Chapter 1: The Beginning of My Freelance Adventure

Greetings, everyone! Here I am once more, eager to share my journey in hopes of attracting more readers on Medium.

Let's set aside my aspirations for a moment and discuss my freelance endeavors, which I undertake alongside my unconventional full-time job.

Why did I choose this path? Primarily, I sought a side gig to supplement my income. My ultimate goal was to establish a solo venture, eventually growing it into a team and diving into the realm of software development startups.

What spurred this decision, you ask? The allure of financial gain, of course! I recognized that with my technical skills, ongoing self-improvement, and experience in UI/UX design and web development, I could offer valuable services to individuals and businesses looking to start or enhance their own projects.

So, where should I begin? How do I attract clients? Should I explore online platforms?

Initially, I thought online platforms were a viable avenue, but I soon discovered that competing against seasoned professionals was quite challenging.

I quickly realized I needed a portfolio. A substantial one! Yes, just like John Wick, "Lots of portfolios!"

To tackle this, I devised a one-month plan to create a sample website each week after my regular job. I stayed committed to this plan but refrained from showcasing my designs online. Instead, I began researching companies with outdated websites.

I made countless calls to secure meetings. Despite facing numerous rejections, I remained determined. Eventually, my efforts paid off when I found a human resources firm interested in my proposal.

I contacted them directly and requested a face-to-face meeting. When they inquired about my motive, I simply stated, "I have a suggestion to enhance the user experience on your website."

Surprisingly, they agreed to meet with me, and I prepared thoroughly. After analyzing their website, I created a new design and brought it to the meeting. I highlighted the shortcomings of their current site, emphasizing the significance of design and customer experience.

In today's digital landscape, a website serves as the face of a business—its main entry point. After my presentation, the first question posed was about the cost of a redesign. I replied, "You'll only need to cover the backend developer's fee, as I'll handle the rest."

They were taken aback and inquired further. I explained that I was focused on building my client portfolio and hoped they would recommend me to others after this project.

They remarked that no company had approached them with such an offer before and appreciated my transparency. The final question was, "When can you start?"

With my designs ready, all that was left was to convert them into HTML, CSS, and add some jQuery for added appeal.

Then came my moment to shine. I completed the project in a month, handing over the front-end to their partner company for backend integration. Their partner was quick to execute their part.

What happened next? As a human resources firm, they had many clients, and whenever those clients mentioned design changes, they referred them to me. In fact, they sent more than five clients my way.

At the time, I charged below market rates since I was new and eager to establish my reputation.

Within a year, my earnings alongside my regular job totaled $13,400 (technically $13,385, but who's counting? :)). Haaaaalleeelujah!

I was ecstatic, feeling accomplished and proud. I invested in all the essential equipment for my home office.

However, my thrilling journey was just beginning.

I maintained contact with the human resources firm and even connected one of my clients with them. As a mediator, I facilitated a partnership that led to collaboration with one of Europe's largest HR firms. Together, we developed software to streamline the CV transfer process, making hiring swift and efficient.

Here’s the twist: I wasn’t invited as a designer or front-end developer; they wanted me as a Product Owner! Alongside a large team, we created software that they still use internally today.

As I recount my journey, it seems effortless, but behind the scenes, it was filled with stress, immense responsibility, and countless sleepless nights spent honing my skills. Balancing this with my regular job was no easy feat!

Chapter 2: Finding My First Client

The first video I want to share is titled "How I'd Land My 1st Freelance Client (in 48 Hours)". This video discusses effective strategies for quickly securing your first freelance client.

Next, I recommend watching "5 Methods That I Used to Land My First Freelance Clients". This video outlines the techniques I employed to attract my initial clients successfully.