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11 tips to build a portfolio as a freelancer

Once I learned to code and started looking for some web design projects to work on independently, on a freelance basis, I felt like I was in a Catch 22. My portfolio was completely empty; however, I couldn’t fill it with impressive projects when I didn’t have any clients. It’s a pretty precarious situation to be in an industry where what you’ve already done is far more important than your skill set, i.e. what you can do. You won’t get rich clients by listing sections of your code in some résumés. You can get a great paying job by showing them what you can do . In other words, before clients write you a check, they want to see some proof that you can do something real.

Since I started working with freelance clients

as a beginner and coached hundreds of students through the process of trying to get their first clients, I can confidently say that it is possible to build an impressive portfolio even if you are a complete beginner.

 

Do I have to do free projects first to fill my portfolio with something?
Well, it’s quite easy to do a few projects “for business”, for friends or family members, or even for a more traditional client. However, I’m willing to bet you that you won’t learn enough coding to get back into the community. You probably also wanted to make some quick cash on the skills that are currently in high demand. While it may seem inappropriate to ask for money the first few times, I’ve found—and I’ve confided in many of my self-employed colleagues who have largely agreed—that getting paid for your projects, even if you’re just starting out, will ensure you that:

the client will take your work commitment and the time spent with him more seriously;
you too will take the whole project more seriously.
Think about it: if you get a few free tickets to a concert, will it bother you in any way if you don’t go? Or will iraq phone number data you miss him? What if you paid $50 for those tickets? That might just make you want to get off the couch, get dressed, and head out, huh? The same goes for freelance work. When

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Everyone takes the agreed upon convention

More seriously, whether it’s meeting agreed deadlines or getting feedback (opinions) on your designs. And believe me, as a beginner, you’ve already spent an awful lot. Time figuring out how to put this and that together. You can no longer afford to waste more time on the whims of the client (who first wants.  Something badly, then isso aumenta a probabilidade wants it a little differently, then differently again. Who simply does not take the whole project seriously.

After all, you are equipped with the cmo email list skills that other people need to run their businesses, and those skills are valuable even if you are just starting out.

 

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