17 Best Freelance Business Ideas for Self-Employment

By WFHR Editor

Are you looking to switch from a 9 to 5 job to something more relaxing, creative, and rewarding? How about freelancing? These freelance business ideas will get you started.

The truth is most people would love to make money without having to live by the strict rules of nine-to-five jobs. However, not many of us know where to start or the best freelance opportunities to guarantee a stable income. And as such, most of us are still tied to the boring routine jobs we’ve been doing for years.

But not to worry. If you want to make a switch, either because you are not making enough money at your desk job, want more freedom, or just want a change, we’ve got your back.

Here are some amazing freelance ideas that can be your next big thing. And with so many freelance business ideas, there’s something for everyone.

Why Become a Freelancer

It’s all about working on your terms according to your own schedule. Most importantly, freelancing lets you focus on doing something you genuinely love. Also, the pay is relatively higher as you have the power to determine what you earn.

However, you should note that it’s not always all easy and rosy over here. You have to work hard to create your name and make enough money, especially at the beginning. But when you do, the rewards are undoubtedly impressive.

According to a report released by freelance giants Upwork and Freelancer, the freelance workforce in the US has grown to 56.7 million people. The past few years have seen more people choose to work from home or remotely, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

If you want to pursue a freelance career, this is the right time to come up with a brilliant freelance business idea. The age of social media also means you have a ready market and audience. So, you become your own boss and get to work with minimal supervision.

Best Freelance Business Ideas for this Year

Many people need clarification about what exactly is a freelance business. If you work for yourself and freelance your services, that’s a freelance business.

You’re the boss and the worker at the same time. Ultimately, it’s just like any other business but a little more fun.

The most exciting thing is that new freelance business ideas emerge almost daily. This means that there will always be something for you to do as a freelancer – you just need to identify what you are good at.

So here are some incredible freelance business ideas for you to brainstorm:

1. Start a Writing Agency

Starting a writing/editorial agency is an easy freelance business idea. You just need to have a knack for writing something.

Whether magazine articles, creative writing, academic writing, or simple blog posts, everything you read on the internet, including this article, is written by someone. That could be quite a money-maker, depending on your clients and the kind of writing you’re doing.

The key here is to find your niche, as there are already thousands of freelance writers. Begin by writing or proofreading the articles yourself using the many freelance platforms.

As you get more work, you can hire other writers. And you don’t need an agency, per se; your whole business could be entirely virtual.

Certain indicators show you are ready to start a writing agency. Start by checking the number of gigs you get in a day, week, or month. Hiring writers can be a good idea if you have too many that you can not handle.

Once you have reliable writers with excellent writing skills, you set up a writing agency and focus on finding more clients. The writers will earn a percentage of the money, and you get to keep the rest. In addition, you can come up with a writing agency if you enjoy managing people.

A writing agency requires writers and editors to ensure you produce top-notch work. The team needs a manager who ensures that team members meet their deadlines and the quality of work is impeccable. Also, you can stop writing and focus on running your online business.

2. Build a Digital Marketing Business

Digital marketing is a heavily saturated field, but it’s also a highly profitable one. With just a single account, you could make enough monthly to pay your rent, utilities, food, drinks, and maybe a weekend getaway to Lake Tahoe.

However, you should be really good at it; that’s a given. There are so many branches within the digital marketing umbrella; social media marketing, promotional emails, SEO, paid ads, and whatnot. You could be an expert in any one of them to kickstart your business.

As mentioned earlier, the beginning will be quite tough as there’s a lot of competition. However, if you find your voice among the crowd, it won’t take long until you have some great clients.

Having a website and social media presence is crucial to showcase your portfolio or previous work to potential clients. You can step up your game by hiring a freelance developer to work to build your website and ensure it’s properly set up for conversions.

When you start a digital marketing business, pick the services you want to offer. Clients will be interested in what skills you have and the services they can get. Then, you need to know if you’ll have a physical address, a virtual address, or both.

These are essential steps that will ensure you set up the business correctly. In addition, make sure you register the business, which legitimizes your operation. Pick a name, design your logo, and go through the legalities of registering a business with the local authorities.

Digital marketing is important, and many clients are searching for such ventures. But you have to market yourself to reach the right people. So, as part of your plans, it’s wise to include strategies that showcase your abilities and create a website.

3. Start a Data Analytics Firm

Data analytics is the most sought-after skill right now. Believe it or not, data is among the most valuable assets in modern times.

Those who know how to crunch the numbers will always have some work. You don’t even have to have a fancy degree in data science.

If you’ve been working in data analytics, your experience should be enough. On the other hand, beginners can take online courses and certifications to master the skill.

There are many jobs on freelancing websites and apps related to data analysis. As you get more experienced, you can charge even higher. Also, you get more workers to distribute the workload.

As a freelancer, you can set up a data analytics firm and achieve lots of success. But, to do so, you need to develop a business plan for the venture. Like any other business, a data analytics firm also has steps you must take to set it up.

So, be ready to pinpoint your target audience from the beginning. Then, once you have a target audience in mind, you need to develop a strategy to get their attention. You could create a website where you showcase your work.

Once clients see your work and research reports, they can contract you for specific jobs. As you do so, choose how you get paid. You can opt to get full payment before you start the job or 50% before and 50% after the task is complete.

4. Give Counseling Services

Ditch the couch and the office, and start your counseling business right from your laptop – that’s virtual counseling for you. You can offer your services as a freelancer if you’re a certified psychologist or counselor.

People can just call you up and talk to you on a screen. This allows you to cover more clients from virtually everywhere.

There are websites where you can take part as a counselor. On the other hand, you could do your own thing – a website for people to book sessions with you.

Social media platforms have also become quite popular with psychologists and counselors. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube make it possible to create and post advice. This is why you see psychologists and counselors creating content on numerous topics.

If you want to be a freelance counselor, pick the niche you want to tackle. Is it teen life and early adulthood? Or is it relationship and marriage?

Once you pick an area of focus, start to create content that will help people facing such issues. It takes time to build a following, but it’s possible. The more people enjoy and find your advice helpful, the more they’ll be back to hear more.

5. Become a Personal Fitness Trainer

Becoming a personal trainer is one of the common freelancing ideas and one of the most interesting freelance jobs. Honestly, it’s one of the most exciting and liberating careers.

Help people, make money, and live your own best life; what’s not to like about that? If you’re passionate about fitness, you could start your little club. Again, the more professional you look, the better you’ll perform.

All kinds of people from all walks of life need trainers to help them get into shape. So, you have quite a broad audience ready to follow your advice. You can pick a demographic and tailor your exercise plans to suit them. For example, simple daily exercises for the elderly.

As a personal trainer, platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, would really be your bread and butter. Most such trainers use social media marketing to promote their services. You can create boot camps, provide meal plans, give one-on-one fitness lessons, or create YouTube videos.

You must get the correct certification to become a virtual personal trainer. Professional organizations such as ACSM and ACE can provide the right certification. After that, pick the best way to deliver your workout routines.

As a freelancer, you can use the power of social media to market your workout plans. And this is also the best way to build your club. Platforms like YouTube make it easy to create a channel where you post content and interact with clients.

See Related: Best Freelance Websites for Logo Design

6. Sell Your Crafts on Etsy

Thanks to Etsy, the starving artist is not starving anymore. The marketplace has allowed artists and creators to sell their stuff to people worldwide. It’s simple, easy to use, and you can make good money.

You can see it as a freelance side business idea. However, if you really hit the jackpot, no one’s stopping you from doing it full-time.

If you’re crafty and have a unique product to offer, Etsy is a great place to start making money off it. Etsy has made it possible for freelancers to set up thriving businesses. And, this is possible to do all from the comfort of your house.

When you pick this as your freelance business idea, you need to start by creating an account on Etsy. Once you set up an Etsy account, create a storefront. This is where you fill in details such as language, shop preferences, and currency.

It would be best if you also named your business before you can start to upload products. One tip for success on Etsy is to choose a niche product. For example, you can market baby clothes or products, auto products, or kitchenware.

It is essential because it helps potential customers know what items to expect in your store. They can identify your shop with certain products.

7. Become a Freelance Photographer

Photography is, by default, a freelance business. Most photographers work independently; that’s how it has been for ages. You could do the same if you love it and know how to take good pictures.

There are numerous avenues to materialize your photographs. For instance, you could be a stock photographer. Or, you could be an event photographer (weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, awards, any event, you name it).

It is not uncommon to take pictures from your phone and sell those. There are plenty of platforms to sell your captures and be a full-time photographer.

A full-time freelance photographer must have the necessary equipment and software to make the business a success. That way, all the images you display on the different platforms are top-notch. And you can also use this as a chance to educate others on high-def photography.

Note where you want to start when charging customers for your images. A price point will be essential when pitching your services. Since it is a business, you need to earn a living from your skills, so be keen on how much to charge.

8. Become a Teacher

Teaching in a school is so old school, right? But you can be a cooler instructor doing your thing online. It gives you freedom and flexibility while sticking to what you do best.

For starters, you can record lectures and make visual videos related to your course. Then sell these videos on one of the many online education portals.

Create your own website if you want to take a more custom approach. And it’s okay if you don’t know video editing. You can give that job to a freelance videographer. All you should do is deliver quality instruction, and students would just come flocking.

What do you want to teach? Is it a language? Or is it a class that focuses on your professional skills?

For example, if you decide to set up a freelance photography business, you can also be a teacher. Your goal is to teach students how to be the best photographers.

A freelance teacher can focus on more than one subject. The more you learn, the more you can teach and train others. So, the world is basically open to what you have to say as long as you teach the correct information.

See Related: Best Time Tracking Apps

9. Start an Interior Design Consultancy

Are you good with interior design? Stop giving your advice for free when you can turn your expertise into a money-making gig.

Do you have any idea how much top interior designers make? Thousands of dollars! You could make that money with a simple website showcasing your best work.

Don’t want to do the physical work? Become an interior design consultant/teacher. You’ll simply teach people what principles to keep in mind and what mistakes to avoid when decorating an interior.

Interior design consultancy is an excellent business idea, and you can capitalize on online advertising. Just because it’s freelance work doesn’t mean it should be free. So, start by knowing how much you want to charge your customers.

The best way to set up this freelance business is to pick the services you want to offer clients. It should include the style you like. Then, create a business name, and remember to register it with the necessary authority.

Any online business requires an online presence in the form of a website and active social media pages. Therefore, get on it since this is a great part of marketing your skills. When the engagement becomes too much, never hesitate to seek the services of a social media manager.

10. Create a Finance Consultant Business

You don’t have to be on Wall Street to become a financial advisor or consultant. Many consultants who work with top-notch companies end up giving their services as freelancers later on. You could do that already and become a success.

Start off as a small business focusing on a particular niche of clientele. As you get some clients, the world will get out. You can also use digital marketing to get the word out.

You should have some experience and definitely some certification, as it helps earn the trust of your audience. People need evidence, especially if they are handing over their money to you.

Financial consultancy is crucial in today’s world, and many people seek such services. If you have a knack for global finance, you can even attract clients from different parts of the world. Just be sure who your target market is as you work on setting up the business.

An online consultancy firm needs a website and even a social media presence. You can find potential clients even on social platforms. Consult with a web designer about adding social media pages to your website.

11. Become a Pet Trainer

Pet training is a very successful business idea, especially if you’re in an area with many pet owners. People are willing to pay top dollar to pet trainers who know their stuff. It’s an especially rewarding experience if you love pets.

You’ll be giving services like disciplining pets, grooming them, and even doing simpler things like walking the dog. You can list yourself on one of the portals where people hire freelancers near them and start making money online.

When you decide to set up a pet training business, ensure you have the right qualifications. Pet trainers must undergo pet training courses to work with different types of animals.

The more experience you have working with pets, the better your services. And as a trainer with the right certification, you can also consider joining a professional pet trainers’ organization. A good example is the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers).

Alternatively, you can create a very strong online presence. More clients can present on these online streets.

12. Create a Home Studio

You don’t need to build or rent a studio to become a producer. You can simply wing it and do it at home, provided you have decent equipment.

It’s pretty economical to create a music studio at home. And whatever genre of music you like, you can record it at your very own studio. You could also produce for aspiring recording artists who may not have it in their budget to rent a professional studio.

This is as far as making the music is concerned. Selling it is another story, but you can do that too as a freelancer. Many successful artists and bands have been selling albums independently throughout their careers.

See Related: How to Become a Freelance Web Developer

13. Provide Translation Services

Are you fluent in a foreign language? Language interpreters are in high demand now that the world is so interconnected. As you progress and gain experience, you can make good money.

You can give your services to other companies and individuals. This is one profession quite like photography that has freelancing in its very nature.

If you create a powerful network to acquire clients with big companies, you may even get to travel with all expenses paid. The good thing about it, most of these translation gigs are present online.

The primary requirement is to be fluent in a foreign language. One way to show that is to have a certification. Those are not very expensive and are available almost everywhere in popular languages.

14. Become a Voice Actor

Voice-over artists usually start off as a freelancer. However, thanks to the internet, you can continue to have a sustainable freelance setup.

Nowadays, it’s possible to record your voice remotely, meaning you can simply do this at home and make easy money online. Businesses need voice actors to narrate their videos.

If you’re more into entertainment, you could look for work in TV or movies. The hourly rate for this work is usually high. As you make a name for yourself, you can charge even higher.

The catch is you should have a good narrating voice and should even be able to make impressions. You don’t exactly have to be Morgan Freeman or Seth MacFarlane. You can do your own thing that you’re best at.

See Related: Can You Freelance on a Visa?

15. Become an SEO Consultant

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential in this digital age. Online business owners know this better.

This is why web developers or designers emphasize the importance of SEO. Using SEO can help your website stand out from the millions available when using search engines.

As an SEO consultant, you can help companies and individuals learn how to utilize SEO and reap the most out of it. As a pro, you are in a better position to understand algorithms that applies to websites and even social media.

The great thing about freelancers is that you are free to work with numerous clients who need that specialized content. Using SEO will benefit your customer’s websites with better ranking and online visibility.

There’s a high demand for SEO pros who can work in conjunction with the marketing team. This means that if you are good at what you do, you will always have some gigs you are working on.

Actually, you can even start a consultancy firm. Here, your job will entail optimization, content creation, building links, and keyword research.

16. Specialize in Game Development

Gaming has become a huge industry, with millions of people, young and old people playing different games every hour. As such, game development is a great way to become independent and thrive in self-employment. You can even hire other developers and turn this into a thriving business.

Honestly, you need the right skills to become a game developer. So, it’s better to acquire the necessary skills and experience first before diving all in. Next, think of creating a team, which is key to a successful game development freelance business.

Also, you need to understand the gaming industry and note what many people love. This can be instrumental in creating popular games that end up earning you bucketloads of money.

Don’t forget that market research and problem-solving are instrumental in such a business venture. You must have impeccable skills when it comes to such. Finally, if you want to make good money, develop the best games and ensure you attract many players – there’s no shortcut to this.

17. Thrive as a Freelance Music Producer

Did you know that you can compose and produce music independently? As a freelance music producer, you can set up a business where you produce for artists. Nowadays, if you have the right skills, you can attract both music labels and artists to work with you.

However, you should ensure you have the right skills to work as a music producer. This includes professional music composing and production. Then, start to showcase your work using different platforms, including social media, to attract clients.

Being present on social and being able to move masses with your compositions is important. That shows people that you understand the music industry and can help them with projects.

Is Freelance a Worthy Career Path?

Yes. You have a world of possibilities now in the age of digital communication when it comes to freelance business ideas. With a smart strategy and the ability to sell yourself, you can make a decent amount of money freelancing.

More and more people are projected to leave the regular workforce and become independent freelancers with great freelance job ideas.

PayPal for freelance work is the most used platform by clients to send payments to freelancers. It’s beneficial to both aspiring and people who have already worked as freelancers for years.

There are success stories all over the internet. People are even selling and making money off their success stories. So what’s stopping you?

17 Best Freelance Business Ideas for Self-Employment

Why Become a Freelancer