How to get started as a Freelancer without a website
*GASP* Did I really just say that?! 
Most people out there tell you this is one of the first things you should do to get your freelance biz up and running…
I’m here to tell you that this is NOT TRUE. (you’re welcome 
)
Now, don’t get me wrong, a website can be a very powerful tool for online business owners. But when you’re brand new and don’t have a clear direction in your biz yet, creating a website can not only be a waste of time, but it can also potentially *hurt* your chances of signing up new clients.
And here’s why…
WHY YOU DON’T NEED A WEBSITE
If you’ve started working on your website already… STOP! Creating a website at this stage of your business is doing yourself a HUGE disservice for a few reasons:
- It will take you a long time to create and a lot of people use this as an excuse to put off getting started… “Well my website isn’t done so I can’t start applying yet.”NOPE. We’re not in the business of finding problems, we’re in the business of creating solutions and taking ACTION
- A website is a powerful marketing piece to attract and repel your ideal clients when used appropriately. But at this stage of your business (the *very* beginning) you have no idea who your ideal client is. You don’t know what they want, what they need, how they speak, anything. So any website copy you write at this point would be highly ineffective.
- To be blunt—it probably won’t look good. And therefore, won’t make a good first impression. Unless you have a lot of experience creating websites, your first few design/website pieces are going to be a bit sloppy—it’s something that takes a lot of practice and time to get decent at.
So here’s the good news!
You don’t need to turn into a crazy, mad computer wiz/website genius overnight.
Creating a website can be very daunting, especially if it’s your first time, so I recommend sparing yourself the trouble and creating a Freelancer Profile, instead.
This is going to take the place of a website and will answer many of the questions your clients will have about what you can do for them. It’s “kind of” like a resume in terms of layout, but way less boring.
This profile will be the easiest way to showcase EVERYTHING your potential clients are looking for, plus it will save you time, money, and a whole lot of your precious energy. *Energy* that we should be directing at landing you clients!
Fun fact: I have a full-time freelance business, and I’ve NEVER had a website. Didn’t need one 
WVA course grads have also had great success getting 5+ clients in their first 30 days, WITHOUT all the bells and whistles of a website.
No more excuses, let’s get to it. 
HOW TO CREATE YOUR Freelancer PROFILE
Step 1: Sign up for a free Canva account.
Canva is an amazing online tool for graphic design and is extremely user friendly. It has an easy-to-use drag and drop feature and hundreds of pretty templates to choose from. This website is going to get your creative juices flowing and help you flawlessly create your first, kick-ass VA profile.
Step 2: Get super clear of your current skill set.
In other words, what are you good at? This can be both technical and soft skill sets. When your potential clients are look for the perfect freelance service, they will have a list of things they are looking to delegate. So getting clear of exactly what you can help them with is going to make it easier for you to connect.
First, you’re going to list out all of the TOOLS you have experience with… even if they seem super obvious. Do you have experience with CRM platforms? Something as simple as having experience with social media accounts like Facebook or Instagram counts, too.
Examples: Gmail, Outlook, Picmonkey, Excel, Instagram, Photoshop, Google Drive, Powerpoint, etc.
Next, you’re going to list out all of the SKILLS you have. This is almost more important than the tools, because a tool can be learned much quicker than a skill.
Skills can include being a great communicator, a positive thinker, even down to just being TRUSTWORTHY is a huge win for someone who is looking to hire freelance services.
Examples: Organized, Design, Travel Plans, Punctual, Customer Service, Outgoing, Loves Systems, Is Trustworthy, etc.
Step 3: Start creating your profile
As you log into Canva, make sure you choose a “resume” or “magazine” template to begin designing. You’ll want to have your list of skills and tools out in front of you as you begin creating your Freelancer profile.
You may also want to list any *relevant* job experience or programs you’ve been a part of. Maybe you did some social media posting for the restaurant you worked for or helped manage the POS systems at your last retail position. If any of the previous tasks you’ve done can be translated to a freelance skill, this will count as relevant job experience 
However, you don’t need to list every job you’ve had for the past 10 years like you do on a traditional resume. Unless it’s relevant experience, your potential clients don’t care that you worked at Pizza Hut from 2008-2012.
Listing programs or any other personal development or online skill courses can also show potential clients your willingness to invest in SELF-DEVELOPMENT. Which means you’re a growth-minded person and that can be a huge score for them hiring you.
*TIP* Remember to have FUN with it. As you delve into the online space, your clients might be creatives, spiritual/life coaches, etc. Titling your professional skills “Unicorn Abilities” or something fun can be very appealing to a potential client AND show more of your awesome personality!
Here a few do’s and don’ts to be conscious of while creating your profile:
Do:
- Include a little “about me” section where you share who you are AND how you can help them
- Include a picture of your beautiful FACE
- Let your personality shine through
- Keep it simple and clean
Include a little “about me” section where you share who you are AND how you can help them
Include a picture of your beautiful FACE
Let your personality shine through
Keep it simple and clean
Don't:
- Include your pricing on the profile
- Include skills/tools/services that you have 0 experience in
- Have a patterned/imaged background with text on it
- Have more than 2-3 fonts
Include your pricing on the profile
Include skills/tools/services that you have 0 experience in
Have a patterned/imaged background with text on it
Have more than 2-3 fonts
Now that you’re about to create a new, sparkly profile to showcase all your best assets, there are no excuses standing in your way. It’s time to get out there! 
Begin applying for different job opportunities and searching for your soulmate clients. Many digital entrepreneurs will post job listings in different Facebook communities. You will want to keep tabs on different Facebook groups your potential clients hang out in.
It can feel scary at first, but the more you do it, the more natural it will feel. Having your Freelancer profile to back you up will give you a boost of confidence, too.
My advice to you is not be discouraged when someone is asking to reference a website! Your Freelancer profile is going to get the job done and can even set you apart from the competition.
Plus, there is a SUPER clever way you can share your Freelancer profile as if it is a website!
I’m in your corner & cheering you on. 
xo-Rebecca
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