Freelancing ideas you can start right now

The way we work has changed – and for the better. Gone are the days when a successful career was tethered to a 9-to-5 office schedule or a fixed location.

Thanks to advancements in technology and shifting workplace norms, the freedom to work how, when and where you want is more achievable than ever. For many people, this evolution is opening the door to an exciting possibility: freelancing.

Whether you're seeking a flexible side hustle to complement your current job or dreaming of breaking away from the constraints of full-time employment, freelancing offers a world of opportunity.

It's a chance to take control of your career, pursue your passions and balance work with life on your terms. But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start.

That's why we've put together this short guide to freelancing ideas you can dive into today. These aren't just ideas – they're practical paths for building a career that matches your skills, ambitions and lifestyle.

From creative pursuits to tech-driven solutions, there's something here for everyone. Ready to take the leap? Let's explore what’s possible!

Freelance business ideas

If you're interested in going freelance, but you're not sure where to apply your skill set, we've shortlisted some popular freelancing job ideas that you can start on right away.

1. Freelance creative

It's quite possible that you already have a good number of creative skills from which you could make a living.

Writers, copywriters, editors, photographers, graphic designers, illustrators and many more all contribute to the creative economy – a good percentage of which is made up of freelance workers.

The route to becoming a freelance creative depends on your previous work experience and skillset. If you're new to your profession, you might be able to take on small jobs around your current job until you're in a position where you can make the switch to working freelance full time.

On the other hand, you may have already developed a great deal of expertise and positioned yourself as an expert who can work directly with clients or through an agent. In which case, you'll be able to transition to working as a full-time freelance creative a bit more quickly.

You may want to bring your creative knowledge home and work from there or work from your own studio or office. For either approach, it can be helpful to get the support of a network of other creatives to connect and collaborate with.

Having a creative community around you to meet, chat with and exchange ideas could also help you to get your own creative business off the ground. If there aren't any near to where you're based, there are digital communities where you can share ideas and get advice.

Once you've chosen your field or specialism, you can start by taking on small projects and building from there. For example, if you're a photographer, you might focus just on weekend wedding work, or you might decide that full-time photo shoots for brands are the way to go.

2. Making products

Do you have a product that you long to get out there into the marketplace? Maybe you already sell it at local markets or online.

The likes of Levi Roots, whose Reggae Reggae sauce was backed by Dragons' Den business investors and went on to be stocked by Sainsbury's, are a source of inspiration to many a would-be producer. But there's a lot to put in place before a manufacturer can reach those lofty heights.

Making sure there's a market for your product is the first step. Get retail-ready by first:

• checking out your competitors

• finding a gap in the market

• planning for how you might handle growth if your product does take off

It's no good selling a brilliant product if you can't meet the demand.

Think carefully about how to build loyalty among your target market. Trade shows might be your first port of call. Here you can capture the interest of potential buyers by being passionate about your product.

The alternative might be to sell direct to consumers, in which case you'll need to research your platform carefully. There are many opportunities both in person and online to sell your wares, so finding out which context will work best for yours requires investigation early on.

3. IT consultant

Many businesses looking to outsource their IT will turn to freelance programmers, developers, tech designers and those offering flexible tech support and solutions.

It may go without saying, but to be a professional IT solutions provider you'll need to be well qualified, or at least proficient enough in your specialism to tackle some of the issues that a variety of businesses face.

The level of service you offer could range from high-level IT consultancy to day-to-day IT troubleshooting. You might have developed a wealth of IT knowledge through experience, or you may have a degree in engineering, computer science or IT.

Once you've decided to make a go of freelancing as an IT professional, make sure your offerings are clearly listed, either your own website, or on a freelancer marketplace like PeoplePerHour or Upwork.

And whatever your route into the industry, keep your knowledge up to date in this fast-changing field so you're ever-ready to respond to queries with your technical knowhow.

4. Freelance bookkeeper

Small businesses and start-ups often can't afford essential professional services. Overworked business owners can find themselves juggling a number of demands, from sales and customer services through to advertising and bookkeeping.

So if you're looking for freelance ideas that fit flexibly around your other commitments, being a self-employed bookkeeper is one option.

The advantages of starting a freelance bookkeeping and payroll service is that you can choose the services you offer to your clients. You can also work for several clients at once and adapt your working hours to suit your life. However, you may need to get certified to be able to offer some services.

There may also be some overheads at first, such as investing in software to keep on top of your clients' books. But these can be a sensible investment, especially if you can customise the software to meet a particular client's needs.

Do a little research into rates and set your own prices. Joining your local chamber of commerce can also be a good first step to help build up a network of contacts and drum up initial business.

5. Home-based consultant

Becoming a home-based consultant can be a good choice for anyone working in a variety of industries or sectors. There are all sorts of reasons why you might decide to start freelancing, but it's no longer the case that consultants are people looking to supplement their retirement.

You'll need authority and knowledge in a specialist field to be competitive in a crowded marketplace and to win the contracts you want.

Other people's knowledge and experience can be invaluable, so don't be afraid to get some guidance from an established consultant when you first start out.

Depending on your objectives, work can be rich and varied and you may find yourself working across a range of industries and sectors, at home and abroad. Keep track of your existing connections and network to generate leads.

Even if yours is the kind of freelance work you can move in to fairly seamlessly, setting up and running your own business does require significant time, energy and resources, which is why it's important to reduce the risks to that investment.

Relevant resources

• Building your business as a freelancer: How to start a freelance business

• How to be successful with your freelance business

• Lunch and Learn: How to start a freelance business