Freelancing without a system kept me broke and overwhelmed. Here's what changed when I built one.
Many designers start freelancing because it gives them freedom. No boss, no office, just a laptop and creativity.
However, that same freedom comes with pressure. You have to figure out everything on your own. Clients, finances, systems, growth.
The hardest part? Building an online presence. Sharing your work. Getting clients so you can grow your business and earn a living.
And here's the thing nobody does: Think of freelancing as a business in the first place.
Build a real system so you're not keeping everything in your head.
When things aren't in place, you feel like nothing is working. You have no clients and leads. Nothing works, even when you try harder.
One year ago, I was in the same position. No proper system, just a few lucky breaks. My portfolio brought in clients, but what if you're just starting? What if you have nothing yet?
Like, example, here are steps that can change your life:
Your portfolio tries to do everything. Logos, websites, apps, branding, and so on. When clients land on your site, they get confused. You come across as a jack of all trades, and that's when confidence drops.
Instead, focus on one thing. It can be website design, app design, or landing page design. Your copy and design should speak the same language.
Your portfolio must have four things:
You overcomplicate your portfolio. But the truth is, you don't need 20+ projects. You need 2–3 strong case studies. And even then, you don't need deep breakdowns. People don't read. They scan.
You have 3–5 seconds to grab their attention. Look at bruno.co or offmenu.design—outcome-focused, not process-heavy.
If you act like freelancing is a side gig, that's the biggest problem. "I'll make money whenever I want."
I've heard it too often: "It's not working, I think I'll go back to a job."
But this isn't a freelancing problem. It's a mindset problem.
You need to think like a business owner. Like a CEO. You're not just doing client work. You're running an operation.
Set boundaries. Charge your worth.
Every real business is run by a system. Freelancing should be too. You need a place to track clients, leads, proposals, and invoices.
If you're trying to remember everything—who to follow up with, what to send, what's unpaid—you won't be able to focus on growing your business.
You know?
Build your system. I don't use expensive tools. I use my Notion CRM OS. That's how I built my 6-figure business.
Just posting your work isn't enough. You need to tell people what to do next. Each time you post something online, include a call to action.
If you don't have a website yet, create a form for people to reach out to you. Let people reach out. I've built tons of automation and forms into my Notion CRM OS—and I teach it step-by-step inside the course.
Define your service. Build a simple portfolio. Create a system. Add CTAs to everything you post.
I kept everything in my head for years. Forgot to follow up with clients. Missed payments. Felt overwhelmed constantly. The day I built a system—tracked my clients, my leads, my money—everything changed. I stopped guessing. Started growing.
You're not building a website, you're building a business.
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See you in another one!
Let's grow together 🙌
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