12 Cheap Freelance Ideas You Can Start Today
Think you need thousands of dollars to start a business? Maybe so – but these 12 cheap freelance ideas might give you a different perspective.
From virtually assisting people to copywriting, here are 12 ideas for freelance jobs that take $0 to start.
TL,DR;
1. Virtual Assistant
This is one of the most popular freelance jobs out there and does not require any capital to start. You simply need a laptop and basic computer skills. From there, you can offer your services to businesses such as scheduling meetings, managing emails, making travel arrangements, data entry, or providing customer service support. With the wide range of tasks that virtual assistants can do, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to take on.
Michael Fischer, Founder, Elite HRT
2. Babysitting
Babysitting is one of the most gratifying freelance jobs I have experienced—and best of all, it requires no money to start! Babysitting provides a unique opportunity to not only fill up free time and make some valuable extra income but also have fun with children while teaching important life lessons.
All you need to get started is your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Babysitting has been an incredible way for me to gain experience in child care while making a positive impact on the little ones’ lives.
Lorien Strydom, Executive Country Manager, Financer.com
3. Data Entry
Freelance data entry is proving to be an increasingly popular work option for many people, as it requires minimal investment in terms of both time and money.
Starting out as a data entry freelancer requires no start-up cost or materials; all you will need is your existing laptop and access to the internet, making data entry one of the most accessible remote jobs.
While there may be industry-standard software that data entry workers should eventually invest in, this can wait until the freelance projects have opened up and the demand has increased. Data entry is an opportunity for those who are looking for flexible hours on their own terms outside of a more traditional office job.
4. Web Development
With modern development tools and the open-source community, it's easier than ever to create a website from scratch without shelling out for hosting or domain name registration. All you need is some basic coding knowledge and a willingness to learn, and you can be up and running as a freelance web developer in no time.
Asker Ahmed, Director & Founder, iProcess
5. Affiliate Marketing
No, this is not some crazy make-money-while-you-sleep dream to sell fake courses and snake oil. It's about learning a skill that you can apply to any freelance career plan.
It gives you the keys to how to promote an established brand or service to build referrals to earn decent commissions. The cost is time to learn a new freelance skill. Just look for something related that interests you and talk to affiliate marketing managers that will help coach you on winning strategies to make a buck online.
Brian Hawkins, Marketing Manager, GhostBed.com
6. Writing
If you have a knack for words, it's pretty easy to flourish. All you need is your brain, a few online samples, and one client. It starts with one client, and then this client becomes two, three, etc...
Apart from your network, you can also reach out to clients on Facebook and LinkedIn groups, or even be part of a job board like Revolancer and others.
If you're still on the fence, remember you have nothing to lose. In the end, you'll simply get better at your craft. It's all a matter of mindset.
Yara Abboud, B2B Content Writer, yarawriting
7. Online Reselling
If you have items you don't use anymore lying around your house, selling them can be lucrative and costs nothing upfront. Whether you list them on Facebook Marketplace or on more structured sites like Mercari or Poshmark, it typically only takes setting up an account to get started.
While reseller platforms do typically take a cut from your sale, they also default the shipping costs to the buyer, meaning there really are no upfront fees to get started. That said, it's important to research what those fees are when choosing where to sell.
Brian Munce, Managing Director, Gestalt Brand Lab
8. Translating
Doing online translations is a freelance job that doesn't require a dime to get started. All you need is a laptop and other supporting equipment, which are probably already on your desk.
All you need is knowledge of at least two foreign languages. And whatever they may be, you can count on assignments. After all, you are doing freelance work in a connected digital world where contractors from any country can find you. You lose nothing and only gain a lot.
The hourly pay for a freelance translator job in the US ranges from $10 to $38. Over time, when business picks up, consider investments in paid translation tools and resources, but you don't need that to start.
Nina Paczka, Community Manager, LiveCareer
9. Private Tutoring
To give private lessons, you don't need any money. Think about what skill you have that other people want to learn. There is a wide range of options to choose from. Language lessons, preparing for college exams, vegan cooking courses, playing the instrument, online yoga classes, and many, many more.
Sharing knowledge is not only enjoyable and relatively easy, but also profitable. Lessons may take the form of in-person teaching or online classes. Last but not least, private tutors will always be in demand.
Agata Szczepanek, Community Manager, LiveCareer
10. SEO Expertise
As a freelance SEO expert, you can help businesses increase their online visibility without spending a dime. All you need is some basic training and a willingness to learn about the latest search engine algorithms.
Businesses are always looking for ways to improve their website ranking and attract more customers online. As an SEO expert, you can offer your services as a freelance consultant and help them achieve their desired results.
There are many free resources available online that can teach you the basics of SEO. Once you have learned the basics, you can start offering your services to local businesses in your area.
Most businesses are happy to pay for quality SEO services, so there is no need to worry about charging too much or not getting any clients. Simply put up a few flyers in local businesses or create an ad on Craigslist, and it will surprise you at how quickly you get inquiries from potential clients.
Jamie Irwin, Director, Straight Up Search
11. Influencer
Yes, you don’t have to spend a dollar to be an influencer. It is a freelancing job because you don't have to go to an office and there is no boss. Influencer marketing has become a mainstream marketing technique. And many brands are ready to pay influencers a good amount for the promotions of their products.
You only have to make an account on your favorite social media platform. Start posting every day to make several followers. But be specific about the type of content you upload because it affects the number of your followers and ultimately your income from brand sponsorships. Be regular and consistent so that you can establish engaging connections with your followers.
Making an account on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and many other sites is free, so you will not have to spend anything. Likewise, let brands know you are open to collaboration as you reach a good number of followers.
Sanjay Singh, Founder & CEO, Technource Inc.
12. Copywriting
Copywriting is a freelance job that requires no money to start. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. You can start by writing articles for sites like HubPages or Quora. Once you have a few articles under your belt, you can start pitching your services to businesses.
There is no formal education required to become a copywriter, but most successful professionals have at least a bachelor's degree. Besides writing skills, copywriters must also have a strong understanding of the needs and wants of their target audience, as copywriters create persuasive, interesting, and attention-grabbing content that will convince readers to take action.
Dhiren Mulani, Digital Marketer, Dhiren Mulani
How to Start These Cheap Freelance Ideas
Most of these cheap freelance ideas can be done from anywhere you have an internet connection. If you’re not finding opportunities, consider creating your own. List your services on a gig platform like Fiverr to make it easy for prospective clients to find you. I did, and it completely changed my freelance writing career. It gave me more control over my pricing and freed up my time so I could focus on writing instead of marketing myself.
My upcoming course shares more on how to sell on Fiverr and land your first client — stay tuned!