Getting your first gig without a freelance portfolio

This unpopular opinion is for that newbie freelancer who has been feeling so much pressure about creating a portfolio. The one who feels as though he is lazy and unserious because he hasn’t taken time to build his portfolio yet. And lastly, the one who doesn’t know how the heck he’s supposed to get his first gig without one.

Confucius once said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

My early days as a freelancer was funny because I had lots of things in my head about starting out.

There’s so much advice out there about starting right, and one point that was consistent across all the things I read was “build your portfolio.” 

And I was legit drained on how even to start.

As a beginner, you don’t have any clients. Or at least not enough to build a glamorous portfolio that shows experience and glowing reviews.

And to be honest, it can be a little bit of a nightmare.

No one wants to buy a car without looking at the inside to see what they’ll get at least.

But honestly, it can be a little confusing to build a portfolio when you have never done a real job. And you can’t get your hands on one.

It keeps you on edge…makes you feel less confident, and can cause you to sabotage yourself.

However, does it really have to be so?

I mean, you don’t know exactly what you’re doing yet, and now you need to have a portfolio of your best work too?

Wow… 

And that brings me to my unpopular opinion about portfolios…

You don’t need a portfolio to win your first gig.

Goodness, what do you mean?

Uhmmm…well

Having no freelance portfolio is like trying to tell a joke with just the punchline.

Sure, people might chuckle at it, but they’re not going to remember it. And it’s not because they’re stupid; you haven’t given them enough information.

But here’s the thing…

Your portfolio as a beginner doesn’t have to be the collection of your best work organized and presented in a way that showcases your skills and experience.        

No, it doesn’t need to include examples of your past work, references from previous clients, or background information.

You just need one thing: a sample that shows your skill. Just one. And at most, three.

A little backstory here…

Back in 2018, when I started my freelance career, I was just this newbie on Upwork, lost in the maze of freelance jobs and wandering like Alice in wonderland.

I was in a freelancing group, and everyone was busy sharing their wins. We were celebrating them, wondering when mine would come.

I messaged one guy who had just gotten a contract recently and asked him how he did it. And he told me that he attached his portfolio to every proposal he submitted.

Wow.

How in the world was I going to compete against that as a beginner?

I went to my friend, that was like my mentor on the journey, and voiced that question to him.

He laughed hard and asked, what exactly are you looking for on Upwork? 

And I said, “a freelance writing gig.”

His next reply was… “write a comprehensive article on a meaningful topic. Just one. And use that to begin with.”

A week later, after that discussion, I had an 800-word article and had sent a proposal to a job post.

I got my first gig but what mattered more to me was what the client said: I love your writing style.

The gig was not related to the Sample I had shown him, but how I handled the topic was what got him.

He co-published the article in my name, which is still under my name.

I didn’t have a glamorous portfolio like I do today. I didn’t have past experiences or reviews and all that. I had no experience…Nadaa

I had just one Sample that was DILIGENTLY drafted.

I’ve read about other big freelancers that started with nothing but one piece of something that let their style and skill shine through.

You’re probably reading this with skepticism in your mind.

Here’s a hard-to-believe truth: some people don’t test-drive a car before buying it.

Yeah… you read that right.

Some clients do not need you to show them anything for them to hire you.

I’ve witnessed some friends get hired without a portfolio.

The thing is, the way it works is a bit different.

The Low-Hanging Fruits

As a beginner without a portfolio or just one Sample, you will not go to the top of the food chain and charge high fees instantly.

The clients at the top of these food chains will definitely ask for your portfolio before spending that big amount or giving out the complex gig.

You will start out with the low-hanging fruits. The jobs with not much pressure are a bit on the cheap side.

They’re there to get your feet wet.

You only need to show that you’re committed to being great at what you do and that you are willing to put in the work to get results.

Then you can build up from there to join the big players.

This is the permission you’ve been waiting for to be a beginner with confidence.

Go out there and slay!

• Research the niche you wish to be in.
• Sit down and decide the best form of Sample to create for that industry.
• Create something valuable and truly meaningful.
• Start out with them.

Let your personality shine through when trying to convince the client that you’re right for this job.

Start building with the low-hanging fruits and work your way up the ladder.

Till I come your way again,

Goodness.

P.S. You can land a gig without a portfolio. But your chances are much higher if you do have one. However, you can’t have one without starting from somewhere first. Just one resourceful Sample of your design, your writing, managing your own social media account (if you’re a social media manager), etc.