How to Start Freelancing? (1 Year of Digital Marketing Experience)

I’ve been working in Digital Marketing for about a year now—mainly SEO, social media, and a bit of content work. Recently, I’ve been thinking about starting freelancing, but I’m not sure where to begin.

A few questions I’m stuck on:

Which platform (Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn, etc.) is best for beginners?

How do you get your first client if you don’t have a big portfolio?

Should I niche down (e.g., SEO for small businesses) or start broad?

Any tips for setting fair rates when starting out?

I’d really appreciate any advice