PeoplePerHour for beginners: how to get started step by step

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 39m ago

Who this guide is for

PeoplePerHour, founded in the UK, connects businesses with freelancers in writing, design, development, marketing, video, admin and many other fields. It can be a good way to start freelancing on the side or to build a full-time freelance business, but beginners often struggle to win their first project. This guide walks through each step in order, from preparing your profile to getting paid and handling tax. It does not promise any level of income, which depends on your skills, niche, pricing and effort. Features and fees change, so check the current details in your account and the support centre before relying on any figure here.

Step 1: choose your niche

Clients search for specific skills, so a clear niche helps you stand out. Instead of offering general writing, you might offer product descriptions for online shops or blog articles for accountants. Instead of general design, you might focus on logos for cafes or social media graphics for fitness coaches. A narrow niche makes your profile and offers more convincing and helps you price with confidence. You can widen your services later once you have reviews.

Step 2: research the market

Before creating your profile, look at successful freelancers in your niche on the platform. Note how they describe their services, what they charge and how they structure their offers. Look at the kinds of projects clients post in your category, their budgets and how many proposals they receive. This research shows where demand is and how you can position yourself differently.

Step 3: create a profile that passes review

Profiles are reviewed before they go live. Use a clear, professional photo, write a headline that states what you do and for whom, and add a summary that explains your experience, skills and the results you deliver. Keep it specific and honest. Add relevant qualifications and tools you use. Profiles that are vague, very short or copied from elsewhere are more likely to be rejected or sent back.

Step 4: add portfolio samples

Clients want to see your work. Upload samples that match your niche. If you are new to freelancing, create sample projects, such as a mock logo set or example blog post, and label them clearly as samples. Avoid using work that belongs to a former employer or client without permission.

Step 5: create your first offers

Offers are fixed-price services clients can buy directly, such as a set number of social media graphics or a website audit. Give each offer a clear title, describe exactly what is included, set a delivery time and price, and add optional extras such as faster delivery or more revisions. Use good images, ideally showing examples of the result. Start with one or two strong offers rather than many weak ones.

Step 6: understand the fees

PeoplePerHour keeps a service fee from what freelancers earn, and the fee has been tiered so a higher rate applies to the first part of earnings from each client, with lower rates as you earn more with them. There may also be fees for some withdrawal methods and for extra proposal credits. Check the current fee page and build fees into your prices.

Worked example: pricing a first offer

Grace wants to take home 80 pounds for a set of five social media graphics. If the service fee on a new client is 20 percent, she divides 80 by 0.8 and sets her price at 100 pounds. She estimates the work takes three hours, so her take-home is about 26.67 pounds an hour. Once she builds speed and reviews, she plans to raise the price to 120 pounds, which would give her 96 pounds after the same fee. The percentage calculator on this site helps her test prices.

Step 7: send tailored proposals

When clients post projects, freelancers can send proposals, usually from a limited monthly allowance of proposal credits. Read each brief carefully, then write a short proposal that shows you understand the client's goal, explains how you would approach the work, gives a clear price and timeline and links to one or two relevant samples. Avoid copying the same proposal to every project. Quality matters far more than quantity.

Step 8: target projects you can win

As a beginner without reviews, smaller projects with fewer competing proposals are often easier to win. Look for recent posts, since early proposals are more likely to be read. Projects that match your niche closely give you the best chance.

Step 9: respond quickly

Clients often hire the freelancer who responds first with a clear, confident answer. Turn on notifications and check messages regularly. Keep replies professional, friendly and focused on the client's needs.

Step 10: agree the scope

Before starting, confirm what will be delivered, the number of revisions, the deadline and the price. Put this in the workstream messages so there is a written record. For larger projects, agree milestones so payments are released in stages.

Step 11: deliver great work

Deliver on time or early, follow the brief and check your work carefully. A short note explaining what you delivered and how to use it adds a professional touch. If you need more information, ask early rather than guessing.

Step 12: get paid

Clients fund work upfront, and the money is held until they accept the delivery. Once accepted, funds are released to your account balance and, after any clearance period, you can withdraw them using the payout methods available to you. Check whether your chosen method carries a fee or currency conversion.

Step 13: earn reviews

After each job, clients can leave a rating and feedback. Early reviews are the most valuable, because they help you win more work. Deliver excellent results and, where appropriate, politely ask satisfied clients if they would leave feedback.

Step 14: handle tax

In the UK, freelancers earning more than the 1,000 pound trading allowance in a tax year register for Self Assessment, file a return by 31 January after the tax year and pay Income Tax and National Insurance on profits. Platform fees and other business costs are allowable expenses. Keep records of payments and fees.

Step 15: stay safe

Keep communication and payments on the platform. Be wary of clients who ask you to work off the platform, pay for a test, share your login details or click unusual links. Report suspicious behaviour to support, and report fraud to Action Fraud.

Step 16: grow over time

As you gain reviews, raise your prices gradually, refine your offers and focus on clients who value your work. Repeat clients bring steady income and lower fees under the tiered structure.

A realistic first month

Many beginners expect work to arrive within days and give up when it does not. A realistic first month might involve setting up your profile and offers in the first week, sending a few carefully tailored proposals each day in the second and third weeks, and winning one or two small projects by the end of the month. Each project you deliver well makes the next one easier to win, because reviews and a track record build trust. Keep notes on which proposals got replies and which did not, and adjust your approach.

Worked example: proposal maths

Josh sends 30 tailored proposals in his first month. Five clients reply and two hire him, for projects worth 120 pounds and 200 pounds. After a 20 percent service fee, he receives 256 pounds. The time spent writing proposals felt slow, but both clients leave strong reviews, and in his second month one of them books him again for a larger project, while his reply rate on new proposals improves.

Managing your time

If you freelance alongside a job, block out regular times for proposals, client messages and work, and only accept deadlines you can meet. The time zone tool on this site helps when clients are abroad.

Reader questions

Have a question about freelancing in the UK? Send it through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not financial or tax advice. Fees and features change; check the platform's support pages and HMRC guidance for current details.

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