Want to start freelancing but don't know how?
This guide is for you.
Freelancing can be lucrative, with potential earnings reaching six figures a month.
But to achieve that success, you need to start right.
Here’s what you need to know.
Mindset is Key
Over the years, I've seen many aspiring freelancers fail after just a few months.
It's rarely due to a lack of skills or resources.
The issue? The wrong mindset.
Here are some common misconceptions:
Freelancing is easy money.
Success will come in 2-3 months of hard work.
If this is your mindset, think again.
Freelancing is tough. It’s not a shortcut to riches; it's a real business that requires time and effort to grow.
You’ll need months of consistent work before seeing results.
You might have to give up Friday nights and weekends to build your business, but once you land your first client and gain momentum, it’ll be worth it.
Speaking from experience as a high school dropout who's faced many challenges—freelancing demands a lot of effort, but it's all worth it.
Ready to put in the work? Let’s dive into the steps to start your freelance journey.
Define Your Goal
Without a clear goal, you're likely to struggle.
Why do you want to freelance?
Is it a temporary side hustle or a path to full-time work?
Is freelancing a stepping stone to another goal?
Defining your purpose helps shape your strategy and keeps you focused.
Pick a Service
Love writing? Offer writing services.
Skilled in video editing? Become a video editor. Don’t try to be a jack of all trades.
Specialists are valued and paid more than generalists.
Think about complementary skills too.
For example, a web developer might also offer digital marketing. You can always expand your skill set later.
Choose a Niche
New freelancers often make the mistake of offering services to anyone who might need them.
This limits your potential earnings and wastes time. Focus on a specific niche instead.
Rather than saying, "I develop websites for any business," say, "I develop high-converting websites for law firms."
This signals expertise and makes it easier to command higher rates.
Targeting a niche also helps you attract the right clients.
Narrow it down even further by specifying the type of law firms, such as those specializing in divorce cases.
Build a Portfolio Site
Once you've chosen a niche, create a professional website that showcases your services.
Buy a domain related to your niche.
Write a clear unique selling proposition (USP) that defines your target clients and how you help them. Example: "I create high-converting sales funnels to help business coaches get more clients."
Include sample work in your portfolio, even if you don’t have clients yet.
Create examples or offer discounted services in exchange for testimonials.
Publish relevant blog posts and client testimonials to build credibility.
Testimonials are powerful—72% of consumers trust a business more after reading positive reviews.
Set Your Prices
Pricing can make or break your business. Should you charge by the hour or by value?
I recommend charging based on the value you provide.
Adjust your rates based on your niche—what a local store can afford differs from what a law firm can pay.
Find Clients
With your services, website, and pricing ready, it's time to start reaching out to potential clients.
This is where the real work begins.
Run paid ads on Facebook or Google.
Create a Facebook group tailored to your target audience and post helpful content to build trust before pitching your services.
Cold email or call prospects. Follow up if you don’t hear back in a few days, and track your outreach in a spreadsheet.
Persistence is key.
If you send out a few emails and don’t get a response, don’t get discouraged.
Keep going.
Struggling to find the time? Cut distractions. Limit social media and Netflix.
Prioritize what matters.
Analyze and Adapt
After three months, evaluate your efforts.
What worked? What didn’t?
Adjust your approach as needed. If you’re running ads, monitor your return on investment.
Focus on strategies that bring results and refine the rest.
These are the seven basic steps to kickstart your freelance career.
This method worked for us and many others.
How well it works for you depends on the effort you put in.
Start small if needed, but just start.
Thanks for reading! 😊