Everyone’s going into IT, and nobody wants to work in factories. “I should’ve started earlier—there were more opportunities back then, now there are too many specialists.” These thoughts haunt a lot of people. And you’ve probably had them too, haven’t you?
Meanwhile, new people have entered freelancing, started from scratch, and are now working successfully. While you’re still hesitating, others are leveling up and gaining experience. Yes, competition is growing every day, and the pandemic only accelerated the shift to freelancing. Don’t wait — dive in and start growing. If you had started even a year ago, you’d already see results.
Sometimes, there’s no competition at all
There are fields where professionals are so few that they barely feel any competition. This mostly applies to top-level experts and niche specialists. Clients from around the world line up for their services, willing to pay any price, and it’s the freelancer who sets the terms. At this level, you only compete with yourself — always aiming to grow and raise your bar. But these are stories about experienced freelancers who’ve mastered their craft. It usually takes years, sometimes a whole decade. And to reach that level, you have to start somewhere — there’s no shortcut.
Now let’s talk about creative fields like design. Style and beauty are very subjective. So even if you have competitors, you’re not offering the same product — every design is unique. If you have your own style, there will always be people who love it. Some clients will be a perfect match for your solutions, others won’t. The key is to find your niche — once you do, competition becomes a background concern.
The freelance market is so vast that someone with experience will never be out of work. But getting that experience and reaching that level is the real challenge.
Competition among beginners
The beginning is the hardest. You have to find clients and build your name without having strong skills or a portfolio. The best strategy? Stand out with your ideas. But let’s be honest — those kinds of breakthroughs are rare. Most success comes from consistent hard work and persistence. That’s what you should be counting on. That’s why beginners often start with low prices — just to land a job and get experience. Undercutting isn’t great, but it’s almost unavoidable early on. You’ll need to take cheap gigs to build your portfolio, rating, and client base.
It’s also important to choose the right freelance platforms for beginners . Sign up on several to test different options and increase your chances of landing work. Look for platforms with solid reputations.
At this stage, the only right move is to take every job you can. Not just for the money — it’s a crash course for your skills. You’ll grow fast. Just make sure you don’t fall into the low-rate trap. Eventually, you’ll be fully booked and earning a semi-steady income. It might be low, but losing it will seem scary. That’s when you need to take the leap and raise your rates. If you don’t, you’ll get stuck working for peanuts for years.
How to start earning more?
Raising prices is tricky. It’s hard to know exactly when to do it. What if clients say no, and you lose what you already have?
The simplest and most effective way is to gradually increase your rates with each new project. Start taking on more complex and higher-paying jobs while saying no to the cheap ones. How do you know you’re ready? When you finally have a choice. Don’t rely on quantity — focus on quality. Otherwise, you’ll end up working 24/7, burning out, and still not making enough to buy a plane ticket to Thailand. By the way, check out this online workshop: “How to Earn Big as a Web Designer: Tactics, Tips, and Tricks” .
Once you break out of the low-price zone, you’ll stop worrying about competition. It’ll only matter when bidding for high-profile clients or contests.
At that level, there are far fewer people to compete with. Not everyone makes it this far. Some quit when they realize freelancing is actual work — not just getting paid to click buttons. Some people simply aren’t cut out for freelance life, it’s not for everyone . And others stay stuck at the cheap gig stage for years. But if you’re ready to put in the work and face challenges, you’ll push through and reach your dream.
6 tips for getting started
The first step is tough — let’s not sugarcoat it. Be ready. Here are some tips to help you not only survive the beginning but also move forward and start earning.
1. Financial cushion
Start freelancing with some savings. Early on, orders will be rare and income low. It’s a must. Make sure you have something to fall back on.
Some people start freelancing while still at their day job. Smart move — it gives you stability. But your growth will be slower if you’re not all in.
2. Motivation
Sounds cliché, but when things get tough, motivation is key. You need to believe in yourself and your future. Without a clear goal, it’s hard to push through. Know what you’re doing this for — and what you’ll gain. Still, motivation alone isn’t enough — skill-building is essential.
3. Presentation skills
Even the most talented freelancer won’t get hired if they don’t know how to present their work. You need to pitch your ideas well, prove that you’re the best fit, and show your work in the best light. That means writing good proposals and clearly communicating your value — give the client what they want.
4. Make it easy for the client
Clients might not understand all the technical stuff. So among similar offers, they’ll choose the most convenient one — clear communication, easy payment methods, fast delivery. Better yet, offer a full package. Team up with people in related fields. And everyone loves bonuses — throw in something extra, even if it’s already included.
5. Experience
You need a portfolio. Freelance “years” don’t mean anything — only results matter. That’s why in our courses, students complete real projects before graduating. So they don’t start from zero — they already have 2–3 projects under their belt. That’s often two or three times more than other beginners on freelance platforms.
6. Self-education
Keep growing. Stay in the loop, read news in your field, take extra courses. Upskilling is a must in today’s world. Don’t be afraid to invest in learning — it’ll pay off big time.
We’ve created an online coaching program for all kinds of freelancers — “Freelancer: The Big Game” . With this foundation, you’ll avoid rookie mistakes. Join the next group!
