---

How to Get a Freelance Job Be the first on the scene when you freelance

Get a job directly from the customer. This will allow you to be your own boss, do some of your work from your own home, and often set your own hours.

Steps

1. Develop the skills you will need to freelance in the field you choose. These are some common freelancing fields:
   
   
   • Journalism. Newspapers, and even network news outlets are always looking for breaking stories and "fillers" for their upcoming editions, and if you have a good eye, and are fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time, the next big story may be yours. The competition between news outlets has never been higher, so this may be one of the best opportunities to freelance.
   • Writing. This is one of the most open, flexible, and creative fields of freelance work there is. Magazines often use articles written by freelancers, and depending on the publication, and the length and quality of the article, the pay can be good.
   • Webpage design. This is a growing field, and many small businesses and organisations do not have a professional staff to handle their webpages. Since websites are often updated regularly, you may find that you can get a continuing contract with several "regular customers" to keep you busy.
   • Data gathering. This is a broad, loosely defined activity, but usually involves collecting data for businesses to use in addressing their customer needs and preferences, or for looking for new products or suppliers for their existing customer base.
   • Consulting. Many businesses or individuals hire consultants to investigate issues of interest, whether in personnel or project management, property oversight, efficiency, or for decorating, shopping, even style and fashion.
   • Photography. Here is another freelance business which can offer lots of exciting opportunities. You can find a market for your work at news services, or individual customers like realtors, advertising firms, other print media, and even proud soccer moms if you get a shot of their child scoring a first goal.
2. Get to one of the freelance websites - https://www.TheFreelanceNation.com, getafreelancer, freelance, elance, etc, register, and bid for an applicable project.
3. Obtain the equipment you will need for your freelance business. If you plan to write, you probably can start with a reasonably dependable PC with a word processor and printer, which is a modest investment. For photography you will want to invest in quality equipment so that your product will be usable, and hence, salable.
4. Get an education that serves your needs in your choice of fields. If you plan to write, you will need a good, solid, grasp of grammar, spelling, and writing, so some college courses may be your best bet. For specialised work like IT (internet technology), the same applies, but many successful web designers are self taught!
5. Put the word out that you are interested in freelance work. You may have to obtain a business licence for some freelancing, especially in fields like home inspections, consulting, and photography, but it is hard to pin down the exact requirements here since they vary greatly between jurisdictions.
6. Schedule your time. This is often the most difficult thing for any home based employment or business, since you do not have a boss to answer to (unless it is your spouse). Decide on how many hours you intend to devote to your work, and then follow through. If you get a contract for a freelance job, set a timetable, and stick to it.
7. Give every project your very best! Your work, not the reputation of a company, is your strongest reference for future work. Never submit substandard writing projects, or incomplete material, it will only cause a potential customer to look elsewhere on their next project.

Tips

• Try to provide a demo of the project.

Warnings

• wikiHow does not pay for freelance work.