7 tips to start freelance work

4. USE YOUR NETWORK Allen, now 58, naturally plans ahead. When the events industry’s commissions structure changed, she and her business partner began formulating a way to take control of

their finances by starting their own company. In May 2018, Allen started laying the groundwork for Mindful Meetings Pros by meeting with clients she was already helping at a third-party firm

and harnessing her industry knowledge. “We didn't have to convince anybody,” says Allen. “We let [existing clients] know that we were leaving and they were, like, ‘We want to come with

you.’” That strong base helped her company survive the pandemic, which essentially shut down meetings and events, and to grow post-COVID. Regardless of industry, your contacts will be

essential to your success as a freelancer. “There are many people who support you,” says Frana. “Any conversation you have about what you're going to do as a freelancer can potentially

open doors to a client or a collaboration … that wouldn't have existed had you not.” 5. DEVELOP YOUR BRAND ON LINKEDIN Regardless of whether you have an effusive personality or are

introverted, a freelancer has to establish a business identity that sets them apart from the competition. One of the most visible places to distinguish a business is on LinkedIn. “Personal

branding on LinkedIn is important now,” says Frana. There is more to the platform than setting up a LinkedIn profile, building a resume, and linking to your portfolio. You also need to be an

active user. Each like, post, or comment helps guide the program to professionals who are a good match for your network, notes Frana. Views range on the number of times freelancers should

post, but Lee stresses you must maintain consistent quality with each entry. “Don’t post for the sake of posting,” says Lee, an instructor at LinkedIn Learning. Kissiah adds he updates his

digital profiles on LinkedIn and other job boards“whenever I am out work.” 6. USE EXPERIENCE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE There is always the possibility an older freelance worker can run into age

bias. Try flipping the script by emphasizing you have experience and knowledge other candidates don’t have, says Frana, who suggests mentoring as a possible avenue to grow your business.

Upwork’s report shows that personal coaching is among the fastest-growing skills on the platform, with demand increasing by 74 percent year-over-year. 7. NEVER STOP LEARNING Another way to

combat bias is to demonstrate knowledge of tools modern offices use, such as Zoom or Slack, says Frana. Also of note, Upwork data shows AI-related projects grew 42 percent year-over-year in

2024 particularly in healthcare, finance, and marketing three fields that lend themselves to freelancers. Familiarity with ChatGPT and other AI tools can help you grow your business, says

Lee. “What the future holds is a balance between human skills and knowing how to manage AI skills,” she predicts.