"Tip #1 – Try to find a ~ week-long project that you can offer for free or at low cost. The goal is some real-world experience and feedback; understanding business needs. Preferably this first client should not abuse what you’re offering to do because it is a real value for you both. My first Webflow client was a YouTuber with over a quarter-million subscribers in a niche that I understood well; very friendly person and like most YouTubers, loves getting support in various ways. Small charities and such are other great options.
Tip #2 – Don’t be a perfectionist with business implementation (save that for pixel perfect development where you have control). I never even made a portfolio website; actually I was slowly working on one while I was getting a pulse on the market. What are people struggling with and how can I help? I started writing business proposals following as described in the course with my personality and the audience in mind. So I never finished my own site before I booked out.
Tip #3 – Speak to the client’s problems and offer them solutions. That’s what they really care about. I probably have lost opportunities from not having a portfolio website, but that’s okay. I found enough business to keep me happy without it. Who you are will come through as you restate their problems and how you’re going to solve them. They will pick up on the fact you know what you’re talking about. People like talking about themselves anyway, so let them. Try to get a Zoom meeting with the prospective client as well. As much as you may want a project, watch out for red flags and don’t be afraid to turn the work down to avoid a probable bad situation.
Tip #4 – Always practice the fundamentals of design because, as stated in the course, people without formal training can pick up on that something is off about a design even if they can’t tell you what it is specifically. The fundamentals are essentially the body language of sales copy is what I tell my clients.
Tip #5 – It’s okay to be honest and set the right expectation; actually it’s imperative! You will stand out and get deals when you tell the truth of what you’re capable of and point out problem areas that need custom solutions within the project. Most clients will show total appreciation, know you are genuine, and confide in you to share the bad experiences they’ve had where someone was making everything up to get the job but couldn’t perform at all. I professionally acknowledge it and get back to solving their problem.
Hopefully, these tips are useful from a student’s perspective and they illustrate that you don’t have to be perfect to get going. Just get started, and have fun! If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right.  😊"