Whether you’re bored with your day job and need to embrace distant work forever or you’ve been a everlasting freelancer for years, we’ve pulled collectively a few of the best websites that will help you find and land your subsequent gig. You will for positive find a big selection of thrilling, artistic opportunities to take your freelance profession to the subsequent degree.

Let’s take a deep dive into everything you should know to seek out freelance work online—including a huge number of nice web sites to faucet into throughout your job search, the pros and cons of various freelance jobs sites, and precisely what to do whenever you discover the perfect freelance job for you.

Where to Look For Freelance Jobs
Only you probably can decide if freelancing is the proper profession path for you. But if it is? Here are sixty eight of the most effective places to search for freelance work online.

General Freelance Job Boards
There are so many several varieties of freelance jobs. There are alternatives for photograph and video editors, content technique, search engine optimization (SEO), enterprise development…the opportunities are countless.

And whereas there are lots of niche sites out there that cater to full-time freelancers in several industries, not each freelance job class has its personal devoted website—that’s when you should hit a extra generalized freelance job search web site.

The most popular web sites take a more basic strategy to postings, which suggests you’ll find all kinds of opportunities in whatever area you’re looking for work.

Here are a quantity of of the biggest (and best-known) freelance job boards you’ll want to check out.

Upwork

Upwork is the world’s largest freelance market that hosts a huge volume of remote work alternatives for quite so much of talent (for instance, web designers, graphic designers, writers, and project management specialists). While the precise variety of freelancers registered with the platform is unknown (in 2018, there have been over 16 million freelancers on Upwork), in 2020, freelancers have been paid a whopping $2.three billion from jobs posted on the platform.

Fees: Upwork is free to join, but once you truly get work by way of the location, the platform charges freelancers service charges based mostly on the quantity you invoice for every consumer. Upwork will charge a service fee of:

* 20% on the first $500 you bill to a consumer
* 10% of lifetime billings for that shopper between $500.01 and $10,000
* 5% of any lifetime billings for that client that exceed $10,000

Pros: Because it’s the biggest and most comprehensive web site of its type, you won’t find a website with more opportunities—or a greater variety of opportunities—than Upwork.

Cons: Because Upwork is the world’s largest pool of freelancers, competition for quality work may be fierce. And as a outcome of lots of these freelancers are from areas with a more inexpensive price of residing, you can often end up competing against talent with a similar skill set—but at a much lower rate.

FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a job board that specializes in “flexible” jobs, which incorporates remote jobs (both full- and part-time), on-site jobs with versatile or various schedules, and—you guessed it—freelancer alternatives.

Fees: FlexJobs expenses membership fees so as to access the roles posted on the site. The typical fee is $24.ninety five a month, but you possibly can cut down the month-to-month price by signing up for 3 months ($39.95) or a year ($69.95) directly. (If you want to get a feel for FlexJobs before committing to a longer membership, there’s additionally the option to try it for every week at $9.95.)

Pros: All the jobs on FlexJobs go through a thorough vetting course of, so you can be positive that the job postings on the website are legitimate. (No wasting time with spam—or scam—jobs!)

Cons: Again, not each job on FlexJobs is a freelance one—so not each opportunity is going to be the best fit if you’re committed to engaged on a contract foundation.

Craigslist

Craigslist is a good place to discover a used sofa or to promote your old records—but it additionally occurs to be a fantastic place to search for new gigs. This well-known categorized adverts website has become a go-to for employers due to its extensive reach and low job posting fees.

Fees: None! While it costs employers money to publish their jobs, it doesn’t value you anything to look jobs or apply.

Pros: Because every main city has its personal Craigslist board, you can search jobs locally—or, if you need to expand your alternatives, see what’s listed in other cities.

Cons: Craigslist is infamous for scams. Before you share any personal information, accept a job, or begin engaged on a project, make certain to thoroughly vet the chance to ensure it’s legit.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a contract marketplace that brings collectively freelancers and companies. With skilled service offerings in an impressive 250+ categories, no matter what sort of work you’re looking for, likelihood is, you can find it on Fiverr.

Fees: You can list your services on Fiverr for free, but when it leads to a gig, put together to pay up; the platform charges a 20% payment on each transaction.

Pros: Again, Fiverr has an especially diverse talent pool (from voiceover actors and speechwriters to information entry specialists)—and as a end result of the expertise is so diverse, the platform attracts purchasers in search of all kinds of companies. If you typically have hassle finding potential clients on your specialization, Fiverr is an effective place to begin.

Cons: Fiverr obtained its name as a outcome of its providers start at $5. And, as a result, the platform has gained a status as the go-to useful resource for employers looking for reasonably priced (some might even say cheap) freelancers. This could make it onerous to negotiate greater rates.

Freelancer

Freelancer is another well-known freelance market that boasts an impressive client list (on its homepage, the corporate lists the platform as being utilized by enterprise juggernauts like Microsoft, Boeing, and Intel).

Fees: Freelancer has one of the extra advanced charge constructions. The fees the platform charges freelancers include:

* A 10% introduction payment for all accepted initiatives
* A 10% contest payment if you are awarded a contest prize
* A 20% charge if you’re subsequently hired for additional work after successful the competition prize

The website may also charge you a upkeep payment of as a lot as $10 per thirty days in case your account is inactive for more than 6 months.

Pros: The web site appears to feature a high quantity of gigs and a great variety within the types of alternatives out there. (With over 1,350 job categories, you possibly can just about assure variety!)

Cons: The charge structure is a bit confusing—and all of those fees can significantly add up over time.

Other Websites to Find General Freelance Jobs

While the websites we simply coated may be some of the best-known web sites for locating a selection of freelance job alternatives, they’re definitely not the one websites! There are a huge variety of web sites out there the place you can find every thing from marketing and video editing to analysis and virtual help (and just about every thing in between).

Here are some extra websites that offer a strong vary of freelance jobs that you’ll wish to check out.

For freelance-specific job boards, strive:

For short-term contracts, gig, and/or hourly work, try:

For student-specific freelance alternatives, try:

For micro jobs (extremely short-term opportunities), strive:

For remote-only opportunities, attempt:

For general job boards, strive:

Writer and Editor Freelance Jobs
Whether you’re an expert at creating partaking weblog content, modifying non-fiction, or writing and reporting the information, there are a ton of freelance alternatives for writers and editors—if you know the place to look.

If you’re a freelance author or editor, here are some assets you’re going to want to check out to land your next gig.

Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing Jobs is a component job board, part useful resource for writers and editors. The site scours the internet and posts related writing and enhancing gigs twice every week alongside suggestions and articles on everything from the means to improve your writing abilities to the method to build a viable writing or editing career.

Fees: None! The gigs on Freelance Writing Jobs are utterly free to browse.

Pros: The staff at Freelance Writing Jobs searches all corners of the internet to round up one of the best jobs for writers or editors—which means that you don’t have to. The extra sources on the site are additionally tremendous useful as you’re constructing your freelance writing profession.

Cons: Because Freelance Writing Jobs is simply updated twice a week, a few of the postings on the positioning may be outdated.

Journalism Jobs

Journalism Jobs is a job board for (you guessed it!) journalists seeking their subsequent gig. The site hosts all kinds of journalism opportunities, including both enhancing and writing/reporting jobs.

Fees: Journalism Jobs is totally free for job seekers (yay!).

Pros: As the name implies, this web site strictly features jobs for journalists—so if you need to concentrate on journalism projects, think about this a should have resource.

Cons: In addition to freelance gigs, this site also features full-time journalism jobs. So, if you wish to discover the perfect freelance journalism task, be prepared to kind through loads of full-time positions to seek out your freelance diamond in the tough.

Contently

Contently is a content marketing platform that connects brands with freelance writers for a big selection of content projects (like weblog posts, white papers, and case studies). To get started, all you have to do is create a web-based portfolio that showcases your best work. Then, manufacturers can take a look at your samples and get in touch with any tasks they think would be a good fit.

Fees: It’s free to set up your portfolio on Contently, however once you begin getting assignments, anticipate to pay a 15% charge to the platform.

Pros: Contently has a popularity for internet hosting some of the best-paying writing gigs on the web, with many clients paying in the $1 to $2 per word range.

Cons: The means of getting your profile approved is a sluggish one. New writers to the platform can expect to wait weeks (or even months) before their profile is reviewed and they’re accredited to begin out connecting with clients.

Other Websites to Find Freelance Writing or Editing Jobs

If the above web sites don’t really feel like they’ve quite the “write” gig for you (pun intended), don’t worry! There are loads of other web sites for freelance writers and editors that you’ll wish to take a glance at.

Here are a number of industry-specific web sites that will assist you find your next writing or enhancing job opportunity:

Designer and Developer Freelance Job Boards
Design and software engineering/development are both extraordinarily specialised talent sets. And fortunately, they’ve specialised job boards to match!

Here are a few of the finest freelance jobs websites for designers, developers, coders, and engineers.

99designs

99designs is a design platform that connects companies with designers for quite a lot of projects, together with emblem design, customized illustrations, and branding. The platform is best recognized for its design contests, where clients ship out a quick and designers submit their designs, competing to win the bid and project.

Fees: 99designs costs a number of different charges to their designers, including:

* A consumer introduction charge (20% in your first $500 billed)
* A platform charge, or month-to-month fee, for all one-to-one initiatives accomplished (5 to 15%, relying on the designer’s level of experience)

Pros: 99designs options quite so much of design contests and opportunities. So, whether or not you’re an illustrator, brand expert, branding specialist, or a packaging designer, chances are you’ll have the power to throw your hat in the ring.

Cons: While there is an opportunity for purchasers to succeed in out to designers immediately, 99designs is best-known for its design contests. And while they work extremely well for shoppers, they’re not the most designer-friendly; you don’t get paid except your design is chosen.

AngelList

AngelList is the go-to platform for all issues startups. While the location offers a variety of companies for startups, its hottest and well-known characteristic is its in depth job board, which connects expertise with startup alternatives.

Fees: None! AngelList is a free useful resource for coders, designers, and other talent looking to land a gig with the subsequent up-and-coming startup.

Pros: AngelList isn’t just free for freelancers; it’s also free for employers. That signifies that extra startups are likely to publish jobs to AngelList—which means more freelance jobs for you to choose from.

Cons: The startup life isn’t for everyone—even on a freelance foundation. If working in a fast-paced (and generally volatile) startup surroundings doesn’t appeal to you, you would possibly need to look elsewhere.

Other Websites to Find Freelance Jobs for Designers and Developers

If the previously talked about web sites don’t help you find the freelance graphic design/programming/coding job of your goals, it’s all good—there are undoubtedly other graphic design, art director, and developer options to explore.

Check out these websites for extra freelance alternatives particularly focused towards designers, coders, developers, programmers, and the like:

How to Vet Job Postings (And Make Sure the Opportunity Is Right for You)
There are a ton of internet sites and choices to help you on your freelance job search. But not all freelance job opportunities (or websites!) are created equal, so it’s essential to vet each gig and ensure it’s:

1. High-quality
2. Legitimate
3. The right match for you

But how, precisely, do you vet freelance jobs? Here are a couple of tips to verify you’re solely spending your time on potential gigs that are going to pan out in the long run:

Pay Attention to the Job Posting
Obviously, you’re going to learn through the job posting; that’s how you find out about the job alternative and potential new consumer in the first place. But a job posting can tell you much more than simply the details of the job; it might possibly assist you to decide whether or not the opportunity is respectable.

Before you apply for a job, undergo the job posting and search for any red flags—like important grammatical errors, typos/misspellings, or requests for delicate information (like a Social Security number or monetary details).

Research the Company
You can discover out a lot a couple of consumer and company (and a possible freelance opportunity) with a little bit of digging. If you find a freelance job that feels like an excellent fit for your skill level and experience, take a couple of minutes to analysis the company first. You can look on websites like Glassdoor to get employee insights—and other websites (like Upwork) generally record evaluations on totally different clients immediately from freelancers.

Ask the Right Questions
If you do decide to use for a contract job, you need to ask the best questions to make sure it’s the proper alternative for you. Some questions you’ll want to ask the shopper during the screening process/interview course of embody:

* What’s the scope of the project?
* What are the key deliverables?
* Who will I be working carefully with to complete this project?
* When are the deadlines?
* Are you seeking to pay by the hour or by the project?
* What methods do you employ for communication and submitting work? (e.g., Google Drive, Asana, Slack, and so forth.)
* How will I get paid? (Most freelance platforms have their very own cost system, however if you apply for a freelance job immediately, it’s important to grasp how and when the company plans to pay you.)
* Do you have any expectations of working hours or can I work on my own schedule?
* Are there any extra calls or conferences I’ll be anticipated to attend during this project? If so, will I be compensated for that time?

Getting Ready to Apply for Freelance Jobs
You’ve scoured the freelance jobs websites. You’ve vetted the alternatives and found a quantity of potential gigs that feel like a slam dunk. But before you start making use of for freelance jobs, it’s essential to do some work on the again finish to ensure you’re ready and ready to get employed.

So what, exactly, does that entail?

Spruce up Your Resume…
You want an up-to-date resume for any sort of job you’re applying for—including freelance. Before you get began with the applying process, be certain to have an up-to-date resume that speaks to your experience, background, and related expertise.

…and Your LinkedIn Profile
Consider LinkedIn your online resume. And similar to your conventional resume needs to be up-to-date before you apply to any job, so does your LinkedIn profile.

Put Together an Online Portfolio
Your would-be employer goes to wish to see samples of your work as proof you can handle that job—and that’s where an online portfolio comes in.

An on-line portfolio is a simple and arranged method to showcase your finest work to potential freelance employers. Set up portfolios on related job sites—or, if you want to get inventive, set up an online portfolio website of your own.

Create a Cover Letter Template
If you’re making use of for a excessive quantity of jobs, writing a brand new cover letter with every software can get actually tedious, really fast.

Before you start applying for freelance jobs, put together a canopy letter template you could personalize for every opportunity. It’ll prevent a ton of time (and hassle!) throughout the application course of.

How to Set Yourself Apart From Other Candidates: Proposals
There are lots of freelancers on the market. And if you discover an incredible freelance opportunity, chances are, you’re not the only one. This is why figuring out a way to break through the litter and set yourself other than different candidates is so necessary.

And one of the best ways to set yourself aside (and present a hiring supervisor that you’re the proper freelancer for the job)? A killer business proposal.

A proposal reveals your shopper that you’re not taking a “throw spaghetti towards the wall and see what sticks” approach when in search of work. Instead, it exhibits them that you simply took the effort and time to suppose about their specific opportunity—and to showcase how and why you’re the best person for the job.

Need assist crafting a proposal that may get you hired? We can help! Get started with FreshBooks’ proposal characteristic.

Negotiating Your Rate
The final step to touchdown a fantastic freelance job? Negotiating your rate.

Now, for some freelancers, the thought of setting and negotiating their rate can really feel uncomfortable or overwhelming, especially when they’re just starting out. But it doesn’t need to be!

Here are some things you’ll wish to consider when navigating the world of setting and negotiating freelance rates:

Do Your Research
Before you plan a price to a client, it’s important to do your research and get a really feel for what other freelancers in your area and at your level of expertise are charging. That way, you’ll be able to set a rate that’s aggressive (and not under or oversell yourself).

Your Hourly Rate Is Not Your Take-Home Rate
As a freelancer, you’re answerable for paying your personal taxes. So the amount you receives a commission each hour (or project) isn’t the same as the quantity you’ll get to take house. When setting your price, ensure to issue in the added value of taxes. (And immediately put that money aside so it’s already in your checking account come tax time!)

Stand Behind Your Rate
You may be tempted to lower your price so as to get extra work. But fight that temptation! While having slightly wiggle room is okay, you don’t need to settle for work that’s too far beneath your pay grade. Otherwise, you’ll end up with too much work for not enough pay—which could be a quick track to burnout.

If you want extra recommendations on the means to negotiate the best rate on your freelance work, make certain to take a glance at the FreshBooks Setting Your Rate eBook!

Get Out There and Find the Perfect Freelance Job for You
If you’ve been sorting via job advertisements and different remote work opportunities already, then you know there are plenty of freelance jobs out there. And as you now know, there are additionally a lot of web sites that will help you discover those alternatives. AND now that you know where to look for the proper freelance job (and how to stand out, get hired, and get paid), all that’s left to do? Get on the market and get your freelance on!

This post was updated in December 2022.