How can I get freelance work online?

freelance workers online

Alternative workers account for about 10% of the nation's workforce, according to surveys done by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2005 and 2017, with the numbers holding steady during those 12 years. As of 2019, the 2017 survey is the most recent data. These are workers who do not hold consistent or permanent employment with a single employer and instead earn income through contract work, temporary jobs, or freelance work. This often is referred to as part of the gig economy.

Among this segment of the workforce are those who obtain freelance work online, which can be a great way to earn money on the side, perhaps get a foot in the door in the tech industry, or maybe build up a portfolio of work with the hope of securing a permanent position elsewhere.

One thing that most online freelance sites have in common is the need to build up a portfolio over time and to develop relationships with clients in order to get the best and highest-paying jobs. Don't expect this to happen overnight. Be willing early on to take some less appealing jobs for lower pay in order to show the quality of the work you can do. In time, this will help you to get better jobs for more money. Ideally, along the way, you'll make connections with some clients who will wish to go back to you for future jobs because they know they can count on you to be reliable and to do quality work.

Upwork

Upwork is the result of a merger between Elance and oDesk, both considered to be leaders in online freelancing in the past. Upwork markets itself as the world's largest freelance talent marketplace.

Freelancers on Upwork create profiles outlining their skills and experiences, along with their job histories and portfolios. Clients post job listings detailing their projects and what they’re looking for in a freelancer.

From there, freelancers submit proposals for projects they’re interested in doing. Clients can review freelancers' proposals, profiles, and portfolios, choose the one that best fits their needs, and place project funding in escrow.

Freelancers and clients then collaborate through an online work station, typically with no off-platform communication.  

Guru

Guru first emerged in 2001 as a passion project. The company is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and caters more to U.S.-based freelancers.

It is designed to attract a more expert base of clientele and freelancers, rather than mixing in a lot of cheap job listings.

Freelancer

Similar to Upwork, you can make a freelancer profile and start bidding on jobs posted by clients.

Freelancer.com boasts more than 29 million users as of 2019. However, it can be difficult to find high-paying work there.

It’s a good choice for those who prefer to work remotely and get their feet wet in freelance marketplaces.