I Started Freelancing with No Clients, No Website, and No Plan – Here’s What Happened
When I decided to start freelancing, I had nothing. No shiny website to show off my skills. No clients waiting for me to work on their projects. No clearly mapped-out plan for how to succeed. Just a lot of ambition and the belief that I could figure it out along the way.
The truth is, I made a lot of mistakes. But every small victory fueled my passion and kept me moving forward. This is my story of starting from scratch, building a freelance career, and learning lessons that I hope will help you in your own journey.
Whether you’re just starting with no experience or you’re trying to find your path as a self-taught freelancer, this post will show you that success is possible—even with no roadmap.
Starting with What I Had
When I first started, I had no formal training, no mentor, and zero connections in the industry. What I did have was curiosity and the willingness to learn on my own.
Self-learning through free resources
I dedicated hours to watching YouTube tutorials, reading blogs, and joining free online courses. One tool that really helped me stay organized while learning was This Notion Freelancer Planner – I tracked my tasks, portfolio ideas, and goals all in one spot. My goal was to understand as much as I could about one skill I thought people would pay for. That skill? Web design with WordPress and Elementor.
I spent endless nights building demo websites just for practice. These weren’t for clients or anyone to see. They were just for me—to build my skills and my confidence.
It wasn’t easy. I struggled, googled every minor issue, and often felt lost. But each small problem I solved added to my growing toolkit.
Acting like a professional (before I actually became one)
Even when I didn’t have clients, I approached every project (even personal ones) as if I was being paid to do them. I built habits like working in a structured way, communicating clearly, and always aiming for quality. Looking back, I’m certain that acting like a professional before I “became” one helped me land my first clients faster.
Takeaway: If you’re wondering how to start freelancing with no experience, focus on what you can do right now. Learn, practice, and believe in your potential.
My First Clients – Where It All Began
I still remember the day I got my first client. It was a $10 order on Fiverr, and honestly, I couldn’t have been more excited.
My early experiment with freelance platforms
I created profiles on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. My gigs were simple and focused on basic WordPress website projects. The key was to highlight what I could do rather than dwell on what I couldn’t.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
- The challenges: Competing against seasoned freelancers was tough. At first, I felt frustrated bidding for jobs and only getting low-paying gigs.
- The wins: Completing my first few projects opened the door to real experience and my first reviews. Those early 5-star ratings boosted my visibility and helped me build credibility.
What I learned from my first clients
Every project taught me something new, not just about web design but about freelancing in general. Things like managing client expectations, articulating my value, and delivering work on time. Even the small projects laid the foundation for bigger opportunities.
Takeaway: Don’t underestimate the power of starting small. Those first few clients may not pay much, but they give you experience, reviews, and confidence.
Building a Personal Brand from Scratch
Once I had a few projects under my belt, I knew I needed to differentiate myself. Relying solely on freelance platforms wasn’t going to cut it if I wanted to grow.
Creating my website and portfolio
Eventually, I built my own website (finally putting my WordPress skills to work!). If you’re starting from scratch, I highly recommend using Hostinger or Namecheap to launch your website easily. Both are beginner-friendly and super affordable. My website wasn’t fancy at first, but it showcased my projects, expertise, and services. It gave potential clients a place to learn about me outside of freelance platforms. Check out my website here!
Sharing my expertise publicly
I started blogging about common client challenges, sharing tips for small business websites, and showing off case studies of my work. These weren’t just marketing efforts; they helped me demonstrate expertise and attract clients organically.
Shifting from platforms to referrals
Over time, a magical thing happened. My happy clients started recommending me to others, and I started getting projects via word-of-mouth. This shift was a turning point.
Takeaway: Building a personal brand isn’t just about websites or logos. It’s about putting yourself out there and showing potential clients why you’re the right choice.
Lessons I Learned Along the Way
Looking back, here are some of the most important lessons I’ve learned on this freelance journey. If you’re just starting out, I hope these resonate with you. Even small daily rituals can keep you inspired—here are 10 ways to romanticize your life while freelancing.
- Consistency trumps perfection: You don’t need to know everything or be perfect. Just keep showing up and improving bit by bit.
- Good communication matters more than perfect skills: Clients appreciate honesty, transparency, and updates way more than they notice an imperfect pixel.
- Your reputation is gold: Happy clients will do half the marketing for you. Always aim to leave a great impression.
- Niching down is powerful: Focusing on WordPress and Elementor helped me attract the kind of clients I wanted to work with.
Takeaway: Success isn’t about avoiding mistakes; it’s about learning from them and adapting.
Where I Am Now – and What’s Next
Fast forward to today. I’m working with global clients, building websites for businesses across industries, and enjoying the freedom of remote work. I can now choose projects more selectively and even say no to gigs that don’t align with my goals.
Scaling for the future
I’m focused on scaling my freelance work and growing my personal brand further through blogging and helping new freelancers get started.
If you’re at the start of your freelancing journey, know this: YOU CAN DO IT. Start with what you have, take the small steps, and allow yourself to grow with time.
Want to see what I’m working on? Check out my website or my Fiverr gigs and get inspired to start your own freelancing career today.
