When I first started doing freelance web design, I figured I’d be doing it as way to earn some supplemental income. A year later, I looked back and realized that my web design had kept me fed, clothed, and sheltered.

Clients and prospective web designers always ask me, “Where do you get your business?” To be honest, it seems to just fall into my lap, but there’s a reason for this.

I never thought that when I made my first post on craigslist I’d be able to sustain business off that site alone — and trust me, I still can’t. But that one job I actually got (that I did for super cheap) eventually lead the client to tell a friend. And then they told their friend and so on and so forth.

The truth of the matter is, everyone needs a website, whether they know it now or not. And for all those people who do have websites, they’re going to need new ones. Better ones. Cooler ones. More efficient ones.

My advice is this: Start building a portfolio. Do a friend or family member’s website. Do a co-workers website. Do your boss’ website. Keep your fee low to start so that when you’re done they think, “Wow, that wasn’t so expensive, and now I’ve got a website!” It’s only a matter of time before they show it off to their friend or co-worker and then you’ve got them asking, “Who’d you hire? I’ve been thinking about getting a website myself.”

Over time, you’ll build a solid portfolio and you can start to justify a more well-deserved fee. Bite the bullet to start and in time you’ll gain the materials you need to bag the gigs with the budget you want.

Like any freelance job, some of the hardest competition is at the start. Push through, work late hours, and turn out portfolio worthy work and in time, the clients will start coming to you.

Tags: craigslist, freelance, gig, job, portfolio, web design