Become a Successful Freelancer in 2024: A Beginner’s Guide for Stay At Home Moms

When my kids were little, we couldn’t afford to send them to daycare. The price was too exorbitant and out of our budget.

It made more sense for me to stay at home with the kids.

I was grateful that my husband earned enough that we could live on a single income. But I still felt a nagging sensation that I should be contributing something towards our household expenditure.

Staying home all day with the kids changing diapers, cleaning and cooking was also starting to get to me. I wished I could do something that I loved, something that paid me a part time income and at the same time allowed me to stay at home with the kids.

That’s when I started searching for opportunities online and came across freelancing. Freelancing was my introduction to the concept of making money while sitting at home in my pjs.

I had no prior experience at the time and no special skills. But I went on to make thousands of dollars through freelance writing with nothing but my laptop, internet connection and a strong determination to make it work.

Sitting in Canada, I was able to work with some amazing small to medium sized companies located throughout the world including the US, UK and Australia.

That’s the thing with freelancing. It opens up so many doors and opportunities for you and allows you the freedom to decide what’s working for you and whats not.

IT FELT AWESOME.

If you’re a stay at home mom, work from home mom or anyone looking to make an extra income while being at home, I’d say freelancing is one of the BEST ways for you to get started.

Did you know that in 2020, over 57 million people in the U.S. were working as freelancers? And that number is expected to grow by another 10 million in the coming years.

Freelancers have been working remotely long before it was cool, spending their days at home in comfy clothes, sipping coffee while crafting content, or even traveling the world with just a laptop in hand.

Now you might be asking yourself:

• Do I have what it takes?
• Can I actually succeed as a freelancer?
• Could this be a realistic career for me?

Whether you’re looking to:

• Ditch your 9-5 job,
• Start a side-hustle for extra income, or
• Find more freedom to spend time with family without sacrificing your earnings,

Freelancing can give you the flexibility and balance you need, with endless opportunities for growth. And yes—there will be coffee, cozy pajamas, and working from anywhere.

What is a Freelancer?

A freelancer is someone who works independently, without being tied to a single employer. They have the freedom to choose the tasks they want to work on and set their own schedules, offering flexibility in how and where they work.

One major perk of freelancing is the ability to work from virtually anywhere in the world at your preferred pace.When you start freelancing, you become your own boss.

This comes with challenges like finding clients, managing payments, and keeping track of your workload—but it also means you get to choose:

• Who you work with,
• How much you get paid, and
• When and where you work.

How much can freelancers earn?

Freelance incomes vary greatly depending on the type of work and the skills required for specific tasks. Different jobs command different pay rates.

For instance, a full-time freelance proofreader might earn around $70,000 annually working from home, whereas a freelance Pinterest manager could make about $1,000 per month by working just a few hours each week.

According to CNBC, skilled freelancers can earn an average of $28 per hour, though actual earnings will depend on experience, job type, and workload.

The best part about freelancing? You don’t need experience to get started or pay any upfront fees.

You can simply sign up for free to make an account on a freelancing website and you’re ready to start!

What are the best freelancing websites?

1. Fiverr
2. Upwork
3. PeoplePerHour
4. Freelancer
5. Flexjobs
6. 99designs
7. Guru
8. Toptal

The two most popular and successful websites to kickstart your freelancing career are Fiverr and Upwork.

Fiverr is more well known for short term projects and is an ideal place to gets started as a beginner freelancer.

Today we’re going to deep dive into success on Fiverr.

Here is the step by step plan for you to succeed on this platform as a freelancer.

Step by Step Guide to Suceess on Fiverr

Step 1: Sign Up on Fiverr

To get started, go to the Fiverr website, click “Join” in the top right corner, and follow the registration steps.

Step 2: Create Your Seller Profile

After logging in, click on your profile image in the top right corner and select “Profile.” This is where you’ll set up your profile information:

• Photo: Use a professional photo of yourself. If not, an avatar resembling you is an alternative. Avoid generic images, as buyers often prefer seeing the face of the person they are working with.
• Description: Write a description about yourself and your experience. Make sure it focuses on how your skills will benefit your clients, not just about you. Review other freelancers in your niche for inspiration, but never copy their content.
• Skills & Credentials: Include your skills, education, and any certifications. You can also connect professional social media accounts, but only if they are work-related.
• Badges: You can earn badges by completing online courses (available for purchase) to showcase your expertise, though these are optional.

Step 3: Create a Gig

Now, it’s time to create your first gig. Follow these steps:

1. Gig Info: Gigs start with “I will…”. Be specific and focus on one service at a time, like “I will write your blog posts” instead of just “I will write your texts.” Use keywords clients are searching for by typing your skill into the Fiverr search bar to see popular terms.
2. Pricing: Fiverr offers three pricing tiers: Basic, Standard, and Premium. Check what competitors are charging and align your offerings similarly. Remember, your first gigs are more about earning reviews than making big profits. Start with lower rates until you gain experience and good reviews.
3. Gig Description & FAQs: Clearly describe why clients should hire you, what makes you qualified, and the details of your service. Make it easy to read using bullet points or lists. Include FAQs to preempt common questions and save time.
4. Requirements: Specify what information you need from the buyer to start the project, such as titles, logos, or raw materials. The more details, the better.
5. Gallery: Your gig cover image and gallery are critical. Use tools like Canva to create a clear, readable image. Also, include examples of your past work to build trust with potential buyers. If you’re just starting out, create sample projects to showcase your skills.

Once your gig is ready, click “Publish,” and you’re live!

Popular Fiverr Gig Ideas

If you’re unsure of what services to offer, consider these profitable categories:

1. Website Development
2. Content Writing
3. Graphic Design
4. Video Creation
5. Social Media and Influencer Marketing
6. Voice Overs
7. Translation
8. Online Tutoring
9. NFT Art

Fiverr Tips for Success

1. Promote Your Gigs: Share your gigs on social media or ask friends to help spread the word.
2. Use a Gallery Video: Add a video to your gig, even if it’s a simple slideshow. Videos often perform better in search results.
3. Be Specific: Clearly state what your gig includes to avoid confusion.
4. Experiment with Images: Try different images for your gigs to see which ones attract more clicks.
5. Respond Quickly: Use the Fiverr app to respond to messages quickly, as Fiverr is a fast-paced platform.
6. Start with Low Prices: Initially, focus on gaining reviews by offering lower rates.
7. Earn Badges: Consider enrolling in Fiverr courses to improve your skills and earn badges.
8. Upsell: Offer upsells like faster delivery or additional revisions to increase your earnings.
9. Be Grateful: Upon delivery, thank your buyer and express interest in working with them again.
10. Ask for Reviews: If a buyer doesn’t leave a review, politely request feedback, as reviews are vital for growth.

Fiverr Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility: You control your hours and workload.
• Beginner-Friendly: No formal qualifications are needed, just talent or passion for your niche.
• Easy Payments: Fiverr handles payment collection and ensures you get paid.

Cons:

• High Competition: It can be tough to stand out initially, so starting with low prices is often necessary.
• Commission: Fiverr takes 20% of your earnings per order.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to starting and succeeding as a freelancer on Fiverr!

The Road to Freelancing Success

Starting out as a freelancer might seem overwhelming, but it’s easier than you think. With time, you’ll build a solid client base, and once you start getting raving reviews, you’ll realize that you’re unstoppable.

Don’t let the myth that freelancers can’t make a living hold you back. With determination and persistence, you can achieve the freelancing career you’ve always dreamed of.