How To Start Freelancing As A Student

The first word that comes to mind about university students is "broke". It's a mystery finding out where all your savings went; you are either wearing it or eating it. There are various unpaid internships for students, but we are all finding ways to make extra bucks, aren't we?
Therefore, we have made a detailed guide for you on how to freelance as a student by listing some highly demanding AND best freelancing work for students to consider taking up.

Why do you need to freelance as a student?

In addition to giving you some extra spending money, freelancing will look great on your resume. We can now explore a variety of online employment thanks to the pandemic, which is also an excellent method to get ready for the job market while accomplishing your career goals and maintaining a conventional academic experience.

Things to consider before freelancing as a student

We all have our doubts when it comes to how to start freelancing as a student. Here are some things to consider before freelancing as a student

1. Have a clear understanding of your goals.
2. Think of the unique skills you can offer.
3. Target the audience that is ideal for the skills you possess.
4. Set pricing that is reasonable and according to market standards.
5. Make sure your work is legal and abide by the laws.
6. Spread the word by reaching out to potential clients.

Pros and Cons of Freelancing as a Student

Pros

There are several benefits that you can get by freelancing as a student. Some of these are:

1. Gaining Hands-on experience
2. Flexible work hours
3. Extra pocket money
4. Improved Skill Set
5. Build Interpersonal Skills
6. Increase Creativity

Cons

Despite the long list of perks of freelancing as a student, you should also consider the downsides of getting a freelance job. This will help you understand what you can expect and prepare to face such issues in advance.

1. Lack of balance between studies & work
2. No fixed guide or career path
3. Risk of getting scammed or exploited
4. Requires a great deal of self-discipline

Scope of Freelancing Jobs for Students

Whether you are planning to study overseas or in your city, you should always choose to freelance. Check out these 15 best freelancing work for students we've handpicked, all in different domains, to give you a comprehensive perspective on what to choose if you have a few hours to spare and decide to start freelancing.

Freelance Writing

Are you an avid texter? We assume you can type fast, which is one skill set many companies look for in a writer. You can freelance as a student by helping them write marketing content, such as reviews, blog posts, social media posts, newsletters, and more. Skilled professionals are in high demand for writing freelance content. You can look for job listings on online platforms, job portals or freelance websites.

Video Editing

People are switching to Reels and Tik-Toks for quick information and entertainment. Video is one of the most prominent forms of information on the internet today, and editing video requires an excellent technical skill set. So wear your creative hat and learn quick editing tools, whether mobile editing apps or big-blown software and learn how to start freelancing as a student.

Mobile Application Development

With the boon of increased importance for coding and learning programming languages like Java, Python, C++, C# etc., you can choose to become a freelance mobile application developer. This is one of the highly paid freelancing jobs for students; you can choose between android and iOS app development. Once you get a few projects under your belt, you will have ample opportunities for work as a freelance app developer.

Audio Transcription

Do you always have your headphones on? Love listening to podcasts? This job might be for you. The need for persons with the ability to listen to audio and translate it into written words exists; this ability is necessary for audio transcription and can make this a good freelancing option for students. Various online sites hire for audio transcription services; this can be a good option for your side hustle. 

Online Tutoring

Tutoring will be a good freelancing options for students if you have good information interpreting and explaining skill set. Many online teaching sites allow you to create your own online courses and upload them on the platform. A good thing about this job is that you do not have to work every day; you just record your videos and let the platform do the marketing.
You can make your own online courses and upload them to platforms like Udemy and Skillshare, or you can become an online tutor to teach students online on platforms like Tutor.com or Skooli.

Graphic Designer

Do you like editing your pictures in a quirky way? If Picsart and Pixlr are your go-to apps for photo editing, graphic designing might be a great freelancing option for students. Many digital marketing companies use independent graphic designers to create memes and social media postings. There are lots of freelance design assignments accessible.
You must have a firm grasp of modern design tools like Figma, Canva, and Adobe Illustrator and design software like Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, and others. By mastering the mentioned skill set, you can get this freelancing work for students with a reliable income.

Web Developer

Almost every business wants to establish a prominent online presence. The growth of digitisation and technology has led to an increase in web design. A website is a company's online storefront. If you know how to create a website, you can start charging people for it right away. For many projects, the ability to design a simple WordPress site suffices; advanced capabilities are not even necessary. And if you possess a more sophisticated web-building skill set, you can generate a sizable side income making this a great freelancing option for students.

Social Media Marketing

Suppose you spend hours perusing social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram and have a creative and relatable side. In that case, consider putting your skills to learn how to start freelancing as a student in the social media manager position. To interact with fans and broaden brand awareness, businesses must maintain a social media presence. Freelancing work for students requires engaging with potential clients and strategising and developing brand promotions. Most business owners have no idea how to use social media; you can use your marketing best practices to deliver the outcomes their clients want.

Proofreading

Are you a grammar Nazi? If spotting grammatical and consistency errors when reading comes effortlessly to you, you might want to consider working as a freelance proofreader. Nearly every company requires proofreaders to ensure the high calibre of shared and published material. Proofreaders are needed for anything from blog posts and brochures to scripts and even student essays to ensure the text is free of grammatical and structural problems.

Virtual Assistant

Many busy people require assistance, yet they lack the funds to hire a personal assistant in person. Virtual assistants can help with this. They complete tasks like making appointments, responding to emails, and almost every other digital duty that a busy person doesn't have time for. With a virtual assistant position, you have a lot of freedom to decide on whatever services you want to offer for freelance as a student.

Photo Editor

Offering photography and picture touch-up services can be a terrific way to earn money if you have a keen eye for detail and a strong sense of aesthetics. Photoshop skills will enable you to produce stunning, original images for small enterprises. Fashion models, food bloggers, and influencers are all gaining popularity on social networking sites. As a result, there has never been a greater need for freelance photography, photo editing, touch-ups, and good freelance work for student options.

English Tutor

This freelance option for students is for you if you can speak, read, and write English fluently. Many platforms link students with language instructors, so this can be a good option for freelancing as a student. English is a sought-after language in many countries, and you can earn money by instructing in it. You don't even have to speak another language or be a certified teacher. For you to be hired, several platforms only need you to speak English fluently.

Data Entry

Do you like to organise things? Are Excel sheets your best friends? Data Entry might be a fun freelancing job for you. This is a job that almost everyone can do as long as you are efficient and detail-oriented. Data entry transfers information from one source or format to another, usually a spreadsheet or database management system.

Start a YouTube Channel

As you already know, video content is highly consumed, and this is your chance to enter the YouTube industry. Expect not to become as well-known as Pewdiepie, but if making videos appeals to you, you should look into this field for freelance as a student. Online programmes for producing YouTube are widely available. Keep consistency and relevance in mind when creating video content. Try to get better at editing and delivering a story with each video you make. 

Music Production

If you know how to make cool beats or have a slight inclination towards music and the creating process, this is an excellent option for you to start freelancing as a student! Selling beats online allows music producers to earn a decent amount of money. To begin with, you must learn how to make beats using the numerous online tutorials and courses readily available. Once you have a following, you may start sharing your beats on websites like Soundcloud. You can also sell the beats simultaneously and don't forget to create a website to promote your beats.

How to start Freelancing as a Student

Now that you are aware of the scope, let’s take a look at how to start freelancing as a student. With so many things to consider such as your skills, your platform, your audience and your rates, figuring our how to start freelancing as a student can get quite overwhelming. So, here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you get started!

Step 1: Define your goals

The first and foremost step is to understand the aim behind embarking on this journey. Ask yourself why you want to start freelancing as a student. Getting a clear idea of your goals will help you out in the long run.

Step 2: Pick out your best skills

One of the most important things to do when freelancing as a student is to identify your assets and build a business that utilises your best skills. Try to pick out unique and polished skills that not a lot of other people might possess. These could be self-taught or skills you picked up from a hobby or a previous job.

Step 3: Club them together into a service

By bundling up your skills, you can create a unique service that will help you maximise your revenue and offer quality service.

Step 4: Create a client profile

No matter which freelancing job you’ve taken up, it is important to understand your target customers. This will help you identify potential customers and reach them easily.

Step 5: Set your rates

When freelancing as a student, it is important to set rates according to the current market. Analysing your competition and putting together a strategy is crucial when freelancing as a student.

Step 6: Research relevant laws

Find out if there are any laws pertaining to your business, and make sure you abide by these. Also, keep track of any business expenses and manage your taxes well.

Step 7: Reach out to potential customers

When freelancing as a student, you might find it difficult to get a hold of customers. You can start off by spreading the word about your new business through social media, emails, or simply by word of mouth while using your existing network. 

How much can you earn freelancing as a student?

If you are confident in your skills and want to achieve a work-life balance, you can earn as much money as possible as you set your mind to freelancing. People who want more control over the jobs they take on can now choose to work as freelancers full-time or as a way to supplement their current income. Over the years, there has been an increase in the need for creative freelancers, which has allowed many of them to determine their own rates and take on projects that they are passionate about.

Here are the average salary ranges for some of the most popular jobs for freelancing as a student:

What to Keep in Mind when Freelancing as a Student

Finalising the pay for a project when freelancing as a student can be quite confusing. There are several things you must consider when setting your pay. Let’s take a look at some of the pricing factors to keep in mind:

1. Location: Although a freelancer can work from anywhere globally, the pay for a project can be significantly impacted by the client's location.
2. Education: Although this will differ from profession to profession, a freelancer's pay scale can be significantly increased by education and certified training.
3. Experience: The amount a freelancer pays rate often rises as they gain more expertise in their field.
4. Skill set: A freelancer's pricing greatly influences their skill set. If work demands a solid base of technical skills, freelancers may demand a higher rate.
5. Reviews: Past project reviews give a business a simple approach to confirming a freelancer's performance. A freelancer might charge more because they have established credibility with many favourable reviews.

Freelancing Tips for Beginners

Freelancing as a student can quickly turn into a disaster if not done well. You might face several issues such as a lack of balance, communication gaps, getting exploited, and much more. Here are some tips to help you steer clear of such problems when freelancing as a student.
1. To freelance as a student, work with an open mind; there is no rush to identify the clients you want to work with and the services you will provide them at the beginning of your freelance business.
2. Begin using freelance sites to look for clients - do your research! Always do your homework on project scope and pricing to avoid being taken advantage of. You should also set clear boundaries and trust your gut instinct.
3. As a freelancer, learn how to negotiate like a pro. To establish your value from the outset of the conversation, you must carry yourself with the confidence and expertise you possess.
4. To freelance as a student, you can join an online freelancer group. Only other solopreneurs can genuinely comprehend the highs and lows of freelancing. In a protected setting, a freelancer's group can help you decide how much to charge for a project, offer expert advice, or vent about demanding clients.
5. Obtain repeat business from satisfied clients - After completing a job, you might give a reduction of 5% to 10% off your rate if they decide to work with you again. You'll have more money in your pocket without looking for new employment. And don't forget to request testimonials from happy customers.

To quote the Joker from The Dark Knight, "If you are good at something, never do it for free". Freelance is a great way to gain an excellent skill set as a student. The more skills in your CV, the higher the chances of securing a good job and loving what you do. You can also view our webstory on how to freelance as a student to understand more.