How To Go From Side Hustler To Full-Time Freelancer

How To Go From Side Hustler To Full-Time Freelancer

Most new freelancers tend to jump right into client work without setting up systems or clear processes for their clients. They think they'll just figure it out as they go.

Here's the problem: As they take on more clients, they raise their prices. They see what other freelancers are charging and somehow feel entitled to earn the same amount. 

You CAN'T raise your prices and deliver a beautiful design through a crappy process.

Your pricing doesn't just account for your skills, designs and time. It accounts for the experience the client gets.

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Building a portfolio that wins you the work you want

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Building a portfolio that wins you the work you want

Does your portfolio attract the right kind of clients? Is your portfolio reflective of your current skill set, or is it outdated? These are questions I want you to consider as you read today's guest post by Hannah.

Hannah is part of Ditto, a creative design and branding agency based here in the UK, and her and the Ditto team have pah-lenty of experience in building a portfolio that attracts the right clients with the right budget. Read on to learn how they created such a successful, money-making, client-getting portfolio!

Nesha xo

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If there’s one thing that’s made winning business immeasurably easier for our branding agency, it’s been developing a portfolio that plays to our strengths and showcases our signature style.

People come to us at Ditto knowing exactly what to expect, and are much, much easier to convert into paying clients since they’ve seen a portfolio full of work that they already love. It gets them excited to work with us and fills them with confidence, overcoming much of the decision-halting anxiety that often plays a part when shopping for a designer (will they understand me? What if they show me something that I don’t like?).

It wasn’t always this way.

Around three years ago, we were a fairly generic design agency that undertook pretty much any work from anybody. We did branding projects, sure – but we’d also do plenty of one-off projects with tiny profit margins. Most of our clients were super-local; we’d design business cards, flyers – even bus timetables. We made money, but business was frustrating and getting clients on board felt like wading through treacle. Uphill. In a snowstorm.

5 Legal Tips Every Freelancer Needs To Know

5 Legal Tips Every Freelancer Needs To Know

Today, my friend (and awesome attorney) Jackie is here to teach you five legal tips all freelancers should know. Legally protecting your business is important- we all know that- but doing it right can seem hard and intimidating. 

Jackie is here to take that confusion away.

Look out for her tips on copyrights- they're golden! 

Nesha xo

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There’s so much involved in being a freelancer – you want to concentrate on your amazing work but you also need to worry about the business side too. Things like all the legal mumbo-jumbo tend to get pushed to the back burner.

As a lawyer, freelance social media manager and part-time blogger, I get it. But I also know the importance of understanding the legal basics to make sure that you and your business are covered. Today, I’m sharing 5 legal tips every freelancer needs to know.

(Before we go too much further, it’s time for a quick legal disclaimer: I am an attorney, but I am not your attorney. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship. I am a US licensed attorney and the info presented here is based on US laws and regulations. If you need specific legal advice, consult with an attorney who specializes in your subject matter and jurisdiction.)

Ok now let’s jump into it!

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5 Things You Should Do Before You Become A Freelance Designer

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5 Things You Should Do Before You Become A Freelance Designer

Remember a while ago when I wrote 5 ugly truths about being a freelance designer?

Well, today's email follows on from that. If you read those truths and thought "I can take that! I can push through those!" then HURRAY- freelancing is the right path for you. (I'm so excited for you!!)

You now know you're cut out to do this freelancing thing. But where do you go from here? How do you get started?

A lot of creatives who want to become freelance designers ask me:

What should be the first thing I do to kickstart my freelance journey?

What should I do before I start freelancing full-time?

How can I prepare to freelance full-time?

How can I give myself the best chance of succeeding at running my own business?

These are the kind of questions I love because it shows me that (A) you're serious about freelancing, and (B) you're SO serious, you want to make sure you have the best possible start.

How I went from shop assistant to freelance web designer in 3 months

How I went from shop assistant to freelance web designer in 3 months

If you're going to read my blog posts every week, I want you to know who they're from. I want you to know about my past, my journey as a designer and how I can help you.

Basically, I want us to become friends!

So if you have a spare 10 minutes and you're curious about who these emails are from, read on. I'm getting brutally honest about my journey today.

The start of it all

In 2010 I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. One day I wanted to be a teacher, the next day I wanted to be a writer. So, I didn't do anything. I waitressed in Pizza Hut for a while so I could at least bring in a bit of cash, and I worked in telesales for day. (Six hours of cold calling and I was outta there.)

In 2011, I worked in as a shop assistant for Calvin Klein Jeans. It wasn't the most glamorous job but it paid the bills. My boss became seriously ill and had to leave for six months, so I took her place as manager and learned what it takes to manage a department, deal with angry customers, handle employees, work ridiculous hours and hustle towards sales goals (or suffer the wrath of Head Office if I didn't.)

I didn't know it at the time, I was learning what it took to be my own boss.

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