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Starting my business at 19 was both exciting and (to my surprise) overwhelming.

I started out as a virtual assistant and took on some freelance work, even though I had very little experience at first.

I had no clue how hard it would be!

I had to learn things as I went, such as how to market myself, work with clients, and learn new skills.

Now, after putting in a whole lot of hard work, I feel confident in what I do and proud of how far I’ve come.

How to Start Freelancing as a Beginner

That being said, there are so many things I could have learned much faster if I had just known where to look.

I figured things out a lot through trial and error, but looking back, I realize I could have saved myself a lot of time and stress if I had a simple guide on getting started.

That’s exactly why I’m writing this! So you don’t have to take the long way like I did.

Let's get to it!

Choosing Your Freelance Services

One of the biggest mistakes new freelancers make is offering too many services or being unclear about what they actually do.

When you’re just starting, it’s tempting to say “I’ll do anything,” but that makes it harder to find the right clients.

That's why I would suggest choosing a specific service (or a couple of related services) that you can focus on.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some ideas to get you going:

• Virtual Assistance. Helping business owners with admin tasks like email management, scheduling, and research.

• Content Writing. Writing things like blog posts or website copy.

• Social Media Management. Creating posts, managing engagement, and planning content for platforms like Instagram or Pinterest.

• Graphic Design. Designing social media graphics, presentations, or branding materials using Canva or Adobe.

• Data Entry. Organizing and entering data into spreadsheets or databases.

• Transcription. Converting audio into text for businesses or podcasters.

If you already have some skills in a particular area, focus on that. But if you’re starting from zero, pick something that interests you and start learning as you go.

Building Your Skills (Even If You Have No Experience)

Thankfully you don’t need years of experience to start freelancing, but you do need to feel confident in your results.

If you’re completely new to the service you've chosen, spend some time learning the basics before trying to find clients.

How to Quickly Build Your Skills:

• Take Free or Affordable Courses. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare have beginner courses in almost every freelancing skill.

• Practice. If you want to be a graphic designer, try creating designs for a fake brand. If you want to get into social media management, practice making content for your own Instagram.

• Offer Free or Discounted Work. You can offer a free or low-cost project to a friend, small business owner, or nonprofit to gain experience and testimonials. This is a little tricky though as you don't want to make this into a habit (make sure you don't continuously sell yourself short).

• Learn by Doing. A lot of what you need to know (like communicating with clients or managing projects) comes from experience, so don’t be afraid to start even if you don’t feel “ready.”

Setting Up Your Freelance Business

At this point, you should have chosen your services and built your skills, so it’s time to set up your freelancing business.

You don’t need to overcomplicate things! Keep it simple when you're starting out.

Here's what you'll need:

1. A Portfolio. Even if you don’t have client work yet, you can create a portfolio with sample projects that show what you can do. You can make one using Canva, Notion, or a simple website.

2. A Professional Email. Set up an email like yourname@gmail.com or use a domain-based email if you want to come across as more professional. For example, my business email is hello@umbrellavs.com and you are welcome to reach out if you have any questions!

3. Social Media Profiles. If you want to use social media for networking, update your LinkedIn or create an Instagram account where you can share specific information about your services.

4. Pricing Strategy. Decide on your starting rates. Beginners often undercharge, but research the average rates for your service and set a fair price that reflects your time and effort.

5. Payment Setup. Have a way to get paid, like PayPal, Stripe, or Wise. If you’re working internationally, make sure you know how to receive payments from different countries.

Finding Clients (Even Without Experience)

This is the part where I see most beginners struggle.

Finding your first clients can feel intimidating, but it absolutely doesn’t have to be!

You don’t need to wait until you feel ready, just start putting yourself out there.

Here's how to find your first clients:

1. Use Your Existing Network

Tell people you know that you’re offering freelance services.

Friends, family, or past colleagues might need your help.

And even if they don’t, they might refer you to someone who does.

2. Apply on Freelance Platforms

Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and Freelancer are great for beginners.

It can take time to get your first client, but be patient and keep applying.

Focus on writing strong proposals that show how you can help the client rather than just talking about yourself.

3. Cold Pitching

If you have a specific type of client in mind (like small business owners, bloggers, or coaches), reach out to them directly.

Send a friendly email introducing yourself, explaining how your services can help them, and offering a small free audit or consultation.

Example cold pitch:
"Hi [Client's Name], I love what you’re doing with [Their Business]. I noticed [a specific thing you could help improve], and I’d love to help you with that! I offer [your service] and have experience working on similar projects. Would you be open to a quick chat to see if I can support you?"

4. Join Facebook Groups & Online Communities

There are tons of groups where business owners look for freelancers.

Search for Facebook groups related to your niche and check for job postings.

5. Optimize Your Social Media

If you’re using something like LinkedIn or Instagram, start posting content about your service.

Share tips, showcase past work, post relatable information, and make it clear how people can hire you.

Growing Your Freelance Business

Once you land your first few clients, your next focus should be building a steady income. Here’s how:

• Ask for Referrals. Happy clients are likely to recommend you if you ask.

• Raise Your Prices Over Time. As you gain experience, start increasing your rates to reflect your value.

• Keep Learning & Improving. Stay updated on trends and continue growing your skills.

How to Overcome the "Fear"

Starting as a freelancer with no experience might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s absolutely possible.

I was in your position not too long ago, figuring things out as I went.

The thing is to just start. Don’t wait until you feel perfectly ready, because that day may never come.

You’ll learn as you go, make mistakes, and become more confident along the way.

Before you know it, you’ll be working with clients, earning money from your skills, and building a business that gives you freedom and flexibility.

If I could do it at 19 with no experience, so can you! I’m cheering for you, so get out there and start freelancing.

Are You Ready to Become a Successful Freelancer?

Thanks for reading this far!

If you want to chat about anything I mentioned in this blog post, I'd love it if you sent me an email at hello@umbrellavs.com!

See you soon!

Isabella