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Start Freelancing Without Starting Over

Inside this issue

• Getting your first client
• Show your freelance wins
• Time to Sprint: Create your platform profile
• Top skill you could freelance?
• The Last Laugh: Getting dressed for work
• But before we get to all that, here’s what’s…

On My Mind

Freelancing often starts as a whisper. A thought that maybe you could earn again, use your skills again, do work that fits around family life.

Then the doubts show up. - What if no one hires me? - What if I’m under qualified? - What if I fail?

Every freelancer has felt that. Every one of them started where you are right now wondering if anyone would say yes.

Freelancing isn’t about perfection. It’s about possibility. It lets you take control of your time and prove your value without waiting for someone else’s permission.

Maybe you start with a short writing project, a small website, or a local business that needs help with social media. That first gig matters less for the money and more for what it gives back: confidence, proof, and momentum.

You don’t have to overhaul your life to start freelancing. You just have to begin.

Getting Your First Client

Why it Matters

Momentum beats mastery. You don’t need a portfolio of ten projects to start. You just need one person who says, “Let’s do it.”

Why it Works

Freelancing grows fastest through proof. One small win gives you a testimonial, a sample, and confidence. That proof opens doors to more.

How to Start

• Pick one service. Don’t offer “everything.” Choose the skill you can deliver best.
• Reach out to warm leads. Past coworkers, friends, or other parents. Let them know you’re available for freelance work.
• Post publicly. A short LinkedIn post like, “I’m taking on freelance projects in your skill. Know anyone who needs help?”
• Offer a starter project. A small, fixed-price deliverable that gets results fast.

Pro Tip

Start with a real person, not a platform. Your first client is likely someone who already trusts you. Once you have a win or two, then add Upwork or Fiverr to scale.

Freelance Wins on Your Resume or LinkedIn

Why it Matters

Many dads skip over their freelance work when updating resumes. That’s a mistake. Freelance experience shows initiative, adaptability, and current skills — all top hiring signals.

Why it Works

Employers don’t care what title you had. They care what results you delivered. Freelance work highlights outcomes and self-direction.

How to Show It

• Add a “Freelance Experience” section. Use a title like “Freelance Writer” or “Contract Designer.”
• Mention industries or client types if you can’t share names.
• Focus on outcomes. “Delivered 10-page marketing guide used in national campaign” says more than “Wrote content.”
• Post about your work. Share lessons learned or examples (with permission). Visibility builds credibility.

Pro Tip

Freelance work is not filler. It’s proof that you can create results independently which is something every employer values.

Time to Sprint: Create Your Platform Profile

Why it Matters

Visibility creates opportunity. A live profile signals that you’re open for business and serious about your craft.

Why it Works

Clients can’t hire who they can’t find. Even a simple, focused profile lets you show up where opportunity lives.

What to Do Right Now

• Minutes 0-5: Choose one platform. Pick the site where your kind of work already happens. Start with one, master it, then expand later.
  • Writing, design, or marketing? Try Upwork or Contra.
  • Coaching, consulting, or strategy? Use LinkedIn Services.
  • Technical projects or gigs? Explore Fiverr or Toptal.
• Minutes 6-15: Write your headline and summary. Lead with what you help people achieve, not just what you do. Keep it friendly, first-person, and focused on results.
  • Example: “I help small brands turn ideas into clear, compelling content.”Keep it friendly, first-person, and focused on results.
• Minutes 16-20: Add one project example. Show your work. It can be a past project, a volunteer job, or even a mock sample. A single visual or short description helps clients picture you delivering results.
• Bonus (5 minutes): Upload a photo and complete your basics. Choose a clear, approachable headshot. Add location, time zone, and working hours. Little details build trust faster than any sales pitch.

Pro Tip

Don’t wait for perfect. Get your profile live, then refine it. You can’t improve what doesn’t exist.

Your Move

What skill could you freelance right now without another certification or course? Hit reply and let me know. I read every response.

The Last Laugh