I want to be a freelancer, but where do I start?

Question

Freelance

Hello associates.
I am now 18 years old and I am thinking about earning money, leaning towards freelancing.
At the moment, I know almost nothing, not to work in Photoshop, not to make the site normal.
Of course, if I sit for 30 hours, then I can make the appearance and not bad enough, but programming ... is another question.
Of course, I will learn everything, because there is time and desire too, but where to get clients?
For example, retouching photos, look for clients on Instagram?
Or sit on the stock exchanges?
Or here and there?

I would be very grateful if you give advice on how to promote yourself in the direction of freelancing.

Answer 1

The first thing to understand. A freelancer is essentially a specialist entrepreneur who sells his services.
The second thing is that this activity is a long-term investment in yourself. For years, decades.

Freelancing where to start?

1) Decide on the direction of work. Choose what you like. This is important, since any change of direction means years of work and retraining.
2) Study the market, demand and requirements in applications
3) Learn, improve their theoretical and practical skills to the required level for the chosen specialty. This is usually 1 year old.
4) Keep learning. Exchanges are a tool, you can start with an exchange, but you need to work on developing your profile, this is 1 year. You have to work hard and study hard.
5) Develop word of mouth. Provide services to friends and acquaintances of friends
6) Promotion of your site. It's also over a year old. You can advertise in Yandex Direct.
7) Promotion of yourself and your services in social networks. It's not fast either.
Further work and customers will find you themselves.

Answer 2

First, decide what you like.
Creating websites - you need to learn html, css, js for the frontend, maybe php - for the backend (I'm not good with it myself), etc.
If you photoshop and want to make website layouts, learn Figma better.
For example, learn illustrator for logos.
For beginner "designers", exchanges with a large stream of competitions, such as designcrowd, are more suitable. There are dumb tasks, but if you want to fill your hand, it’s very good. If you sit all day, about every 30th competition you will win, about 700 bucks a month. Then go somewhere else...
I myself used to take projects that end in a couple of hours and fill my hand + portfolio

Answer 3

Of course, I will learn everything, because there is time and desire too, but where to get clients?

Where there is less competition and cost: less experience - ask less for your services.
And there are plenty of jobs everywhere now: at least freelancing, at least remote work ... If there were the right skills and with the right quality. And this is acquired only with experience.
A good portfolio and the correct assessment of your skills and experience (rate - payment per hour of work) is the first step that brings the first order closer.

Answer 4

I would advise you to get a job in some company as a junior for the first time. You will be taught there and paid more money for it. After some time, you can start taking clients and doing tasks for them in your free time. When you get a few regular clients, you can leave your job and start freelancing.
I don’t have anything, don’t know, no clients, no recommendations, you won’t get mountains of gold. In general, freelancing is a difficult thing if you want to make good money. And don't forget the most important thing - study, study and study

Answer 5

Don't listen to anyone. If you did not find the answer on the net, but ask here, then you should not freelance.