WEEK 1: Learn the Basics & Build Skills
Goal: Understand the basics of each skill and practice with simple tools.
✔️Actions:
Choose a niche for both:
o Writing: e.g., blog posts, product descriptions, resumes.
o Design: e.g., logo design, Instagram posts, flyers.
Start learning:
o 🧠 Graphic Design:
Canva (Free) — beginner-friendly design tool.
YouTube: "Graphic Design for Beginners"
Learn color theory, fonts, balance, etc.
o 🧠 Freelance Writing:
Grammarly (Free) — writing assistant.
Hemingway Editor — clarity checker.
Watch YouTube: "Freelance Writing for Beginners"
🧰 Tools:
Canva, Grammarly, Google Docs, Hemingway Editor, Google Drive.
WEEK 2: Build a Portfolio
Goal: Create 3–5 sample pieces to showcase your skills.
✔️Actions:
Graphic Design Portfolio:
o Create 5 sample designs:
A logo for a fake business
A social media post
A flyer/poster
A business card
A YouTube thumbnail
Writing Portfolio:
o Write 3–5 samples:
A blog post (e.g., 500–800 words)
A product review
A short social media caption thread
A mock client email
🧰 Tools:
Google Docs or Notion (for writing portfolio).
Canva or Behance (for graphic design portfolio).
WEEK 3: Set Up Your Presence & Start Marketing
Goal: Make yourself findable and start attracting clients.
✔️Actions:
Create accounts:
o Fiverr & Upwork (freelance platforms)
o LinkedIn (optional but helpful)
o Instagram or TikTok (post samples + behind-the-scenes)
Post your work:
o Share your best 1–2 pieces every few days.
o Use relevant hashtags (e.g., #freelancewriter,
#graphicdesignerforhire)
Join 5 relevant groups:
o Facebook: “Small Business Owners,” “Freelancers,” “Startup
Kenya”
o Reddit: r/freelance, r/forhire, r/designjobs
Create a simple pricing list or “starter package.”
🧰 Tools:
Canva (for posts), Linktree (for linking to your portfolio),
Fiverr/Upwork, Facebook, Instagram.
WEEK 4: Start Pitching and Get Your First Client
Goal: Land your first paying client or gig.
✔️Actions:
Send 5–10 pitches daily:
o Use Upwork/Fiverr proposals.
o Cold pitch small businesses via email or DM.
o Post “I’m open for commissions” on your socials.
Offer a starter discount or first-time client bonus.
Ask for testimonials even if it's a free or cheap job.
Keep a record of:
o Who you contacted
o What they replied
o What worked or didn’t
🧰 Tools:
Trello or Notion (to track pitches), Google Sheets (for client info),
Gmail or WhatsApp (for pitching).
🎯 By Day 30, You Will Have:
✅ A basic but solid skill set
✅ 3–5 portfolio samples
✅ Profiles on 1–2 freelance platforms
✅ Social media proof of work
✅ Your first client or strong leads
🎯 1. Ideal Audience for Graphic Design
💡 Target Clients:
Small businesses & startups (need logos, branding, flyers)
Content creators (need YouTube thumbnails, Instagram graphics)
Event planners (weddings, parties, need posters & invitations)
Nonprofits & churches (need brochures, event banners)
Online sellers (need product labels, packaging designs)
✍️2. Ideal Audience for Freelance Writing
💡 Target Clients:
Blog owners & websites (need regular content)
E-commerce businesses (need product descriptions, emails)
Digital marketers (need captions, landing pages, newsletters)
Students & job seekers (need CV writing, cover letters)
Local businesses (need business profiles, social media posts)
🚀 How to Effectively Reach Them (Even with No Budget)
✅ 1. Social Media (Free & Direct)
What to do:
o Share value-based content (tips, samples, before/after
designs).
o Use hashtags like:
#SmallBusinessDesign, #FreelanceWriter,
#BusinessBranding, #CopywritingTips
o Engage in comments, groups, and relevant tags.
Where to post:
o Facebook groups, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp status.
✅ 2. Freelance Platforms (Fast Validation)
Where:
o Fiverr
o Upwork
o PeoplePerHour
Tips:
o Use attractive gig titles.
o Add clear descriptions with portfolio samples.
✅ 3. Cold Outreach (Highly Effective for Beginners)
How:
o Identify 5–10 small businesses or creators per day on
Instagram, Facebook, or local directories.
o DM or email them with a personalized message + a free
sample or offer.
Example message:
"Hi, I noticed your page could benefit from some fresh [logos/posts/blogs].
I'm a freelance [designer/writer] and would love to offer you a sample for
free or at a discount to get your feedback!"
✅ 4. Leverage Referrals (Word-of-Mouth)
Offer discounted or free work to 2–3 friends or businesses in
exchange for:
o Testimonials
o Referrals
o Social media shoutouts
✅ 5. Offer Packages
Make your service beginner-friendly with small affordable bundles:
o Design: “Logo + IG Post for Ksh 500”
o ✍️Writing: “500-word article for Ksh 300”
✅ Straightforward Plan to Gain Visibility & Build Your Customer
Base
STEP 1: Set Up Your Brand (Day 1–2)
✅ Create a simple name or use your own (e.g., "Designs by
Emmanuel").
✅ Make a free logo using Canva.
✅ Write a short bio or service description:
"I help small businesses with quality graphic design and content writing at
affordable rates."
STEP 2: Build a Starter Portfolio (Day 3–4)
3 design samples (e.g., logo, flyer, IG post)
✍️3 writing samples (e.g., blog, caption, product description)
Store them in Google Drive or Notion and make them shareable.
STEP 3: Offer a Starter Package (Day 5)
Create a simple, low-cost package to attract clients.
o Example: “Logo + 1 Social Post for Ksh 500” or “500-word
blog for Ksh 300”
STEP 4: Promote on WhatsApp & Social Media (Daily)
Post on WhatsApp status, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok
every day.
Use real examples, before-and-after shots, and client feedback.
Write captions like:
“Starting out? Need a fresh logo or blog post? I’ve got a special offer for
first 5 clients. DM now!”
STEP 5: Join Local Online Groups (Day 6–7)
Join 5–10 relevant groups:
o Facebook: Small Business Owners Kenya, Writers & Designers
Kenya
Introduce yourself with your samples + starter offer.
STEP 6: Reach Out Directly (5–10 DMs per day)
Look for small businesses or content creators on
Instagram/Facebook.
Send polite messages offering your services and include a sample.
STEP 7: Deliver Quality & Collect Feedback
Do excellent work.
Ask for:
o ⭐ Testimonials
o 📣 Referrals
o 📷 Permission to post your work as proof
STEP 8: Repeat & Scale
Keep posting, pitching, and sharing every day.
After the first 5–10 clients, raise your prices slowly.
Create new packages (e.g., Monthly Content Pack, Business Starter
Kit).
🔧 Free Tools to Use:
Canva – for design
Grammarly – for writing help
Google Docs/Drive – for portfolio
Notion – for client tracking
Facebook/WhatsApp – for promotion and outreach
