Akacen logoAkacen

Travel & Gig Economy

Independent work and remote work overlap more every year. This section covers getting paid for your skills, finding clients without an employer, and the practical realities of working from somewhere other than an office.

Notebook, phone and headphones on a cafe table overlooking a city
Portable work still needs clear boundaries, reliable systems and secure access.

Editor’s pick · Recommended starting point

How to Get Your First Freelance Client Without a Portfolio

A practical route to your first paying client — what to offer, where to look and what to say.

Start with this guide

All guides

Guides published in this topic

Recommended from Akacen

Related product guides

Tools we recommend in this section

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Read more about who publishes this on the publisher profile.

  • NordVPN

    Encrypts your connection on public Wi-Fi so logins to your site, bank and email aren't exposed.

    Try NordVPN

  • Lovable

    Describe the site or app you want in plain English and get a real, custom build you own — no developer needed.

    Try Lovable

  • Stripe

    Takes card payments and subscriptions worldwide without you touching card data.

    Try Stripe

Top 3 in this niche, compared

Our editorial shortlist for freelancing & travel, ordered by how often it is the right first choice for a beginner. This is our own ranking, not a scored test — check current pricing and availability on each provider’s own site.

  1. 1
    The FuturBest overallDesktop tool

    Pricing and positioning training for creative freelancers.

    Who it is for: making things look finished. Not for: work that needs a professional designer.

    Position 1 of 3 in our shortlist · best for making things look finished

    Visit The Futur
  2. 2
    GrowthMentorRunner-upDesktop tool

    One-to-one calls with operators instead of another course.

    Who it is for: turning visitors into customers. Not for: a business with no repeat traffic yet.

    Position 2 of 3 in our shortlist · best for turning visitors into customers

    Visit GrowthMentor
  3. 3
    DudaBest for a tight budgetDesktop tool

    Site building aimed at people who build for clients.

    Who it is for: building a site without writing code. Not for: complex custom software with unusual requirements.

    Position 3 of 3 in our shortlist · best for building a site without writing code

    Visit Duda

The Futur vs GrowthMentor

The two choices most people in freelancing & travel end up deciding between.

The Futur

Type:
Desktop tool
Best for:
making things look finished
Not for:
work that needs a professional designer
Why we list it:
Pricing and positioning training for creative freelancers.

GrowthMentor

Type:
Desktop tool
Best for:
turning visitors into customers
Not for:
a business with no repeat traffic yet
Why we list it:
One-to-one calls with operators instead of another course.

When The Futur is the better choice

Choose The Futur when your main job is making things look finished. Skip it if you are work that needs a professional designer.

When GrowthMentor is the better choice

GrowthMentor makes more sense when the priority is turning visitors into customers. It is not the right pick for a business with no repeat traffic yet.

Alternatives to The Futur

Some links here are partner links — if you sign up we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we review and recommend.

Partner tools and apps for this topic

A short, honest shortlist: desktop tools you set up once, and phone apps you can use on the move. We keep the list small on purpose.

Some links below are partner links — if you sign up we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How we review and recommend.

  • The FuturDesktop tool

    Pricing and positioning training for creative freelancers.

    Best for
    making things look finished
    Not for
    work that needs a professional designer
    Visit The Futur
  • GrowthMentorDesktop tool

    One-to-one calls with operators instead of another course.

    Best for
    turning visitors into customers
    Not for
    a business with no repeat traffic yet
    Visit GrowthMentor
  • DudaDesktop tool

    Site building aimed at people who build for clients.

    Best for
    building a site without writing code
    Not for
    complex custom software with unusual requirements
    Visit Duda
  • UberPhone app

    Flexible earning you can start this week with just a phone.

    Best for
    finding paid work on your own terms
    Not for
    anyone unwilling to pitch regularly
    Visit Uber
  • • Rewards and cashback apps pay small amounts and often have payout minimums.

Availability, pricing and eligibility change — always check on the provider’s own site. See every brand we recommend.

More sections in Digital Business, or start from Akacen.

Earlier guides: How to Start an Online Business Without Knowing How to Code, The AI Tools Worth Using When You're Building a Side Income.