Earn money with the skills you already have.
Would you like to earn extra money online, but have no desire to buy products, hold inventory, or start an online store? Then freelancing might be for you.
As a freelancer, you offer your knowledge, skills, or services to companies and individuals. You generally work on an assignment or project basis and can decide for yourself which assignments suit you.
And the best part is: you don't necessarily have to be an expert with twenty years of experience.
There is a vast array of freelance services. You might be skilled in writing, social media, Canva, translation, administration, customer service, photography, video editing, or graphic design. Even if you are good at something you primarily learned as a hobby, it can sometimes be turned into a paid service.
There are now various online platforms where freelancers can showcase themselves and find assignments.
In this article, you will discover 10 freelance platforms where you can sign up, what you can do there, and the types of freelancers for whom they might be of interest.
Please note! Freelance income is never guaranteed. How much you earn depends on factors such as your skills, experience, rates, the demand for your services, and the number of assignments you secure.
1. Fiverr
If you have ever looked for ways to earn money online using your skills, chances are you have come across the name Fiverr.
Fiverr is an international freelance platform where people can offer their services to clients around the world.
The great thing about Fiverr is that you don't necessarily have to wait for someone to post a job opening for you. You create a profile and then offer specific services.
It is particularly interesting when you can offer a specific service that can be performed online. Moreover, you can offer multiple services and appeal to different types of clients. For someone just starting out as a freelancer, this can therefore be an interesting way to discover where the demand lies.
You create an account and then build your freelancer profile. After that, you can add your services, prices, and information about what you offer. The clearer your profile and offering, the easier it is for a potential client to understand what they can hire you for.
Check out Fiverr and discover all the freelance opportunities.
2. Upwork
Upwork is one of the best-known international platforms for freelancers.
The platform connects companies and freelancers from around the world. According to Upwork, as a freelancer, you can create a profile, set your rates, and look for paid work globally.
On Upwork, you can find jobs across a vast range of categories. This means you can offer both creative and business services.
After creating your freelancer account, you build your profile, where you can showcase details such as your skills, experience, and rates. You can then search for assignments that match your skills. For example, a client might post a job: “I’m looking for someone to manage my Instagram account for three months.” If your skills are a good match, you can respond and introduce yourself. Upwork then acts as the platform connecting you with the client.
A major advantage is the vast array of different types of freelance work offered on the platform. This makes it appealing to both novice and experienced freelancers. Moreover, you can find assignments that can be carried out entirely online.
Start your freelance work today on Upwork.
3. Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is an international platform where companies can post jobs and freelancers can respond to them.
The concept is simple.
A client has a project, for example: "I need a website" or "I’m looking for someone who can write five blog posts."
Freelancers can then demonstrate why they are suitable for the assignment.
The platform can be appealing if you prefer actively looking for assignments rather than just waiting for clients to discover your profile. You can browse various assignments and respond to projects that match your skills. This can be particularly useful when you are still building your client base.
Want to get started today? Check out Freelancer.com and look for your first job.
4. Malt
Would you prefer to work with a platform that focuses heavily on the European freelance market? Then Malt is worth checking out.
Malt also has a Dutch website and offers freelancers the opportunity to create a profile for free. Clients can then find freelancers and send project proposals.
You create a profile showcasing your skills, experience, availability, and rates. Clients can then find your profile and contact you. Malt states that freelancers can negotiate directly with clients and set their own rates. The platform also provides tools for quotes, contracts, and invoicing.
Another advantage is that Malt states that projects are automatically insured and that freelancers are paid quickly after a project is completed.
Malt is particularly interesting for people who want to build their freelance business more professionally. You not only have a profile for finding assignments but also various tools to manage your projects and administration.
Get started with Malt today and discover which projects are available to you.
5. Contra
Contra is a freelance platform that focuses heavily on independent professionals and remote work.
The platform offers freelancers the opportunity to build an online profile and portfolio and find freelance assignments.
Contra currently states that the platform has more than 1.5 million independent professionals and has processed over $250 million in projects.
A notable feature of Contra is that the platform states on its website that freelancers keep 100% of their earnings and that freelancing via Contra is commission-free. This can be appealing if you want to retain as much of your income as possible.
You create a profile to showcase your skills and past work. Your portfolio is important here. Even if you haven't had any paying clients yet, you can create examples to demonstrate your skills.
Check out Contra and sign up for free.
6. 99designs
Are you a graphic designer? Then 99designs is a platform that is definitely worth checking out.
99designs focuses specifically on design and connects designers with clients. It offers designers various ways to secure work, including design contests and direct commissions from clients.
You create a designer profile to showcase your portfolio. Clients can then find designers who are a good fit for their project.
You can also participate in design contests. 99designs states that there are more than 1,500 open contests daily across various categories.
Your earnings depend on the type of project and the work you perform. 99designs states that designers can sign up for free and that rates and fees depend on the type of design work.
Register quickly at 99designs.
7. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a freelance platform where businesses can hire freelancers for various online services.
The interesting thing about the platform is that you can work with both fixed services and projects. This means, for example, that you can offer a specific service at a fixed price. That makes the concept easy for potential clients to understand.
PeoplePerHour can be particularly useful when you want to offer your freelance work as clear, well-defined services.
That can be helpful for beginners. The more concrete your offer, the easier it is for a potential client to understand what they can hire you for.
Check out PeoplePerHour and discover the opportunities available to you.
8. Twago
Twago is a European platform for freelance professionals and project-based work. The platform is particularly appealing to freelancers with business or digital skills.
Clients can post projects, and freelancers can use their profiles to present themselves for suitable projects.
This makes Twago an attractive option for people who want to do more than just small, one-off tasks and are also looking for more extensive projects.
One advantage of using multiple freelance platforms is that you are not dependent on a single website. For example, you could have a profile on Fiverr for smaller services and Upwork for international projects, while also using Twago to browse European assignments.
This allows you to test different markets and types of customers.
Are you ready for Twago?
9. FlexJobs
Not every freelancer only wants to find individual assignments via a freelance marketplace. Maybe you are looking for a remote job or flexible work where you can work from home. Then FlexJobs could be interesting.
The platform focuses on remote, hybrid, and flexible job vacancies.
Some people want to start freelancing but find it difficult to find clients right away.
A remote or flexible contract can be another way to build online work experience. Additionally, you can discover which skills are currently in high demand.
Suppose you notice there is high demand for social media managers. You could then further develop that skill and later offer it as a freelancer.
Check out FlexJobs and sign up.
10. Finding freelance work through your own network
The last point is perhaps the most important: you don't have to be completely dependent on a freelance platform.
One of the most powerful ways to find clients as a freelancer is through your own network. You don't need a freelance platform for that.
When working directly with a client, you can often determine your own offer, pricing, and working methods. Moreover, you can build a client relationship that may lead to repeat business down the line. A client for whom you manage social media on a monthly basis can ultimately be far more valuable than ten separate, small assignments.
Finally
If you are completely new to freelancing, I would keep it simple. Choose one skill. Create three examples. Set up a professional profile. Sign up for one or two platforms. And then start looking for assignments that suit you.
You don’t have to quit your job right away or earn thousands of euros a month. Your first goal can simply be: landing that first assignment. You can build on that from there.
Do you want to discover even more ways to earn extra money online?
Freelancing is just one option. There are many other ways to build an extra income online in your spare time, for example by selling items, market research, or using other platforms.
So be sure to check out our other articles on making money online and side hustles, and discover which opportunities suit you best.