Learn how to build a #freelancing business and get hired by your dream clients.
2018 was thrilling from day one. It was packed with highs, lows, and countless exciting changes. Check out all the amazing things that happened in my life and my business as I reflect on this incredible year in detail!
Freelancers Why I Turned Down $30k and Refused to Get a Job in CollegeMy parents were skeptical about my decision to be a designer. They thought I was nuts for refusing guaranteed income from a college job to "freelance" with no experience. But that all changed once I started getting experience and gaining momentum.
Freelancers Introducing The Freelance Institute – A global Slack community for freelancers.Learn why I created a global Slack community for freelancers dedicated to learning and professional growth. Take a look behind the scenes and find out how The Freelance Institute was born and what my vision is for thousands of freelancers all over the world.
Freelancers How to Earn Freelance Income Without Any ClientsI've talked to dozens of freelancers need to find paying clients right now, but there's another way to earn money that most freelancers forget about. In fact, you can earn regular income every month without any clients at all. All you have to do is sell your own work.
The Freelance Institute 🎓A global Slack community for freelancers focused on learning and professional growth. Don't spend hundreds on books, courses, and coaching. Get 24/7 instant access to real-time conversations with smart freelancers from all over the globe.
Freelancers Why Thinking Like a Client Will Change Your Freelancing Career ForeverMost portfolio websites are focused on the wrong person. Thinking like a client might be all you need to kickstart your freelancing career. Find out how seeing myself from the perspective of a paying client redefined my freelancing career forever.
Freelancers Teach Freelance Clients to Respect Your Time By Setting Business HoursDo you ever wonder why clients assume that freelancers are available 24/7, over weekends, and after hours? It's because too many freelancers respond to their requests over weekends and after hours. Teach clients to respect your time by setting normal business hours.
Freelancers How to Defend Your Design Decisions Without Sounding DefensiveWhen you put a design in front of a client, they're inevitably going to have an opinion on it. These strategies move the conversation away from who is right or wrong and re-focus both sides on the business goals the project aims to achieve.
Freelancers How I Earned My First $10,000 as a Freelance Web DesignerIt took me a full four years to earn my first $10,000 of freelance income. Working 15 hours per week for most of each year, that works out to about $1.95 an hour. That's not good even for a college student, but that's where my story began.
Freelancers 7 Lessons from My First Year as a Full-Time FreelancerAfter one year of full-time freelancing, I share the observations I made, lessons I learned, advice I have for anyone interested in becoming a full-time freelancer. Make sure you have a desire to freelance, not just quit your 9-5 job. A false motivation can quickly lead to failure.
Freelancers How to Make Your Invoice Names a Little Less AwfulMost freelancers don't spend time thinking about the best way to name an invoice, but caring about the seemingly trivial aspects of your business (that other freelancers ignore) is what will set you apart in the eyes of your clients.
Freelancers Don’t Break Your Own RulesI only experience problems with clients when I break my own rules. Accepting that position, attitude, and perspective is what enables you to learn and grow from your mistakes and make better decisions in the future.
Freelancers 12 Things You Should Remove From Your Portfolio Website ImmediatelyA collection of brutally honest tips for what you should remove from your portfolio website immediately before someone decides to not hire you (and what to replace them with instead).
Freelancers How to Turn One Small Project Into Years of Predictable IncomeThere's nothing more valuable than having predictable income when you're a freelancer. Unreliable income holds us hostage to our business even if we've managed to free ourselves from past employers.
Freelancers How to Stay Comfortable as a Freelancer Even When You’re StressedThere's no avoiding stressful and uncomfortable situations when you run your own freelancing business. The key to staying comfortable during stressful situations is to maintain control of your business from every angle.
Everyone 2017 Year In ReviewAfter over two years of freelancing full-time, my business has finally started to run itself. It's become more organized and efficient. I know what to expect from it. The kinks and quirks have been ironed out and that helped make 2017 my best year of freelancing yet.
Freelancers 5 Tips for Managing Sick Days as a FreelancerYou aren't allocated a specific number of sick days each year as a freelancer. That's why it's important to have a plan for sick days before they happen.
Freelancers How to Find More Freelance ClientsIf you're trying to find more freelance clients, you've got it all backwards. Instead, spend time giving potential clients more ways to find you.
Freelancers Find Your Own Success Without Idolizing People in Your IndustryIs there anyone in your industry you really admire? Anyone you follow intensely on social media? Blogs you read religiously? If only you could be more like them, your career would be better, right? Not necessarily.
Freelancers What Do You Need to Start Freelancing, Legally?What are the minimum legal requirements to start freelancing? You don't need contracts, tax forms, or a legal business entity. Just pay your taxes!
Clients How To Build A High Performance Lead-Generating WebsiteYou can't expect your website to attract and convert more leads just by making it look better. Many other factors contribute to your website's success.
Everyone How to Write Great Copy When You’re Not Actually a CopywriterLearn how to write great copy for your website that converts viewers into customers even if you don't have experience with copywriting, sales, or marketing.
Everyone 2016 Year in Review2016 wasn't filled with many professional achievements or accomplishments. It was quiet and more refined. My business grew naturally, and it grew a lot.
Everyone Reduce Referral Spam in Google Analytics Without Using FiltersReferral spam can pollute your Google Analytics account and make it impossible to track user data accurately, but you don't need to use complex filters.
Freelancers How to Decline a Project While Helping The Client SucceedYou won't be a good fit for every project, but don't leave your clients empty-handed. Learn how to decline projects while guiding them towards success.
Clients 25 Simple Design Terms Every Client Needs to KnowHave you ever worked with a designer and felt like they were speaking a totally different language? Every industry has it's own vocabulary. Before you invest thousands of dollars into a designer, you should familiarize yourself with their language.