts, so it would be tough to break into as a newbie, but if you already have background knowledge in the area, it could definitely be worth your time.

23. Twine

With a focus on finding placements for diverse freelancers, Twine is a great place to find high paying freelance jobs with reliable clients that are actively seeking to hire top talent from underserved communities. Now boasting over 5,000 companies on the platform hiring freelancers every day in spaces like writing, design, development, marketing and more—the rates you can command for freelance jobs on this platform are very competitive.

24. Contently

Coming as equal parts free portfolio for creative freelancers, online publication with solid freelance advice, and a platform for scoring freelance jobs with hundreds of the most successful brands & startups in the world, Contently is a high-quality agency style platform that (when you’re hand-selected by their account management team after creating a portfolio) connects you directly with clients for very well-paid freelance writing projects.

You get paid to make the world a prettier place, one Helvetica logo at a time.

25. 99 Designs

This site is set up in a bit of a different format than typical freelance sites, but it does work in the design context. Clients publish a contest, and designers submit their work as their application. The client chooses the design they like best, and the designer gets paid. I’m sure you’ve noticed the downside – if you don’t win, you don’t get paid. However, it can be an excellent way to build up your portfolio at the beginning, and if you’ll be doing work anyway, it can be a great resource.

26. Behance

This isn’t a freelance job site per se, but it is something you need to do now. Like, right now right now. These kinds of sites help designers showcase their work, and because the site has a much higher DA than any personal website you’ll put together, your work has a higher chance of showing up early in the search engine based on the keywords you research. It’s a must for designers of any skill level, and something you need to get set up right away.

27. Dribbble

See above – another way to get people’s attention and get your work in as many places as possible. The other benefit to these sites is that you’ll get feedback from other designers, and potential clients, on your work. Feedback is crucial to improvement, so accept it openly! Also, browse the other designers on the site to get a feel for what kind of projects you like and what you may want to work on in the future.

28. Designhill

This self-proclaimed “world’s leading creative marketplace” caters to the creative needs of businesses of all sizes—with a whopping number of created designs (5 Million+) to-date. Once you’ve created an account for yourself as a designer on the platform, you’ll have the opportunity to be both (1) invited to submit bids for freelance jobs that match your skills & experience and (2) to compete in design competitions where you’ll be paid for your work if it’s chosen by the client.

Designers on the platform are based around the world, and projects range from logos to marketing materials, t-shirt designs, book covers, business cards and much more.

29. Angel List

If you’ve swallowed the start-up pill and your dream is to someday work for a cool, up and coming company, start your path with Angel List. Start-up companies of all kinds search for talent on Angel List, from established to brand new, so you can get a taste of the start-up culture and possibly get your foot in the door for long term employment.

30. Art Wanted

You got art? They want art! If you’re more of a graphic designer or digital illustrator (or even if you’re pretty skilled already on the side), you can put up your masterpieces on Art Wanted. People can browse them by keywords, and there’s always the potential for connecting with clients!

Which Platform is Best for New Freelancers?

If you are just starting your career as a freelancer, find the best platform to start with can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, here are the top 10 freelance websites you can choose from:

1. Fiverr

• Freelancing type: digital marketing, web development, social media
• Pros: diverse category, free registration, online courses
• Cons: high commission charge, long payment process

Fiverr is a platform that connects freelancers with business owners looking for services in various digital projects, including website design, content writing, and voice-overs. 

This freelance website provides a streamlined method for both freelancers and business owners to interact with one another. Note that on the website, freelancers are called sellers, their services – gigs, and business owners – buyers. 

Instead of sending out bids, sellers can sign up for free, list their gigs, and set their prices. Meanwhile, buyers can simply browse through different categories to purchase. 

Whenever a buyer purchases a gig, the system automatically charges their account and puts the money on hold. The system will then take a commission fee and send freelancers 80% of the offered price.

Depending on each freelancer’s seller level, it can take up to 14 days to withdraw their earnings. There are multiple options to withdraw the payments, such as debit card, PayPal, and wire transfer. 

Fiverr opens up a world of potential sales with 3.42 million active buyers. There are no hourly rates, just project-based pricing that you get to decide.

Sellers are guaranteed protected payments with an SSL certificate that protects billing and personal information. As well as around-the-clock customer support always ready to help.

2. Toptal 

• Freelancing type: software development, financial consulting, interim management
• Pros: top-tier companies and talent, free invoicing and payments
• Cons: extensive screening process, big projects only

Toptal is a freelance website that connects highly qualified freelance industry experts with companies. Toptal has a broad range of freelancers, from web developers and web designers to finance consultants and product managers. 

Applying to Toptal as a freelancer requires passing five steps of the screening process, from a comprehensive English evaluation to a project assessment. This process ensures only the top 3% make it to the platform. 

After passing all of the steps, you’ll have access to various job postings from top clients and companies, such as Motorola and Airbnb. However, failing the test will put your application process on hold for up to a few months.

Toptal has a dedicated service for time tracking and invoicing called TopTracker. With this service, freelancers will get the total price they offer and receive payments via Payoneer, Paypal, or direct local bank transfer. 

3. Jooble

• Freelancing type: writing, graphic design, data entry
• Pros: centralized job discovery, email alerts, no signup necessary
• Cons: no quick application – must apply from each job vacancy’s source

Jooble is a search engine for job vacancies and it aggregates from 140,000+ sources worldwide, including corporate websites, online job boards, freelancing platforms, social networks, and classifieds.

A significant advantage to using Jooble is that you don’t have to check multiple online job boards and freelancing platforms, as it centralizes the process of finding freelance opportunities.

Jooble lets you find jobs within a particular region only. On the homepage, you can select a specific city in your country to discover jobs limited to that area.

You don’t have to create an account to find freelance jobs on Jooble. All you need to do is enter the keyword for the job you want into Jooble’s search engine. Apply different filters such as salary range, work experience, and post date to help find your preferred job match.

Since Jooble is an aggregator, selecting a search result will redirect you to the source of the job vacancy. There, you will find more details about the job and how to apply for it.

Sign up for Jooble’s email alerts if you wish to get notified whenever it finds a new job for the keyword you’re interested in.

4. Freelancer.com

• Freelancing type: content translation, web development, social media marketing
• Pros: progress tracker, live chat, 24/7 customer support
• Cons: complex interface, spam applicants, and fake clients

Freelancer.com is another freelance website where professionals and companies from around the world collaborate on various projects. Thanks to the wide range of expertise, clients can easily find an expert of any type.

You can sign up as a freelancer or business owner. Signing up as a freelancer will require you to fill out a short registration form. Provide detailed information, including your skills, educational background, and work experience.

In addition to projects, there are many contests, such as visual or design work. Freelancers can benefit from these contests by earning money along with reviews on their profiles. 

Every freelancer will receive full payment after completing a job. However, the platform takes 10% of your total earnings for contests and fixed projects. Like most freelance sites, you can choose to use PayPal or wire transfer for withdrawal. 

5. Upwork

• Freelancing type: brand marketing, programming, website design
• Pros: payment protection, credible clients, budget-based projects
• Cons: lengthy selection process, high service fee

Upwork is a freelancing website that connects clients and freelancers from across the globe. 

The platform provides a wide range of categories, from web design and software development to customer service and accounting.

Clients and freelancers have multiple ways to connect – clients can choose to post a job and hire talent or buy a predefined service from the project catalog. Similarly, freelancers can access the job board and offer a service to sell.

To get started as a freelancer with Upwork, begin by creating a profile. Ensure it includes details about yourself, your expertise, and your work experience. Keep in mind that clients will decide whether you’re qualified by scanning through your profile whenever you bid for jobs or pitch a project.

Upwork has a sliding scale, meaning the more you work, the less money you pay. For example, the commission fee starts from 20% for the first bill of $500 and gradually reduces as you receive more money.

There are several options for withdrawal, including direct transfer, PayPal, and wire transfer. 

6. Flexjobs

• Freelancing type: writing, content marketing, transcription
• Pros: scam-free, 30-day money-back guarantee, reliable support 
• Cons: some premium jobs can be found outside the platform

Flexjobs is a website that specializes in flexible and remote job opportunities, including freelance, part-time and full-time jobs. There are broad categories, from education and training to journalism and writing jobs.

Flexjobs ensures every job listed on the website is legitimate. It verifies and screens all openings, filtering out scams and fake companies. Unlike other online job boards, this freelance website doesn’t display any advertisements on its page. 

To find freelance jobs, users need to sign up for a subscription. There are four plans available, starting from $6.95/week. Every subscription gives unlimited access to the job listings, along with a personalized work portfolio, career advice, and free skills testing.

Users can pay for their subscription with a prepaid card or PayPal. There is a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, meaning you can get a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the service.

7. SimplyHired

• Freelancing type: human resources, finance, data entry 
• Pros: email alerts, helpful guides, free job tools
• Cons: spam from unreliable third-party websites

SimplyHired is a job board where companies can post job opportunities for free. It also collects job offers from all over the internet into one page. The site has a clean user interface, making it easy to browse jobs by category.

There are various freelance opportunities in different fields, including finance and marketing. To find a specific job, simply fill out the search box with related keywords. To have more relevant results, narrow it down by filling out your city, state, or ZIP code.

Job seekers can also access the company pages to learn more information such as a salary overview of a company, a list of benefits offered, and reviews submitted by its real employees. 

People can browse through SimplyHired without a profile. However, signing up for an account will give you access to various job tools, such as a salary estimator and resume builder.

8. Guru 

• Freelancing type: marketing, programming, administration
• Pros: secure payment, customized job listings, free membership
• Cons: potentialfake clients

Guru is a place for freelancers and companies across the globe to work together. Companies can hire professionals with various skills, such as programmers, graphic designers, and product managers.

This freelance website makes it easy to browse job listings and submit quotes to clients. Start by signing up and building a freelancer profile. The system will give job recommendations based on your skill-set and work experience.

Freelancers can bid for long or short-term projects and give a fixed price for each project. There are multiple withdrawal methods to receive your earnings, including PayPal and wire transfer. More importantly, the site ensures freelancers get paid timely with SafePay protection.

Every freelancer that signs up on this freelance website gets a free basic membership. However, paid membership plans include more tools to make your profile stand out. 

9. LinkedIn

• Freelancing type: copywriting, translation, graphic design
• Pros: networking opportunities, recent news updates, cost-effective
• Cons: spam content from malicious users 

LinkedIn is one of the most popular job sites providing an easy way to find jobs in various fields. It’s also a social networking platform for professionals to connect and interact with each other.

Simply sign up and create a profile to get started. Include as much information as possible, such as your skills, education, and work experience. A comprehensive LinkedIn profile can open up more job opportunities.

Adding a new post can also give your profile more exposure. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, create a post describing your expertise and attach your work portfolio. Potential employers might discover your profile and make you an offer. 

Browsing through LinkedIn job postings is also a great way to find freelance opportunities. To find your desired freelance job, make sure to use related keywords and sort the results from the latest.

10. Behance

• Freelancing type: illustration, photography, web design
• Pros: large audience, networking opportunities, personalized content
• Cons: competitive environment, limited image file size

Different from previous freelance sites on the list, Behance is a social network for creative talents. People worldwide use this website to build portfolios and share their creative work, ranging from animations and illustrations to website and graphic design. 

Whether you are a freelance graphic designer, web designer, or animator, Behance provides a place to get discovered by potential employers. Start by signing up for an account and establishing your profile.

As it’s a networking site, the more profiles you follow, the more posts will appear on your feed. It gives a chance to discover more freelance work opportunities.

Behance also provides a job list. Every freelancer will get a personalized job recommendation according to their skill-sets and category, making it easier to find freelance work that matches one’s expertise.

Which Skill is Best for Freelancing in 2023?

Until the last decade, the freelancing was a competitive field, and only few highly skilled gems can do and make lumpsum of dollars. But, after COVID hits our world, freelancing is the most demanding skill and the revenue of the freelancers are also increasing day by day.

A quarter of freelancing professionals make more than they would in traditional 9–5 employment. To stay relevant as a freelancer, you must keep an eye out for new abilities that are in demand and then learn them. Below are some of them.

1. Web Designing

With rising e-commerce, small or large businesses want an online presence and a website, which makes this skill so much in demand. A web designer is amongst the most sought-after job roles across the world because of its wide appeal and requirement in almost all sectors.

Web design is a multi-disciplinary job, where you’d need not only knowledge in design (typography, color theory) but also skills in developing a website (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). Some web designers are also involved in interaction design when they code for animations and interactions using CSS and/or JavaScript.

2. Food Blogger

Everyone prioritizes eating nutritious and delicious food. You can create videos that assess food selections and broadcast them to YouTube, Tik-Tok, Instagram, or your social media accounts. Restaurants, clubs, social gathering places, event managers, etc. will pay you heavily to write reviews, and do collaborations if you have a large following be it any one of the social media platforms.

3. Copy Writing

People love stories and so do companies. They need it for their products, marketing strategies, sales and advertisements, and whatnot. Everywhere you look, you’ll come across the work of a copywriter. While some think that being a copywriter is easy, it requires you to have some of the skills to come up with a copy that readers will enjoy reading. Moreover, copywriting is among the most lucrative jobs, with freelance copywriters earning up to $250 per hour.

4. SEO Expert

What’s the use of good content, if people cannot find it when they need it? Search engine optimization (SEO) is a technique incorporated while creating content that ranks helps the content high in search results so that it gets more users, traction, and eventually more revenue. But, because there are so many competitors providing the same services, SEO experts will be in high demand.

5. Accounting & Bookkeeping

Small businesses and small to medium-sized companies usually prefer freelancers for accounting work over setting up an accounting department because of the cost and time factors. There is numerous accounting software out there and one can become an expert as per one’s choice. A lot of time it’s one good course and one busy weekend of learning that gets you a lucrative offer.

6. Graphic Designing

This is a versatile ability that can be applied to a variety of projects, including social media photos, website design, blog visuals, and much more.

It’s an excellent opportunity to use your imagination. Companies don’t need a graphic designer regularly, therefore they hire freelancers! It also allows firms to gain access to newer and more creative designs.

7. Video Creation & Animation

Eight out of ten people mentioned being more attracted to videos than any form of content. As a result, video is now preferred by all social media platforms and businesses. YouTube’s evergreen popularity, the growing popularity of Tik-Tok, and now Instagram Reels confirm that fact. Companies are increasingly investing more in video creation, editing, marketing, etc. driving up demand for freelancers skilled in video editing and animation.

8. Digital Marketing

Gone are the days when a big poster at Times Square or a lengthy advertisement at Superbowl Halftime brought in new users. Well, they do still, but with so many people on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms, these have become the new marketplaces. Newly set up businesses or small businesses cannot function without an experienced Digital Marketer in their team.

9. Career Guidance & Mentoring

With new majors in colleges opening every year, the students also becoming more adventurous in terms of going after unconventional career paths. never before have we as students and as parents be more wanting to get career guidance. Many people seek mentors to guide them through various phases right from job searches to getting prepared for interviews. When it’s about education or jobs, people are ready to spend a fortune. So, you might just cash in.

Which Freelancing Skill is Best for Future?

Whose skills are in the most demand? It may not be surprising that clients value highly technical skill sets above others, like sales or account management. 

Web developers, copywriters and other marketing professionals with specialized knowledge command great earning potential if they invest in the right training. The best part about most of these skills is that they are easy to develop through free (or close to free) online learning.

1. Website Design  

Web design is an essential skill in today’s digital economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 13% increase in job availability, so this field will grow throughout the decade.

Web designers create and maintain layouts for websites on both desktop and mobile devices. Some designers may also work in web development.

The best thing about web design is that you can learn skills without taking formal courses. Abundant resources online teach would-be designers the ins and outs of the trade with little investment beyond time.   

2. Copywriting

Copywriting falls under the general umbrella of writing and editing, and there is no shortage of projects for talented and skilled writers to find. 

Most copywriters expect to command a median rate of $33 per hour, but specializing even further — like in technical writing or UX copywriting — nets even higher pay per project. 

Projects that involve copywriting include:

• TV and radio advertising
• Magazine advertisements
• Blogs and website content
• Social media posts

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)  

SEO experts are in high demand as the search engine landscape becomes even more competitive. The best part about learning SEO skills is that the landscape is constantly shifting. This means professionals who flex their skills and technical knowledge have a chance to earn lucrative contracts. 

SEO consulting routinely leads to full-time work for freelancers who want to own their own businesses.

Like copywriting and website design or development, transitioning to SEO work is easy with free, robust learning materials available online.

4. Graphic Design  

Graphic designers create visual concepts like:

• Website graphics
• Postcards
• Flyers

Some graphic designers are also illustrators who use specialized software to create incredible layouts, fonts and visual elements. Graphic designers, on average, ask for a median of $25 per hour.

5. Social Media Marketing  

Good social media managers are hard to find because of the unique skill set necessary to thrive. Social media marketers work on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

Equal parts community management and copywriter, freelance social media marketing professionals take on work for multiple clients at once. 

6. Website Development  

While website designers create the look and feel of a website, web developers build the back and frontend technologies to make it work. 

Website development is just as important as design, but developers demand even higher salaries due to the coding knowledge required. Recent surveys indicated the average salary for a web developer is $69,000 per year. Compare that with web designer salaries, which fall around $57,000 per year. 

Freelance website development professionals even choose to support clients and their websites after a project is complete, adding retainer hours to contracts.

7. eCommerce  

eCommerce skills fall under several umbrellas, including SEO, copywriting and even web development. 

Other essential skills exist that are specific to eCommerce, like knowing how to manage inventory and fulfill orders (or put those systems in place). Having this skill set will open plenty of doors for freelancers. 

Burgeoning eCommerce freelancers learn the required skills to work with platforms like Shopify to help other businesses grow.

8. Data Analytics  

Most business owners do not have time to dig into data analytics. Being able to market as a freelance data analyst helps expose freelancers to a wide range of business types. Data analysts primarily use quantitative and qualitative skills to help businesses make better decisions. 

Interpreting the data and forming a narrative helps freelancers with this skillset make excellent money — anywhere from $62,000 to $99,000 per year.

9. Video Production  

Video production — from shooting video content to editing — is another skill set that is easy for freelancers to learn via online tutorials but offers enormous benefits because it is a specialized skill. Would-be video professionals use their phones to produce high-quality videos for YouTube or other channels and level up to professional equipment after honing their skills. 

The high demand for these types of pros continues to grow, with nearly 17,000 jobs available at the time of publication.

10. Accounting and Bookkeeping  

Freelance bookkeepers are a real asset for companies who do not want or need a full-time accountant. Skilled bookkeepers cost an average of $37 per hour, but the time saved by outsourcing the work helps business owners focus on what matters — running their business.

11. Information Technology  

Information technology (IT) professionals are another in-demand group for companies of all sizes, but sometimes budgets preclude them from hiring a full-time IT staff. Freelance IT staff take several paths to a career, including:

• IT help desk work
• Security consulting
• Network administration

Average information technology salaries for full-time employees fall around $77,000.

12. Application Development  

Freelance app developers for iOS and other devices make quite a bit of money — with hourly rates ranging from $61 to $80. Unlike web developers, who focus on building websites to work on any platform, app developers focus on specific devices.

13. Artificial Intelligence (AI)  

Artificial intelligence is a growing field that includes machine learning, procedural content generation and more. AI engineers who want freelance work earn anywhere from $35 to $65 per hour and work on various projects. This work requires skills in:

• Programming
• Math
• Problem-solving
• Database work

14. Blockchain  

Blockchain technology underpins cryptocurrency and NFTs. It is an exciting new frontier for development. 

Blockchain experts command a good salary for their knowledge as companies expand their efforts in the sector. Blockchain developers and engineers make anywhere from $30 to $59 per hour.

15. Excel  

Companies hire Microsoft Excel freelancers for many reasons, whether to prepare data for presentations, create displays or review Visual Basic formulas to ensure spreadsheets function correctly. 

Excel has been around for nearly 40 years. It offers no shortage of applications for freelance work.

What Freelance Jobs are Most in Demand?

1. Copywriting: Copywriting is among the most promising freelance opportunities. You might work as a freelance copywriter and create newsletters, advertisements, emails, e-books, essays, and other polished material that draws people in.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that between 2020 and 2030, the number of employment in this industry is expected to increase by 9%. Moreover, although data indicate that there are around 15,400 job vacancies for writers in the U. S. yearly, the number is certainly far larger for independent contractors because you may work with customers from all over the world. Copywriters who work for Upwork as independent contractors often make between $19 and $45 per hour.

2. Web designer: To meet particular needs, web designers assist clients in building websites. The duties of a web designer may also include maintaining current websites. Anyone who is skilled in developing high-quality websites and other website elements belongs in this industry.

However, you might need to build expertise in certain programming languages, such JavaScript, Python, or SQL, as well as in related software applications, to manage a variety of projects. Depending on your level of skill, you may make $15 to $30 per hour or more on websites like Upwork. You’ll be in great demand as a web designer because there will likely be a 13% increase in work possibilities in this sector by 2030.

3. Digital marketing consultant: As a self-employed digital marketer, you will support companies in enhancing their online presence and lead generation to boost revenue. These goals may be met through a variety of activities, including search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, digital advertising, and online ads. Clients can also use your knowledge to address their unique digital sales and marketing difficulties.

You might anticipate fantastic pay rates in return. In reality, depending on a number of circumstances, the typical hourly fees for digital marketers on Upwork range from $15 to $45.

4. Social media manager: Businesses may effectively market their goods and services to their target markets by using social media. Social media managers work with companies to develop and execute marketing plans that improve lead generation.

As a freelancer, you may assist several companies in enhancing their social media marketing strategies at any given time. Most of the time, clients will look to you for professional guidance on content creation and audience targeting, therefore you’ll need to show that you are knowledgeable about various social media platforms.

As a social media manager, you can typically expect to earn between $14 and $35 per hour via freelance platforms.

5. Editor: Editors are crucial to the editing process because they check and recheck written texts to make sure they adhere to predetermined standards. They examine different elements, including syntax, punctuation, flow, style, and fact-checking. Editorial procedures are essential to creating material of the highest caliber.

You might look for jobs in this industry as a freelancer if you have an aptitude for spotting grammatical mistakes and other problems. It’s simple to discover editors high-paying freelancing jobs on Upwork. Depending on expertise and other considerations, copyediting tasks typically pay between $20 and $40 per hour.

6. Web developer: Advanced programming abilities are used by web developers to create the code that controls how websites operate. The top freelancing positions often demand for experts with either front-end, back-end, or both web development knowledge (full-stack development). Front-end web developers work on the layout and aesthetics of a website, and back-end professionals concentrate on the invisible to users parts or administrative regions of a website.

According to average pay on Upwork, the nicest thing about working as a self-employed web developer is that you may make $15 to $30 per hour or more. Furthermore, by 2030, job openings in the sector of web development are anticipated to increase by 13%.

7. Media buyer: Media buyers assist companies in choosing the best ad placement to meet their unique budget and targeting requirements. Physical, print, digital, and broadcast ads are possible placement possibilities. A media buyer’s functions and responsibilities may also involve managing social media marketing campaigns, depending on the demands of the client. To lower the cost of ads, large, midrange, and small firms take use of media buyers’ power to negotiate cheaper prices.

The hourly rate for media buyers is normally between $50 and $200. By 2030, the BLS predicts a 3% increase in job possibilities for advertising agents. This movement offers chances for freelancers to enter this industry.

8. Photographer: The production of high-quality photos for businesses and people involves a high degree of technical proficiency and creativity, making photography a popular industry. You may make a living as a freelance photographer by taking pictures of occasions, tangible objects, locations, and people. If you are able to take pictures that tell an interesting tale, clients are prepared to pay generously.

You may discover highly-paying photography jobs whether you want to do it full-time or as a side job. According to BLS job outlook statistics, there will likely be a 17% increase in photography employment possibilities by 2030. For photographic tasks, you may anticipate paying between $40 and $100 per hour on average.

9. Data analyst: You can assist customers in the analysis of certain data sets containing previous transactions or occurrences as a freelance data analyst. You’ll be crucial in identifying important trends in consumer behavior or other business factors that will help businesses make wise judgments regarding their daily operations. Businesses of all sizes rely on data analysts to better correctly forecast future trends. Utilizing large data gathered from numerous operational sources is your responsibility.

Data analysts often make between $20 and $50 per hour. Although many data analysts are employed full-time by businesses of all sizes, there is a consistent flow of lucrative tasks available on freelance platforms.

10. Business consultant: A business consultant assists customers in developing a thorough grasp of certain operational issues. Professionals frequently take an active part in resolving difficult business problems. Employing consultants is a common practice for businesses looking to increase profitability or daily operations. One or more business disciplines, such as marketing, finance, or human resources, may be the consultant’s areas of expertise.

You might increase your revenue as a freelance consultant by working with several business owners at once. According on your skill level and the size of the project, the typical hourly cost for business consultants ranges from $28 to $98.

What is the Easiest Freelance Job?

Freelancing can be a great way to earn money from home in your spare time – and in fact it’s even possible to turn it into a successful full-time business one day. The problem is, freelancing can be a tough industry to get in – especially if you have no experience. Most fields are incredibly competitive and require advanced skills or relevant work history.

There are some freelancing jobs that are suitable for beginners, and we will talk about some of them below.

These jobs don’t require a degree and you probably already have most of the skills needed for them, which means you could start right now. 

1. Social Media Manager

Most people spend hours on social media every day – but what they don’t realize is that social media can be a way to earn money!

Businesses and brands need to stay active on social media platforms, and that’s why they hire freelancers to create and post content, reply to followers, manage Facebook groups, answer questions, etc. 

It’s similar to what you do for your own profile, but the difference is you could be doing that for a client who would pay you an hourly (or monthly) rate for it.

2. Web Research

If you’re always looking up stuff on Google this could be the right job for you. When companies need someone to do research for them, they hire entry-level freelancers who are willing to work for low rates (that’s you!).

The projects usually involve web research to help businesses create articles, launch new products, study competitors, etc.

All you need to do is research about the relevant topics on Google and organize the information you find so that the company can use it.

3. Content Writer

No, you won’t write the next best-seller – but you could make decent money writing content for companies. We are talking about blog posts, e-books, content for websites, product descriptions, etc.

Working as a content writer does require some linguistic abilities, but most jobs are simple and can be done by people with basic writing skills.

4. Virtual Assistant

Now, here’s a job idea for beginners with no experience – but who have free time and great organization skills.

Business owners tend to be incredibly busy, and that’s why they hire Virtual Assistants to help them with simple tasks such as replying to emails, managing their social media, scheduling appointments, organizing travel plans, etc.

Basically your job is to free up the client’s time by taking care of things yourself.

5. Data Entry

Let’s say a company needs to create an Excel spreadsheet with all their products (so they can later use it on their website). In that case, they would need to hire a freelancer for this data entry job!

This is one of the easiest freelance jobs you can find – as it doesn’t require any specialized knowledge. You’re responsible for extracting information from one medium and inputting it in another medium.

Another example is if a client asks you to transcribe a book into a word document – all you need to do is type for hours and hours while earning money. 

What’s cool about it is that you get the job done while listening to music or watching your favorite TV show.

Which Site is Best for Beginner Freelancer?

If you are a beginner, then freelancing websites are an easier way to earn money online. These platforms are very easy to browse and find jobs that match your skills.

Following are some of the best sites to start freelancing for beginners:

1. Upwork

As compared to Fiverr, Upwork is more professional and thus strict on its policies. You can’t sell gigs on Upwork. With Fiverr, you can sell anything from writing to development, with Upwork however, when you sign up, you have to put in your information detailing what you do. The information you fill in will define your brand on the platform, which means you will most likely be forced to focus on doing a single thing. This is why the platform is the largest and most popular.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the most popular Freelancing Sites if you are looking for quick jobs that are affordable. If you are wondering why the site is called Fiverr, well, that’s their value proposition. Fiverr uses a gig method to connect buyers and sellers. As a freelancer, when you sign up to Fiverr, after updating your profile with your basic information, you create what is known as Gigs.

Fiverr gigs have a basic starting price of $5. This means as a Freelancer, you can sell anything you want as long as it starts at $5. Who buys? If your service is attractive enough and appealing, buyers will request and make a purchase and you deliver. People sell anything on Fiverr from Voiceovers to Logo Designs and Website Development.

3. Toptal

This list would be incomplete without Toptal. If your budget allows and you are looking for the top 3% of freelance talent on earth, then you might need to look at Toptal. At Toptal, you will find some of the world’s best freelancers. I’m sure this is good enough as an indication of the pricing. Their rates are higher but you get what you pay for. Toptal is one of the best freelancing platforms today.

4. People per Hour

People per Hour, popularly known as PPH is relatively smaller as compared to the above two but still large enough to be a deal. The major goal of people per hour is empowerment. They want to empower you to do what you love doing as a freelancer. The great thing about People per Hour is that it is not just a Freelance Platform, it comes with a suite of other relevant, and useful features geared towards helping you manage and advance your business with ease.

As a freelancer on People per Hour, you can access invoicing tools, proposal review tools, and in-app messaging to help you get stuff done with convenience and serve your customers better.

5. Freelancer.com

Based in Australia, this platform is the one that got the name on the web. If you search for freelancer site, the first site you are likely to come across is Freelancer.com. Freelancer.com, despite the heavy competition, is a great freelancing website. This site was one of the first to enter the market, starting before elance and o desk.

There are 20 million signed up users on the website including both freelancers and clients, a number that keeps growing each day. Freelancer.com has a great many features including invoicing and accounting. Freelancers on freelancer.com can also participate in contests where a client requests a logo design and freelancers compete to submit the best. This is a winner takes all contest.

6. Guru

Guru is a great freelancing website but not for everyone especially if you are looking for cheap services. The Collins English dictionary definition of Guru is, “A recognized Leader”. This is what guru is about. Freelancers on Guru are the leaders in their industries. How does guru manage to get industry leaders? It’s simple; they handpick all freelancers who work on their site to determine their eligibility and skill.

Communicating with Freelancers on Guru is simple. You just have to create a job post and the site’s algorithm will sift through the freelancer database of people on the site prompting the freelancers to contact you directly and begin conversing with you to determine your needs.

Which Freelance Skill Pays the Most?

When it comes to the earning potential of freelance jobs, Upwork also found that freelancers have a higher median pay rate than standard employee workers ($20.00 vs. $18.80). This is great news for those considering joining the freelance workforce.

So what are some of the best-paying freelance jobs? We’ve collected 10 high-paying freelance jobs that are available on FlexJobs, along with average hourly pay data from Salary.com.

Depending on your experience, you may be able to set your rates higher than these average rates, but researching the highest-paying freelance jobs can give you a good starting point when it comes to negotiating your freelance rate.

1. Accountant

• Average Pay: $38/hour

Accountants maintain financial records and record financial transactions. Handling ledger accounts, preparing balance sheets and P&L statements, and creating financial reports are some common duties. A bachelor’s degree is required and a CPA certification will help you command more money.

2. Account Executive

• Average Pay: $43/hour

Account execs create relationships with new accounts and work to increase business opportunities for companies and clients. This role may provide sales quotes and handle requests for proposals. A proven track record and a few years of experience will earn freelancers a higher rate.

3. Copywriter

• Average Pay: $38/hour

Experienced copywriters will write copy for advertising and marketing initiatives. They may write ad copy, taglines, emails, articles, newsletters, and ebooks. Knowledge of SEO and a strong portfolio can make a positive impression on employers hiring remote copywriters and will help a copywriter earn the highest pay.

4. Graphic Designer

• Average Pay: $36/hour

Graphic designers with a few years experience can find high-paying freelance jobs. This role creates art and visual materials for packaging, websites, ads, and films. A bachelor’s degree and a strong portfolio are a must.

5. PR Manager

• Average Pay: $52/hour

PR managers maintain the public image for an employer or client. Writing and distributing press releases, working with media outlets, and managing social media are a few ways this is done. To work as a PR manager, typically five or more years of experience is desired.

6. Professor

• Average Pay: $41/hour

Due to the growth of online education and eLearning platforms, professors can find high-paying freelance jobs to teach one class, or teach on an ongoing basis. Many of these roles are virtual. A professor will often need a master’s degree and will plan course curricula, provide support, assess student progress, and more.

7. Programmer

• Average Pay: $38/hour

Programmers create code and software applications for operating systems. Programmer’s code converts designs into instructions for computers to follow. The ability to write programs in different computer languages, such as C++ and Java is required.

8. Software Developer

• Average Pay: $42/hour

One of the most common high-paying freelance jobs, this role involves designing and developing software programs by coding, debugging, testing, and troubleshooting. Knowledge of HTML, PHP, and XML is often needed. Having a strong portfolio of past work will help you earn a higher rate.

9. Technical Writer

• Average Pay: $41/hour

A technical writer with a few years of experience under their belt and certifications related to their expertise can command the highest wages. This role helps make complex and technical information clearer by writing instruction manuals, guides, journals, and documents.

10. Web Developer

• Average Pay: $35/hour

Web developers design and create websites, taking responsibility for the look of a site and its functionality. Web developers will write code, use programming languages, integrate graphics and audio, and meet with clients to discuss needs.

What are the Highest Paying Skills on Upwork?

Whether you’re a tech expert, designer, or writer, there are countless projects for freelance professionals. And with so many categories of freelance jobs to choose from, there’s no reason you shouldn’t find something to match your skills.

Copywriter

The copywriting field is one of the most viable options for freelancers. As a freelance copywriter, you might compose newsletters, advertising copy, emails, e-books, articles, and other types of polished content that grabs readers’ attention.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the jobs outlook for this field is likely to grow 9% between 2020 and 2030. And although statistics show that roughly 15,400 job openings become available to writers in the United States each year, the figure is undoubtedly much higher for freelancers considering that you can work with clients from various parts of the world. On average, copywriters working on freelance writing jobs via Upwork earn between $19 and $45 per hour.

Web designer

Web designers help clients create websites to suit specific requirements. The role of a web designer might also encompass updating existing websites. This industry is ideal for anyone with creative and technical know-how who can create high-quality webpages and other website features.

To handle various projects, though, you may need to develop skills in specific programming languages, such as JavaScript, Python, or SQL, and proficiency in relevant software programs. Depending on your experience, it’s possible to earn between $15 and $30 per hour or more on platforms like Upwork. And with job opportunities in this field likely to grow 13% by 2030, you’ll be in high demand as a web designer.

Digital marketing consultant

As a freelance digital marketer, you’ll help businesses bolster their online visibility and lead generation to increase sales. You can achieve these objectives through various activities, such as search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, and online advertisements. In addition, clients can tap into your expertise to solve specific digital sales and marketing challenges.

In return, you can expect excellent pay rates. In fact, average hourly rates for digital marketers on Upwork range between $15 and $45, depending on various factors (e.g., project scope).

Social media manager

Social media is a lucrative way for businesses to promote products and services directly to their target audiences. Social media managers help brands formulate and implement marketing strategies to enhance lead generation.

As a freelancer, you can work with several brands at any given time, helping them improve communication techniques on various social media platforms. In most cases, clients will expect you to provide expert advice about content generation and targeting, so you’ll need to demonstrate savviness with different social media channels.

On average, you can expect to command a pay rate of $14 to $35 an hour via freelance platforms as a social media manager.

Editor

Editors play an important role in the editorial process by reviewing and revising written texts to ensure they meet specific guidelines. They check various aspects, such as syntax, punctuation, flow, style, and verify facts. Editorial processes are vital to producing high-quality content.

If you’ve got a knack for identifying grammar and other issues, you can explore opportunities in this field as a freelancer. On Upwork, it’s easy to find high-paying freelance jobs for editors. Average pay rates for copyediting projects range between $20 and $40 per hour, depending on experience and other factors.

Web developer

Web developers use their advanced programming skills to develop code that determines how websites function. The best freelance jobs typically require professionals with experience in either front-end or back-end web development or both (full-stack development). Front-end web developers concentrate on the design and visual aspects of a website, while back-end specialists focus on the behind-the-scenes components or administrative areas of a website that aren’t visible to users.

The best part about working as a self-employed web developer is that you can earn between $15 and $30 per hour or more, according to average rates earned on Upwork. In addition, job opportunities in the web development field are likely to grow 13% by 2030.

What is the Best Freelance Job for Beginners?

In-depth knowledge of digital marketing, SEO, and copywriting can prove beneficial for beginners involved in several fields, such as public relations, editing, web design, and social media management. These skills can help make a positive impression on potential clients.

Some benefits of familiarizing yourself with these topics include faster career growth and the ability to cross-leverage digital media channels. In turn, you can offer a more comprehensive service to clients.

Copywriting can be a useful skill when handling public relations campaigns, while SEO boosts content visibility across the internet. When it comes to web design, it’s critical to integrate SEO elements that allow search engines to crawl and index webpages more efficiently. By doing so, you provide a high-quality service to clients looking to maximize the visibility of their content.

Which Country has the Cheapest Freelancers?

Freelancing gigs can be done anywhere as long as you have an internet connection, so really, you can go out and see the whole world, while still accomplishing meaningful work! And even though money might be an issue in order to travel, there are some pretty affordable countries out there that give you tons of financial flexibility. 

If you’re tired of the rat race and want to spread your wings somewhere new, here are 6 of the most affordable countries to live and work in as a freelancer:  

1. Thailand

Thailand boasts some of the cheapest cities in the world to work in as a freelancer: Ko Lanta, Bangkok, and Ching Mai, to name a few. Not only is Thailand super affordable, with the average monthly cost of living only at around $400, but it’s also got plenty of beautiful islands and beaches for you to visit when you’re not doing remote work.

Also, English is the second most common language spoken in the country, so you shouldn’t have any trouble trying to communicate with the public there. All you need is to find a cozy place to call home and your new adventure is set!

2. Albania

If Europe is more your style, definitely consider Albania. It’s one of the most creative and innovative countries out there with eye-popping buildings, artwork, monuments, and tasty foods that leave you wanting more! You may have to learn how to speak a little Albanian, however, as 98% of the population speaks it.

That said, the average cost of housing is only $365 a month, and that’s within expensive parts of the country. It’s a small price to pay for some brand new experiences. Also, as an American, you can visit up until one year without a visa, which is a huge plus. 

3. Spain

Sticking with European countries, Spain is a popular destination for remote work. 
Home to arguably the greatest soccer team in the world (FC Barcelona) and some of the most beautiful coasts anyone could ask for, the cost of living here for a one-bedroom apartment would be just under $500 a month—within cities and not directly on the beach, that is. 

Places like Madrid and Valencia have big populations with plenty of access to resources like WIFI and other amenities. But if you want to explore the real beauties of the country, you’ll want to venture out to cities like Granada, San Sebastian, or Sevilla. However, the areas start to get a bit more pricey. 

4. United Kingdom

Although it may not feel like an exotic choice,  the UK offers tons of benefits as a place to work and live as a freelancer. 

First off, you’ll have no trouble speaking to anyone there since English is the primary language—the only difference is that famous British accent! The UK is also home to many attractions that tourists love, such as the London Eye, the Big Ben clock tower, and Stonehenge. Everywhere you look in the UK is a sight for sore eyes, so you shouldn’t ever run out of fun things to do. 

Not to mention, the average monthly cost of living alone in some of the cheapest places in the UK is around 500 pounds, or $640, according to lovemoney.com. This is more expensive than most other affordable countries in this lineup, but with the number of things to see and do, it’s worth it. 

One more thing: the UK has some of the best public transit to help you get around. And if you ever get bored with the UK, just hop on a bullet train to Scotland or Ireland. Simple. 

5. New Zealand

A mass of islands to the southeast of Australia may be the perfect place for you. New Zealand is famous for its outdoor attractions and wonders of nature—some of the mountains and ravines throughout the country are absolutely breathtaking. Even if you’re the kind of freelancer who sits inside all day, you can still appreciate the scenery and take in the fresh air while you type away at the computer. 

English is still one of the main languages spoken in New Zealand, and the weather stays moderately warm all year. It may take you some time to adjust to summertime happening during the winter months, but you’d only be paying around $1040 a month while you acclimate. 

This is the most expensive country on this list, but better internet and coffee may be enough to persuade you to move despite the larger cost. If you really wanted to rough it and save some money, you could probably live in a tent somewhere on a bluff. Just make sure to get cleaned up and find a place to do your assignments online.

6. Hong Kong

For working independently, Hong Kong is your best bet. With a top public transport rating and many cheap places to live, like the famous capsule hotels, there’s plenty of opportunities here for world travelers.

There are so many places to visit, and since Hong Kong is a pretty modern country, you should have no problems finding excellent wifi connections and interesting workspaces to boost your freelance success. The only trouble you may have is controlling yourself around all the delicious foods and snacks from restaurants and street vendors. 

The cost of living in Hong Kong is around $886. And something else that’s pretty awesome for freelancers is that being your own boss is encouraged within the country. The entrepreneurial mindset is a cornerstone of what makes Hong Kong a great place to live, and you should be able to connect yourself to that spirit as soon as you arrive!

How can I Start Freelance With no Skills?

If you are looking to get started freelancing, you’re going to need to make yourself marketable.

Below are some things you can do to make yourself stand out, sell yourself to clients, find work, and start making money.

Build a Resume

You should compile a resume of sorts that you can provide your client to get started. This should include your education and work experience. If you are looking for more entry-level positions and do not have a lot of prior experience, there are still some things you can do to help woo freelance clients.

For instance, you can consider taking free webinars or online courses to boost your skills. Coursera and Udemy are two platforms that offer courses to help develop your skills.

Offer Testimonials From Previous Clients or Connections

You should also try to provide testimonials if possible. But if you have no experience freelancing, how do you get them? Secure a handful of solid testimonials or recommendations from people you’ve worked with previously.

Ask them to send a quote on what they loved about working with you and what your strengths are. As time goes on, you can ask clients for testimonials so that you can continue to build your portfolio.

Here’s how to do it:

After you’ve wrapped up a project for your first client, request a brief testimonial via email (and pretend like you’ve done this a thousand times). This is a very common practice in the freelancing industry, and if your client is happy with your work, they’ll likely send back a testimonial in no time.

Just remember proper email etiquette and communicate clearly when sending this.

Find Work

Gig Worker will soon be offering a job board that will serve as a one-stop-shop for freelancers. This job board will include a wide array of opportunities, from freelance writing jobs to coding jobs.

In the meantime, consider some of the following platforms to help get you started on your search for freelance positions:

• Fiverr
• FlexJobs
• LinkedIn

These job boards are designed specifically with freelancer and remote workers in mind. They only post job opportunities for gig workers, which can help streamline your search. Because you are looking for individual clients, you don’t want to be bogged down looking at traditional full-time job opportunities.

Additionally, you can search Google for job boards specific to your skillset. For instance, a quick search of “Job board for freelance writers” indicates that ProBlogger is an excellent site to use if you are looking to grow your freelance writing business.

Searching for niche-specific opportunities will increase the chances of you finding and securing work.

Recognize Your Earning Potential

One of the best things about freelancing is that you are responsible for setting your own rates. So, the short answer to this question is that you can make whatever you’d like. The long answer depends on the type of work that you are performing.

For example, designing an entire website will probably earn you more money than writing a single blog post. Some skills, like coding and programming, pay more than others, like transcriptionists.

Having said that, a recent survey from Payoneer found that the average freelancer earns around $21 per hour and works 36 hours per week, equating to a pretax salary of about $40,000.

Indeed also backs this up, indicating that the average freelancer earns $21.80 per hour. Remember that you will also need to pay self-employment tax on this. If you do not have any experience, you may want to consider working for less as you grow your business. Some work is better than no work.

While your time and experience are valuable, it could be even more worthwhile to get your foot in the door to start working and growing a portfolio. Think of it as a full-time job. An intern or someone in an entry-level position is going to make significantly less than the CEO of the company.

Building your freelance career takes time. Taking a pay cut may result in a short-term hit but a long-term gain.

What Jobs Will be Needed in 2025?

The Future of Jobs Report projects that, by 2025, people and machines will work the same amount of hours. Automation will displace around 85 million jobs – mostly manual and repetitive roles, ranging from assembly factory workers to accountants.

The same report predicts that the following skills will be in high demand by 2025:

•  Data Science & Cloud Computing (Cloud computing goes hand in hand with data science, and cloud computing jobs range from architects and developers to data scientists)
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
• Big Data Science
• Digital Marketing & Strategy
• Process Automation
• Business development
• Digital Transformation
• Information Security (including the cybersecurity subset of information security)
• Software and Application Development (UX/UI, blockchain programming)
• Internet of Things

However, the most in-demand skills are a mix of hard and soft skills. So besides technology skills, the list includes also skills like:

• Problem-solving
• Self-management
• Working with people

How do I Get my First Freelance Job?

There are five steps you need to follow that’ll help you get your first gig and establish a freelancing career. Here they are:

1. Identify your skill as a service
2. Define your ideal client or market
3. Build your portfolio and profiles
4. Market your services to clients
5. Capture the results/gaps, analyze the output at each step, and attune your approach to keep growing.

Which Country has Most Freelancers?

Technology has made it easier than ever for individuals to boost their earnings with profitable side-gigs. And while U.S. workers of all ages are reaping the greatest rewards, young freelancers across Asia are quickly getting in on the act.

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That’s according to a new report from digital payments platform Payoneer, which has highlighted the world’s fastest-growing freelance markets and how they’re reshaping the nature of work.

America’s gig economy saw the greatest growth in 2019, with freelancer earnings up 78% year-on-year, according to the Global Gig-Economy Index released Tuesday. The study draws on data from more than 300,000 freelance workers within Payoneer’s network.

The world’s largest economy was followed by the U.K. and Brazil, which each saw a jump in gig worker earnings over the past year, up 59% and 48%, respectively. However, it was Asia that recorded the greatest regional growth, with earnings up 138% across four countries.

That charge was led by Pakistan, which saw a 47% increase in freelancer revenues in the past year. It was joined in the top 10 by Philippines, India and Bangladesh.

Here’s the top 10 list of freelance markets based on year-on-year revenue growth.

1. United States – 78%

2. United Kingdom – 59%

3. Brazil – 48%

4. Pakistan – 47%

5. Ukraine – 36%

6. Philippines – 35%

7. India – 29%

8. Bangladesh – 27%

9. Russia – 20%

10. Serbia – 19%

The boost in revenues over the past year is due in part to improved perceptions over the viability of such freelance work, according to Iain McNicoll, vice president and regional head for the Americas at Payoneer.

“We’re seeing more and more professionals leaving their jobs to join the gig economy,” said McNicoll.

“Whether it’s the flexible hours, the absence of a manager looking over your shoulder or the desire to build up your own business, workers don’t feel the need to be tied to their offices anymore.”

Global freelancer breakdown by age, according to Payoneer.

Interestingly, however, while the gig economy attracts professionals of all ages in the U.S., in other markets, it tends to skew toward younger generations, who may be more technically minded or used to less formal work structures. In Pakistan, for example, freelancers younger than 35 generated 77% of revenues, due in large part to improved tech education over recent years.

Overall, workers aged 35 to 44 stand to gain the most from freelance work, according to Payoneer. That group contributed 32% of global freelance earnings in the past year, despite representing only 23% of freelancers worldwide.

Workers aged 18 to 35, meanwhile, made up the largest cohort at 64%, yet their earnings were relatively lower.

Conclusion

Whether you’re just starting out as an independent professional or are a seasoned freelancer, you can access higher-paying jobs by choosing the right freelance platform. Upwork provides access to wide-ranging jobs for independent professionals posted by clients from around the world. There are projects for graphic designers, software development specialists, freelance writers, online marketing experts, and more.