How I started Freelancing as a UI/UX Designer with no experience?
Earning your first $2000 without any experience
Are you considering a career in UI/UX design but don’t have any experience? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
As someone who has been in your shoes, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to enter a competitive field . I’m here to tell you that it’s absolutely possible to break into freelancing as a UI/UX designer with no prior experience.
In this article, I’ll share my personal journey of how I got started in the industry and managed to earn my first $2000 without any prior experience.
From building a portfolio to finding clients and marketing yourself, I’ll provide practical tips and insights that will help you kickstart your career in UI/UX design.
So if you’re ready to leap and turn your passion for design into a lucrative career, keep reading!
Step 1: Getting Ready
Before you start reaching out to clients, you must have a few things ready to showcase your skills and expertise. Here are the three things you need to prepare:
1. Portfolio
Your portfolio is the most critical asset when it comes to freelancing as a UI/UX designer. It’s your chance to showcase your design skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. To create a portfolio, you must find a platform that works best for you, plan out your portfolio, and publish it within a set timeframe. Make sure to take feedback from other designers and improve upon it continuously.
2. Templates to Approach Clients
To reach out to potential clients, you need to have semi-personalized templates that are short, to the point, humble, and respectful. You can use ChatGPT’s prompt to create multiple templates quickly:
“Write <email/LinkedIn message> template to reach out to clients for <a single design service>.
The template must have an area <value addition section>.
Also, the template should be very short and to the point. It also needs to sound humble and respectful.”
3. Optimize Your Social Profiles
Lastly, optimize your LinkedIn and Twitter profiles to attract clients. Ensure that all details are filled up, and you have a proper CTA to encourage clients to schedule a consulting call.
Step 2: Attracting your first client
Once you have your portfolio, templates, and social profiles ready, it’s time to attract your first clients. Here are three ways to do that:
1. Cold Emailing and Cold Messaging
One of the most effective ways to get clients is through cold emailing and messaging. Look for potential clients in your industry through company searches on LinkedIn and VC fund websites. Create a potential list of recently funded companies that are among your target audience, and cold message them with templates created in the previous step. Always focus on adding value first.
2. Freelancing Platforms
You can also find clients through freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Register yourself on these platforms and create a solid profile. On Fiverr, create good-looking gig images and keep your prices competitive. On Upwork, start bidding on proposals with the least number of bids and posted recently (you can filter recent posts).
3. Finding Clients on LinkedIn and Twitter
Another effective way to get clients is through social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. Search for “Looking for Freelance Designer” and make the filter to Posts on LinkedIn and Twitter. You’ll find multiple posts where people are looking for freelance designers. All you need to do now is message them with a proposal.
By using these methods, you’ll be able to attract your first clients as a freelance UI/UX designer. It may take some time, but with persistence and consistency, you’ll soon have a steady stream of clients.
Step 3: Building Trust and Presence
Building your brand as a designer is crucial to finding higher-paying freelance clients. Here are some ways you can start building trust and presence as a junior designer:
1. Creating Content on Social Media
Share your design journey and learnings on social media. By creating content around your design work, you can showcase your expertise and attract potential clients.
2. Joining Design Communities
Join design communities and be an active member. By participating in conversations and sharing your knowledge, you can build your reputation as a designer and expand your network.
3. Sharing Your Design Works
Share your design works with the world. Share your work on social platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc.By displaying your skills and experience, you can attract potential clients.
4. Attending Design Events and Conferences
Attend design events and conferences to meet other designers and learn from experts in the field. By being an active participant in the design community, you can build your reputation and expand your network.
By following these strategies, you can build trust and presence as a freelance UI/UX designer, and attract higher-paying clients.
Step 4: Widening Lead Generation
As a freelancer, finding clients is crucial to growing your business. Here are some additional ways you can widen your lead generation:
1. Creating Designs on Behance and Dribbble
Regularly create designs on Behance and Dribbble, and include a call-to-action (CTA) for freelance work in your profile or project descriptions. This can attract potential clients who are browsing for inspiration or searching for designers in your niche.
2. Writing Medium Articles
Write articles on Medium about design-related topics, and include a CTA at the end for potential clients to reach out for freelance work. By sharing your expertise and insights, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your field and attract potential clients.
3. Making Free Digital Products for Your Target Audience
Create free digital products that provide value to your target audience, such as templates or design resources, and include a CTA for freelance work in the product description. By providing value upfront, you can attract potential clients who may be interested in hiring you for custom design work.
By widening your lead generation with these strategies, you can attract more potential clients and grow your freelance business.
5th Step: Repeating & Upskilling
To keep growing your freelance business and increasing your income, it’s important to repeat the above steps while also upskilling yourself as a designer. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
- Set aside time each day to generate leads and reach out to potential clients.
- Continuously learn new skills on a regular basis, even if they’re small. This could include anything from communication to design or anything else you want to explore.
- Make sure to diversify your skill set and try to learn new things in all areas of your work.
By repeating these steps and consistently upskilling, you can continue to build your freelance business and achieve success as a UI/UX designer.
Congratulations, you made it to the end!
By following the steps outlined in this blog, you now have the tools and knowledge to kickstart your freelance career as a UI/UX designer with no experience.
👋Hey there, If you are interested in more UI/UX-related design topics do follow me on LinkedIn and Medium.
Also here are some great free UI/UX resources on Gumroad & Figma Community. Do check them out :)
