getting started as a freelancer

In this episode we discuss:

• How Tom got started freelancing
• Landing the first client
• Do you need to be able to "sell yourself" to make it as a freelancer?
• Getting out of the "feast/famine" cycle that traps many freelancers
• What are the biggest mistakes that most people make when first starting out as freelancers?
• What would Tom do if he was starting over again today?
• Should you use marketplaces/platforms like UpWork to sell your services as a freelancer?
• Is it important to choose a niche? 
• Where Tom gets virtually all of his new leads from
• The advantages of "working in public"
• Finding success on Twitter
• Tom's viral Twitter thread on pricing freelance projects ( https://twitter.com/tom_hirst/status/1277933730078785537
• How to create additional sources of income as a freelancer (besides client work)
• Translating freelance expertise into creating and selling content online
• Tom's new agency, Run the Show (https://twitter.com/rtsagency) that specializes in Headless Wordpress
• What is "Headless Wordpress" and why would someone use it?

You can find links to all of the resources we discussed and more on Tom's website here: https://www.tomhirst.com/links/

Hash landed his first freelance gig by accident while he was still a student at uni. It’s seven years later now and he’s never looked back. He got some studio space from that first client in return for the odd bit of work, and through word of mouth and meeting people, he was able to build up his contact list and bring in a steady flow of work.

Hash has learnt as he’s gone along, bouncing back from mistakes to keep pushing forward. “When it comes to freelancing,” he says, “It’s a marathon, not a race.”

He’s worked on plenty of side projects during his time freelancing, including a guide for new freelancers, and he says “You’re only as good as your portfolio. Putting stuff out there that you believe in and that you want to create is so important.”

This episode of Being Freelance is supported by Coconut.

Coconut is the ultimate accounting and tax tool for self-employed people.  With expense tracking, receipt capture, invoicing and tax all in one easy-to-use app, Coconut gives you the power of a finance team in your pocket. 

Free yourself from business admin at getcoconut.com

Love learning from other freelancers like this? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Who the hell is Steve Folland?

You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com
Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland