Hey hey hey, I’m Kita and I am a digital marketer. I’ve been making money from my online businesses since 2020, so I know one or two things about monetizing your skills online.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either:
- A student looking for a source of income
- A 9 to 5 worker looking for a side hustle
- Or a fresh graduate trying to figure out how to start making money online
Wherever you’re starting from, this guide will help you figure out this whole freelancing thing and get you moving faster.
My Story: How I Got Into Freelance Web Design and Digital Marketing
This is actually my first blog post since I quit blogging back in 2021 and started designing websites for money.
I’m kinda shy writing this btw… oh, how far we’ve come.
Like most broke uni students, I was frustrated and tired of struggling.
I finally hit a point where I desperately needed to change my life.
I just wanted to afford food and live decently.
The problem? I had no money, no laptop, and no skill. All I had was my phone.
So I started searching online for skills I could learn without capital.
Writing kept popping up, so I decided to try it.
I dedicated myself to writing, but I didn’t really monetize it until a year later.
In the meantime, I started blogging because someone online said it was the best way to improve as a writer.
Plus, I secretly wanted to be the next Linda Ikeji 😂.
But consistent sapa killed that dream. I needed money, and fast.
One thing led to another, and a friend referred me to someone who paid me to write blog posts.
That person later introduced me to his brother, who taught me how to navigate freelancing platforms.
From there, I combined the web design and email marketing skills I’d picked up during blogging and started earning on Upwork and Fiverr.
Fast forward, I’ve now spent 3+ years helping freelancers monetize their skills online, hit consistent 7-figure months, and build real businesses.
And in this post, I’m breaking down the lessons that made the biggest difference.
Freelancing Is a Faster Way to Make Money (But It Still Takes Time)
Freelancing is one of the fastest ways to start making money online today, and the truth is anyone can do it.
I’ve trained teenagers and even older people, and they’ve all been able to start from scratch.
Whether you’re a student funding your lifestyle, a 9 to 5 worker looking for extra cash, or someone ready to ditch the office and go full time, freelancing can give you freedom.
But let’s be real. I don’t believe in hacks or shortcuts. They only slow you down and burn you out.
I know because I tried them, and it was a waste of time.
What I’ll share with you here is a proven framework that has helped me and my clients hit consistent 7-figure months.
Freelancing won’t be easy, but this post will make it way less confusing. If you’re ready to build a real income online, let’s get into it.
Who is a Freelancer sef?
Okay, let’s break it down. A freelancer is basically someone who says: “I’m not waiting for one boss to feed me, I’ll feed myself.”
You’re your own boss. You choose who you work with. You decide how you get paid (per project, per hour, per job).
You can even work with multiple clients at the same time (just don’t overbook yourself, it will finish you).
At its core, freelancing is entrepreneurship. Some people call it being a solopreneur.
You’re not just working, you’re running a one-person business. And that’s the beauty of it.
10 Step Process to Becoming a Comfortable Freelancer
From my journey and my experience training hundreds of freelancers, I’ve noticed there are certain steps that make freelancing a lot easier.
These aren’t random tips. They’re the exact practices that will help you not just survive, but actually thrive as a freelancer.
Step 1: Self-Development
Before freelancing can pay you, your mindset has to pay you first.
You can learn all the skills in the world, but if your beliefs are holding you back, you’ll still self-sabotage.
Here’s how to reset your thinking:
- Read the right books. No Excuses by Brian Tracy, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, and Money by Rob Moore will rewire how you see wealth, discipline, and success.
- Confront limiting beliefs. If you think “I’m not good enough,” you’ll undercharge or avoid opportunities. Replace those thoughts with: “My skills solve problems, and that makes me valuable.”
- Set new goals. Freelancing isn’t just “extra cash.” Decide what kind of lifestyle, income, and freedom you want it to give you.
- Drop bad habits. Procrastination, endless scrolling, and waiting for motivation will only slow you down. Replace them with habits that move you forward.
Skip this step, and freelancing will frustrate you. That’s why I always say: mindset is the foundation.
👉 I created a resource that guides you through this phase step by step. You can check it out here.
Step 2: Learn a High-Income Skill
Skills equal money, but not all skills are equal. You need a high-income skill, something businesses will gladly pay for because it either makes them more money or saves them time.
Some examples:
- Writing (copywriting, SEO, ghostwriting)
- Design (branding, UI/UX, social graphics)
- Tech (web design, programming, no-code)
- Marketing (ads, funnels, SEO, social media)
- Video and audio (editing, podcast work, voice overs)
- Virtual assistance (admin, automation, Zapier)
Pick one skill, focus, and go deep. Don’t try to learn everything.
Start free on YouTube or Coursera, but if possible, get a mentor. A good mentor will save you years of trial and error.
👉 In my WhatsApp community, I connect members to mentors who teach real high-income skills.
Step 3: Intern With a Freelancer
Shortcut alert: work under someone who’s already freelancing. You’ll get:
- Real projects for your portfolio
- First-hand lessons in client communication
- Insight into pricing and deadlines
- Referrals once your mentor trusts you
Some internships are free, some you might even pay for. Either way, it’s worth it. I didn’t make serious money freelancing until I had a mentor.
Step 4: Get a Monetization Coach
Many freelancers fail because they learn a skill but never learn how to monetize it. A monetization coach helps you:
- Find the right clients
- Price your services confidently
- Pitch and close without sounding desperate
- Build systems so freelancing feels like a business
This is what I do in my Monetize Your Mind Mastermind. Once you get monetization right, freelancing stops feeling like hustle and starts feeling like freedom.
Step 5: Master Freelancing Platforms
Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer… they work, but only if you do. To win here, you need to:
- Write killer proposals
- Build an authority-driven profile
- Pick a niche
- Collect reviews quickly to build momentum
Learn from people already winning on these platforms. It will save you months of wasted time.
Step 6: Land Your First Client
Your first client is proof that freelancing works, and it makes every next step easier.
Ways to get one:
- Ask your network for referrals
- Overdeliver on your first project
- Collect every testimonial, message, or email you get
Don’t stress about charging premium yet. Focus on building momentum and proof.
Step 7: Pitch and Send Cold DMs
Don’t wait for platforms to bless you. Go direct.
- Send cold emails
- DM businesses on Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn
- Always personalize your pitch, no lazy templates
It’s uncomfortable at first, but it’s how you build consistency.
Step 8: Deliver Faster Than Expected
Want to shock your clients in a good way? Deliver early.
Most freelancers drag deadlines.
Submitting high-quality work faster than expected builds trust, gets you referrals, and fills your portfolio faster.
Step 9: Build Relationships With Clients
Freelancing isn’t just business, it’s relationships. Clients return to people they like and trust.
Stay in touch after projects, check in, share tips, and make yourself memorable.
That’s how you turn one-time jobs into repeat income.
Step 10: Lock In Extreme Focus for 2 Years
Freelancing isn’t a quick cash hack. It’s a business. Give it at least 2 years of consistent focus.
In that time:
- Save aggressively
- Reinvest in courses, tools, and systems
- Keep pitching, learning, and networking
Two years of extreme focus will give you the kind of freedom most people only dream about
Final Thoughts
Freelancing isn’t just about working online. It’s about building a business that funds your lifestyle.
If you follow this roadmap, you’ll move faster than people chasing hacks and quick wins.
The biggest secret? Don’t do it alone. Get mentors, get coaches, and connect with other freelancers.
That’s how you grow faster and make more money.
If this post helped you, drop a comment below. Got questions?
I’ll answer them. And if you want me to share more posts like this, let me know.
