You’re Closer Than You Think to Your First Freelance Client

You don’t need a full portfolio, a website, or a big audience to start freelancing; you need one good sample, one real connection, and the confidence to act. Here’s how to get moving today.

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If you’ve been circling around the idea of freelancing—reading posts, bookmarking gigs, researching niches—but not actually pitching anyone yet… this one’s for you.

Let’s talk about the power of starting smaller.

Start With One Real Connection

There’s a powerful shift that happens when you stop chasing “traffic” and start focusing on relationships. This week, we’re talking about that shift: why it matters, and how it sets the stage for real, sustainable progress as a freelance writer.

When we imagine building a writing business, it’s easy to get distracted by big numbers… 10k followers, viral posts, website traffic, inboxes full of client inquiries.

But the truth is, you don’t need a lot of people to make a freelance writing career work. You need the right people, and you need a system that helps you serve them well.

This is why I encourage you to start smaller. Instead of obsessing over visibility, focus on becoming valuable to just one person this week. That might mean sending one pitch, connecting with one potential client on LinkedIn, or simply asking for feedback on a sample.

Your goal isn’t to “go big.” Your goal is to build what Brian Clark calls a Minimum Viable Audience. It’s that small group of people who trust you, value what you create, and help shape what comes next.

→ Recommended Reading: The Magic of the Minimum-Viable-Audience Milestone by Brian Clark

🔒 Keep reading with a paid subscription:

• The “one-client portfolio” strategy to build trust fast, even without a full website

• 5 small things you can do this week to actually move the needle

• 3 must-have elements for a client-winning portfolio

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