How To Get Your First Freelance Client as a Beginner
So, you decided to start freelancing, but at the back of your mind you still have a lot of questions.
You still feel confused and overwhelmed.
I get you. I’ve been there too.
And by “been there,” I mean watching a lot of YouTube videos, buying courses, and reading good books… but still feeling confused.
Here’s What I Did That Maybe Could Help You
When I was in your situation before, I followed a few steps that helped me move forward from Step 1 to Step 2 and Step 3.
Step 1 is understanding the idea of freelancing. How it works, how to manage it, and how you get paid.
So the problem you are probably facing now is Step 2 and maybe Step 3.
But let’s focus on Step 2 first.
What I did was simple.
I created an account on Upwork.
A bold move, right?
At that time, some people advised creating a portfolio first before joining platforms like Upwork. But instead, I did what I thought should be the next step. I created an account on Upwork.
Why?
Because I wanted to start immediately. I wanted to experience how freelancing online actually works.
By the way, I also had freelance work offline before, but that is different from freelancing online.
What Happens Next?
After I created my Upwork account, I optimized my profile based on my current experience.
At that time, I was working as an Admin Assistant, so I focused on the skills I was already using because those were my strongest skills.
I also researched freelance jobs that matched my experience. That’s when I discovered jobs like data entry and research, which I could do as a freelancer online.
I mentioned in my profile that I was computer-savvy. I knew the basics and was familiar with Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Google apps like Docs, Forms, Sheets, and Meet.
Basically, I connected my current skills to my work experience at that time. I also bought connects because the free connects that Upwork gives when you sign up were not enough.
Honestly, I don’t remember if it was 40 or 50 free connects, but it was around that number. And every month, Upwork still sends me 10 free connects as part of the free plan.
Just so you know, connects are the tokens you spend to apply for jobs inside Upwork. Every job proposal you send costs a certain number of connects.
For example, applying for a data entry job may cost around 8 to 10 connects.
And if you use all your connects, you either need to buy more or wait until the next month to receive the free connects again.
That’s why my advice is this: Do not quit your 9–5 job immediately unless you are already stable in freelancing and have an emergency fund that can support you for at least six months.
Your salary can actually fuel your freelancing journey. You can use it to buy connects, tools, or equipment that you need while building your freelancing career.
How Can You Get Clients In Upwork as a Beginner?
After creating my account, buying connects, and sending proposals, I finally got my first client.
But it was not easy.
It took me around two to three months to get my first client. During that time, I tried different proposals and kept testing what works.
Eventually, I simplified my proposal. The proposal I sent to my first client was actually simple and straightforward.
Here’s what I included:
First, I was transparent. I told the client that I was new to freelancing, but I was willing to learn and help with the project.
Second, I mentioned the skills I currently had that could help complete the project.
Third, I told the client about my availability and explained that I would be doing the work part-time because I still had a full-time job.
And lastly, I said that I would do my best to meet his expectations and that I was looking forward to working with him.
After that, I got my first client. And that same client later became my second project as well.
Now, I’m not saying you should copy exactly what I wrote in my proposal.
What I’m trying to say is this:
Clients are also human. They are already busy, and they want something simple and clear.
They don’t want another headache. They want help.
And that help could be YOU
What is Step 3?
Now that we’ve talked about Step 2, let’s move to Step 3.
Step 3 will depend on your situation.
Why?
Because not everyone is in the same position.
For example: If you created an account on Upwork but still haven’t found a client, maybe this is the time to learn a new skill or improve your current one and get a certification.
But if you already got your first client and completed a project, you could start building your portfolio outside Upwork.
One reminder though: Always ask for consent before showing any work you completed for a client.
Ask your client first if it’s okay to show the project or even just screenshots of the work you did before adding it to your portfolio.
Inside Upwork, you can also build your portfolio there so that when clients visit your profile, they can see your previous work.
So again, Step 3 really depends on your situation.
Final Thoughts:
Freelancing can feel confusing at the beginning.
You watch videos, read advice, and sometimes it still feels like you don’t know what the next step should be.
But sometimes the best thing you can do is simply take the next step in front of you.
- Create the account.
- Set up your profile.
- Start sending proposals.
- Learn along the way.
You don’t need to know everything before you start.
You just need to start moving forward.
