Start With What You Know

Starting a freelancing or web design business can be exciting—and more than a little daunting.

You might catch yourself thinking:

• “I don’t know how to do [insert skill here].”

  
  

• “I’m not ready because I haven’t mastered [insert buzzword or tool here].”

  
  

• “What if a client asks me something I can’t handle?”

  
  

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: nobody begins with a fully-loaded skill set. Every freelancer, from the newbie to the seasoned pro, has stared at a project and thought, “Wait, I have no idea how to do this.”

In this article, I’ll walk you through why “Start With What You Know” is not just a catchphrase—but a proven path to freelancing success.

…so you can move forward without waiting for the mythical day you “know it all.”

I’ll cover:

• The Reality of Starting Imperfect

• The “But What If I Fail?” Myth

• The Richard Branson Rule (and How It Applies to Freelancing)

• A Simple Game Plan to Get You Moving

• Common Missteps to Avoid

• Final Thoughts

Let’s get into it!

The Reality of Starting Imperfect

Everybody starts with knowledge gaps.

Some folks think they need to master coding, design, financial management, contracts, negotiation, marketing, and a dozen other skills before landing their first client.

Spoiler: You don’t.

Here’s why:

✅ You Learn By Doing

There’s no faster way to level up than diving into a real project and figuring things out on the fly.

Watch this video to make website using ChatGPT and AI with NoCode:

✅ Your Clients Don’t Expect Perfection

They expect solutions. As long as you’re honest, communicate clearly, and deliver results, they’ll be happy.

✅ Fretting Won’t Pay the Bills

Overthinking can freeze you in your tracks. Meanwhile, your bank account stays empty. Action leads to income, not analysis paralysis.

If you find yourself hesitating, remember that you can tap into communities like FreelanceFam to connect with experienced freelancers who’ve already been there—and can offer guidance or feedback for free.

You can also explore how to start freelancing step-by-step if you’re brand-new to the field.

The “But What If I Fail?” Myth

We’ve all worried: “What if I completely botch this project?” Guess what? You might. And life goes on.

Failure isn’t a dead end; it’s a detour. You course-correct, learn from it, and do better next time.

Every seasoned freelancer has a horror story—whether it’s common client issues or undercharging by a mile.

What sets successful freelancers apart is how they bounce back.

✅ Embrace Mistakes

If you never mess up, you’re probably not trying anything new. Failure is part of the process.

✅ Iterate, Don’t Quit

A botched project is a chance to revise your approach—learn better pricing, clearer communication, or more robust contracts.

✅ Don’t Let Fear Paralyze You

Fear is a signal, not a stop sign. Use it to stay alert but keep moving forward.

The Richard Branson Rule

Richard Branson famously said:

“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.”

No, this doesn’t mean you should take on a complex project you have zero clue about and wing it completely.

But it does mean you shouldn’t run from challenges just because you’re missing a piece of the puzzle.

✅ Bet on Yourself

If a project demands new skills, that’s your cue to dive into tutorials, read a guide, or ask peers on FreelanceFam for help.

✅ Stay Uncomfortable

A little stretch keeps you growing. Just ensure it’s not so big that you spiral into panic.

✅ Find Resources Quickly

Don’t reinvent the wheel. For every question you have, someone’s made a YouTube tutorial, written a blog post, or asked about it in a community.

For instance, if you’re curious about no-code development or pricing strategies, there’s already content ready for you to explore.

Remember: part of freelancing is being a lifelong learner.

A Simple Game Plan to Get You Moving

Knowing you can’t know it all from Day 1 is liberating.

Here’s how to harness that mindset and kick off your freelancing journey.

• Start Small and Start with What You Know

  • Offer your services to friends, family, or a small business looking for a budget-friendly freelancer.

    
    

  • Don’t wait for a “perfect” portfolio; build a simple one and keep improving.

    
    

    Building a portfolio is a big topic, watch this video to find out more portfolio tips :

    
    
    
    

• Learn As You Go

  • Keep a running list of skills or knowledge gaps as you work on projects.

    
    

  • Set aside time each week to fill those gaps—watch a tutorial, read a guide, or ask for feedback from fellow FreelanceFam members.

    
    

• Charge Something (Yes, Really)

  • Freelancing is a business, not a hobby. Pick a starting rate—even if it’s modest—and revise as you gain experience.

    
    

  • Avoid working for free unless there’s a strategic reason (e.g., a small sample project for a dream client).

    
    

    Pricing is also a big topic, watch this video to find out more on pricing:

    
    
    
    

• Figure It Out

  • If you don’t know something, be honest with yourself. Then hustle to find the answer.

    
    

  • Clients don’t pay for your excuses; they pay for solutions. If you truly get stuck, consider hiring a subcontractor or collaborating with another freelancer.

Common Missteps to Avoid

When you’re starting with what you know, it’s easy to make a few rookie mistakes.

Steer clear of these:

Lack of Clear Boundaries

New freelancers often say “yes” to everything, leading to scope creep or underpayment. Use contracts. Be crystal-clear about deliverables.

Analysis Paralysis

Obsessing over details like a perfect business name, the fanciest logo, or the “ultimate portfolio” can stall your progress. You can always rebrand or update as you grow.

Free Work Overload

It’s okay to do one or two passion projects for free—if it’s truly strategic—but don’t turn it into a habit. Exposure doesn’t pay the rent.

Ignoring Your Network

Communities like FreelanceFam exist to help. Ask questions, get feedback, and offer support in return. Don’t isolate yourself, especially when you’re just starting out.

Failure to Evolve

Stagnation is freelancing’s worst enemy. Keep up with emerging web design trends and refine your craft continually. If you need a push to level up, check out these tips on becoming a great freelancer or focusing on the right things.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to know it all to get started. In fact, you’ll never know it all—none of us do.

Freelancing is a continual process of learning, applying, failing, and improving.

The secret is to begin where you are, with what you already know, and figure out the rest along the way.

• Don’t wait for perfect conditions.

  
  

• Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back.

  
  

• Say “yes” to opportunities that stretch you, and tap into your community when you need extra hands or extra know-how.

  
  

As you grow, remember to keep learning, keep evolving, and keep exploring new ways to deliver value to your clients.

In the end, it’s not about having all the answers—it’s about your commitment to finding the answers when you need them.

Join FreelanceFam for freelancing tips, client strategies, and advice to grow your business.

Kyle