How do freelancers get paid: by the hour or by the project?

Being self-employed, your salary doesn't quite look and function the same as it did when you were working for someone else. As an employee, you had a fairly dependable income, regardless of the amount of work you did. But that security vanishes when you become a freelancer.

The biggest difference is that you're in full control of your income.

​And for many freelancers, that's a scary thought! 

We're pulling back the veil on how freelancers get paid and my own best practices when it comes to setting your prices. 

In the freelance battle of Fiverr vs Upwork, which platform will rule them all?

On the surface, freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork seem like the end-all solution for freelancers trying to break into the marketplace. Both sites have a sizeable client base actively seeking the expertise of a freelancer. Both offer a wealth of freelance gigs, from writing to marketing to design and beyond. 

But that's about where the similarities end.

Which one should you pursue in your freelance venture?

Let's look at some specifics on the Fiverr vs Upwork conversation so you can decide where you can make the most money:

Freelancing starts with a dream, but without real paying clients that dream will only exist in your imagination. 

Knowing how to get clients as a freelancer is often the biggest barrier to entry. How do you attract clients to your solo business? How do you avoid spending countless hours and dollars on marketing with nothing to show for it? 

We're covering a few techniques you can use to market yourself as a freelancer and start earning revenue with minimal investment:

Freelance Speak's exclusive mega list of freelance opportunities

There's more to the freelance world than coding and designing websites. In today's digital economy, the various ways to freelance continue to push the boundaries of freelancing as we  know it. 

In fact, it's estimated that within 10 years, nearly half the workforce in the U.S. will be freelancers if current trends sustain.

It might seem far fetched, until you start thinking outside the box about what types of work could potentially be outsourced to freelancers. 

If you're tossing around the idea of freelancing but aren't sure how to best translate your skills, this mega list of 50 ways to freelance might be all the inspiration you need:

Myth: Freelancers run every aspect of their business themselves.

As a one-man show, it's logical to think that you're responsible for managing every moving part of your business. Though not as complex as a small business, freelancers are still tasked with accounting, marketing, branding, and every other little thing that will result in revenue.

The truth is, even though you're a freelancer or solopreneur, you don't have to do business alone. Learn how you can scale your freelance business and take your earnings to the next level. 

Fiverr is quickly becoming a hot spot for new and seasoned freelancers alike. This platform allows you to promote your services for free and connect with clients actively searching for what you do. When someone "hires" you for a project, Fiverr takes a small portion of your earnings.

But is this mega platform all it's chalked up to be? Can Fiverr help you become a profitable freelancer? Or, are you better off promoting your services elsewhere?

Here's everything you need to know about putting your freelancing services on Fiverr:

One of the hardest things about starting a freelance marketing career is earning clients. No business survives without income, and the sooner you can land paying clients the more momentum you'll build.

But where do you start looking for clients and how can you convince them you're worth what you're charging? 

Take it from a fellow freelancer who had to figure out this very conundrum.

When you start a freelancing career, one of the first questions you'll need to answer is where can you find clients?

One of the most attractive places for new freelancers to start is by promoting their services on freelancing websites and platforms that connect you with buyers searching for your services.

Let's take a closer look at some of the top freelancing marketplaces where you can promote yourself and start attracting clients:
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Making your own schedule. Never fighting rush hour traffic against your will. Working wherever there's an internet connection, like your favorite coffee shop or a hotel room by the beach. Doing things your way. Being your own boss, in business for yourself without slaving away for someone else's wealth.

Becoming a freelancer has its share of perks, but there's another side of the story that's rarely told. It's not all sunshine and roses working for yourself. Those of you who have already jumped into freelancing have likely had a few wake-up calls along the way.

Successful freelancing is all about getting the right exposure to build your brand and credibility. Posting as a guest on a blog can help you get your name and expertise in the digital space and show people you know what you're talking about - even if you're not a blogger!

But where do you find such opportunities?

We've compiled a massive list of 74 blogs and websites that accept guest posts. Find your industry or niche, click the link, read the guidelines, and send your pitch (or post). If you get accepted - we love backlinks :)

​Here we go: