Free guide

How to start freelancing as a designer

Freelancing feels confusing when nobody shows you the business side. These are the steps I wish someone had shown me, from 14+ years of real client work, so you can land your first client sooner.

• Position yourself. When you do everything, nobody knows what to hire you for.
• Negotiate the scope, not the price. Ten minutes of questions saves ten weeks of unpaid work.
• Price by project or retainer, so up-and-down months turn into steady income.
• Build simple systems, so you never lose a lead you already earned.
• Get clients by sharing your thinking and always showing the next step.
• Run it like a business, from your hours to your minimum price.