Are you ready to start freelancing but worried about your lack of experience or no experience?
Don’t worry - many successful entrepreneurs have started their businesses without prior knowledge. Even I started freelancing when I wasn't satisfied with my work and wanted to do something extra.
Before I started getting clients, I experienced many failures. I applied to several proposals on Freelancer [dot]com and got banned. I also tried Fiverr and saw how the designer was not respecting their work by selling their skills at low prices. I realized that these platforms were not for me.
In this newsletter, I want to share my journey and provide 4 tips based on my experiences to guide you.
You might have heard this a million times or before leaving your job, save at least 3 to 6 months of salary. but it's true - However, you can adopt a smarter approach, just as I did.
In my early career, I started freelancing as a side hustle. Every day, I would spend 3-4 hours creating content and finding clients. I discovered that the key to getting more eyes on my work was to get featured on prominent design pages on Instagram.
This strategy helped me attract clients. Although the landscape may have changed since then, I believe that consistently sharing your work can still lead to discovering many clients.
In the beginning, I struggled because I didn't know what type of clients I wanted to work with. I was simply posting my work on Behance, Dribbble, and Instagram. As a result, many clients were confused about whether I was a designer or a developer, and I found myself saying yes to everything.
However, over time, I realized the importance of defining your niche as a freelancer. It helps you determine what you're best suited for and the kind of clients you want to work with.
Remember, finding your niche takes time and usually happens naturally.
Creating an online presence is crucial for freelancers. To be honest, nobody told me that you can make money freelancing even without a portfolio.
I started posting my work on Instagram and Dribbble, which served as my portfolio, and I still managed to do great business.
However, I realized the importance of having a personal website as well. These social media platforms generate significant traffic with millions of users, giving you more chances to get work. But now, things might be changing, and having a personal website to showcase your portfolio with 2 to 3 case studies could help you attract clients.
To be a successful freelancer, it's not enough to have great design skills. You also need to master essential freelancing skills such as:
While some designers may accept low-paying clients, I choose to value myself and politely decline. As a freelancer, it's essential to prioritize self-worth.
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See you in another one!
Let’s grow together 🙌