Ready to Start Your Adventure?

I’ve been freelancing for almost three years now, and honestly? It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

If you’re thinking about giving freelancing a shot this year, I’ll share how I started earning in USD from home—even with zero experience!

Think of freelancing as a video game. 🎮 You start at Level 1: No Experience, No Clients. Your mission? Find a skill, land your first gig, and level up. But before we dive into your quest, let me tell you how my journey began.

My Story: How I Started Freelancing

I took my first freelancing steps in October 2022. At the time, I was still working as a Financial Advisor at Sun Life, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t for me. I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life stuck in that routine.

What I really wanted was simple:
✔ Work from home
✔ Spend more time with my kids
✔ Earn in dollars

But here’s the truth: I had no freelancing experience.

So, I asked myself: What skills do I have?

I had a degree in Finance and years of corporate experience, but I wasn’t passionate about it anymore. Then I realized something—I had been growing a TikTok account for insurance leads and had already built an audience of 10K followers.

That’s when it clicked. Maybe I could turn this into a freelancing career.

I explored online platforms, applied to countless jobs, got rejected multiple times—but I kept going.

Then one day, I landed my first gig as a video spokesperson on OnlineJobs.ph. 🎉

• My second client came from LinkedIn.

• My third from Fiverr.

💡 Pro tip: Most of my video editing gigs came from LinkedIn. If you want to stand out, build a professional LinkedIn profile and connect with people in your niche.

I even used my TikTok as a portfolio—and it worked! Today, I’m also growing my YouTube channel and running my own website to strengthen my online presence.

Freelancing taught me one crucial lesson: clients trust freelancers who put themselves out there.

Your Turn: Start Your Freelancing Quest

Alright, enough about me. Let’s talk about how you can start freelancing today.

Level 1: Choose Your Character 🏆

Every game starts by picking your character. In freelancing, this means identifying your skills.

👉 What can you offer?

Businesses hire freelancers because they lack time or expertise. They need help with:

✅ Social media content creation
✅ Admin tasks & organization
✅ Project management
✅ Customer service
✅ Graphic design & video editing
✅ Writing and blogging

What if I don’t have experience?

Everyone starts somewhere. If you know how to use a computer and the internet, you already have an edge.

Here are simple skills you can monetize:
✅ Googling information → Become a researcher
✅ Copy-pasting → Do data entry
✅ Organizing files → Be a virtual assistant
✅ Microsoft Office → Help with reports or presentations
✅ ChatGPT → Learn how to use it for writing or social media

Freelancing isn’t about being an expert; it’s about being resourceful and willing to learn.

Level 2: Gear Up for Battle ⚔️

Don’t enter the freelancing world unprepared. Here’s your starter kit:

✅ Stable Internet – Your lifeline for staying connected.
✅ Payment Method – Set up PayPal or Wise early. (I created my PayPal account years before freelancing—it came in handy!)
✅ Portfolio – Even with zero experience, create something to showcase:

• Social media accounts relevant to your niche

• Personal projects

• Content created for friends in exchange for testimonials

Level 3: Enter the Battlefield 🏹

You’re ready—now it’s time to find clients. But with thousands of freelancers out there, how do you stand out?

✅ Start small – Offer competitive rates to build credibility.
✅ Offer a free trial – A short project can lead to paid work (many clients will pay even for a “trial” if they like your output).
✅ Communicate well – Be responsive and easy to work with.
✅ Embrace rejection – Every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.”

Remember: Freelancing is sustainable, but save for rainy days. 💰

Where to Find Clients?

🎯 Upwork – Great for beginners.
🎯 OnlineJobs.ph – Where I found my first client!
🎯 LinkedIn – Perfect for building relationships and getting referrals.

Where to Build Your Portfolio?

📌 Canva – Design clean resumes and portfolios.
📌 Notion – Create a professional one-page showcase.

💡 Pro tip: Check out my resume example here for inspiration.

Final Boss: Take Action 🚀

Now you know the steps—but your first client won’t appear like magic. You have to take action.

The freelancing world is waiting. Are you ready to start your quest? 💪🎮

Resources:

Get my Freelancer Toolkit

Subscribe to my Substack blog (Novie's Notes) so we can be friends :)

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for free video content on how to build an income online without the burnout