Dan Petty – Standout Freelancer

Start Mastering Freelance with 50+ Easy-to-Follow Video Lessons

Across 7 Essential Sections

Things you really must know first
As a freelancer:

• Don’t sweat the details yet.
• Understand why you’re starting.
• Don’t quit your job yet.
• Freelance full-time or part-time?
• You must let them know you exist.
• Relationships are everything.
• There’s no such thing as job security.
• Freelancing is not for everyone. That’s okay.
• You can make it without a following.
• You can do it.

Setting Yourself Up (For Success)

• Find your focus, story, and plan.
• How to set up your brand.
• Good domain name and email address.
• Have clear messaging everywhere.
• “Getting started” myths.
• How I got started.
• Reputation is everything.
• Build trust.

Learn how to get work and stand out more as a freelancer

• Let them know you exist.
• Finding your first client.
• When to work for “free.”
• Example: I created Nixon.com for “free.”
• Go where the clients are.
• Side projects show your passion.
• Build a stellar portfolio.
• What to do if you have no work.
• Watch your online presence.
• Learn the power of a question.
• Try five ideas to get you noticed.
• Hear the truth about how to work with clients.

Communication is Everything

• Be easy to work with.
• Be upfront about your timing.
• What clients care about.
• Common mistakes to avoid.
• Create a stronger portfolio to help you stand out.

What is a Portfolio?

• Find your story.
• Find your plan.
• Decide which tool you’ll use.
• Divide your portfolio into 4 main sections.
• Only show the work you want to get.
• Only show your best work.
• Show that you’re focused.
• What if you don’t have any work for your portfolio?
• Make it easy to contact you.
• Never stop adding work.

How to Work with Clients – The Most Important Thing

• Communication is everything.
• Be easy to work with.
• Be upfront about your timing.
• What clients care about.
• Common mistakes to avoid.

A Guide to Pricing Based on 25 Years’ Experience Freelancing

• How I charge.
• Important: Be flexible.
• Four steps to discover your pricing.
• Consider project-based pricing.
• Charge weekly (my favorite).
• Value-based pricing.
• Charge hourly (my least favorite).
• Stop charging hourly (when/if you can).
• Give them options.
• Refer a friend > saying no.

What I Charge for Web Design

• Take a percentage upfront when you can.
• Consider getting creative with payments.
• Learn how to invoice & accept payment.
• Offer discounts.
• Double your income.
• Bonus: Up-sell the client.
• Stop asking, “What’s your budget?”
• Avoid these common mistakes with pricing.