Best Freelance Platforms for Beginners and Earning on Them

You can work on freelance platforms even without experience. Let's start with what you need to do and share some ideas.
Ideally, freelance work looks like this: you choose a platform, apply for interesting projects, and get paid. In reality, it's a bit more complicated: you need to know how to find good jobs and stand out from other freelancers.
With the help of this article, you can learn:

• How to earn money as a freelancer?
• Which type of work is most effective.
• How it affects the cost of projects;
• What attracts clients;
• How to avoid mistakes?

Currently, there are numerous online professions that allow you to earn money on the internet. Moreover, you can work remotely. This means you no longer have to commute in crowded subways to an office or deal with snow on the streets. You can work from anywhere in the world and secure large online projects. Online work is not tied to geography. Courses such as "UX/UI Designer," "Internet Marketer," "SMM Specialist," "Direct Marketer," and "Web Developer" can help you acquire these online professional skills. Freelancers also have an advantage - it's a good starting point in the field, even if you're a beginner.
Here, we will tell you about freelance websites that can be useful for both aspiring freelancers and experienced professionals.

Best Freelance Platforms for Starting Your Career

A freelance platform may not be the main source of income for experienced professionals, but for beginners, large platforms are an excellent choice. They are not yet familiar with how the market works and what kind of work they can find in different fields.

FL.ru

To make the most of this freelance platform, upgrade to a PRO account, which automatically increases your rating by 20% and gives you access to premium projects.
The cost of a one-month subscription ranges from 1,849 to 2,549 rubles, depending on the specialization. With a three-month subscription, you get a 7% discount, and with an annual subscription, you get a 20% discount. PRO ensures that you will receive payment for projects only through the site's services, and without it, you won't be able to contact clients directly.
Currently, FL.ru has clients for various design, marketing, and programming tasks.

Weblancer.net

A Russian-language freelance platform that offers work in different areas, such as web design, photo editing, printing, website promotion, and more.
To start working on the Weblancer platform, you need to register, and you will receive 30 universal applications. If you need more, you will have to pay according to the pricing plan. Generally, the more specializations you choose, the more expensive it will be to use the platform.
On Weblancer, you can find the top best users as well as the top newcomers of the month.

Freelancehunt.com

Freelancehunt offers assignments related to design, programming, and copywriting. The undeniable advantage is that you can work on Freelancehunt for free without any additional expenses. The platform's commission for work is included in the project's cost.
Freelancehunt collaborates with major global brands.

Work-zilla.com

There is another freelance platform for beginners with a payment guarantee and the option to resolve disputes by involving customer support in case of problems with clients or payment-related issues when the client is unresponsive.
Here, you can find tasks for any level of expertise. Currently, a subscription fee is required.
On Work-zilla, you will need to take a simple test and, after paying the subscription fee, you can start working.

Freelance.ru

Freelance.ru stands out from other similar websites because it grew from a forum for freelancers. On this site, you can find useful advice for beginners, and you can also ask for advice from more experienced colleagues.
In this regard, the platform is very convenient for designers and programmers, as the opportunities for projects in these fields are not limited. If desired, you can purchase a paid subscription.
Here, you can find contests for newcomers. Freelance.ru is an excellent opportunity for you to practice working on real tasks and improve your skills. If your solution is accepted by the client, you will receive a fee.

Freelancejob.ru

The oldest freelance platform in the Russian-speaking Internet is Freelancejob.ru. Here, you can submit an application and try to be listed in the directory of specialists. This approach attracts increased attention from clients. Otherwise, the platform is similar to the ones mentioned earlier.

Freelancer

This popular international freelance platform has a user-friendly interface and more for earning money. Upon login, it immediately asks for your payment information, which can be a bit unsettling, but it is for card verification purposes for receiving payments. Freelancer is a conditionally free platform: you can submit up to three free bids per day, and for additional bids, you will need to pay.
Freelancer provides the opportunity to work with international companies.

Upwork

This platform is for those who want to try their hand at working with foreign clients. You can use Upwork for free, but it is better to pay for an account. This way, your profile will be visible to clients for service requests, or you can see competitors' offers to propose more favorable conditions.
You can work on Upwork from anywhere in the world.

How to Make Money as a Freelancer?

Most freelancers are attracted to the flexible schedule and the opportunity to choose the type of work they want to do. However, many beginners are afraid to leave their offices due to the fear of not finding clients and being left without money.
In the beginning, freelancers can combine their remote work with their main job. This way, you will be tired, but you won't have to worry about not being able to pay your rent. Once you have stable clients and income, you can consider transitioning to full-time freelancing.
It's important to start with simple and low-paying projects to build up your client ratings. The more reviews you have and the better your portfolio is, the higher the chances of getting more complex and higher-paying projects. Initially, it's crucial to focus on building your reputation and establishing yourself as a reliable freelancer who meets deadlines.
As you gain confidence, start looking for higher-paying assignments. At the initial stage, be selective in choosing projects: sometimes several smaller jobs can bring in more money in a short period than one large-scale project.
In addition to freelance platforms for beginners, it's worth utilizing other methods to find clients, such as networking and social media. In most cases, significant projects are obtained directly from clients or through word-of-mouth recommendations.

Smart Strategies for Freelancing

Choose a specialization: It will be much more challenging to earn money if you try to do website development, logo design, and icon animation all at the same time. It's important to focus on one area to develop your skills effectively.
After analyzing freelance platforms and the projects available, select 3-5 that are most suitable for you. Then, complete your profile. You need to showcase your skills and abilities. If you are a freelancer, think about what sets you apart from other freelancers.
Never submit applications without a cover letter. Show the client that you are familiar with the project and can deliver high-quality work.
It's also essential to carefully review the projects you are applying for. Understand what needs to be done and evaluate if you can handle the task successfully.

How to Organize Remote Work?

First, you need to determine how much money you need for a comfortable life, and then consider the number of projects you can handle. If you manage to quickly reach your desired income level, it's time to set new goals and increase your hourly rate. If you're unable to earn a decent income, it's worth reflecting on how to improve your shortcomings.
Freelancers often face challenges in time management. If you realize that you're running out of time and your work is at a standstill, it's important to think about how to increase your efficiency.
The goal of every freelancer is to work less and earn more. It's better to spend a small portion of your time searching for new projects and clients, gaining new experience, acquiring new knowledge, or working on your personal projects.

Can You Influence a Client's Decision to Work with You?

When several people are involved in a project, it's crucial to stand out and make yourself known. When you lack experience and hundreds of reviews, you can make an impression through personal communication.
Submit your job application and present your ideas—interest in the work always captivates clients. Often, you can offer clients an additional bonus. For example, if it's a website design project, you can offer a free logo or email newsletter design.
If you're willing, you can find the client's contact information. Initiate a conversation to discuss project details and then convince the client that you're the best candidate for the job.

Common Mistakes Made by Beginner Freelancers

Many freelancers make the same mistakes. Here's how to avoid common problems.

1. Adequately Assessing Your Abilities

If you're unsure how to complete a project, it's important to politely decline it. If you take on a task you can't handle, it could damage your reputation. Before submitting proposals, be able to assess your capabilities and avoid taking on every single job.

2. Exhausting Yourself for Earnings

After overcoming initial freelancer challenges and building a client base, beginners often work excessively. This can lead to health problems, burnout, and hinder skill development.

3. Lack of Education

Typically, freelancers start without any specialized knowledge and begin with simpler tasks. If you don't find a specialization and fail to improve in it, you may end up with primarily small and often mundane projects.

4. Lack of Planning

Create a detailed action plan to always know where you're heading and how to respond in different situations. Consider the income level you aim for, how many hours you're willing to work, and the channels you'll use to attract clients.

5. Lack of Clear Financial Tracking

In freelancing, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your financial needs and earnings. Otherwise, there's a risk of running out of money, even if your monthly revenue exceeds your expectations.

6. Complete Lack of Office Work

The idea of working in an office again scares most freelancers. However, if you've decided to venture into a new field, it wouldn't hurt to gain experience by working for a company in that industry. It's an opportunity to learn and tackle various tasks under the guidance of a director before transitioning to freelancing.

What Beginner Freelancers Need to Know

This simple guide will help you start working as a freelancer, organize your workflow, and deliver high-quality results.

1. Less is More: Start by taking on an amount of work that you can confidently complete on time. In the beginning, it's better to focus on being a responsible executor rather than earning a lot of money, as this will lead to larger projects in the future.
2. Meet Deadlines: If you have a habit of procrastinating, it's important to work on yourself and manage your time effectively. Procrastination doesn't yield positive results. If you realize that you won't be able to meet a deadline, inform the client in advance and try to find a solution. Clients often have flexible deadlines and can accommodate delays, but failing to communicate about a missed deadline can have negative consequences.
3. Request Upfront Payment: Work through secure transactions, which are available on most freelance platforms. This way, you can ensure that you receive payment for your work, and in case of disputes, always reach out to the platform administrators. Alternatively, you can request upfront payment for your services.
4. Consider Increasing Your Income: Don't limit yourself to established methods; allocate time for experimentation and testing new ways to attract clients. There are always alternative approaches to finding clients.
5. Avoid Questionable Clients: If you realize that a client is difficult to work with, it's better to decline the project and forgo the money. Otherwise, you may end up spending much more time and effort resolving issues and making numerous revisions.
6. Put Effort into Building Your Portfolio: A high-quality portfolio will help you stand out from other professionals and showcase your capabilities.