Freelancing with No Experience? Here's How to Dive In with Confidence (and a Realistic Roadmap)
The idea of freelancing can be exhilarating – setting your own hours, choosing your projects, and being your own boss. Often, your excitement comes with a healthy dose of self-doubt. Especially if you have zero official freelance experience.
The good news? You're not alone! Many successful freelancers started exactly where you are – full of enthusiasm and maybe (probably) a little unsure of their capabilities and the process of beginning.
Here's the honest truth: Experience is valuable, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock. There’s no way to get experience without trying something new, right? You didn’t know how to drive until you drove. You didn’t have experience walking until you tried to balance on your own little legs. You gotta start somewhere, my friend.
Here's your roadmap to launching a fulfilling freelance career, even if your resume looks a little blank:
1. Find Your Sweet Spot:
Think about what you're good at, but also what you enjoy. Do you write like a dream? Can you whip up social media content that pops? Identifying your skills and interests will help you find a niche – a specific area of freelancing where you can shine.
Yes, you can Google “highest paid freelancing skills” or “most in-demand freelancing skills” but pursuing those jobs if you lack an interest in them isn’t going to help you build a fulfilling business. My approach to helping you live a better life is to make sure that you are doing things you actually enjoy doing, it’s not going to serve you to put your interests last. Focus on the intersection of what you enjoy and the skills you either already have or can build up with practice.
I must also mention that I am not a fan of the pigeon-hole niche. I believe that, especially as a freelancer, flexibility and evolution are a must. Be open to shifting, changing, expanding, and pivoting your services to suit that balance of where client needs meet your skills.
2. Knowledge is Power (But Doesn't Have to Break the Bank):
Experience is great, but learning is your best friend! Take advantage of the abundance of free online resources – tutorials, courses, ebooks, etc – to build your skillset. Look for affordable workshops or certifications within your chosen niche. Consistent, focused learning can give you the tools to get started.
The internet is a wild place these days and you can find so many free resources to help you learn new skills and market yourself to new potential clients. Use the University of YouTube, Google, Reddit, Pinterest, TikTok, and everything else to your advantage. There are even accredited colleges that offer free online courses in a wide range of subjects!
Keep learning, keep evolving, keep iterating, be open to change, be creative, be flexible.
3. Build Your Online Home:
While experience might be missing from your resume, a strong online presence can fill the gap. I am a huge proponent of using the internet to HELP you live a better life, grow a better business, and meet more like-minded community.
Create a website or online portfolio showcasing your skills, even if it's a simple one-pager. Leverage platforms like LinkedIn or other social networks to connect with potential clients and build your professional network. Share valuable content related to your niche, demonstrating your knowledge and establishing yourself as someone to watch.
Partake in my #TalkAboutYourWork Challenge to get yourself out there and more comfortable talking about who you are and what you do.
4. Dream Big, Start Small:
Don't wait for the "perfect" project to land in your lap. Say ‘yes’ early and often. Look for opportunities to complete smaller projects that allow you to build your portfolio, gain experience, and develop your client communication skills. Be willing to start small and imperfect so that you can build your freelancing, client management, time management, and other necessary skills before you hit the big time.
There is a LOT that goes into growing a freelancing career outside of the actual services you yourself are providing. There’s the marketing, the client management, invoicing, dealing with scope creep, learning how to package your offerings, getting client feedback and testimonials, etc.
The more practice you have in all these areas, the more confident you’re going to feel when talking to larger clients with bigger budgets.
5. Embrace the Work (But Don't Go It Alone):
Freelancing involves a fair share of elbow grease but that doesn’t mean that you need to face the journey alone. Network with other freelancers who can offer support and guidance. Finding and building a community will help you navigate tricky client circumstances, determine when and how to raise your rates, and give you support when you’re feeling all of the range of feelings that freelancing brings.
My Group Program is a great place for freelancers to find community, education, inspiration, and classes.
6. Feedback is Your Friend (Even When it's Not Fun):
Every project is a learning experience – good, bad, and in between. Actively seek feedback from clients and use it to improve your skills and service offerings. Be open to constructive criticism and remember, it's all part of the growth process.
If you get good feedback, use that in your marketing! Ask for testimonials if a client is happy with your working relationship.
If you get negative feedback, use that to grow and change your offerings or communication style.
Do not for ONE SECOND think that the freelancers who are out here with years of experience have it all figured out. We’re all making it up. We can make it up a little better because we have more practice. Feedback is going to help you fake it till you make it so approach each piece of it with curiosity and a “how can this help me” mindset.
7. Patience is a Freelancer's Virtue:
Building a successful freelance business takes time and dedication. Don't expect overnight success – there will be ups and downs along the way. Focus on delivering high-quality work, exceeding client expectations, and building a strong reputation. Celebrate your wins (big and small) and enjoy the freedom that freelancing offers!
Treat every pitch, every job, every negotiation, every sales call, every piece of feedback, every success, every challenge, and every day as a new piece to the puzzle. Each circumstance is going to help you grow as a freelancer. Approach everything with nonjudgemental curiosity and find out how you can use every experience to tweak and experiment more in building the life you most want to live.
Remember: The freelance journey is an exciting adventure, but it's also a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace the learning process, be kind to yourself, and most importantly, have fun! With dedication, continuous learning, and a positive attitude, you can turn your freelance dreams into a thriving reality.
