I want to freelance, but I don't have enough experience.
That fear keeps so many talented designers stuck in jobs they've outgrown. You scroll through portfolios of established freelancers and think, "I'm not there yet."
I felt the same way. When I first tried freelancing, I got banned from Freelancer.com after multiple failed proposals. I watched designers on Fiverr sell their skills for pennies. The platforms that promised opportunity left me feeling like I didn't belong.
But here's what I learned: freelancing success doesn't come from platforms or perfect portfolios. It comes from a completely different approach.
In this newsletter, I want to share my journey and provide 4 tips based on my experiences to guide you.
Don't Quit your Job
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.
Find Your Niche Early
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.
You know?
Remember, finding your niche takes time and usually happens naturally.
Standout Designer
Nobody told me you can make money without a portfolio.
I just started posting on Instagram and Dribbble. That was my portfolio. I did great business.
Later I realized a personal website helps too. Instagram and Dribbble brought me clients because millions of people see your work there. But now things are changing. A simple website with 2-3 case studies can help you get clients.
Learn Business Skills and Build Process
To be a successful freelancer, it's not enough to have great design skills. You also need to master essential freelancing skills like writing proposals, creating invoices, setting up a CRM to make things smoother, and communicating with clients effectively.
Some designers accept low-paying clients. I choose to value myself and politely decline. As a freelancer, it's essential to prioritize self-worth.
Today's Action Step
Pick one of these four areas to focus on this week:
- Start a side hustle while keeping your job
- Define your specific design niche
- Create or improve your online presence
- Learn one business skill (proposals, invoicing, or client communication)
See you in another one!
Let's grow together 🙌
