2159: How To Find Freelance Jobs When You Have No Experience by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner of Making Sense of Cents on Self-Employment Basics
Optimal Work DailyAugust 29, 2026
2159
00:06:34

2159: How To Find Freelance Jobs When You Have No Experience by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner of Making Sense of Cents on Self-Employment Basics

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Episode 2159:

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner explains how to land a first freelance client without a track record to point to. She recommends running a blog that doubles as a live portfolio, creating sample work, taking selective low-pay or free projects that genuinely build credibility, and then networking in the places clients already gather - a practical on-ramp to self-employment and side hustles.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.makingsenseofcents.com/2015/03/how-to-find-freelance-work-with-no-work-experience.html

Quotes to ponder:

"The truth is, you need experience in order to gain experience and this applies to freelancers as well."

"In the beginning, you should be more focused on getting your name out there, gaining valuable experience, and building your portfolio."

"The worst thing that can happen is someone will say no."

Optimal Work Daily is a daily career advice podcast where we narrate the best articles on productivity, entrepreneurship, and work-life balance, read to you by a professional narrator so you can grow your career a little more every day.

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