If you want to set your own working hours and have a good or service you can provide to others, you should consider freelancing. Many industries have freelancing options, so you can likely work in a field you're already familiar with. Getting started as a freelancer may take time to build a portfolio and client base. In this article, we'll explain what freelancing is, how to start a freelance business and describe some freelancing options.

What is freelancing?

Freelancing is a form of self-employment in which a person offers their services or goods to others, usually on a contractual basis. Freelancers can work with companies or individuals and can have several contracts at the same time. They usually have a set or base price that individuals or businesses agree to before work begins. For example, a freelance photographer could charge $150 for a one-hour photoshoot and a set number of pictures.

You can freelance part-time in addition to working a full-time job, or you could make it a long-term career. Freelancing can also be helpful if you're in between jobs and need a source of income. Because freelancing is self-employment, you can make your own schedule.

Steps to starting a freelance business

Here are some steps you can take to start freelancing:

1. Define your business.

When you want to freelance, you first need to determine the kind of services you want to offer. Establishing a basic business idea can help you narrow your focus and make it easier to start. For example, if you want to be a freelance graphic designer, you should determine what types of content you want to create, such as brochures, online advertisements or company logos.

Consider what exactly you want to do, how much you want to charge and the types of payment you'll accept. Perform research to see what others who offer the same services charge to find a good base price.

2. Find your target client.

As a freelancer, you can decide who you want to contract with. It can be helpful to try to find potential clients who would benefit most from your services. Consider if you want to work with individuals or businesses and what type of fields you would prefer. For example, if you want to be a freelance photographer, you may want to focus on weddings or other special events. Finding your target client can make your search for contracts simple when you're first starting. Once you gain some experience and feel more comfortable, you can expand your client base.

3. Check for licensing and tax requirements.

In some places, you may need to get a license or permit to be self-employed or to work contracts. You'll also need to factor in different taxes, like sales tax, since you're selling a service to others. You may want to build taxes into your services so you have enough to pay them later. Check your state's requirements to see if you'll need to apply for a license or permit to sell goods or services as a self-employed individual.

4. Build a portfolio.

Potential clients will want to see or read your work before they decide to contract with you. Gather your best work that shows your talent, and try to find pieces that show your diverse skill set. When you build your portfolio, give a brief description of each piece, the medium and the techniques you used to create it. A visually appealing portfolio can attract more clients and increase your visibility.

5. Create a website.

Having a professional website for your freelancing services is essential. On your website, you can add your portfolio, contact details, pricing and other important information about you and your services. If you sell goods, you can even create a shop so people can purchase your product directly from your website. There are many website building services available that make it simple to create, design and maintain your own freelancing website.

6. Develop a client base.

Many freelancers work with the same clients over long periods of time. Maintaining a client base can help you keep steady work, and repeat customers may provide referrals regarding your services. You may also be able to ask for testimonials that you can publish on your website to show how you provide satisfactory services. To build a client base, make sure to develop a good rapport with those you work with. Once you complete a contract, you can follow up with the client to thank them and make sure they're still satisfied with the service you provided.

Related: How to Find the Best Jobs for You

Making money as a freelancer.

It can take time to build a portfolio and client base as a freelancer. To make a good, steady income, try these tips:

Keep track of your profits.

When you first start freelancing, it's important to carefully measure your profits. Keep a spreadsheet of your contracts and how much money you received versus the time you spent. This data can help you determine if you're charging enough for the services concerning the effort you put in.

Price your services right.

As you're building your portfolio and gaining experience, you may be unsure of the right prices to charge, resulting in underselling your services. To make money as a freelancer, you need to charge a fair price for your time, effort and skills. You can research market rates for your freelancing industry to make sure you're not over- or undercharging. Consider factoring in any special equipment or software that you need to freelance as well, such as a camera and photo editing programs.

Upsell when you can.

You may be able to package or upsell your services in different situations. Upselling services, such as an upgraded design package or more options, can help you earn additional money. Only upsell if you can make a profit without using too much additional time.

Increase your prices.

When you have enough experience and a good client base, you can consider increasing your prices. Industry experience is valuable and shows you have developed a unique skill set that you can apply to your freelancing services. Increasing the amount you charge is much like receiving a raise for your hard work.

Related: Best Self-Employed Jobs

Career options for freelancers.

If you can create a compelling portfolio and build a client base, you can freelance in nearly any field and industry. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link for each job title below.

Here are some common freelancing jobs that you can consider:

1. Freelance photographer

National average salary: $688 per week

Primary duties: A freelance photographer takes pictures for specific events or photoshoots. They usually meet with the client before the event to learn more about their preferences and needs and could charge per hour or event or by how many photos the customer orders. Duties could include finding good backgrounds and lighting, instructing the client to try different poses, selecting pictures for the client to review and retouching or photoshopping as needed.

2. Freelance editor

National average salary: $22.60 per hour

Primary Duties: Freelance editors review different forms of written content to ensure accuracy. They review the client's directions or style guide, review the content and make notes and changes to the piece. Editors could work with individuals who need a small number of pieces reviewed or they could contract with businesses to edit a large amount of content. Editors could charge per piece or word.

3. Freelance writer

National average salary: $23.40 per hour

Primary duties: A freelance writer creates content based on client instructions. Duties could include learning about clients' needs and specifications, performing research and making changes to content according to editor or client requests. Freelance writers could write articles for newspapers, blogs, marketing content or fiction. These professionals can charge by the piece or per word.

4. Freelance artist

National average salary: $23.99 per hour

Primary duties: Freelance artists create pieces in different mediums for customers. They usually create a design based on the client's vision and get it approved before beginning work. Freelance artists could paint, sculpt, build and use other methods to create the work needed. They may work with individuals or companies that need artwork for logos or marketing campaigns.

5. Freelance translator

National average salary: $27.70 per hour

Primary duties: A freelance translator writes content in one language to another. They translate different texts, proofread their work and ensure the text still retains its original meaning. Translators should be fluent in both languages to understand nuances, idioms and colloquialisms that can be difficult to translate.

6. Freelance designer

National average salary: $28.28 per hour

Primary duties: Freelance designers create different forms of visual content. They often use computer software programs to design pieces, though they can draw by hand as well. They usually meet with the client to learn more about the concept, then create the design. Freelance designers can create logos, advertisement campaigns, magazine and journal visuals and more.

7. Freelance consultant

National average salary: $28.47 per hour

Primary duties: A freelance consultant helps companies improve different aspects, such as productivity or revenue. They often work in an industry where they have extensive experience so they can offer dependable advice. Duties include meeting with a business, evaluating the situation, gathering data, analyzing results and creating an action plan.

READ MORE: What is Freelancing

8. Freelance web developer

National average salary: $74,720 per year

Primary Duties: Freelance web developers create websites. They gather the client's requirements, write the code and design the front-facing part of the website to make it visually appealing. These developers also ensure the website is intuitive and easy for users to navigate. Freelance developers could also maintain or update a website to maintain its usability, depending on the contract.