How to Make Money as a Freelancer

There are numerous options when it comes to making money as a freelancer. Most interested parties or people jump on trains that are already moving and toy with the idea of ​​opening an online shop, for example, or using affiliate marketing on the Internet to increase their income online. 

However, there are many more ways to become a freelancer online. Because it is often the unknown industries that still allow many earning opportunities and high fees.

In this post, we have highlighted industries and jobs that are ideal for freelancing and the check best freelancing websites for job.

Before going further let understand what is exactly freelancing and how to get started freelancing work.

Definition of Freelancer

Freelancers are not directly employed by a company but receive work orders from various companies or clients. 

Primarily, it is therefore in freelancers to freelancers, which are used for example during a project or assist a company in specific tasks and challenges.

Here are some of the factors especially significant for work as a freelancer:

  • Freelancers are self-employed.
  • Orders are received from different companies or clients.
  • No integration into the company, no authority to issue instructions from the client.
  • Usually free division of working time and place.
  • Freelancers do not receive a fixed, regular salary. They are paid on a fee basis, lump sum, or by the hour.

The freelance work includes independent scientific, artistic, literary, teaching, or educational work, the independent work of doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, notaries, patent attorneys, surveyors, engineers, architects, commercial chemists, auditors, tax advisors, advisory people. and business economists, sworn accountants, tax agents, naturopaths, dentists, physiotherapists, journalists, photo reporters, interpreters, translators, pilots, and similar professions.

While a freelancer is limited to the above group of professions, a freelancer can work in other jobs as well. Must have Work Plan while starting a freelancer job.

There are also tax differences. There is no trade tax for freelancers, while freelancers are subject to trade tax applicable to the county income tax law.

10 popular freelancing jobs to make money as a freelancer

Do you have the right skills to succeed as a freelancer? If yes, read on to discover our list of the most sought-after freelance jobs right now.

There are 53 million freelancers in the US and the number is growing. In the UK, 1.4 million people work as freelancers in all industries. 

In addition, 7% of the adult workforce in Europe – 11 million people – are currently self-employed. 

Since so many freelancers earn their living in the so-called “gig economy”, there is a very high demand for qualified freelancers with very specific skills. 

But which skills are these and which freelance jobs are currently in particularly high demand?

The most sought-after freelance skills

Our list of hugely lucrative freelance skills can help you win the next breakthrough project. 

If you fit into one of these profiles, then congratulations – you are probably already interesting for many customers. 

What if your skills are not mentioned? Don’t worry, there are thousands of freelance jobs out there that are great opportunities.

1. General Virtual Assistant

The first one that we recommend is General Virtual Assistant. You can always see job openings for this. You may Become a Virtual Assistant with No experience quickly.

What’re general virtual assistants do? Technically, you’re helping the client’s with everything in their business.

For example, if you are an assistant of a CEO or vice president abroad, you’ll manage his email, calendar, so if he has a meeting, you will message him.

Anything that they need for their business. They can also ask you to book flights for them or book a hotel.

This is usually a full-time position, 8 hours a day 5 times a week. When it comes to skills and software needed, you just need the basics like Skype or Google Docs.

2. Lead Generation

It is a sales freelancing job and easily available. Lead generation is generating sales for your clients.

In sales or lead generation, there will be a voice task involved, it can be calling clients abroad or potential buyers.

Cold calling means unsolicited call, wherein you randomly call potential clients of your client.

Inbound is answering calls from returning customers or those inquiring on your clients.

Real Estate clients categorize job posting as sales/lead generation because you will be calling their own leads. Ads and SEO can fall under lead generation too.

Lead generation is where you are looking for more clients for your own client. The way you find those sales is called lead generation. Also, click funnels, just study those.

I heard a few things they are using are Mojo, Dialer, SKype Just invest on a good headset.

3. Social Media Management

The next freelancing job you can do is Media Management. Those who are starting their business abroad usually make a social media account such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter to reach viewers or customers.

The task of a social media manager is for posting of products on Social Media daily or maybe quote or promo of the day In Instagram etc. It can be graphics, or about the company, or just random.

Another task is answering comments or messages sometimes. You will make the graphic yourself then post it.

It all depends on the client What skills do they need to be a social media manager? You should be familiar with social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

You will also use post scheduler. One is Hootsuite, It is free to register for three accounts. You can also search how to use Hootsuite or to be a social media manager.

4. Customer service

Another freelancing job is customer service, and you can start working online. This is a broad one skill.

By the way, works here can overlap with the other works. You can be a social media manager but also the General Virtual Assistant and Customer service of one client.

Depends on what the clients need. What is customer service? Clients abroad hire customer service for their sales tasks.

For example, client is a seller in Amazon, means they have customers or if client has a coaching business, they have customers that they are coaching.

Customer service task will answer customer’s questions for the client. That can be an inquiry, complaints, or questions about the product.

Sometimes, customers who are following up on their order status. That’s a customer service job. Answering customer inquiries.

It depends to the client on how you will answer customer inquiries. This can be via email, Skype, Facebook. It can be for follow ups or where their orders are.

The software you need to use here depends on the client Maybe Skype, Google Sheets, or Docs. Some client requires Groove HQ. You can read a little about that.

5. Micro jobs / mini jobs:

Micro jobs and mini-jobs simply describe the possibility of making money with small, simple jobs. The most common form would be the online version. 

Previous knowledge is not necessary, but it would not be impractical. Furthermore, it is about jobs that others do not want to do because, colloquially, it is too stupid for them or they don’t have time for it.

When looking at online mini jobs, there are several small jobs that one can do.

Survey

For example, you create paid surveys. Just what is it. It is actually nothing more than creating surveys and sending them on via email, i.e. online, the replacement model for telephone surveys. 

You get paid in that you no longer receive annoying telephone surveys, but fill out the online survey. 

For each completed survey, 1-6 euros will be paid out. In order to be paid for it, you need to register with market research institutes such as GFK or Hiving. 

In summary, you need internet access and your own email address for an online mini job at a market research institute. The earnings are equivalent to the low workload and amount to 50-100 euros per month.

Mini Job – Product Tester

Another way to earn income as an online mini jobber would be product testers. You receive free products and are allowed to give your opinion and then keep it. 

However, this is not to be equated with the normal product tester, since it is more about low-quality products that you don’t really need in everyday life. In the end, it’s a job as an app and a website tester. 

The only prerequisite for this would be an internet-enabled device and basic knowledge of computer/smartphone operation. 

The rather medium workload (no precise information) is endowed with an average payment of 50 euros per month. 

In addition, some companies, for example, Testcloud, Testbirds, and Crowdsell, Specialized in this and pay a fixed amount of 15 euros per test plus bonus contributions for errors and bugs found on websites or apps. 

Registration is free and you can start immediately after registering.

Another example of mini-jobs would be entering the opening times of all shops, shopping centers, doctors and authorities in the area in the opening times book. 

You get 5 cents per entry, although that doesn’t sound like a lot at first, you should always remember that small cattle also make crap.

On the whole, it can be said that mini-jobs / micro-jobs are a nice, small income opportunity, but you shouldn’t go into it full-time as long as you don’t do 20 mini-jobs at once.

6. Developer (coder, programmer)

Programming is one of the most sought-after activities in the world. In today’s digital world, every company, organization and creative project needs a meaningful online presence. Whether this is accomplished with an app or a website, someone has to create it.

Much like marketers, freelance developers often specialize in different areas of development, depending on their experience. 

There are front-end developers who turn pure code into a graphical user interface, and back-end developers who focus on databases, scripting and architecture. 

To be successful as a freelance developer, you need to be familiar with the most popular programming languages ​​like Java, Ruby, JavaScript, and many others.

7. Graphic artist

The creative design is a particularly lucrative field of work that can include projects such as the conception of print advertising material or the design of logos or websites. 

Seasoned graphic designers often have more work than they can handle, but there is a catch. To be successful as a freelance graphic designer, you need an extensive portfolio. 

This is a great way to show your potential clients what kind of work (and quality) you can do. A graphics portfolio will evolve over time. 

Therefore, it is important that you stay up to date on industry trends, learn new tricks and continuously develop your skills.

8. Author or copywriter

Writing remains one of the most popular jobs in the gig economy. Since modern marketing is all about content (content is king), companies have large budgets for creating quality articles, blog posts, guides, press releases, and other written content.

To become a freelance copywriter, you must have excellent writing skills, excellent grammar, and a talent for storytelling.

9. Marketing expert

Working as a freelance marketer can encompass many different aspects – from running Facebook ad campaigns to redesigning a client’s entire website. 

There is a huge and thriving community of freelance marketers, strategists, and consultants. What do they all have in common? Right, digital competence.

As the marketing disciplines in B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) are increasingly converging, marketing experts need to develop, implement and optimize digital strategies that cover every point of contact in the course of the customer journey. 

That means they need to have a solid understanding of the digital basics, including SEO, data analysis, user experience, conversion best practices, email marketing, and more. 

The variety and diversity of skills required in marketing drives the demand for all types of marketing personnel in a wide variety of industries. There is enough work for everyone!

10. Translator

Localized content is one of the most effective marketing methods for publishers, advertising agencies, and global companies. 

In some countries and cultures, they can also be the only way to get in touch with potential customers. This is where freelance translators come in. 

Professional translators not only master their working languages, but also have academic or professional experience in their respective specialist areas. 

If you want to work as a freelance translator, you should make use of your strengths and take on translation assignments that have to do with your professional background.

11. Video editor

To be successful as a freelance video producer, you need to impress your clients with excellent filming and editing skills. 

With a few years of work experience in the field, the right software and equipment, and a solid project portfolio, it will be much easier to compete in this growing market.

12. Tax Advisor

Which freelance jobs can a tax advisor take on? You would be surprised how high the demand for good tax advisors and accountants is. 

With an eye for details, well-founded specialist knowledge, commercial thinking and a good knowledge of tax laws, the market for small and medium-sized companies can be effectively opened up. 

Also, keep in mind that other freelancers need help with accounting too!

13. Human resource manager

For any growing (or established) business, human resource management is an essential part of doing business. 

You can also do these freelance jobs either from your own office or directly with the customer. To be hired as a freelance HR manager, you need experience in a similar position. 

Hence, this is not a suitable activity for an absolute newbie.

14. SEO expert

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are a big deal in the digital world. 

These disciplines are among the most popular freelance jobs and require a number of skills, including knowledge of link building, Google algorithms, longtail search terms, panda effect and much more. 

Sounds fascinating? Then this could be the right job for you!

15. PR or branding

As a freelance brand communication expert, you won’t be short of work. 

This huge and diverse field of activity includes projects such as product launches, brand awareness campaigns, brand activation, native advertising and much more. 

To be successful, you must have experience in storytelling and editing, as well as strong visual skills.

As you can see, there are opportunities for freelancers in a number of professions and industries – and these are just a few. 

If your skills are not on our list, don’t worry – there are over 9 million freelancers in Europe alone with a wide variety of jobs. Start with a little research to make sure your skills are in demand in the market. 

You can do this by browsing job boards and talking to others in your industry. When you are then clear about the opportunities for freelancers in your industry, you can plan the start of your freelance career.

Earning money as a freelancer – five exciting industries

 

16. Make money as a photographer

You will be most successful as a freelancer when you do exactly what you love. Do you like to go with your camera and take photos? 

Do you always have ideas for illustrated books in your head that won’t let you go? Then try yourself as a photographer and present your customers first-class, unusual and exciting motifs. 

For high-quality pictures, there are numerous websites on the Internet where you can log in and then post your photos. Images are always sought. 

If you offer interesting, unusual and rare motifs, you will also find the appropriate buyers. You can then earn money as a freelancer with your own photos.

The advantage of work is that your time is completely free. Of course, this does not apply if you offer orders for photo shoots. 

If you are to photograph a wedding or another celebration, for example, you are of course bound by times. But you can decide freely about these assignments. 

Sell Your Photo

Never offer yourself below value, because only through your creativity and competence do good pictures arise and you should get paid for this work accordingly.

For example, these platforms are suitable for selling your images:

  • Stock.Adobe.com (where you can sell cell phone photos as well as professional photos)
  • wildstock.de (specializing in photos in the areas of hunting and nature)
  • shutterstock.de (large photo agency with various subject areas)

The registration is quick and uncomplicated, you only need a profile, then your photos can be uploaded and offered for sale . 

Incidentally, this does not only apply to professional pictures that you have taken with an expensive camera and then possibly edited afterwards. 

Many users are also looking for snapshots that were taken with their smartphone. 

They usually have the advantage that they appear much more natural than “arranged” photos. So you could earn money as a freelancer, but you don’t need any training or long preparation.

17. Make money as a writer

Writing is also a promising activity that can make money as a freelancer. Sit down and start writing! 

Your works can then be submitted as a book or e-book to a classic publisher, for example . Or at a so-called self-publisher, where you publish your book almost entirely yourself. 

You will only receive support when you want it. The publication of a book or e-book is also significantly cheaper with such a publisher than with the well-known publishing houses. 

In addition, you just have to register and don’t wait to see whether your script is accepted at all.

These publishers are suitable, for example, to earn money as a freelancer:

  • tredition.de
  • bod.de
  • epubli.de

Another way to work as a freelancer is to write order texts for customers. For example advertising or product texts . 

Such jobs are mainly to be found in advertising or marketing agencies that outsource various activities and hire freelancers for this. 

However, you should only work as an author in your free time. So you have the security of a regular income. 

Only when your freelance business has started well, i.e. you can definitely earn money as a freelancer, is another job no longer necessary.

18. Make money with trades

Trading on the stock exchange is too risky for many because it is difficult or impossible to predict developments on the markets. 

But if you have a knack for dealing with stocks , funds, ETFs or bonds, then give yourself a try as a so-called trader. 

Because with the right preparation and small steps, it is also possible there to earn money as a freelancer.

Before you start, however, you should inform yourself about the global financial markets and the areas that are relevant to you. 

Only if you understand the function of the markets can you successfully invest money and increase it as a trader, and only then can you earn money as a freelancer. 

There are also special trading platforms for this, on which certain sums of money can be deposited and then bet on rising or falling prices. 

This type of trading is called “binary options”. Over time you will get a good feel for it.

These trader platforms are suitable for entry, for example:

  • activetrades.com
  • iq.com
  • plus500.de

If you decide to work as a trader and earn money there as a freelancer, you should first only invest money that you do not need. 

The risk of losing the funds invested is of course higher, especially at the beginning. Therefore, it is better not to use money that you actually need for other things, such as rent, insurance or fixed costs. 

This way, initial losses are not so serious and you do not get into financial distress.

19. Make money as a translator

There are people who are incredibly gifted with languages ​​and can learn a foreign language in a very short time. 

Are you one of those people who are fluent in English, French, or Spanish? Do you even speak rarely used languages ​​like Mandarin or Japanese? 

hen just start your own business as a translator to earn money as a freelancer in this industry.  

The ideal preparation for this is an internship in a translation agency or a state or municipal authority. As part of such an internship, you will then learn all the necessary skills.

You should have the following skills in order to earn money as a translator:

  • Exact knowledge of the target language: necessary when translating specialist texts, i.e. scientific or legal texts
  • very good feeling for language: for example when translating religious texts
  • very good knowledge of research work: serves to search for information that may be required but not contained in the original text,
  • Appropriate expertise in specific areas: for the translation of technical texts

Specialization as a translator

Another important aspect for your successful work as a freelancer in translation is specialization. 

Because the more you focus on a topic, the more extensive and valuable your knowledge on the topic. 

You will probably reach fewer potential customers in this way, but you can earn more money as a freelancer because customers in a specialist area pay higher fees.

The following areas are suitable for specialization:

  • Copywriting for websites or blogs
  • Technical articles (e.g. for magazines or newspapers)
  • Legal texts (for lawyers or authorities)
  • Scientific texts
  • Books ( e- books , novels or similar publications)

You can find the corresponding translation jobs on online platforms for copywriters and authors as well as on social networks . 

On Facebook, for example, there are certain groups for clients and freelancers. Or you turn to institutions, authorities or companies. 

If your application is convincing and you have good sample texts, they will probably be happy to add you to their pool of translators. 

Then, in turn, the likelihood of new jobs increases and you can earn money as a freelancer.

20. Make money as a graphic designer

Regardless of whether it is about designing a website , a book cover or the cover of a lifestyle magazine: a graphic designer always has his hands in the game. 

Do you have a good eye for motifs and interesting designs? Do you already have an exciting idea for a possible image concept in mind as soon as you hear a product name? 

These skills are necessary to earn money as a freelancer in the graphics industry:

  • Good use of the appropriate software : for example InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
  • High degree of empathy : recognize the exact customer requirements
  • Comprehensive, creative skills : for example, for the preparation of final artwork
  • A good feel for new trends
  • The ability to develop new ideas

Earning money as a freelancer is particularly easy in the graphics sector if a good and appealing website presents your skills. 

Conclusion

If you want to earn money as a freelancer, there are numerous options. Therefore, you should always be open to new industries in order to increase the chances of getting a job and to make the most of your strengths. 

For newcomers, there are also online platforms for freelancers. With the Fiverr platform, for example, orders from logo design to wedding photography are possible.