How I Started My Freelancing Journey With Zero Experience

A few years ago, I was just like many others—confused, nervous, and desperately searching for a way to earn money online. I had read stories about people making a living through freelancing, but deep down, I wondered: “Is it really possible for someone like me, with no skills and no experience?”

At first, I doubted myself. I wasn’t a professional designer, I wasn’t a developer, and I didn’t have a strong portfolio. All I had was curiosity, a mobile phone, and a dream to do something better with my life.

I remember spending hours scrolling through Fiverr and Upwork, looking at other people’s gigs. Their profiles looked professional, polished, and perfect. Mine looked empty. That was the moment when fear whispered in my ear: “You can’t do this. You’re not ready.”

But another voice inside me said: “If they can start, why can’t you?”


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Taking the first small step

Instead of waiting to magically become an expert, I decided to start small. I chose something simple I could learn quickly—background removal for photos. It wasn’t fancy, but it was real. I watched countless YouTube tutorials, practiced on my own pictures, and slowly, confidence started to grow inside me.

Creating my first Fiverr gig was nerve-wracking. I remember staring at the “Publish” button for nearly ten minutes. I wrote the title, added a description, and uploaded some sample images. Finally, I pressed it. In that moment, I felt a strange mix of fear and excitement. Would anyone notice me? Would anyone trust a beginner?


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Waiting in silence

The first few days were tough. Nothing happened. No orders. No messages. Just silence. Each day I opened my Fiverr dashboard with hope, and each night I closed it with disappointment. Doubt crept back into my mind: “Maybe this isn’t for you.”

But I didn’t quit. Instead of giving up, I improved. I rewrote my gig description, added better sample work, and even practiced writing polite responses to clients I didn’t even have yet. Every small change felt like a step forward.


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The first breakthrough

Then, one morning, I woke up to a notification: “You have a new message.”

My heart raced as I opened it. A client wanted background removal for a batch of images. They asked, “Can you do this within 24 hours?” My hands trembled while typing: “Yes, I can.”

That first order wasn’t just about money. It was about belief. When I delivered the work and received a 5-star review, it felt like someone had handed me a golden key to a new door in life. That one review erased weeks of doubt and gave me the courage to keep going.


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Lessons freelancing taught me

From that day onward, freelancing became more than a side hustle—it became a teacher. I realized freelancing is not just about skills; it’s about patience, consistency, and the willingness to learn.

Every small project taught me something new. With each client, my communication improved, my workflow got smoother, and my confidence grew. Slowly but surely, the nervous beginner inside me started turning into a professional.

I also learned that rejection is not the end. Sometimes clients say no, sometimes orders don’t come for weeks. But persistence always pays off. The internet is full of opportunities for those who refuse to give up.


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A message for you

Today, when I look back, I smile at the version of myself who once thought, “I can’t do this.” Because that version of me proved himself wrong.

If you’re reading this and doubting your own abilities, let me say what I wish someone had told me back then:

You don’t need to be perfect to start.

Everyone begins as a beginner.

The courage to take the first step is more powerful than waiting endlessly.


The truth is, the journey from zero to something begins with one decision: to start.

So if you have a dream burning inside you—take that step. Open that laptop. Publish that gig. Believe in yourself. The first step may be scary, but it can change your life forever.