How to Become a Freelancer in 2024 💸 the ultimate step-by-step guide to freelancing for beginners

Start your freelancing business with these pro tips & tricks. Don't forget to snatch HubSpot's free 25 Proven Sales Email Templates here 👉clickhubspot.com/brb
If you're dreaming of freelancing or starting a freelance business, this is the video for you! I go over how to become a freelancer, the steps to take to start a freelancing business, how to get clients as a freelancer, inbound and outbound marketing hacks, making a portfolio as a freelancer, and tips for impressing your freelancing clients.
👇Let me know in the comments, where are you in your freelancing journey? Will you steal any of my tips and tricks and use them in your own business?
FREE RESOURCES:
💻 Download my Business Plan Template here👉 tinyurl.com/dinabizplan
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💻 Download my UGC portfolio template (Canva) and pitch template👉 tinyurl.com/dinaugctemplates
💻 Download my Canva template for your Etsy listings photos here👉 tinyurl.com/dinalistingphotos
💻 Download the Start Your Etsy Checklist here👉 tinyurl.com/dinaetsychecklist
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🎉 [LIMITED OFFER✨] Get my Etsy listing photos course 👉 tinyurl.com/dinaetsycourse
🗓 Book a 1:1 coaching session with me to grow your business: tinyurl.com/dinacoaching
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👋Follow on Instagram for behind-the-scenes: / dinadlu
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Why watch this video
01:20 Do this legal stuff
02:04 How to create portfolio
03:03 Inbound vs outbound: how to get clients
03:54 How to cold email someone
05:17 How to network to get clients
08:33 PRO tip for working with clients
10:04 How to invoice clients
10:50 How to build portfolio with NO clients/experience
12:55 How to price yourself
15:23 EASY TIP for new freelancers
17:01 More invoicing/contracts help
TECH EQUIPMENT
📹 My camera: amzn.to/33SQIAD
📹 My lens: amzn.to/3If2G9m
📹 My lav mic: amzn.to/3xoGofY
📹 My Zoom H1n (I connect my lav mic to this): amzn.to/3MVS5zw
📹 My external microphone (for backup audio): amzn.to/3xQrsEe
📹 My ergonomic mouse (didn't bring it travelling): amzn.to/37JFooY (most similar to mine)
📹 My KZbin umbrella lights (didn't bring them travelling): amzn.to/3A3IzVQ
📹 My 67" phone tripod: amzn.to/3L5upJK (similar to mine)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Other links in this video description may also be affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
Subscriber count: 35,050
#howtostartfreelancing #freelancing #startfreelancing

[@DinaLu]

I can't believe I shared so many of my freelancing hacks here!👇Let me know in the comments, where are you in your freelancing journey? Will you steal any of my tips and tricks and use them in your own business?

[@goodlucklaurie]

I have one social media marketing client so far! Love this video!!

[@user-ry7sh7my9q]

I have been running my own business now for 17 years (handwritten mail business) and I still learn something new every day. Thanks for sharing so many worthwhile tips!

[@DinaLu]

​@@goodlucklauriethat's awesome!! Hope you get more!🎉

[@DinaLu]

​@@user-ry7sh7my9qglad you enjoyed it!!❤

[@coffeetime1001]

Yes, thanks for letting us steal your tips😅. Jokes aside, I appreciate what you’ve done here! 🙏 It’s a big help for someone like me who lost a job since last year. 😞

[@LearnEnglishWithJess]

Oh my gosh! This video IS PERFECT TIMING. As you know... I am unemployed and the job search is BRUTAL and I've been HIGHLY considering starting my own business and freelancing. Thanks Dina!!!

[@julesm9081]

Same and I agree I’ve applied for 100s since 2020 and got nowhere...

[@alaskastarr]

Good luck with this!! Starting something new like this is scary, but also exciting!

[@DinaLu]

Awww so happy to hear this Jessie!!! Hope these tips can help you start freelancing! 🙌♥️

[@julesm9081]

@@alaskastarr thank you I agree

[@TysonMichael77]

same here queen, I am learning too

[@El3iram]

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for sharing your freelance tips! Currently unemployed and thinking about starting a freelance venture so this video showing up on my feed is PERFECT. I enjoyed listening to your tips. It's so relatable and fun to listen to. More power to you, Dina!!

[@DinaLu]

AWWW this makes me so happy!!! So glad you found it helpful and thank you!

[@sammietang1767]

Thank you, Dina! Your video is inspiring as always. Love the fact that your content is informative and easy to digest. The resources that you provided are amazing. It is empowering to learn from you!

[@DinaLu]

Awww I'm so happy to hear this :)

[@DevanPax-en1wc]

Wow, I've watched A LOT of videos trying to gather information and none of them were as helpful, this is just GOLD. Straight to the point and full of value. Thank you so much.

[@DinaLu]

This means SO much to me!!! Glad you found it helpful!

[@user-cb8cr5pr1z]

Yes. Ladies. I really think it's a great idea to start a freelance coven. Just enough to get a Paris next August. Montreal July.

[@jozef_s]

Dina, Thank you, tons of good tips! Have a good day.

[@DinaLu]

Thank you!

[@jasonphoa]

Dina, what were you thinking giving all the tips away! You’re simply amazing sharing so unreservedly and genuinely! But hey, you’re right that the market is big enough for all! And I’m one sucker that truly believe in the more freely you give, the more you’ll receive! Way to go!!!

[@DinaLu]

Thank you so much Jason! I really think freelancing is a great first gateway a lot of people can take to becoming entrepreneurs and living their dream so that's why I made the video 😎

[@amedeunuabona]

Thank you!

[@VioletStarfish]

Thank you, Dina! This year I will start working as a Freelance UI/UX Designer and this info is super useful 😊

[@DinaLu]

Glad it was helpful!

[@viru3708]

I have started my freelance journey from few months but needed guidance and was thinking to search some content and here you are Thank you. Really love your content 😊

[@DinaLu]

Awww yay!! Good luck on your freelancing!!!

[@grenli6443]

Thanks for sharing you explain it very well 👏🏽

[@DinaLu]

Thanks for watching!

[@mirelavlaseva8556]

This is like the most informative video i've ever seen on this topic. Thank you!🤩

[@DinaLu]

AWW YAYYYYY glad to hear that

[@yostinawasef8701]

My Gosh Dina, that was gold!! thank you so much for all this practical information. Blessings

[@DinaLu]

You are so welcome!!!!

[@ryanwanjay8243]

Dina your a godsend - thanks so much

[@DinaLu]

Aww hahaha yay glad to hear that! 😁

[@finaya]

This is such an amazing and informative video!! Especially the portfolio building had so many smart bullet points that I'll definitely make use of :)

[@DinaLu]

Aww YAY!!! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@annaspeaks373]

Thank you for this detailed video❤

[@DinaLu]

You're welcome!!

[@lovelyblue]

What a great video ! Love your content, very useful.

[@DinaLu]

Yay so happy to hear that!!

[@nicolesanchez6251]

@Dina you're videos are all amazing but i want to say youre just getting more bad ass when it comes to sharing your hacks and power feeding us all of these good to know things!! Thank you for your vids and keep them coming!

[@DinaLu]

Awww your comment made my day!!! 😎 I will make more badass videos in the future

[@AlishaConn]

Life saver! Thank you so much!

[@DinaLu]

You're welcome!

[@learnwithlerato]

Thank you so much for sharing these tips

[@DinaLu]

My pleasure!

[@MaHmoodOom]

Hi Dina, you're such a gift to us❤. Thanks for everything. I'm really grateful for watching your videos. Your personality and the way you present is so cool. Again, thanks!

[@DinaLu]

Thank you so much!!!♥️😭

[@lilystar14]

Such good video with so much value! I’m soo inspired 💡

[@DinaLu]

Thank you so much! 💕

[@aceyourfinances]

Great insights! I've learned a lot of helpful tips for my freelancing business

[@DinaLu]

Glad it was helpful!🙌

[@angelahappy5696]

Thank you so much Dina 🙏🏻❤️

[@DinaLu]

You're welcome!!

[@crumbleya]

Thank you

[@HPMusic.]

great video 😊 Thanks for all the helpful information ☺️ Keep up the amazing work 💪

[@DinaLu]

You're welcome, glad you found it helpful!

[@shardaitaylor1762]

I never comment on videos, but this video was so helpful I had to! Thank you for all of the gems you provided. I've been feeling stuck and will definitely be utilizing all of these tips and tricks.

[@DinaLu]

I'm glad to hear that! ❤️

[@Potentialaj]

Omg she is so smart 😮😮 taking a screenshot of the zoom meeting is so gold. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@DinaLu]

Steal my tip 😁

[@wuwusela0191]

Wonderful input. So happy I found you

[@DinaLu]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful!

[@user-sx7om1qx3j]

This is like the most informative video i've ever seen on this topic. Thank you!

[@DinaLu]

You're welcome, glad it helped!

[@minshoogah833]

This is such a godsend, I'm planning to start my freelance journey and I've been so lost at the moment. Thank you so much

[@DinaLu]

You're so welcome!💕

[@HiddenGemsTravel777]

Thank you Dina. We will all be rich together. No more poverty, classes...we all can win this game together. Please keep your hacks coming.

[@DinaLu]

Yesss!!! Haha love this!

[@lumieredice485]

​@@DinaLubruh

[@LofiDreamsMix]

Hey great video, as a fellow vancouverite really proud of you! Your vids are getting better and better!

[@DinaLu]

Awww yay Vancouverite! Thank you so much!

[@LofiDreamsMix]

😊

[@user-eg2iq6ce9j]

This is really good information. I've always wondered about freelance.

[@DinaLu]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@salmasoultan6547]

Thank you for the valuable information. A channel worth following with more progress and success.

[@DinaLu]

Thanks!! Glad it's helping!!

[@hongngocvn]

Thank you so much for your advice.

[@DinaLu]

No worries!

[@RaepaMusic]

Hi Dina Lu, thank you for sharing this. Really helpful

[@DinaLu]

You're so welcome!

[@user-kk9wc2xj6p]

Thanks

[@andrewr888r]

Money first, legal stuff later if needed, is that correct. Yes.

[@catsockstudio]

Great vid, very helpful 👍

[@DinaLu]

Glad it was helpful!

[@saleemabbas9084]

Best Tips on Whole KZbin about Freelancing. Thank you Very Much.

[@DinaLu]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-cb8cr5pr1z]

Yeah. March in Montreal

[@zer_5764]

thank you so much for sharing all this info!! also very relevant for a fellow Vancouverite. :)

[@DinaLu]

You're so welcome!!!🙌

[@maryjaneedwards8361]

This was the most helpful video! It was refreshing hearing business terms explained and understanding the chronological process. Thank you so much for sharing your tips!

[@DinaLu]

This makes me so happy! Glad you enjoyed this and found it useful

[@fizakhatri6505]

Worthy to watch❤

[@DinaLu]

Aww yay🙌

[@user-vd6zx9he1i]

awesome video, thanks a lot. Also, your calligraphy is amazing and it's pretty fire that you got art jobs while still a beginner. Starting my freelance journey, thanks for the inspiration

[@DinaLu]

Thank you so much! Good luck on your business!

[@BonitaHighley-el4ed]

Thank you. You help me a lot! I'm a writer/author of my fiction books. this did help

[@DinaLu]

Aww I'm so glad it helped!!!

[@onionlayersed]

Thanks Dinah... I'm a medical student, but I really would like to start my own business though I didn't know where to start from, and after watching a lot of KZbin videos, I came to know about freelancing... Hopefully it goes well for me. Though I now know where to start from, I don't even know the possible services I'll be offering...

[@DinaLu]

Wishing you best of luck on the business ❤️✨

[@philippruizlozano]

I'm about to move to Canada the next year (permanently 😳) and you just solved 70% of my life lol. Thank you I guess 🙏

[@DinaLu]

Good luck on the move, glad this video was helpful!

[@RAESCA.]

thank so much for this video I learn a lot.

[@DinaLu]

Glad it was helpful!

[@risewithnaman]

thank you so much for your etsy videos, it made me open a store, haven't got any sales yet, but I might get them soon! :)

[@DinaLu]

Good luck!!

[@Talkingtothemooon]

Did you get any?

[@finemusic4432]

Most wonderful and great info quality 💜🔥

[@DinaLu]

Glad you enjoyed it👏

[@k8m549]

I haven't watched this video yet, but I love your hair!

[@DinaLu]

Thank you!

[@ayz_artonex]

awesome video, thanks a lot. Also, your calligraphy is amazing🔥 and it's pretty fire that you got art jobs while still a beginner. Starting my freelance journey, thanks for the inspiration

[@DinaLu]

Thank you so much!! Good luck on your freelancing journey!

[@ayz_artonex]

@@DinaLu 🤝

[@user-fd6wo8fk3w]

I'm about to move to Canada the next year (permanently ) and you just solved 70% of my life lol. Thank you I guess

[@DinaLu]

So glad to hear you found my video useful!!

[@AntoVntura]

I love el tutulo de la miniatura you are greate 🎉

[@DinaLu]

Gracias!

[@natassyatandri7281]

Dina, thank you for this video! I don’t usually comment on youtube videos but I feel like I need to leave at least one on this. I like how you’re breaking down the information and giving timestamps so they’ll be easier to find in the future when anyone wants to come back to this video. Overall, of course, I really like how you talk to your audience like you’ve known them for some time and you genuinely want to give out advice. I find this video amazing as I’m just starting out as a freelancer and trying to quit my 7 - 4 job (yeah it’s tiring and very dull). I’m trying to follow the steps of my brother in becoming a freelancer. The points you deliver in this video make me think a lot (in a good way) and it’s true that I can’t rush things. Building a business takes time, and thank you for reminding me of that. I wish all of us the best of luck on our freelancing career! 🌟 you just gained a subscriber (me)

[@DinaLu]

Awww thank you so much Natassya(hope I got the name right)!!! This means so much to me because I do think I shared some valuable stuff in this video. Thank you for your kind words! Wishing you all the best with your freelancer journey ♥️💪

[@Wheelztotheworld]

Thanj you

[@fatimascreation5220]

Thanks to u always boost my my confidence ❤love from🇵🇰🇵🇰

[@DinaLu]

Aww yay ♥️🙌

[@Terence.Watkins]

Worthy to watch

[@DinaLu]

Thanks for watching!

[@kittymogulco]

This video was so informative 👏 thanks so much because I've been looking for content like this for a really long time here on YT and it seems that freelancing as a model is less and less talked about each day. Freelancing is actually how I started my business 10 years ago and thank God for that, because it helped me support my financial and life goals for a really long time before I saved enough for a career switch. Your inbound vs. Outbound marketing explanation is on point 👌thanks so much. New subscriber! 🌈✨

[@kittymogulco]

@Dina_lu_ thanks so much for replying 🙌✨

[@DinaLu]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the video, and congratulations on the successful business!

[@s86raven]

Oh my gosh thank you so much for this video and for all of these helpful tips! I lost my job in August and decided to start a small business as a virtual assistant. It's going so well!! Website and social media will be up soon. I was so clueless on the marketing until I saw your video. Thank you so much!! ❤❤

[@DinaLu]

Omgg!! Congratulations on the virtual assistant business going well! So happy for you!! 🙌🎉♥️

[@lextacy2008]

This is how I price myself. I do what is called the performance hybrid model. The client pays minimum wage for a work product minus any performance it may generate. If the work actually performs (such as gets the business more calls, leads) the client must pay the full negotiated rate which usually is double the minimum wage for the state. Its covers the freelancer for getting paid for physical work being done and rewards further if that work was quality and valuable to the client.

[@DinaLu]

Thanks for sharing your pricing strategy!

[@ibrahimbobbo1431]

DinaLu you are the best I've ever met how i wish you will be my teacher and help me prospere. I have thesame field as yours calligraphy and art. Much love from Moscow.

[@DinaLu]

Aww thank you!!

[@earth2nayna]

wow i learned a lot. you just earned a follower :)

[@DinaLu]

Thanks for subbing!!

[@user-cb8cr5pr1z]

Yeah. Girls. Montreal Christmas.

[@HajjiLove]

ngl I haven't started since I've only just began considering this as an option as a side hustle and it does seem daunting as hell to get it off the ground.

[@DinaLu]

Hard work pays off 🙌😊

[@Haesin1]

Can we have another video about it?..

That is a very nice video. But also it would be important mentioning that the person needs something on a side to make money while the freelance job is not paying your bills 😅

[@user-df4tl6zr2p]

I can hear you on that.

[@kendriti]

The <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="21">0:21</a> b-roll 😂 and you explain things really well.

[@DinaLu]

Hahaha! And thanks!

[@sportingarenatv7495]

THANK YOUK FOR YOUR CONTENT PLEASE HOW DO I BUILD MY PORTFOLIO AS A FREELANCE SOCAIL MEIA MANAGER.

[@AdamsBurkley]

@stewart_tech

[@jetimpulse]

Hey dina

[@DinaLu]

Hi

[@CreativityByRiky]

Hi Dina, I love your video! I currently have started a freelance design agency with another person, and we are struggling so much to get clients. Is it possible to have conversation for any improvements that I could potentially venture into? Thank you so much! The advice you gave in this video was amazing!

[@DinaLu]

Sorry for such a late reply! Do you mean you want to have a private coaching session? I do offer those, look in any of my latest videos description! Glad you're enjoying my content🙌

[@luckyagbor373]

hello i could love to know more about this freelance would you put me through because right now im just knowing what not to do with my life i just need some guidance on how to start due to hasn't been on this before

[@Red-ie7zo]

Welcome to sky

[@samanthalayle]

Thanks. I would love to know what you charged for your realtor art?

[@DinaLu]

$100 when I started and up to $200!

[@SNITCHALITAH]

I just might 😅

[@janicesingoastro3795]

I would like to do this but I will never be confident.😢

[@AnnRachel-kc6qx]

Do I have to pay to learn this

[@sarah-maudegilbert7331]

Your KZbin Chanel gives me motivation to start. But I was wondering, and many hours did you spent searching for something to do.. until you finally tried? I’m stuck there

[@DinaLu]

Glad to hear that, Sarah! Hmmm, that's kind of hard to answer 😅 For my first business (selling greeting cards), I had the idea in August 2018 and then I started learning calligraphy. In November 2018, I launched the products. But if I didn't have to learn calligraphy, it could be much faster. It really depends on what you're trying to do! But I'd say... start before you feel like you're ready, because you learn a lot as you go :)

[@imanik948]

Hi Dina, have you ever had an issue with a client not wanting to pay? Or canceling services in the middle of a project? How do you handle it/protect yourself?

[@DinaLu]

I did have a couple of times where clients changed their mind and I was already in the middle of the project (they weren't HUGE projects). But it doesn't happen very often. Usually, I just take it as a learning experience. Try to collect a deposit before you start the project though, that always helps :)

[@gjproducer313]

Your website provider should have a way to assist you on their platform. I use Wix. They definitely do and it's genius.

[@kostadintoshanov]

Or being an editor.

[@aintnaomi]

Hello! I've been planning to become a freelancer since I was 17, but I hesitated because of fear. Now, I'm ready to take a risk and do something to earn extra money. However, I am curious about which services I can offer.

[@DinaLu]

That's awesome, wishing you best of luck! 🙌

[@jetroconcerman4314]

Hi Please help me to become a VA

[@koyasumy9437]

Okay so, what if I want to become a traveling freelancer? I'm soon going to study computer science and want to be a programmer, but I don't want to be forced to stay in one country I want to be able to travel and work from wherever I want

[@DinaLu]

Wishing you best of luck!!!

[@rushyit]

Still struggling on the networking things 😢

[@DinaLu]

Awww, do you have any specific questions about networking?

[@user-ot7lo8sq3d]

I am newbie freelancer how can i get freelancer id

[@user-wm4yw8hz5c]

trying to make a couple of bucks so I can begin my own business and start buying myself basic necessities for high school:)

[@DinaLu]

Wishing you best of luck on this journey!!

[@KamamawilmaTv_0711]

Nice video 🔔👈👌🤲

[@DinaLu]

Thank you!

[@ingridwaatevik9856]

❤

[@emmanuellawilliepepple9302]

Please can you be my personal teacher on freee lancing 😊

[@DinaLu]

Awww! Glad you found this helpful!

[@nevanwizanska4359]

When you first started out emailing potential clients, did you use a personal email account? Btw warm greetings from Indonesia! 🥰

[@DinaLu]

Nope! I had a domain and website!

[@tarinvernon7007]

my first networking event was a bunch of freelancers talking about how many followers they have and calling others plebs. I found it so funny.

[@DinaLu]

Hahaha 🤔🤣

[@suaraalam7796]

i'm freelancer too. when you're my wife, maybe we can doing inbound sales together. 😂

[@Kiba_beleg_try_koru_niki]

Which freelancer skill I should learn which will be a bit less time consuming and will get me some little amount Suggest me a skill I can learn plz n make a video on how to not get scam

[@DinaLu]

Coming out with a video soon on freelancing ideas!!

[@favour9408]

@DinaLu have you released yet??

[@Calmy777]

Random question, does anyone know chemistry. If you do please comment below

[@moviesync3131]

ni shuo zhongwen ma

[@khoavo5758]

Takeaway tips: just stage some pictures of you doing the work, and then people will believe it 😅

[@DinaLu]

Well, it's still real work :)