Freelancing can be a flexible and rewarding way to earn an income on your own terms – whether you’re looking to make a bit of extra cash or build a full-time business. But with so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or waste time on the wrong approach.
Know or develop your expertise
Before you can make money freelancing, you need a skill that others are willing to pay for. That might be something you already do in your day job, such as writing, design, admin, or coding, or a hobby you’ve built up to a professional level. Focusing on a specific area can make you more competitive.
If you’re still developing your expertise, you might want to look into low-cost ways to expand your knowledge – perhaps through YouTube tutorials and platforms like Skillshare, Coursera, and Linkedin Learning. Having a higher level of expertise can command higher rates and attract more clients, so it could make it a more lucrative option in the long run.
Create a profile to share
Next, you want to create a freelance profile that you can share with prospective clients. This could be on freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, but you might also want to create your own business website to highlight your professional skills and experience. Include a short intro, an explanation of your services, samples of your work (mocks if you don’t have any yet), and a clear call to action (such as your contact details).
In addition, it’s well worth utilising social media platforms such as X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to plug your new business and showcase some of your work. If you already have personal accounts, think about setting up business ones as this will look more professional.
Find clients
Platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr can help connect you with clients seeking your skills, but it’s also sensible to reach out to your existing contacts and engage with potential clients via social media. You could even ask neighbours or friends if they know of anyone who might need support or try pitching to small businesses or publications that might benefit from your service.
Explain exactly what services you’re offering and why clients should hire you for the job.
Network accordingly
It can also pay to get out there and network. Some freelance jobs aren’t advertised publicly and come through recommendations, referrals or someone remembering your name.
As well as contacting people on social network sites on LinkedIn, you could join relevant community groups and forums online – these might include potential clients or other freelancers you can swap work with.
Also keep an eye out for events in your particular industry that you could attend in person – whether that’s online or locally. Look for webinars and industry conferences, for instance.
Learn how to close deals and keep clients
Winning work is one thing, but you need to know how to keep it and turn it into a steady income to build a sustainable freelance career. That means knowing how to pitch your services, land the job, and make clients want to work with you again.
When contacting clients, keep things simple by explaining what you’ll do, how much it will cost and how long it will take. Agree upfront the scope of work, timeline, number of revisions and payment terms and always respond to emails and phone calls promptly.
Remember that you ideally want repeat business, so always deliver on time, be reliable and easy to work with and suggest new ways you can help, without being pushy.
Know when to raise rates
When you’re just starting out, you’ll likely want to keep your rates low and competitive. But as you build a client base and your experience grows, you can start thinking about raising your rates.
Of course, this is much easier for new clients as you simply quote your new rate when you first make contact.
It can be much more challenging for existing clients, but you can still give it a go. Make sure you provide at least 30 days’ notice, explaining clearly and professionally what’s behind your decision. For example, it might be because your own expenses have increased, or it might be to reflect the results you’ve achieved and demand for your time.
Just keep in mind that raising rates won’t always be possible. In this situation, you might want to focus on working smarter, selling more to existing clients or reaching out to better paying ones.
Bottom line
There are lots of benefits to starting a freelancing business and it can be a flexible and rewarding way to earn some extra cash. However, it’s not a quick win. To make money consistently, you need to know how to position yourself, gain clients and deliver value. This can be done by building strong relationships, working to the best of your ability and pricing work fairly.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you earn more than £1,000 a year, you need to register with HMRC as self-employed. You can do this online and must register by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you started.
For the 2025/26 tax year, you can earn up to £1,000 in freelance income tax-free under the trading allowance. If you earn more than this, you’ll need to complete a Self Assessment tax return. However, your total income (including freelance earnings and other income) is only taxed above your personal allowance of £12,570.
This depends on the type of work you’re doing. In many cases, it’s worth taking out professional indemnity insurance as this protects you in the event a client claims your work is faulty or caused a financial loss. If clients come to your home, you might also want to have public liability insurance as this pays out if a client is injured or their property is damaged while visiting you.
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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by
Matt McKenna
as part of our
fact-checking process.
Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time.
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