Freelance Services: How to Find What You Can Offer Online
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In the previous article we explained what online freelancing is. Here we look at what you offer as a freelancer and how to find your service.
Many beginners like the idea of freelancing but are unsure what they could offer. The good news: freelancing platforms can help you find your service. In this article, we explain the offering in freelancing and how to discover the freelance services you can provide.
The offering behind freelance services
The offering in freelancing is a digital service. We define it broadly as “custom work you create based on the needs of your client.” Each project is different, because each client’s needs are different.
This is the main difference from techniques like digital product sales. A digital product is made once and sold many times. A freelance service is made new for each client.
How to find the freelance services you can offer
One of the most helpful aspects of freelancing is that platforms help you offer your services and also help you identify which skills you can provide. Even if you are unsure of your exact offer when you start, you can find it there.
Step 1: list your skills and interests
Write down everything you are good at or enjoy. Include skills from your job, studies, hobbies and daily life. Do not judge the list yet.
Step 2: browse the categories of freelance services
Next, browse the service categories and subcategories on the platform you have chosen. At first, you will see broad categories, such as design, writing, translation, business advice, finance, personal growth or various types of consulting. They may not feel relevant to you right away.
Look deeper into the subcategories and the services people already offer. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that your skills fit within one of these areas. Someone who loves organizing, for example, might find services like virtual assistance or spreadsheet setup.
Step 3: make your freelance service specific
Once you find a fitting category, narrow your offer. “Logo design” is broad. “Minimalist logos for small cafes” is specific, easier to understand and easier to remember.
Physical services seen as freelance services
Physical services can also be viewed through the lens of freelancing. You would not approach them in quite the same way as a digital service. Still, you can use the tools we teach here to enable online bookings for your offline services.
The common thread is that freelancing always means providing a service, never a product. Physical service providers include medical professionals, lawyers, beauticians, wellness practitioners, hospitality workers and many others. They have built their businesses around delivering services through their expertise.
If you are not employed by someone else but dedicate your time to a client, you are, in essence, freelancing. In the rest of this module, though, we focus on online freelancing specifically.
Competition among freelance services
Freelancing has become popular because of its flexibility and the growing demand for specialized skills that can be hired online. For the same reason, competition exists. Many freelancers worldwide may offer the same service as you.
That is why, besides presenting yourself with great content in your marketplace profile, you should also bring traffic to it. Share your work on social media, ask happy clients for reviews and referrals, or write helpful content that links to your profile. Our article on traffic methods for beginners explains the options.
Yes, there are millions of freelancers online. It is equally true that there are millions of people looking for their services. Do not let the thought of competition stop you.
Choosing a platform for your freelance services
As freelancing grows, so does the number of platforms serving it, each slightly different. Some let you join for free. Others charge a subscription to list your services, and some require you to apply and be accepted.
Some platforms let you set a fixed price for a specific offer, for example 50 dollars for designing a book cover. Others let you work at an hourly rate. Some support both.
Try not to worry about the many options. We recommend starting on a platform that is free to join, even if it takes a percentage of what clients pay you. That fee is their commission for connecting you with customers.
An example of finding freelance services
Imagine a retired accountant who enjoys explaining numbers to friends. She browses a freelancing platform and looks at the finance category. In the subcategories, she finds “bookkeeping setup for small businesses” and “budget spreadsheets for families.”
She realizes she can offer both. She starts with one specific service: a personal budget spreadsheet, set up in a one-hour video call, for a fixed price. Her first clients are young couples planning their first home.
Starting small and staying private
Joining a free platform costs nothing. We recommend spending no more than about 20 dollars on your setup, with no monthly fees before you have clients. You can bring traffic to your profile yourself, without an agency.
Your service and your portfolio can be the face of your freelancing. If the idea of self-branding is what held you back so far, Lynnaider recaps the alternatives for you.
Pricing your first freelance services
Pricing is one of the hardest parts for beginners. Start by looking at what other freelancers with similar offers charge on your platform. Note the range, from the cheapest to the most expensive.
As a beginner, you can start slightly below the middle of that range to win your first reviews. Avoid the very lowest prices, because they attract difficult clients and are hard to raise later. Once you have a few good reviews, increase your prices step by step.
Also think about how long each project really takes, including communication and revisions. If a fixed-price project regularly takes much longer than planned, your price is too low or your offer is too broad.
Your next step
The next article covers the customer service habits that set successful freelancers apart. The complete module, alongside the other online income techniques, is in the book on our products page. If you would like help finding your freelance services, see our services page.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see what freelancers charge?
Browse similar services on your chosen marketplace and note the prices of sellers with good reviews.
Can I offer more than one freelance service?
Yes, but start with one or two clear services. Once they work, you can add related ones that the same clients might need.
What is the offering in freelancing?
A digital service: custom work you create based on your client’s needs.
How do I find freelance services I can offer?
List your interests and skills, then browse the categories and subcategories on a freelancing platform. You may find your skills fit an area you did not expect.
Can physical services count as freelancing?
Yes. If you provide your time to clients without being employed by someone else, you are essentially freelancing, for example as a beautician, consultant or therapist. Online tools can handle the bookings.
Is there too much competition in freelancing?
There are millions of freelancers, but also millions of people looking for their services. A clear profile and regular traffic to it help you stand out.
Which freelancing platform should I start with?
We recommend one that is free to join, even if it takes a percentage of your earnings. That fee pays for connecting you with clients.
Should I charge a fixed price or an hourly rate?
Both are common. Fixed prices suit clearly defined tasks, such as designing a book cover. Hourly rates suit open-ended work. Some platforms support only one model.
Do all freelancing platforms work the same way?
No. Some are free to join, some charge a subscription, and some require you to apply and be accepted.
Do I need to drive traffic to my freelance profile?
Yes. Besides a strong profile, bringing visitors to it from social media, search or referrals makes a big difference in a competitive market.
Where can I get step-by-step help to set up the Freelancing Online technique on a small budget?
Yes. Lynnaider teaches setup routes for the Freelancing Online technique that cost nothing, or very little (under 20 dollars), to go live, so you do not pay setup costs long before you earn. Our free AI agent, Lynnaider Compass, guides you through them step by step, in the same logic as the whole Lynnaider teaching.
Will Lynnaider publish step-by-step tutorials for setting up the 10 online business models for free or at a very low cost?
They may be created depending on how much interest there is. Please join the waitlist to show that you are interested, and we will let you know as soon as they are ready.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
