- Dor Cohen
- Jul 30
- 14 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
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Making money as a freelancer is a great way to take control of your income and schedule, and more people are turning to it as a way to start a business. Whether you want more freedom, need extra income, or hope to turn a passion into a career, freelancing can open the door to personal and financial independence.
TL;DR: how to make money as a freelancer
Freelancing gives you the flexibility to turn your skills into income and build a business on your own terms. You can make money in many ways, from creative services like graphic design, illustration and photography to technical work like web development, SEO consulting, programming and IT troubleshooting. Other strong options include content writing, social media management, coaching, virtual assistance and digital marketing.
Specializing in areas like eCommerce management, podcast editing, online course creation or translation can help you charge higher rates and stand out. Building a portfolio, setting clear rates, creating strong client relationships and streamlining your workflow are key to staying profitable. You can also scale by adding packages, retainers or outsourcing work to take on more clients without increasing your hours.
Need help thinking of other money-making opportunities? Use the Wix Business Launcher to discover more ideas based on your skills and hobbies. Chat with AI and get set up with a full market analysis, earning strategies and launch kit right out of the gate. It’s everything you need to transform your ideas into reality—quickly and easily.
Freelance work ideas and how to make more money
What you can do | How to boost your earnings | Real examples |
|---|---|---|
Get creative | Offer packages or subscriptions, focus on a specific style or industry, add extras like editing or stock sales | Logo design, book illustrations, wedding photos, audiobook voiceovers |
Build and grow online | Add ongoing support, mix services like SEO and web design, focus on one platform or ad channel | Creating Wix sites, SEO audits, running Facebook Ads, managing online shops |
Make content that matters | Become an expert in your niche, offer full packages from start to finish, create your own content too | Writing blog posts, editing podcasts, making YouTube videos |
Teach and coach | Pick a subject you know well, help clients from start to finish, sell your own courses alongside client work | Business courses, life coaching, fitness training |
Keep businesses running | Bundle your services into monthly plans, offer advice, create helpful dashboards or automation | Managing emails & calendars, leading projects, remote tech support, sales data analysis |
Special skills for special jobs | Focus on industries that pay more, show proof of your work, offer ongoing help | Translating legal papers, editing books, coding apps |
Work with AI tools | Use AI to help create content or automate tasks, offer custom AI solutions, build templates or workflows | Writing AI blog posts, making chatbots, creating AI-generated art |
21 ways to make money as a freelancer
The freelancing landscape is diverse, offering numerous paths to monetization. Here are 15 freelancing business ideas, each with insights on how to maximize their profitability.
01. Graphic design
As a freelancer, you can make money by offering design services for logos, branding materials, or social media graphics. To increase your chance of profitability, create design packages for businesses or offer subscription services for ongoing graphic design work.
Graphic designer Kath Anderson uses her online portfolio to share her past work and her openness to new graphic design commissions.
In order to make money as a graphic designer you’ll need to create a portfolio website to showcase your work and to show your work. You should also consider building your social media presence in order to market your design work. You can take inspiration from these freelance website examples.
02. Web design and development
Make money as a freelancer by building websites for clients, or specialize in creating sites on a specific website builder, like Wix. You’ll also need to make your own freelance website to showcase the websites you’ve created and your specific skills or niche.
Check out web designer Olya Black’s website. Her freelance work focuses on Wix sites.
Websites are a huge part of many businesses' marketing and brand efforts and there’s huge demand for the creation and management of them.
03. Content writing
Making money as a freelance writer is a popular online venture and business idea. You can create and write content for company or lifestyle blogs, online publications or websites. It's a flexible way to make money from home.
Some freelancers focus on specific niches, tech for example, or lifestyle content. But you can also work across a wide spectrum of topics. Freelance writing can turn into a consistent source of income if you build good working relationships with your clients.
However, it can be a competitive field and you’ll need to be able to stand out and deliver high-quality work in order to make money as a freelance writer.
If you’re looking to make money as a freelance writer, you'll need a portfolio website but you could also consider starting a blog. It’s easy to get one set up with a blog maker, like Wix and it’s a great way to not only market your writing and content creation skills but it can also be something that, with a dedicated readership, can be monetized either through ads or sponsored content.
04. SEO consulting
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) consulting is one way to make money as a freelancer. If you have SEO experience you can channel that into building up a client base and working freelance. Many companies have a need for SEO consulting, strategy and work but don’t necessarily have the budget or resources for an in-house team. This is where freelance SEO experts come in. Most SEO work, if not all, can be done online, making this a flexible way to make money that can be done from anywhere in the world.
If you’re looking to make money through freelance SEO work, it’s a good idea to build case studies of how you’ve helped websites and brands rank well. You can also build test websites to test SEO best practices and strategies, which can then be used to market your skills and experience.
If you’re looking to make money as a freelance SEO, we recommend following some of these industry giants for strategies, tips and more.
05. Social media management
There are other ways to make money as a freelancer when it comes to digital and online marketing and social media management is one of the most popular and in-demand services. It broadly involves managing the social media accounts of brands, while also creating new content and engagement strategies. You’ll need to offer tracking and reporting as well.
If you’re looking to become a freelance social media consultant, it’s worth making sure you have a strong social media presence across a wide range of platforms. The best way to prove your social media marketing skills is through your own social media success and following.
Looking for more inspiration:
06. Photography
A photography business is a well-known way to make money as a freelancer. There are many different areas to specialize in, from weddings and events to products or real estate. If you’re looking to start a photography business, you’ll need a photography website to show your work and to manage your services. Like this photography website and portfolio from El Gallo Photography.
You can also diversify and expand on the ways you make money as a photographer by selling your photos to stock image websites, by selling your images via your website or by offering photo editing services to other photographers and creatives.
Photography is a great freelance career for someone looking to retain creative control and who wants a flexible work schedule.
07. Virtual assistance
As more and more work can take place online and remotely, virtual assistance has become an increasingly popular way to make money as a freelancer. Starting a virtual assistant business involves providing administrative support to businesses. It could be answering calls for them, organizing paperwork or spreadsheets, or even bookkeeping for more specialized needs.
A great way to make money with this type of freelance work is by creating packages of your services, to ensure consistent income and to retain clients. You can also offer tiered pricing for different levels of administrative support.
08. Video production
Video is in high demand, both from marketing agencies and big brands. Because of this, creating and producing video content can be an effective way to make money as a freelancer. It can be promotional videos for product launches, educational content for brands or advertisements for small and large businesses. You can offer end-to-end services from scriptwriting to post-production, or just parts of the process - for example, just the scriptwriting, or just the filming, depending on your specific skills.
09. Voice over work
Looking for a fun way to make money as a freelancer? If so, voice-over work might be just the thing. You can lend your voice to commercials, audiobooks or video games. It’s definitely advisable to create a portfolio, use these portfolio templates to get started, showcase your past work and share with casting agents for potential new work and projects.
Voice-over work can be pursued as a freelance career or as a side hustle, alongside long-term regular employment or other freelance work, such as being an extra in film or TV or starring in commercials.
You might also want to consider how to make money as a model, as a freelancing gig.
10. Programming and software development
Making money as a freelancer specializing in programming and software development can build into a very successful career that can be fully remote. It can involve developing custom software solutions, mobile apps or online games. Some freelancers work with multiple clients, others might choose to work with one large company as a freelancer, it all depends on your niche and available opportunities. You’ll need to have some experience in programming to make this type of freelancing work.
11. Digital marketing
There are many ways to make money as a freelance digital marketer. In part because the field of digital marketing is so broad and can cover so many different services, from PPC advertising to email marketing or content marketing. You can choose to offer services in all of these different marketing branches or specialize in a particular niche. It all depends on your particular skills and experience.
Making money as a freelance digital marketer can be difficult, as the industry is highly competitive and this is a much sought-after freelance role, as it often means consistent, high-income and flexible, remote work. You’ll need to provide high-quality work and deliver results in order to retain clients and earn new ones.
Learn more: How to start a marketing business
12. Illustration
If you’re artistic and looking to make money as an artist and freelancer, consider creating custom illustrations for books, websites, or products.
Illustrator and graphic designer Juliette van Rhyn uses her website to showcase her award-winning work. Van Rhyn says of her portfolio: “I wanted to develop a look and feel for my website that reflected the characteristics of my work; I opted for a playful, offbeat layout, using colors found in some of my posters. My aim was to make my website feel like one of my designs in its own right, to create a cohesive identity that gives a strong sense of what I offer as a designer.”
You could also consider starting a print-on-demand business, or website, in order to sell your own illustrations on merchandise ranging from mugs to t-shirts to hats. This can be a low-investment business idea to start which allows you to balance your creative passions with making money.
13. Coaching and consulting
Starting a coaching business, or a consulting venture, can be an effective way to make money as a freelancer. Coaching could cover anything from sports to life coaching, fitness and career advice. Consulting is usually more business-focused and tends to involve providing specific support or strategies for business growth and management.
Both are great ways to make money as a freelancer for people with the necessary skills and expertise to impart to other people who need or may benefit from them. Both services can be offered to individuals, to groups you run yourself, or to corporate groups within companies.
If you’re looking to make money as a freelance coach or consultant, consider creating a website with booking capabilities or scheduling software in order to help you better manage clients and groups, while growing your business.
14. eCommerce management
If you have experience running an eCommerce website or eCommerce business, offering your services to other businesses can be a way to make money as a freelancer. This can involve helping businesses and brands set up and manage their online stores. You can choose to specialize in working with multiple platforms or specialize in one, such as Wix.
Part of this service might include helping promote the eCommerce site you’ve set up which can mean consistent work with the same client, even after the online store is up and running.
If you’re looking to make money as a freelancer this way, it’s also advisable to set up and run your own eCommerce business, not only to hone and practice your skills and experience but to be able to show future clients the impact you’re able to create and deliver. Choose from a number of best ecommerce platforms to get started.
15. Translation and localization
If you’re fluent in more than one language, translation and localization services are in demand as businesses expand globally. Companies need accurate translations for websites, documents and product descriptions to connect with international customers.
Specializing in industries like legal, medical or technical translation can help you charge higher fees. Adding localization—adapting content for cultural nuances—makes your service even more valuable to clients.
16. Podcast editing and production
Podcasts continue to grow, and many creators need help with editing, show notes and publishing episodes. If you’re skilled with audio tools and storytelling, this is a profitable niche.
You can boost earnings by offering full production packages, guest booking or podcast marketing. Partnering with podcast networks or established creators can also bring consistent work.
17. Online course creation
Online education is booming, and businesses and creators need help building and launching courses. This work includes structuring lessons, creating learning materials and setting up platforms.
You can raise rates by specializing in a specific niche like coaching or wellness and offering start-to-finish support. Building your own courses alongside client projects is another way to grow revenue.
18. Book editing or proofreading
Self-publishing authors often hire freelancers to edit and proofread their books before launch. This work requires strong grammar skills and attention to detail.
Offering multiple levels of editing—from developmental edits to final proofreading—can help you increase earnings. Working with publishing companies or marketing yourself in writer communities can lead to steady projects.
19. Tech support or IT troubleshooting
Small businesses often need help managing software, fixing tech issues or improving cybersecurity. Freelance IT support is flexible and can be done remotely.
Bundling services into monthly support packages ensures predictable income. Offering additional services like software training or system upgrades can make your work even more profitable.
20. Data analysis or reporting
Businesses generate a lot of data but often don’t know how to use it effectively. Freelance data analysts help companies understand metrics and make better decisions.
Focusing on a specific industry like eCommerce or healthcare allows you to become an expert and charge premium rates. Creating easy-to-read dashboards or reports is another way to add value.
21. Project management
Many businesses need freelancers to manage projects, coordinate teams and ensure deadlines are met. This role is perfect if you’re organized and comfortable with tools like Trello or Asana.
You can stand out by specializing in a type of project such as software launches or marketing campaigns. Offering consulting alongside active management can help you bring in higher-paying clients.
How to get started with making money as a freelancer
Embarking on a freelance career involves several key steps. Here's how to lay the groundwork for a successful freelancing business.
Identify your skills and market demand: Start by taking stock of your skills and expertise. But then don’t neglect to research the market to understand where there's demand for your services and how you can differentiate yourself from competitors. You might find your specialist niche is highly competitive, in which case you’ll need to find a way to stand out from the crowd or offer something different. For example, SEO consulting can be highly competitive but certain niches which require a higher level of expertise or experience, such as SEO for medical sites, may be unique enough for you to stand out and capture clients.
License and register your business: Choose a business structure and register your business if necessary. Then sort out any licenses or permits required. Consider consulting with a legal professional to ensure everything is in order as requirements for working as a freelancer can vary from state to state and country to country.
Create a portfolio: Build and publish a freelance website that showcases your best work and if necessary a variety of your work as well - start with a portfolio template. This online showcase of your work will serve as proof of your abilities and help potential clients visualize your services and their potential impact.
Determine your pricing: Pricing is an important decision to make as a freelancer. You’ll need to decide on your rates based on experience, the value you provide and market standards. It may be that clients are willing to pay a premium for high-quality services and it's important to take this into account. It’s also possible to consider offering different pricing structures, such as hourly rates or project-based fees.
Network and market your services: In order to market your services you’ll need to leverage social media, attend industry events and join online communities to network with potential clients and other freelancers. If you plan to make money as a freelancer you’ll need to use content marketing, email campaigns and other strategies to promote your services.
Establish a workflow: Invest in tools and software to manage your projects, finances and communication efficiently. Having a solid workflow will help you stay organized and professional. This could include booking tools or payment systems to streamline running a freelance venture.
What makes freelancing profitable
To make money as a freelancer, it's crucial to define what makes freelancing profitable. A profitable freelancing business is not just about earning money it's also about creating a sustainable business model that allows for growth and stability. Here are four key aspects that define a profitable freelancing business.
Specialization and expertise
A freelancer who specializes in a niche market or possesses a high level of expertise can command higher rates and attract clients looking for specific skills. Specialization leads to a better understanding of the market, more targeted marketing strategies and the ability to provide exceptional value to clients.
Efficient business management
Profitability or making money is also about how efficiently you can run your business. This includes having effective systems and processes in place for tasks such as invoicing, project management and client communication. Streamlining these operations saves time and resources, allowing you to focus more on revenue-generating activities.
Strong client relationships
Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients can lead to repeat business, referrals and a steady income stream. A profitable freelancing business often has a loyal client base that trusts the freelancer's work and is willing to pay for their expertise.
Scalability
Lastly, a profitable freelancing business is one that has the potential to scale. This could mean outsourcing certain tasks, offering new services or even productizing your services to serve more clients without a proportional increase in workload. It could also mean choosing a scalable business idea from the start.
How to make money as a freelancer FAQ
What services can I offer as a freelancer to make money?
You can offer any service that matches your skills and meets a market need. This includes writing, graphic design, web development, consulting and more. Assess your strengths and research market demand to find the right fit for you. If you already have a career in a particular field, consider if it can be turned into a way to make money as a freelancer.
How do I find my first clients?
Start by networking with your existing contacts, including friends, family and former colleagues. Use social media platforms, freelance job boards and attend industry events to connect with potential clients. Also, consider offering your services at a reduced rate to build your portfolio.
Should I quit my job to start freelancing?
It's often safer to start freelancing as a side hustle before transitioning to full-time. This approach allows you to build your client base and income stream while still having financial security. Making money as a freelancer can take time, so it’s best to be prepared.
How do I set my rates as a freelancer?
Research what others in your field are charging and consider factors like your experience, the complexity of the work and the value you provide. It's important to set rates that are cIt's often safer to start freelancing as a side hustle before transitioning to full-time. This approach allows you to build your client base and income stream while still having financial security. Making money as a freelancer can take time, so it’s best to be prepared. Your goal is to make money, so profitability and rates that create that are essential.
Can I make money while freelancing and traveling?
Yes, many freelancers work while traveling, as long as they have access to reliable internet. It’s a route popular with digital nomads. It will involve making sure to plan time zones with clients carefully
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