Top Freelancing Tips for Students

Many successful freelancers have pursued education or specific training to kick-start their careers.

And it makes sense.

Most of us don’t naturally possess the skills necessary to excel in our freelance careers straight out of high school.

While formal education isn’t always required to establish yourself as a freelancer, investing in your development can be a wise choice for many.

If you’ve chosen this path, you might be wondering...

What can you do to make the most of your learning journey and get your freelance career started on the right foot?

Skills Pay the Bills

There are countless skills necessary to create the freelance career most of us dream of.

You'll need:

• Determination

• Focus

• Perseverance

• Soft Skills

• Creativity

• Ingenuity

• Technical Know-How

The list goes on and on...

And while it is always beneficial to see that you become a well-rounded person on top of your skills in your craft, there's no getting around the following fact:

There are no mediocre freelancers at the top.

How good you are at what you do directly affects your professional opportunities.

And guess what?

No one else can get good for you.

That’s all on you!

Your skills need to be STRONG.

If the quality of work you’re delivering isn’t up to par, all the determination in the world can only get you so far.

And this is where education and training can shine.

University programs give you access to professors, equipment, tutors, and a network of support that is all provided for you to be your absolute best by the time you graduate.

So USE THEM!

1 | Visit your professors during their office hours for extra feedback on your work.

2 | Take advantage of university facilities to practice using industry-standard tools and techniques.

3 | Go all-in on extra credit, extracurricular activities, extra everything!

This is your life! Don’t half-ass it!

We want to inspire you to do your best (and if you’re reading blogs like this in your free time, you’re already on the right path). But we also want you to understand the reality of freelancing:

There are dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applicants for nearly every freelance gig.

And that means one thing:

Being average isn’t enough.

So, squeeze everything out of your learning experiences and take your skills to the next level!

Treat Yourself Like You’re Already a Pro

While you’re sharpening your skills, there’s another key strategy to make great use of your time:

Start networking!

Yes friends, "good things come to those who wait" doesn’t mean sitting at home playing video games.

You have to start putting yourself out there!

Get out there! Like… now!

Treat yourself like you’re already a full-time freelancer.

1 | Attend industry meetups or local events.

2 | Connect with potential future customers and other freelancers in your field.

3 | Go to conferences, workshops, and networking events whenever possible!

Why do this when you perhaps haven't even learned the basics of your craft yet?

Because the number of opportunities you get as a freelancer directly relates to two things we like to call "The Two R's":

• Relationships

• Reputation

You might think that establishing a reputation and industry relationships only has to do with how many projects you've done and how good your work is.

Well... you're wrong!

When you show people that you’re eager to be part of your chosen industry and community, they’ll take notice!

And as a student, you automatically have a pass to not know everything or have done any jaw-dropping work yet.

Almost everyone in the world is open and willing to chat with someone who’s just starting out and curious about the industry.

This means you’re in the perfect spot to network, and people will appreciate your genuine interest!

And we guarantee if you do this you will not only create new relationships with interesting people in your industry, you will also start building a reputation for being a genuine, inquisitive person who is great to hang out with.

And if, down the road, a freelance gig pops up and someone knows, likes, and trusts you, you’ll have a huge advantage over the competition.

But this process takes time.

So, start today!

Do you want to make money as a freelancer but don't know where to begin? Our FREE course - Freelance Foundation - will show you all the essential skills and knowledge you need to start and scale your freelancing business. Sign up today!

Dive into Side Projects

When you’re new to freelancing, you might not have a ton of paid work to showcase.

That’s where side projects come in.

Side projects, hobby projects, personal experiments, whatever you want to call them... are a powerful way to build your portfolio, gain experience, and simulate real-life work scenarios - even before you’re paid for it.

These projects can be passion-driven, collaborative efforts with other freelancers, non-profit work, or something you think up yourself as a way to hone your skills.

And the best part?

You’re free to experiment, fail, and learn along the way without the pressure of client expectations.

Look for opportunities where you can work on meaningful projects, contribute your talents, and build your portfolio in the process.

Whether you collaborate with others or launch your own initiatives, the experience will be invaluable.

The more you create now, the more you have to offer potential clients later!

Takeaway

Hindsight is 20/20, and many freelancers have expressed frustrations that their education or training didn’t fully prepare them for the real world.

We’ve been there ourselves and it can truly be a struggle to navigate your early freelance career.

But don’t be that person who blames education alone for a lack of preparation.

Don't be this person. No one likes this person.

If you’re smart, you’ll realize something that many learn too late:

No university degree or training program is a golden ticket to the career of your dreams.

So, make the most of your learning experience, but be open to going the extra mile for the things that can’t be found in textbooks.

Because going that extra mile is certainly worth it for the freelance career you’ve always wanted, right?

"Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead."

Nora Ephron

Have any questions related to freelancing, learning, or career growth?

Let us know and we'll be happy to help!

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

Your Secret Formula for a Stand-Out Marketing Message

This Hack Will Get You 40% More Referrals

Why Your Freelance Business Isn't Growing

From Irrelevant to Irresistible: A Freelancer's Guide to Winning Clients

How to Take Your Website From "Suck" to "Success"

Are you tired of juggling multiple online tools to manage your freelance business? Do you find yourself settling for free versions or limited features due to high pricing structures?

Look no further – Full Scope Freelancer is here to revolutionize your online presence!

Start a Free Trial