My First 8$ as a Freelance Writer

It was my 2nd year of Highschool and I was about 16.5 years old when I got into the world of freelancing, though not many start freelancing till 18 or graduation.

It was distinct for me, not because I desperately needed money or something like that, it was more like an experiment (because of lockdown boredom)

The true method of knowledge is experiment. ~ William Blake

Learning the Basics and Writing my First Article.

The first thing everyone does is learn the basics and so did I. Before learning freelance writing, it seemed tough, too tough but after learning it, it seemed pretty simple.

Now it was time to actually write something in which I showed much laziness, but I had to start sooner or later.

Starting out is always difficult and this applies to everything but later it just becomes a part of the routine. First, cause of my school routine, it was extra difficult to manage time but little by little one walks far

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”― Mark Twain

My first article was “ Dieting for two years and no change ”, and a flop. I also tried publishing it in publications in Medium but never got accepted cause it was written very poorly as it was the first ever written article.

Finding Clients

Then came the hard part. Finding client! It is probably THE MOST DIFFICULT thing every beginner freelancer faces.

After 2 to 3 weeks, finally I found a suitable client on Facebook (cause many has told me to start from Facebook). It was a bizarre experience, sending a ton of messages to a ton of people ( who had posted in FB groups about the work)

I earned 8$ in 4 days by working with the same client. I had to quit back then cause of my Highschool examination.

I was disappointed because that was the golden chance I miraculously found. I had extra trouble finding clients because I had no portfolio whatsoever. Just had a very simple Blogspot ( not much developed).

SCAMS!

Everyone gets scammed once if not twice but I literally got scammed at my first two orders. On Facebook especially, a beginner like me can get scammed easily.

The main reason, why I got scammed was the lack of any personal bank account. So, I was hesitant and the bastard clients took advantage of it.

Later on, my friend helped me out with this issue to which I am very grateful to this very day.

Trying Out Fiverr

Before trying my luck on Facebook, I went straight to Fiverr which many YouTubers I had watched didn’t recommend.

For 2 to 3 weeks, I wasted my time there. The funny part is that I had literally zero experience and back then I myself didn’t have a single idea wtf I am doing there.

Then somehow, I got some sense and went to Facebook to get experience and to learn a thing or two.

Support of Friends

My friends also help me out in this matter and supported me. It was my friend who introduced “Freelancing” to me in the first place.

If not for that, I wouldn’t be here writing this.

Background

I didn’t even know the meaning of the word “freelancing” until my first year of Highschool, then one day, my friend and I made a gig on Fiverr just for fun (with fake names and pictures) we forgot the idea after 4 or 5 days.

One day, something came to me and I started watching videos on Youtube related to freelancing. Before I knew it, I was learning it. It was mainly fueled by the lockdown boredom.

The Feeling of the First Order

When I got my first order, it was like a miracle for me. That feeling is indescribable. Never did I ever imagine that “I” would get an order someday.

Then came the anxiety. Many questions popped into my mind simultaneously. What if the client doesn’t like my content? , What if my writing isn’t that good?

As I found that client after a real struggle, I didn’t want to lose him and I did my best on that order.

The Reaction of my First Client

Anyways, somehow I submitted that and the reaction of the client was somewhat normal. That gave me the tremendous confidence I needed for a long time.

As is our confidence, so is our capacity. ~ William Hazlitt

I could never have imagined that my content would actually get accepted some day. This also encouraged me to go deep in this field.

I am still a beginner in this field but now there’s a feeling that I can do it and it’s all that matters.

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” ~ Richard Bach

Conclusion

As for my first 8$, I threw a party with all the friends that tried to help and support me and it was pretty fun indeed.

Writing is a bit difficult for me as I am a student also. Sometimes, it’s pretty hard to manage time.

But earning 8 dollars through writing was my biggest accomplishment in life at that time.

And I think age doesn’t matter if you are determined to do something. Old or young, it’s never too late to try new things.

Even if one is not short on money, he should still try out new things and learn new skills.

I’ll end this story with the quote ;

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Socrates