10 Best Online Freelancing Courses For Free

Gaurav Upreti 22 September, 2024

Freelancing offers the kind of freedom and self-sufficiency that is often envied by regular office-goers.

Flexible work hours, the comfort of working remotely, the freedom to choose projects that work for you, and taking a break or vacation as and when you want, are just some of the innumerable benefits of the freelancer lifestyle. And to top it all, it pays well!

However, working hard is not enough to become a successful, highly-paid freelancer. You need to infuse smart work into the process.

Smart freelancers know the worth of their services and how to pitch themselves to potential clients. They manage their projects efficiently and have a stellar profile that distinguishes them from the competition.

Thankfully, there are multiple freelance career training courses online that teach the fundamentals of freelancing. And for free!

If you’ve got the skills, but are concerned about securing clients and stable income as a freelancer, worry not, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve carefully curated a list of 10 best online freelancing courses for free, that you can enroll in and learn the tips and tricks to build a thriving freelancing career.

You can thank us later!

1. Freelancing for Beginners: Get Paid What You’re Worth by Udemy

best online freelancing courses for free

Udemy is one of the most popular online learning platforms, offering free and paid courses to help people learn diverse skills. From courses on in-demand freelance skills to freelancer training programs, they have it all!

As the name suggests, ‘Freelancing for Beginners’ is an online learning course that teaches everything from scratch.

The dedicated lessons are designed to help develop essential skills like making a freelancer profile, pricing your services, writing bids, finding and securing clients, and managing your projects.

Whether you’ve just quit your full-time job to become a freelancer or are trying to build a solid side hustle, this course is the perfect stepping stone into the world of freelancing.

Key Takeaways:

Discover valuable sources that publish high-paying freelancing opportunities.
Learn how to create an outstanding freelancer profile, price your services to get their worth, and make winning proposals and bids.
Avoid fraudulent clients by learning how to spot credible potential employers.

Certification: No.
Course duration: 1 hour, 13 minutes.
Learners already enrolled: 8821

2. Freelancing 101: Best Class to Learn Freelancing by Skillshare

Skillshare is a subscription-based learning platform that features online courses by experienced professionals.

This extensive course is designed to kickstart your freelancing career with a solid foundation. From setting up your profile to getting paid and withdrawing funds, it provides a step-by-step guide to using high-paying platforms like Freelancer, Upwork, and Fiverr.

It features hands-on tutorials, including a bidding task that learners must complete after mastering the art of crafting persuasive and customized proposals.

Active participation throughout the course enhances learning outcomes, ensuring that well-prepared for success in freelancing.

Key Takeaways:

Explore top freelancing skills that are in demand.
Learn how to set up your profile on Freelancer, Upwork, and Fiverr.
Learn multiple bidding techniques to win over potential clients.
Get tips for content writing, data entry, programming, and editing.

Normally, you have to pay a subscription fee to access courses on Skillshare. However, it does offer a 7-day trial that can be used to learn for free.

Certification: No.
Duration: 2 hours, 8 minutes.
Learners already enrolled: 376

3. Building your Freelancing Career Specialization by Coursera

Designed by the California Institute of the Arts, this free freelance business course is conducted by university and industry experts.

This is a free series with five courses for freelancers. Each course in the series provides information on certain aspects, including goals, finances, making a profile, pitching, mindset for freelancing, etc.

The five courses under this Coursera series are as follows:

Plan a Successful Freelancing Business (9 hours)
Making Money as a Freelancer (9 hours)
Launching Your Freelancing business (7 hours)
Protect and Grow Your Freelancing Business (6 hours)
Building Your Freelancing Career Capstone (11 hours)

Freelancers can choose to complete the course series partially, by only enrolling for some of the courses or complete the whole specialization. Plan a Successful Freelancing Business is the most highly-rated course from this series.

Apart from providing freelance skills training, this course series also helps in developing the habits and discipline required to face common challenges of the freelance lifestyle.

It prepares beginning freelancers in overcoming obstacles like fear and perfectionism, that can keep them from meeting their true potential. It provides the tools required to stay motivated during the first few months, as you set off on this freelancing adventure.

Key Takeaways:

Learn how to package, price, and present your services and make them stand out.
Overcome freelancing challenges and train yourself to stay motivated.
Gain pitching proficiency for high-paying jobs.

Certification: Yes.
Duration: 42 hours (5 courses)
Learners already enrolled: 17319

4. Freelancing Tips by LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn is a business and employment-focused social media platform. Along with providing space for companies and professionals to network, it also offers the opportunity to Upskill with LinkedIn Learning.

Freelancing Tips by LinkedIn Learning covers all aspects of a freelancer’s entrepreneurial journey. Setting career goals, creating a website, budgeting, and managing accounts and projects are just some of the business development takeaways of this course.

It is especially beneficial for those who want to tap into the booming industry and scale their freelancing business.

What’s more, is that upon completion you get a free online freelance course certification that can add value to your LinkedIn profile.

Key Takeaways:

Explore tools that can help save time and simply operations and client communication.
Learn essential skills like bookkeeping, budgeting, writing contracts, and forming partnerships.
Lesson on building a freelancer website is one of the most distinctive features of this course.

Just like Skillshare, you can enroll in LinkedIn Learning’s free trial period to get access to this course. LinkedIn Learning’s trial period is one month long.

Certification: Yes.
Duration: 1 hour, 42 minutes
Learners already enrolled: 46578

5. Principles and Dynamics of Freelancing by Alison

Alison, a renowned online learning platform, offers the “Principles and Dynamics of Freelancing” course, designed to help freelancers thrive in the ever-evolving world of freelance work.

Freelancing, characterized by temporary contracts with various clients, is one of the most dynamic career paths. This free remote work course aims to equip freelancers with the skills and strategies needed to overcome the common challenges of this lifestyle.

The course focuses on providing the tools necessary to effectively structure and organize a successful freelance business from the start.

Key Takeaways:

Ability to set clear goals for your freelancing career.
Launch your career with a freelancing profile that stands out.
Tips and tricks to maximize client acquisition like creating the perfect pitch and automated communication system.
Insight into using Project Management systems to streamline your work.

Certification: You get a CPD accreditation on successful completion of the course.
Duration: 4-5 hours.
Learners already enrolled: 9049

6. The Freelance Masterclass: The Ultimate Guide to Freelancing by Skillshare

Working as a freelancer on a platform like Freelancer, Upwork, or Fiverr is very different from starting your own freelancing business. Experts on Skillshare simplify the process of selecting your niche and target audience when starting a freelancing business in this Freelancing Masterclass.

Personal branding is a central theme throughout this free, in-depth freelance training course. With special emphasis on crafting a brand identity that is unique and appealing, it takes freelancers through multiple steps of creating a brand image.

It is a one-stop solution course with dedicated lessons on designing logos, business cards, letterheads, portfolios, websites, and company bios.

Skillshare offers a free trial period of 7 days. You can use this time to complete the course, along with other courses for freelancers without having to pay the monthly subscription.

Key Takeaways:

Find your niche and target audience.
Personal Branding: Learn how to craft a unique and attractive brand image that helps you stand out.
Particularly valuable for freelancers in creative services who are launching their freelance careers.

Certification: No
Duration: 1 Hour
Learners already enrolled: 8339

7. Freelancing Foundations by LinkedIn Learning

This course, created by Jay Clouse, founder of Freelancing School, offers a comprehensive guide to launching a successful freelancing business.

It incorporates the cornerstones of any new venture, including business fundamentals, marketing, communication, and sales.

It highlights the importance of budgeting and time management while also emphasizing how testimonials and case studies can be powerful tools for promoting a freelancing business.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the importance of testimonials, client referrals, and other organic ways of building trust and credibility.
How to maintain healthy communication between freelancers and clients.
Using a CRM.

You can use LinkedIn Learning’s trial to access this course for free.

Certification: Yes
Duration: 1 Hour
Learners already enrolled: 26043

8. Free Upwork Course: Start Your Freelancing Career in 2024 by Udemy

Best online course to start Freelancing Career

The primary purpose of the Free Upwork Course by Udemy is to give insight into how to become a successful freelancer on Upwork.

Firstly, offering in-demand freelancing skills increases your possibility of boosting income as a freelancer on Upwork. This course acquaints budding freelancers with multiple freelancing skills like data analytics, graphic designing, etc. that are desired by a large number of employees.

Secondly, it equips learners with the ability to make an outstanding Upwork profile, write winning bids, price their services, and approach and communicate with potential clients.

Thirdly, it stimulates self-confidence in freelancers and helps them develop the right mindset for a successful career in freelancing.

A healthy and positive outlook prevents freelancers from getting easily disheartened and settling for low-paying jobs. It motivates them to stay ambitious and to strive for rewarding projects.

Key Takeaways:

Explore in-demand freelance skills.
Get equipped to build a successful and sustainable presence on Upwork.
Develop the mindset of a millionaire freelancer.

Certification: No
Duration: 1 Hour
Learners already enrolled: 1690

9. Freelancing Essentials: How to Make the Most Out of Fiverr by CreativeLive

This hands-on course by CreativeLive focuses on the freelancing platform, Fiverr and how to navigate it to gain maximum benefits and build a successful freelancing career.

Fiverr is one of the three most commonly used freelancing platforms. It enables freelancers to define their services and create products. People looking to hire can browse through seller gigs of freelancers and approach a suitable candidate with work.

Your Fiverr profile and seller gig are the first impressions that you leave on prospective clients. It’s essential to leave a lasting and positive impact.

Highlighting your strengths, providing an impressive portfolio, and communicating your value proposition are just some of the things that you must master before creating your seller gig.

This course focuses on excelling as a freelancer on Fiverr and provides insight into the platform’s algorithm.

Key Takeaways:

Learn how to set up a Fiverr seller profile that outshines the competitor’s profiles.
Benefit from tips and tricks to optimally use Fiverr features and become a Fiverr Pro.
In-depth understanding of Fiverr SEO and algorithm.

Certification: No
Duration: 1 hour
Learners already enrolled: 1500

10. Freelancing by Digiskills.pk

DigiSkills.pk’s Freelancing Course is one of the best free freelancing courses for beginners.

It is designed to help individuals kickstart their freelancing careers by teaching essential skills and strategies for success in the digital marketplace.

From setting up profiles to mastering the art of bidding and client communication, the course offers practical training to equip learners with the tools needed to thrive as freelancers across various platforms.

Key Takeaways:

Do’s and Don’ts for a successful freelancing career.
Introduction to popular freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.
Fundamentals of freelancing: How to select a skill, make a profile, write bids, secure clients, etc.
Lesson on managing payment systems and invoicing on freelancing platforms.

Certification: No
Duration: 24 hours (course active for 12 weeks)
Learners already enrolled: 91430

Freelancing offers a world of opportunities, but it also comes with challenges such as building a client base, managing projects, and marketing your skills.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your freelancing game, taking advantage of free courses is a smart way to gain valuable skills without any financial investment.

So what are you waiting for? Enroll today and learn freelancing skills for free!

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