Freelance work is a fantastic option for anyone wanting to be their own boss. Instead of being employed by a company, freelancers are self-employed. Freelance work can be done full-time or in your free time like the 16 million+ brits with a side hustle right now!

Freelancers typically work in creative industries, like journalism, copywriting, and graphic design, but there’s also a demand for freelancers with skills in tech, accountancy and finance, admin, and even health and fitness. Essentially, if you have a set of skills which you think people will pay for, you could stand to make money by becoming a freelancer. 

However, there are pros and cons to becoming a freelancer, so learn as much as you can first. In this OddsMonkey guide, we’ll cover the following: 

• What is freelancing? 
• How does freelancing work?
• Freelance work FAQs
• Pros and cons of freelance work
• 3 experiences of freelance work from home 

What is freelancing?

Freelance work is carried out on a contract-by-contract basis rather than by a person employed by a single organisation. Freelancers are self-employed and can engage with more than one client at a time. Many freelancers often work on multiple assignments at once.

As a freelancer, your schedule is up to you to a certain degree. The organisation is key. The number of assignments that you choose to take on and their deadlines. Another factor is how long you think the work will take to produce. If you’re looking for more independence in what your doing, find out how to make money with online tuition and workshops.

The term ‘freelance’ (as ‘free-lance’) was first used in an 1819 novel by Sir Walter Scott to describe mercenaries who were willing to work for whoever was willing to pay them the most. These men were considered ‘free’ and not bound by loyalty to any one party. The ‘lance’ referred to their weapons. Over time, the term has obviously moved away from its origins on the battlefield to the freelancing we know today. After all, the pen is mightier than the sword.

The popularity of freelance work

The idea of working for yourself appeals to lots of people in the UK. Freelance work can allow you to be more flexible. And hopefully discover a better work/life balance. 

Research conducted in 2020 found that there were 2.2 million freelancers in the UK, with it being the main job of more than 1.9 million of those. Around 239,000 did freelance work alongside other employment.

How does freelancing work?

Not all work is completed by an in-house team. Sometimes, businesses choose to outsource work. Creative agencies can pick this work up, or freelancers, depending on what the client is looking for. Freelancers can choose to work with a client on a short or long-term basis, either completing one-off tasks, contracts which run for a number of months, or multiple gigs of varying lengths.

If you’re interested in becoming a freelancer, we’ll look at the business side of things a bit later on in this article. But for now, here are a few things you’ll need to consider to get the ball rolling.

1. Find your niche and make your passion pay.
2. Pick an online freelancing platform and set up a profile.
3. You’re worth it, so make sure you’re not working for peanuts.
4. Complete jobs to the best of your ability and meet deadlines.
5. Get paid for your work.

 Freelance work FAQs

What kind of jobs can you freelance? 

Jobs from all kinds of sectors can be done on a freelance basis. A lot of the time, if work can be outsourced (instead of being done in-house), it can be done by a freelancer. Here are some examples of the types of jobs that you could do as a freelancer:

• Writing (articles, ad copy, marketing, blogging, research, ghostwriting for books and ebooks)
• Web developer or programmer (front or back end development on a website, game programming) 
• Graphic design (branding, logos, typography, advertising)
• Search Engine Optimisation | SEO (keyword research, competitive analysis, on-site analysis, link building)
• User Experience | UX (interface, layout, content, interactive elements)
• Virtual assistant (email and chat support, research, communication management)
• Transcription (medical or legal documents, translation, video or audio)
• Bookkeeping (accounts preparation, VAT returns, payroll)
• Photography (wedding, wildlife, fashion, portrait, stock photos, lifestyle)

What kind of freelance work can I do?

The type of freelance work you can do depends on you, your existing skills, or your passion for picking up new skills. For example, if your passion lies in writing, then it makes sense to focus on that. But there are freelance options for most jobs. If you’re looking for a niche side hustle idea, check out the 7 unusual ways to make money we found out about.

Can I start freelance with no experience?

Pushing aside the risk of Imposter Syndrome, it’s completely possible to freelance without having any prior experience. While it makes sense to play to your strengths by using your existing skills to attract clients and produce work, deciding to go freelance can also be a good opportunity to jump into a full career change. The worry is that a lack of experience either in your niche or as a freelancer means you’ll struggle to get your first client. That’s not necessarily the case. Clients pick freelancers based on any number of things: experience levels, credentials, and rate.

How do freelancers find work? 

Perhaps the best way to find work as a freelancer is to look online. There are loads of sites offering the latest freelancing opportunities. The most well-known of these sites is probably Upwork, but there are many others to look at too. Some may be sector-specific, which should help you minimise the amount of time you spend searching for work. Upwork is a platform where freelancers and clients can find each other. Freelancers sign up to the site, create a profile which shows their skills and experience level, and submit proposals to jobs they’re interested in completing. Conversely, clients post job listings describing the job and available budget and then review and accept proposals.

How much do freelancers get paid?

The amount of money freelancers get paid can depend on a few things, such as experience, sector, or individual tasks. For example, ProCopywriters conduct an annual survey to discover more about the freelance copywriting landscape. Their 2018 survey found an average day rate of £342. IT Jobs Watch showed that business consultants could charge an average of £475 per day and solicitors at least £100 per hour.

Is freelance work difficult to do? 

As with any job, freelancing has its ups and downs. We’ll look at both sides in a moment, but here are some reasons why freelance work can be difficult: If you want to check out some other ideas, take a look at our Side Hustle Ideas page.

Lack of motivation 

It can be hard to stay productive when you’re in charge of your workload and setting your own hours. If you’ve got multiple jobs running at once and find yourself juggling a few deadlines, the hours can be long. This can leave you feeling burnt out. A large part of being a freelancer is about being able to stay focused, even when you’ve got more than one plate spinning.

Very little ‘you’ time

Depending on the amount of work you take on and the hours you work, as a freelancer, you may forget what it’s like not to be sitting in front of your laptop! Sometimes, it may feel like you don’t see daylight for days. And when you do get some precious ‘free’ time, the chances are that you’ll feel like you’re slacking off and should be getting on with some work. You may even start to forget what ‘you’ time is!

Lonely 

If you’re someone who enjoys being around other people, there are ways to stave off the potential loneliness of life as a freelancer. Instead of working from home, you could choose to work in public spaces, such as coffee shops or desk hubs. You could even discuss going into the office of your client on a regular basis.

Not a stable source of income 

Freelance work isn’t a guarantee. This means the income probably won’t come in a constant stream. Unfortunately, you don’t always know when your next job is coming along. This can be the case even if you’re lucky enough to have repeat clients. Jobs can come in ebbs and flows, even with your best organisational skills at work. Sometimes, you’ll be stressing your way towards multiple deadlines at once without a minute to spare, and other times you could go for weeks without having any work at all. If you’re in need of a stable source of income, freelancing may not be the best option for you in terms of making money.

Pros and cons of freelance work 

Before things get too negative here, let’s balance things by looking at some of the pros and cons of freelancing.

Pros

Choose your own hours 

Because you’re not working a typical 9 to 5, you have a bit more flexibility. For example, if you know that you’re more productive in the late afternoon/evening, it makes sense to start working a bit later in the morning. As long as you schedule your workload properly, freelancing should allow you to set your own hours.

Work on different projects 

Some jobs can be a bit repetitive. Doing the same sorts of tasks and working on the same projects day in and day out. Freelance work gives you the opportunity to pick work from a whole range of topics. One month you might write reviews for money; the next, you could be working on an ‘About Us’ page for a SaaS company. 

Enjoy being ‘the new kid’

If you choose to go into your clients’ workspace during your contract with them, you’ll get to socialise with lots of different people and experience how different workplaces feel. You’ll probably become a master of small talk, and you’re likely to be able to avoid becoming involved in office politics.

Avoid notorious busy periods

Shift things around or pause projects so you can head to places where you know they will be quieter. Don’t drive during rush hour – miss the traffic!

Choose where you work

While freelancing doesn’t always equal working from home, there are a lot of opportunities to do just that. Depending on the details of individual projects, you may find yourself in the office on a couple of occasions, depending on the type of work and the client’s requirements. You could also find yourself set up in the local coffeehouse.

Cons 

Loneliness 

Depending on your personality type, you could find freelancing isolating. This could be the case whether you’re working from home every day or find yourself going into lots of different offices, which can make it hard for you to settle.

A different approach to promotions (and pay rises)

It’s up to you to sell yourself, set your rates and pitch your skills, so it’s also up to you to upgrade your job title or increase your pay. As a freelancer, career progression isn’t as clear as it is for employees, and there’s no boss to offer you a promotion or pay rise for doing a good job. That doesn’t mean that your career can’t progress; if you think you’ve moved up a level in terms of skills and experience, reflect this in how you sell yourself.

Lack of structure

This is the downside of having flexibility; your days are not organised by anyone unless you structure them. The organisation is a key part of freelancing, and it’s up to you to make sure you set and stick to a schedule to ensure that you meet deadlines.

Budget and badger 

Even with repeat clients and a (hopefully) higher-than-an-employee hourly rate, freelancing involves a certain amount of ‘feast and famine’. It just doesn’t come with the stability of a monthly paycheck. And you don’t get paid for sick days or holidays. It’s a good idea to draw up a budget and put away what you can while the pay is good to make sure you have enough when the times aren’t so good.

You’ll also need to keep on top of payments which will involve submitting invoices to the clients and, unfortunately, chasing unpaid invoices.

How to become a freelancer

If you’re considering setting up a freelance business, be aware that you may need to wear a few hats. And unfortunately, they are areas which fall mostly outside of your billable work:

Company structure

Pick a structure for your freelance work. Are you a sole trader, a limited company, or an umbrella? Speak to other freelancers and an accountant to help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Contracts

Have a written contract in place for every client you work with. Detailing everything, including the brief, expectations and deadlines of a job, will make it easier to settle any disputes.

VAT

Value-added tax is an amount added to the cost of almost all goods and services that are bought in the UK. The current rate is 20%. If you set up a freelance business and earn over a certain threshold, you may need to register for and collect VAT. It’s a good idea to know how VAT can affect you and your business. You may need to add VAT to your prices and send that extra money to HMRC. You’ll be able to claim back any VAT that you pay on business supplies.

Income tax: do I have to pay taxes on freelance work?

Income tax is calculated on the total amount of money you earn. You’ll pay 20% tax on earnings that exceed your personal allowance and are below the upper limit of the basic rate or 40% tax on earnings above the higher rate limit.

Being organised: bookkeeping and accounts

As a freelancer, you need to couple your creativity with being organised. It’s so important to keep an accurate record of your finances. Bookkeeping is also the best way to record invoices and check who’s paid and who hasn’t.

Track your expenses

In order to have all of the info, you need to do things like file your Self-Assessment tax return; you’ll need to keep track of your expenses. Here are some of our top tips:

• Get good habits started early
• Open a business bank account to keep business and personal payments separate.
• Look into things like business mileage and travel expenses, etc. There’s a load of useful information on the gov.uk website.
• Make sure you’re registered for the right taxes.
• Keep a record of everything you spend (for work). That includes receipts from shops and anything you purchase online.
• Set aside some money for tax earlier in the year so that you have it available if you run into a cash flow situation close to the assessment deadline.
• Keep your records safe and ensure you don’t miss filing deadlines.

Setting payment terms

Payment terms are another important part of being a freelancer. While you can set the terms, you may need to be flexible or be willing to change your terms depending on the client. You may also need to have quite short payment windows in order to stay on top of your cash flow. It’s always a good idea to discuss your payment terms with a client before you work with them so that you can try and avoid surprises or problems.

Invoicing 

Stay on top of invoicing. Tell your clients when you’ll be invoicing them, and stick to that. Otherwise, your payments will be delayed, and you may find yourself struggling with cash flow. Also, don’t hesitate to chase people if they forget to pay on time.

Cashflow

As mentioned a few times in this piece, your cash flow is one of the most important things you’ll need to keep an eye on as a freelancer. If cash isn’t regularly coming into your account, you could find yourself desperately chasing funds.

How to make money as a freelancer

Although it’s perhaps one of the most important parts of working for yourself, knowing how to make money freelancing isn’t necessarily one of the easiest. For example: how do you know how much your work is worth and how much you should charge?

As someone looking to break into the world of freelancing and find your first client, it can be tempting to underprice yourself. If you’ve been salaried up until this point, it can be difficult to figure out the value of your work.

However, it’s important to remember low-pricing yourself into jobs by not asking for enough could do more damage. By that, I mean that if your rates are set too low, potential clients will begin to wonder why. If you don’t value your work, why should anyone else? The other issue with underpricing yourself is that some people may take advantage, and you could find yourself working for next to no reward. While you’d gain experience, this doesn’t pay the bills.

The best way to charge for freelance work 

There are two options when it comes to being paid as a freelancer: by the hour and per project. The way you charge customers could be important depending on your circumstance, for example, if you are freelancing to make money on maternity leave.

In order to decide which is the best option for you, you’ll need to do some market and competitor research. See if you can find out what other people in your sector are charging. How does their work compare with yours, and what extra skills or added value do you have that will let you charge more? Always make sure that your pricing structure is clear to potential clients before you start a job.

Setting an hourly rate

One way to calculate a freelance hourly rate could be to start with a target ‘salary’ in mind. Then, work out your expected outgoings, which could include capital expenditure, rent, utilities, travel, etc. and add that amount to your target salary.

You’ll also need to consider how much time you’ll be working. Remember: freelancing isn’t necessarily a 9 to 5 job; clients often expect projects to be delivered in a shorter turnaround, and work isn’t always constant. Divide the total of your target salary and your costs of business by the number of billable hours you think you’ll be working.

Billing per project 

As with charging by the hour, charging per project can leave you open to underpricing yourself. So it’s always worth ensuring you’re happy with the amount you’re asking for before you agree to take on a job.

If you decide to bill per project, please be aware that you’ll most likely need to take responsibility for unexpected delays from the client side.

Raising your rates 

Once you’ve set your rates, it isn’t a case of that’s it forever. Pay rises in freelancing don’t work the same as with traditional, full-time employment. Instead, you’re responsible for deciding when you need to charge more. You’ll need to review your rates regularly and look at raising them before you miss out. Conducting annual rate reviews with your clients based on the experience you’ve gained in that past year should allow you to ensure that you’re charging the right amount for your skills and experience.

You may also choose to raise your rates, depending on a specific project. For example, if a client requires a ‘rush job’, they’ll need a certain amount of work on a shorter deadline. In that case, it would make sense for you to up your rates. Another example of when you might raise your rates would be if you are working at close to your capacity. While you may still have time available, it’s now at a premium because there isn’t much of it.

Platforms for freelancers: The best freelance websites (UK)

Where can you find freelance work? As well as word-of-mouth, social media, and searching on Google, it’s definitely worth signing up to a freelance platform or two. A 2016 study by the McKinsey Global Institute found that 15% of independent workers used online marketplaces to find work. Below is a list of the best freelance work websites in the UK.

Upwork

Perhaps the most well-known freelancing platform Upwork is for both freelancers looking for work and clients looking for freelancers. It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert or looking for your first gig; Upwork has something for everyone. Apply for both short- and long-term projects and hourly or per-project work in a variety of skills.

Fiverr 

Fiverr offers micro gigs, which are predominantly short-term freelance tasks. The platform got its name because it started off as a place where people could get or offer work for $5. This approach received a lot of criticism, especially when coupled with Fiverr’s 2014 “You’re paying too much for design” Facebook ad campaign. Since then, the base rate has been limited, allowing freelancers to charge more realistic rates for work. When it comes to making money here, how to sell on Fiverr is easy, with the user selling their skills and time to a client. 

Magazine editor Les Jones used Fiverr to find freelancers worldwide to contribute to a special edition of Elsie Magazine.

PeoplePerHour 

PeoplePerHour is free for freelancers to join; all you need to do is complete an online application. If your application is approved, you’ll be able to check out a stream of projects from the platform’s international client community.

Freelancer

Freelancer offers freelance work from a wide range of sectors, from delivery to website development.

My Upwork experience 

I decided to join Upwork to see how easy it is to get started with freelance work.

I signed up and set up my profile, which probably took around 30 minutes. You can add as much or as little information as you want. Because you want to grab the attention of potential clients, it makes sense to spend a bit of time getting this part right.

I listed my skills in the following areas:

• Creative Writing (I have an MA).
• Marketing (I’ve worked in Marketing for 6 years).
• Slogan writing (I’m interested in short-form advertising and copywriting).
• Blog Content (SEO, proofing, research).
• Social Media Content Creation (Hobby).

I had a look through some of the available job listings and found some to apply to.

Connects

‘Connects’ are the currency you use to submit proposals to jobs. When you set up an Upwork account, you’re given 20 Connects. Applications can cost between 2 and 6 ‘Connects’, and you can buy more if you run out. You can also roll over any unused Connects up to a total of 140

Connects are returned if a client cancels a project without making a hire. Or if a job post is removed by Upwork for violating the Terms of Service. Please be aware: you won’t get Connects back by withdrawing a proposal you’ve sent.

I didn’t hear back from the jobs I applied for. I’ve seen comments about it being difficult for new Upwork members to get work. The advice seems to be to go after low-hanging fruit and work a few gigs for a lower rate than you want. This isn’t a long-term strategy, but it might get your foot in the Upwork door.

To test this, I applied for a job with very low pay for the amount of work. I completely underestimated the amount of work the client was looking for for the budget. I know that was kind of the point of the test, but working out the cost-per-word kind of shocked me. 400 words of copy for 263 pages, which works out to 105,200 words. The job budget was $600. So that’s a payment of 0.0046 pence a word. On top of that, Upwork would take $110 in fees.

As I didn’t find freelance work for this piece, I used Upwork to post a job instead. I asked for other freelancers to talk to me about their experiences.

Bethany’s experience with Upwork 

How long have you been freelancing? 

I’ve been freelancing for four months. I entered the freelance market after quitting my full-time job as a journalist to travel. I needed work that fit around my schedule, that I could do wherever I was in the world. Freelance also offered a wide variety of jobs to keep me engaged and broaden my resume.

Percentage of income from Upwork?

For my first two months on Upwork, I was working as a journalist, which accounted for around 80% of my income. During this time, I freelanced in the evenings and supplemented my day job salary by about 20%. At first, I charged a low hourly rate of around $15 an hour to build up my reviews, but I have since raised this to $25 per hour. Upwork freelance now accounts for 100% of my earnings, and I find it easy to support myself on this, given the large volume of jobs coming in. 

Positive experiences of Upwork? 

My most positive experience on the site has been working with a food blogger who was looking for a regular ghostwriter to turn her recipes and ideas into engaging articles. We have a great working relationship – she’s always very clear about what she’s looking for from each post, gives me plenty of notice about deadlines, and was understanding when I needed a few days off to move house last month. She recently employed a couple of other ghostwriters who charge a higher hourly rate than me, and she immediately offered me a raise, so I was earning the same. 

Negative experiences of Upwork?

st month, I took on a contract with a product review website, which offered just $15 per 1,000-word article. There was a huge amount of research involved, and on submission, the client sent back a long list of changes he wanted. The whole job took me more than 12 hours – I ended up taking an hourly rate of around $1! 

Another criticism I have of the site is the high commission it takes. Although I appreciate it is free to use the platform, the 20% fee adds up, especially on high-ticket jobs. 

What kind of topics have you written about?

My specialism is lifestyle, travel, and fashion articles. Often these call for a strong focus on SEO. My travel writing tends to be inspirational, destination-specific information for people trying to decide where to go on holiday. These centre on attractions, money-saving tips, and descriptive trip itineraries.

A recent article required me to outline adventure travel in the Swiss Alps, with detailed information about how to hike in the area, skiing resorts, and the area’s history. This was particularly interesting. 

What is it like being a freelancer on Upwork?

When I first started, I struggled to get work. For every 40 connects sent, I earned about $20, which didn’t feel like good value. However, since building up reviews on my profile, I have had a much higher success rate – earning more than $100 for every 20 connects spent. Connects are fairly good value, although, for new freelancers, it does feel like a steep investment with no guarantee of work as a result. However, on balance, I like that Upwork has this system, as it means people think more carefully about which jobs they apply for, which keeps competition focused.

Experience with other freelancing platforms?

Before my profile was accepted on Upwork I used freelancer.com. The site is much less professional than Upwork, and profiles are not screened before they go live. I had a lot of illegitimate clients contact me on there, including men looking for sex. This is very different to Upwork, which has a strict application process for clients and freelancers. There seemed to be a lot more competition on freelance.com. The jobs I applied for often had 30 + applications, compared to Upwork, which is normally in the region of 5 – 10. 

How do you decide your rates or which jobs to send proposals for? 

I generally keep my rate the same – $25 / hour or 500 words. If someone offers long-term work or wants more than 10 articles, I will sometimes knock $5 off per $25. People aren’t always willing to pay this, but I get enough job offers that this doesn’t affect business. 

If someone states they are looking for new freelancers willing to write 1,000 for $15, I won’t bother sending an application. 

I generally look for jobs that fall in my travel, lifestyle and fashion specialism. There are a lot of travel blog clients on Upwork. I seek jobs that promise long-term work, as my ideal situation is building rapport and a regular schedule with a client. I also look at how much the client has previously spent, as this adds authenticity to their advert. I don’t mind where the client is based, but I always look for jobs that call for native English speakers, as they usually pay a fairer rate. 

Top 5 tips for being successful on Upwork:

1. When you start, don’t hesitate to ask your clients to end the contract and write a review before sending more work. Reviews make a huge difference to the amount of interest your profile will attract and also the rate people are willing to pay you.
2. Always send examples of your work with an application, even when the listing doesn’t call for them. It shows you can do the job and will make you stand out. If you don’t have any published work yet, then write some based on listings that interest you. Around 500 words should be fine. 
3. Apply for as many jobs as possible when you first sign up. And be prepared to work for a lower rate while you get your reviews up. 
4. Written a blog post for a company? Find their social media and offer your services to increase their followers. If they don’t have social media, then offer to set one up. Or, offer to improve their landing page and ‘About us’ sections. Look for opportunities to increase your involvement with the brand.
5. Keep your applications short and specific. Clients don’t care about where you went to college unless it’s very relevant to the job. I try to keep my applications to less than 150 words.”

Jamie’s experience with Upwork

How long have you been freelancing? 

On and off to varying degrees for about 10 years since I completed my degree in journalism at university. I am a full-time freelancer, and I was also a full-time freelancer for a couple of years, between around 2014 and 2017. I’m applying for some full-time jobs but would intend to continue with some freelancing on the side if that is possible, depending on the role.

Why did you decide to do freelance work? 

Initially, some work fell into my lap towards the end of my time as a student. Then I needed to freelance during a period of unemployment after university. While in full-time employment, I’ve used freelancing as a chance to earn some extra money on the side. That encouraged me to give freelancing a go full-time in 2014 when I decided to leave a job in marketing. 

Freelancing always appealed to me due to the flexibility offered – being able to work for myself, pick and choose my projects and take time off whenever I wanted. So when I became extremely unhappy in my job last year, it felt natural to return to freelancing for a period of time to regain some work-life balance. I’m about six months into this latest period of freelancing now.

Percentage of income from Upwork?

It varies, but at the moment, it’s a large majority – perhaps over 80%. When I first joined Upwork in 2016, it was a small percentage, but over time as I have established on the platform, it has become easier to win client work. I still have working relationships with clients I met on the platform years ago, so there is a decent base level of earnings I can rely on.

Positive experiences of Upwork?

Some Upwork projects have reminded me that I have a wide skill set. Most of my work – on and off Upwork – is as a writer, but I have also worked as an editor. 

Last year I applied for a project editing a children’s book and won the gig. The client was happy with my work and opened a door for me – there’s no reason I shouldn’t branch out further into editing work. Without being on Upwork, I would unlikely have had a chance to prove that I can do this type of job. In contrast, now I would be very comfortable bidding for other similar projects as I have successfully completed one.

Negative experiences of Upwork?

Generally, I’ve been lucky with my clients on Upwork, and there have only been small issues with most of the people I have worked with. 

One of my most negative experiences was when I was hired for a project that looked set to give me a decent chunk of well-paid work over a long period, and then the client decided to go in another direction. I’d been holding off on bidding for other projects due to thinking I had this other work in the bag, so this was a setback, but the client was apologetic over it, and it did not take me too long to be able to move on by winning other contracts.

What kind of topics have you written about? 

I specialise in sports/betting/casino content, and most of the content I produce for clients on Upwork fits into one of those three categories. But I also work on some travel/SEO content, and I find this is something I enjoy a lot. I worked on travel content a few years ago before drifting towards sport, so it has shown me I can be flexible and work in other areas. 

I have also done some work on CBD, which is a big growth area on Upwork, and have considered pitching myself as a specialist in this area as well. In quiet periods, I’m not fussy at all, and I’ve done a chunk of work on cryptocurrencies in the last few months as well. I’ve been working as a writer for long enough that if the rate is right, I’m comfortable working on almost any type of project. However, I refuse to work on academic papers for moral reasons.

What is it like being a freelancer on Upwork?

It can be a slog. There are a lot of clients who claim to be looking for quality work but don’t want to pay the rate required. Obviously, it’s a global platform, so you are competing with people willing to work for much less. But being a native English speaker usually gives me an advantage, and finding clients willing to pay a decent rate isn’t impossible. Some clients try to haggle over my rates, which is never fun. It’s always a red flag that they are going to be difficult to work with. Clients also often seem to think placing big orders should result in them paying a lower rate. But that just gives me less time to work on orders at my standard rate.

In terms of success rate, I’ve applied for 50 jobs in the last 90 days. In that time, I’ve been hired about 15 times, though some of these were from being approached directly by clients rather than bidding on projects. Since I became Top Rated, clients have approached me regularly. I have to top connects up every six weeks, so I’m spending $10-15 on them a month. While this is a small amount compared to my earnings, I do resent having to pay to bid for jobs, especially with Upwork also taking a large chunk of my earnings. Last month, after Upwork fees and converting from USD to GBP, I earned around £2,000 through Upwork.

On the plus side, not having to worry about getting paid or sorting out invoices is a big tick in the box for me. I’d rather spend the time I would be using for admin on actually working and earning, so I don’t resent the Upwork fees too much. Though I think 20% is quite steep.

Experience with other freelancing platforms? 

I signed up for People Per Hour but didn’t find a lot of appealing jobs being listed or work that was in line with my specialisms. Being new on that platform was always going to make it harder to win work than on Upwork, where I have a proven track record over a number of years. But I am aware that at the moment, I am too reliant on Upwork and if I needed to come off the platform for whatever reason, I would find myself in a difficult position where I would have to try out other similar options. It was also a massive faff joining PPH as my profile kept being rejected, and I couldn’t find out why. That put me off quite a bit.

How do you decide your rates or which jobs to send proposals for?

Presently I’m trying to establish a higher starting rate – $0.05 per word – as I have enough regular gigs that I think I can be more ambitious with my earnings. I’ll only bid for jobs where I think the client is going to accept that rate or close to it, and I always check their reviews. Clients who are new to Upwork are trickier, but I’ll often take a gamble on working with them.

I am flexible with my rates as some work is obviously easier to complete. If it’s something I’m going to be able to do quickly, I don’t mind lowering my rate a little, but if I need to do a lot of research, then I have to try and charge more. If it’s easy to work on something I want to write about, then I don’t mind earning less for some projects. 

I check various search terms for my specialist areas 2-3 times a day, so hopefully, I’m seeing them before any rival freelancers. I don’t usually send proposals for jobs listed more than a day ago unless there haven’t been a lot of bids, and I think I’m a strong fit for the work.

Top 5 tips for being successful on Upwork:

1. Get a niche. Generalists will never be able to work for the same rate as specialists.
2. Be selective in applying for jobs. Time spent bidding on jobs you won’t get is time wasted.
3. Tailor your proposals. Find relevant samples, and don’t just send the same cover letter.
4. Pick clients carefully, as a bad review from a difficult client will hurt your JSS badly.
5. Update your profile regularly to make sure it’s showing your work in the best light.

Freelance work can be hard. But it can also be a great way to make money online. However, there’s a lot of ‘unpaid’ work that goes into the job, such as admin, so factor that into your schedule.

Other ways to make money online. 

Matched betting allows you to generate an income by using the free bets offered by bookies, and you don’t need skills or experience to make money — all you need is free time. You can also use software to make the process even easier. To learn more about this, read our Matched Betting Guide. 

Other options for making money online include completing online surveys, drop shipping, and retail arbitrage. You could also become an influencer on social media; we have an Interview with an Instagram Influencer to read on-site should you wish to know more about this side hustle.