making your full-time income as a freelancer in 2026
I filmed a YouTube video answering some of the most common questions I get about working full-time as a freelancer:
how I make money online
when you know you’re “ready” to go full-time
taking time off for sick days and holidays
how much money you really need to start
and what I wish someone told me earlier
First: this is not ‘hustle-culture-freelancing’
We are not here to be your typical “grind 24/7, always hustling” freelancer.
This video applies to the girls who also:
are very Type B.
like stability.
like predictable income.
like long-term relationships with clients.
like having days off.
This version of freelancing is absolutely possible. I live it every day.
How I make money online
I’m a big believer in multiple income streams as a freelancer. Not because you need to monetize everything, but because income can shift quickly.
Here’s what that looks like for me:
1. Retainer-based social media management
This makes up about 95% of my income.
These are long-term clients I work with monthly. Retainers give you predictability and consistency, which is huge if freelancing is your main income.
I’ve done hourly work for years (and I still think it’s important when you’re starting out), but I’ve found that retainers create the most stability for me.
2. Project-based creative work
Things like:
• video editing
• YouTube editing
• social media coaching
• one-off creative projects
These are great supplemental income streams, but they’re not always consistent enough to rely on alone.
3. Digital resources
I occasionally create templates or tools when something feels genuinely useful to share.
This is not my main income stream (more like my coffee fund), but it all adds up.
You don’t need to do everything or hold your breath until you scrape rent together.
You just need a combination of work that fits your business and lifestyle.
How I knew I was ready to go full-time:
Going full-time should feel more like a transition than a stressful leap.
Some signs that told me I was ready:
my current work and incoming work felt steady.
my network felt healthy and active.
I had repeat clients and referrals.
some clients were ready to support me on full-time retainers.
I developed my talent into solid processes.
By the end of college, my business had naturally taken over my life, and that was a big signal.
How much money I spent starting out:
little to nothing! I didn’t launch with a massive website, blog, newsletter, youtube channel, and brand identity all at once.
I started with one main platform and built slowly from there.
You can absolutely:
be scrappy at first
barter services with your friends!
collaborate with other creatives
upgrade tools only when they truly help your workflow
Freelancing online has a very low barrier to entry…use that to your advantage! (and have fun, it's fun!)
My biggest lesson starting out…
Choosing the right clients matters more than anything.
The best projects come from relationships built on trust and mutual respect.
When you work with aligned clients, you can:
set clear boundaries without guilt
communicate openly when life happens
take time off and fully unplug
do your best work without constant stress
There are bound to be people who will try to walk allllll over your business (literally), and it's so important that you do not treat this as a reflection of you or your work.
If you have questions about freelancing, making money online, or building a creative business, leave a comment or send me a message.
And if you’re on this path already: I’m rooting for you so hard! ✨
thank you for reading,
- olivia xxx
