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Did you know there are currently over 57 million freelancers in the United States? And that Freelancer.com, one of the largest freelancing platforms in the world, boasts over 52 million registered users? Yet, surprisingly, many people don’t know much about it.
As someone who has worked as a freelancer for many years—and who has spent over $100,000 hiring freelancers in the last three to five years—I’ve gained a lot of insights about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to freelancing. So today, I want to share a comprehensive beginner’s guide on how you can start making money using Freelancer.com.
Whether you’re a total newbie or even a seasoned freelancer, I believe this guide will give you fresh perspectives and actionable tips to grow your freelancing career.
Why Freelancing is a Smart Move Right Now
Before diving into the “how,” it’s worth understanding why freelancing is such an attractive option. Freelancing sits in a sweet spot between being a traditional employee and owning a full-fledged business. It offers flexibility, the chance to be your own boss, and an opportunity to monetize your unique skills.
In fact, I recently posted a poll on my YouTube channel, asking viewers if they were interested in freelancing. A whopping 75% said yes, and about 60% said they either had started or were interested in starting a business. Freelancing is the stepping stone that many take on their way to entrepreneurship.
1. Avoid Competing on Price with Low Cost-of-Living Countries
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to compete on jobs where freelancers from countries with a much lower cost of living dominate the market.
Here’s the reality: if you’re in the U.S. making $10 an hour, you’re barely scraping by. But $10 an hour in places like India, the Philippines, or Armenia can be a fortune, giving those freelancers a huge competitive edge.
So, what’s the solution? Focus on jobs that only people from your country can realistically do well.
For example, tasks that require excellent English, cultural nuances, and negotiation skills often demand native-level fluency and understanding.
I’m planning to hire someone soon for link-building outreach for my blog. This job requires reaching out to big websites and negotiating backlinks. It’s subtle and cultural — a tiny mistake in phrasing an email could get ignored instantly. If you don’t have a strong grasp of local cultural nuances, it’s extremely difficult to succeed.
Bottom line: don’t compete on purely price-sensitive gigs with freelancers in low-cost countries. Look for jobs where your location, language, or cultural expertise gives you an edge.
2. Do Jobs Only People from Your Background Can Do
Next, leverage your unique background, skills, and experiences.
Start by taking an inventory of everything you’re naturally talented at, what you enjoy, and what you’ve already accomplished. For example, if you’re an accountant, you could tutor CPA exam candidates or help people craft strong resumes tailored for accounting roles.
These kinds of gigs give you a competitive advantage because most people don’t have your specialized knowledge.
Even if it’s something niche like “being really good at a certain video game,” write it down. You might be able to monetize that in ways you haven’t thought of yet.
3. Use Skills You Already Have to Start Quickly
If you’re trying to make quick money, avoid jobs that require you to learn brand-new complex skills, like a programming language or advanced software.
Instead, stick to what you already know. You’ll still learn new things as you go, but having a solid base will help you start faster and deliver better work from the beginning.
4. Consider Digital Marketing — It’s a Goldmine
Digital marketing is one of the hottest freelancing skills out there right now.
Many of my channel viewers have landed jobs or freelance gigs in digital marketing after taking a free master class I recommend. Skills like SEO, content writing, social media management, and especially link-building outreach are highly sought after.
If you want to test the waters, check out free online courses and masterclasses to get started on digital marketing — it’s a skill set that can open tons of doors.
5. Outsource Strategically to Lower Cost Countries
Here’s a more advanced tip: some freelancers make millions by outsourcing parts of their work to people in low-cost countries, then doing the critical final 10% themselves.
For example, my friend runs a thriving instructional design business. Instructional design is creating interactive educational content, often requiring cultural nuance and high-level English skills.
He outsources about 90% of the work to freelancers overseas but handles the finishing touches himself.
If you develop skills in the “middle ground” — not easily outsourced, but partially so — you can build a business model around training and managing a remote team.
6. Hire Local Freelancers When Necessary
For some high-ticket or very sensitive services, you might want to hire local freelancers instead of outsourcing overseas.
The U.S. has a high cost of living, so you’ll pay more. But if the job requires precise cultural knowledge or close client interaction, paying that premium makes sense.
7. Sign Up on Multiple Freelancing Sites for Ideas
Freelancer.com isn’t the only game in town. Sign up for Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com, and others.
Observe what skills are in demand and where the competition is low.
For example, if you see a lot of freelancers thriving in a skill on Upwork but almost none on Freelancer.com, that could be your opportunity.
8. Become an Affiliate for Freelancer.com
Finally, don’t overlook affiliate marketing as a way to make money with Freelancer.com.
With millions of people interested in freelancing, promoting platforms as an affiliate can bring you steady income. If I ever sign up as an affiliate, I’ll share the link for you to benefit from it too.
Wrapping Up: Your Path to Freelancing Success
To recap:
- Avoid competing purely on price.
- Leverage your unique skills and background.
- Use what you already know to start quickly.
- Explore digital marketing opportunities.
- Consider outsourcing and team management.
- Hire locally when appropriate.
- Scout multiple freelancing platforms.
- Consider affiliate marketing for passive income.
Freelancing can be your bridge to financial freedom and entrepreneurship if you approach it strategically.
If you want to dig deeper, I also recommend checking out interviews and success stories from freelancers who’ve made it big. For instance, I recently interviewed a 16-year-old who landed a $40,000/year digital marketing job—proof that with the right skills and mindset, anything’s possible.
If you found this helpful, be sure to share it with friends or on your social media — and if you’re ready to start, just dive in and take that first step.