When I first heard about freelancing, I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew was that people were making money online by using their skills — and I wanted in. But like many beginners, I had no experience, no clients, and absolutely no idea where to start. All I had was a laptop, a slow internet connection, and a dream to break free from traditional 9-to-5 limits.
This blog post is a transparent look at my early freelancing journey — the ups, the downs, the mindset shifts, and how I eventually made my first income. I hope it helps any beginner out there who feels stuck, confused, or overwhelmed.
👨💻 Why I Chose Freelancing
Living in a small town with limited job opportunities, freelancing seemed like the only realistic path to financial independence. I didn’t have capital to start a business, nor the network to land a job in a big city. But I did have time, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.
After reading stories of people earning online, I decided to give it a real shot. I told myself, "Even if I don’t make anything for 3 months, I’ll treat it as an investment in myself." That mindset helped me push through the beginning stage.
🧠Learning Before Earning
One of the first mistakes I avoided was expecting instant results. I didn’t rush to apply for jobs. Instead, I spent the first few weeks learning:
- How Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com work
- How to write a professional freelance profile
- Which skills are in high demand
- How to write proposals that stand out
I consumed YouTube tutorials, blog posts, and free courses. I also followed freelance experts on LinkedIn and Twitter. My first big takeaway? You need to treat freelancing like a real career — not a quick hustle.
👉 Want to build your own sustainable freelance path? Check out my post on how to build a profitable freelancing career without burning out.
🔧 Choosing My Skillset
I already had basic knowledge of writing and ICT from school, so I decided to start with content writing and data entry. These don’t require heavy technical skills, but they still demand clarity, consistency, and attention to detail.
Instead of trying to learn everything, I focused on getting better at one thing — writing articles that people actually want to read. I practiced daily, rewrote blog posts, and even offered free samples just to get feedback.
📤 My First Freelance Profile
After feeling confident enough, I set up my profile on Upwork. It wasn’t perfect, but I made sure of the following:
- A clear title (“Entry-Level Freelance Writer | SEO Content & Blog Posts”)
- A friendly profile picture
- A strong summary focused on what I can do for clients
- Sample articles I had written in Google Docs
I started applying for jobs with personalized proposals — not copy-paste templates. Every time I didn’t get a response, I improved the next proposal. It wasn’t easy, but I was learning with each rejection.
💸 My First $15
After two weeks of applying to multiple jobs, I finally landed my first paid gig: a $15 blog post for a client in the health niche. I was over the moon!
I made sure to over-deliver, send the article before the deadline, and politely ask for a review. The client left 5 stars and said they’d work with me again. That first success gave me the confidence to keep going.
📈 Growing Slowly and Strategically
I didn’t jump from $15 to $500 clients overnight. I reinvested my earnings into learning — upgrading my grammar tools, improving my profile, and taking low-priced courses on SEO, blog formatting, and WordPress.
Each new job helped me polish my workflow: how to communicate professionally, set expectations, and manage time. I also realized the power of niche — the more I wrote on tech, freelancing, and productivity, the more confident and attractive I became to clients in that space.
😵💫 Dealing With Burnout and Stress
At one point, I was saying yes to too many low-paying jobs just to keep momentum. That backfired. I became exhausted, and my quality suffered. I knew I had to fix this before freelancing turned into another stressful job.
💡 Lesson: More work doesn't always mean more progress. Quality clients come when you position yourself well, not when you take on everything.
To understand this better, read my reflection on balancing freelance work and personal life.
📚 What I’d Tell My Past Self
If I could go back, I’d tell myself these 5 things:
- Start with what you know, not what’s trending.
- Invest in skills before chasing money.
- Rejection is part of the journey, not a sign to quit.
- Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone’s chapter 20.
- Celebrate small wins — they’ll keep you going.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Freelancing is not a shortcut to success, but it is a gateway to freedom if you take it seriously. Today, I continue to grow my blog, my freelance brand, and my online income — all from scratch. I’m far from where I want to be, but I’m way ahead of where I started.
If you’re just beginning, don’t wait until you’re “ready.” You’ll never feel 100% ready. Start messy. Improve daily. Learn publicly. And most importantly — don’t give up.
If this post helped you or you relate to it, feel free to share it. And if you have questions, drop a comment — I respond to every single one.
Thank you for reading 🙌
No comments:
Post a Comment