I am sitting at my desk today, I had a thought: Why do some freelance designers thrive while others struggle to land decent projects? I used to wonder the same thing early in my career feeling stuck, undervalued, and, honestly, a bit lost. You’re a talented designer, but your bank account doesn’t reflect that. Let’s be real most designers aren’t exactly swimming in cash. It’s a tough gig, and the struggle to make a decent living is real. So, I’ve broken this down into a few things I’ve learned along the way. Think of it as your guide to closing the gap, levelling up, and finally earning what you’re worth.

It’s nog easy, but it’s worth it

Not everyone can be a superstar designer just like not every athlete makes it to the Olympics. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be. You can build a thriving freelance business by focusing on what makes you unique, sharpening your skills, and being intentional about your growth. If you’re willing to go the extra mile, to outwork and outlearn those who rely purely on talent you can surpass them. It’s about mindset, effort, and patience. Think long-term. Imagine a five-year journey where the pieces don’t seem to fit now but suddenly come together down the line, connecting in ways you never expected.

Close the Gap

Before worrying about pricing or clients, make sure your designs solve problems and look amazing. Quality builds trust, to push your design career forward. Look for people who are doing the kind of work you aspire to create. Start by observing not only their work but also the projects and designers they appreciate. Platforms like X (Twitter), Behance, Dribbble and Instagram can give you insight into the standards they follow. Choose five designers who inspire you. This will become your benchmark. Lock yourself in a room, break down the design, and ask yourself the questions. Start by copying and recreating the design and asking yourself the following questions: Why does their type of balance look so good? How build this design trust? Write down specific things you love about their designs composition, style, storytelling, or user-friendly layouts.
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At first, expect to produce designs you won’t be proud of but that’s part of the process. As you keep creating, your ability to recognize weak points will sharpen, and soon, you’ll naturally avoid them. This cycle of creating and analyzing is how your instincts as a designer evolve. Success in design is a journey. It’s about figuring out where you are right now and what you need to do to get to where you want to be.

Get noticed

The freelance world is noisy. To stand out, you need to show your work in creative ways that grab attention. Here’s the thing: you can be the best designer in the world, but if no one knows about you, it doesn’t matter. Getting noticed is about putting your work out there, even when it’s not perfect, and showing people what you can do. Want to land more clients? Make sure people know and trust you. The best designers don’t always get the job the most visible and reliable ones do. Build awareness!​
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Create (fake) projects

No clients? No problem. Pick a brand you love and redesign its website, packaging, website, mobile app or logo. This not only improves your skills but also shows potential clients what you can do. Small wins build momentum. Take action. If you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid to take on lower-paid (or even free) work if it helps you learn, grow, and connect with the right people. A solid testimonial or a key intro can pay off 10x later. But only in the beginning, know when to start charging what you’re worth.

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Join Challenges

Push yourself to design with intention pick a theme and stick with it. Try a 30-day challenge: experiment with imagery, type scaling, and layouts. It’s all about practice and sharpening your design instincts. Share your work on Social media and track your progress. Or go become a better designer in 100 days with dailyui.co I did this early on, and it helped me grow fast. Post consistently, and you’ll be surprised at the results.

Your Move: Commit to one challenge a month. Set aside time to create something you’re proud of, even if it’s outside your comfort zone.

Build an Audience

When people know who you are and trust your work, opportunities start coming to you. You don’t have to chase clients they find you. It all starts with showing up, sharing your journey, and connecting with people. Connect with potential clients and fellow designers through social media, forums, and industry events. Don’t just post be active. Reply to comments, jump into conversations, and help others where you can. Be human. Building an audience takes time, but it pays off. Your following becomes your biggest asset clients, collaborators, and opportunities will come your way. Clients often come to you because they’ve seen your work somewhere. Building relationships can lead to referrals and new opportunities.

Create side hustle income

Build once, sell twice that’s the game. Set a small but powerful goal: make your first $1 online. It sounds small, but it’s a mindset shift. Once you do it, you’ll see the potential to scale, refine, and repeat. That first dollar is just the beginning. I’ll be honest, trading time for money can be exhausting. That’s where passive income comes in. It’s not a quick fix, but once you get it going, it can give you the freedom to focus on the work you love.

Create Digital Products: Think templates, icon packs, or UI kits, products you create once and sell forever.

Learn Marketing and Selling

No one really tells you this when you start freelancing, but being a great designer isn’t enough. You also need to learn how to market yourself and sell your value. Clients don’t just buy designs, they buy solutions.
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1. Learn to Sell Results: Instead of saying, “I can design your app,” say, “I can design an app that increases user retention by 20%.” Clients care about outcomes.
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2. Upsell and Package Your Services: Offer additional services like design audits, prototypes, or user testing to increase the project value.
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3. Raise Your Rates: Don’t be afraid to increase your pricing. Here’s a trick: if no one’s saying “no” to your rates, they’re probably too low.
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4. Upsell Like a Pro
   ​Add extras that make the client’s life easier. If you’re designing a website, offer to create a blog template or custom icons for an additional fee.

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​This I great article to read more about it​

Final thoughts

If you’re feeling stuck, know this: everyone starts somewhere. Are the designers making six figures today? They worked on closing the gap, getting noticed, and learning how to sell their value. You can do the same, one step at a time. Remember: small, consistent steps compound into something big.