DEV Community

Cover image for How to go from 0 to 100k as a freelancer

How to go from 0 to 100k as a freelancer

Gabri Cebria on February 07, 2022

Going from 0 to 100K as a freelancer sounds very challenging. Something only the best can do in less than a year. But let me tell you something. M...
Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Do you have any other tips for new freelancers?

Collapse
 
cmgustin profile image
Chris Gustin

A couple tips that have helped me grow my business:

  1. Communication and customer service will win you repeat clients, referrals, and new business opportunities. Make this the core focus of your business. If you feel weak in these areas, invest time into skilling up as it will pay off big
  2. Understand your core skill set and don’t be afraid to specialize. Early on, I tried to market myself too broadly (development, content, graphic design, marketing, editing, etc.) Over time, I’ve trimmed the things I don’t enjoy as much and focused instead on doing one thing really well (development)
  3. Know your boundaries and communicate them clearly to clients. For me, I make sure clients know what days and hours I’m available, and my preferred forms of communication. Be careful about answering emails or communicating with clients outside these hours, it can erode these boundaries very quickly
  4. When selling to clients, skip the technical jargon and focus on the value you’re creating for them. There’s a temptation, especially starting out, to throw around a lot of technical terms to prove that you know what you’re talking about. Instead, if possible, use simple language, communicate clearly, and try to explain the value for the client. So instead of “I’m going to use JavaScript and HTML5 data attributes to dynamically track users on the site” it’s better to say “I can add a button that will help us see how many conversions this form is getting, and we can work from there to find ways to make it convert even better”

Hope these are helpful!

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria • Edited

amazing insights Chris, love it.

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Especially the point you made about boundaries, they are so important!

Collapse
 
lunargravity profile image
Anu Altankhuyag

What an inspiring post! Thank you for sharing! I recently got the idea of wanting to try my hand at freelance work while I am still in school and this really helped me feel more better about it. I can say I will choose to be a lion!

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Yes, glad you are choosing yourself! Thanks for the nice words

Collapse
 
schultek profile image
Kilian Schulte

Came with the expectance of some janky money tips.
Left with a great deal of inspiration.

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Haha, thanks Kilian! really appreciate it!

Collapse
 
abhimanyut0800 profile image
Abi

Where should i market myself as a freelancer.......?

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Giving a step by step very soon :)

Collapse
 
abhimanyut0800 profile image
Abi

Thanks Brother ❤️

Collapse
 
ikrssce profile image
ik-rssce

This was so inspiring

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Thanks!!

Collapse
 
canro91 profile image
Cesar Aguirre

I liked the cow and the lion analogy. Totally agree.

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Hehe, that one hits home! Thanks man

Collapse
 
jagedn profile image
Jorge

Ahh 100k per year
I thought was per month

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

That would be sweet :)

Collapse
 
johnxmas profile image
Johnxmas

The way is to be a really good specialist or start hiring people.

Collapse
 
davidbug profile image
davidildefonso

Great post , thanks! 💯

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Cheers david!

Collapse
 
ethand91 profile image
Ethan

Saving for motivation! :)
Hopefully one day I too can make the switch.

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Glad you enjoyed, and yes, hope you soon make the switch!

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

been there, the struggle is real sometimes! great point!

Collapse
 
geofspot profile image
Geof

Nice one buddy...

Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Thanks Geof!

Collapse
 
Sloan, the sloth mascot
Comment deleted
Collapse
 
gabrilator profile image
Gabri Cebria

Thanks for your comment, Jozsef. The cow analogy was meant to encourage those who want to become freelancers and are held back by fear. It's all about choosing who you want to be in this world.

Me too, I stayed an employee for quite a long time before changing gears, and I agree, nothing wrong with that. Good luck!

Collapse
 
ayman23904881 profile image
Ayman

Why you Talk alot about rat Race ? I mean We are ALL in the rat race somehow , Employed or a Freelancer Right ? What is the Difference ?