FREELANCE with ERICA Podcast

How to Go from Side Hustle to Full-Time Freelance in 2026

Hey there, freelance friends! 👋 If you've ever fantasized about quitting your job (and let's be honest, who hasn't?), today's training is going to give you the REAL tea about what it actually takes to go from "maybe I should try freelancing" all the way to "see ya later, corporate overlords!" But first, a quick heads up: I'm still recovering from COVID that absolutely DECIMATED me for two weeks (hence the lovely froggy voice you're about to hear in the video). So if I cough in your ear or sound like I gargled gravel, my apologies! This is day two of being upright, so we're working with what we've got. 😅 Quick housekeeping note: If you're new here, I'm Erica—top 1% Upwork freelancer who walked away from her six-figure healthcare job when my employer suggested I "close my office door" as an accommodation for chronic illness. Now I help beginners get started in freelancing on Upwork through my beginner community [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. These Tuesday trainings include both video and written tutorials that land directly in your inbox once you subscribe! And if you stick around until the end, I have a very special gift for my founding community members. 🎁 Also, when I record these trainings, I do them all in one shot because I'm not a content creator—I'm just trying to get what's in my brain into yours. So you'll see me glancing at notes, using filler words, and being generally human because I'm not spending hours editing. This is a side passion project, not my full-time gig. Yet. 😉 Why I'm NOT Selling You the Dream (Even Though I Could) [3:00] Here's the thing—I could totally lead with the sexy stuff. The "quit your job in 90 days!" promises. The "make six figures while sipping piña coladas!" fantasy. But I'm not going to. You know why? Because I've been in the online business world long enough to know that leading with the biggest, boldest dream is how you end up with a bunch of disappointed people who bought into unrealistic expectations. It's like weight loss ads, right? They don't show you the person who lost 10 pounds. They show you the extreme transformation—the person who lost 100 pounds and now runs marathons. Because that's what gets people to buy. But we all know statistically, most people won't get that extreme result. So when I was planning Freelance with Erica [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/welcome-to-freelance-with-erica], I made a conscious choice to focus on the hardest part—getting beginners through that initial hump where most people quit. Because THAT'S where I can actually help the most people succeed. But here's what I've discovered since launching: literally everyone wants to know about going full-time. 🙋‍♀️🙋🙋‍♂️ The DMs. The emails. The community questions. It's all: * "How realistic is it that I could quit my job in 3 months?" * "I got laid off—can I make freelancing work instead of job hunting?" * "What does the timeline actually look like?" So today, I'm giving you the FULL roadmap. From "hmm, maybe I should try freelancing" all the way to "I'm my own boss now, b*****s!" ✨ The Freelancing Funnel: Why Most People Quit Before the Magic Happens [11:45] Alright, let me show you exactly what this journey looks like. And fair warning—this might be the most important thing you'll ever see about freelancing timelines. What we're looking at here is what I call The Freelancing Funnel. Let me walk you through each level: The Top: "I Hate My Job" Land [17:16] At the very top, we've got HUNDREDS (let’s be honest - HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS) of people. These are folks sitting there thinking: * "I hate my job" * "I wish I could work for myself" * "Maybe I should try freelancing?" * "But I have no idea what I'd even offer..." Sound familiar? This is problem awareness without solution clarity. Tier 1: 10 Days to Paid [18:00] From that massive crowd at the top, only a small fraction will take action to solve their problem. We see this play out even here in my community. Despite having 100 people pass through, only about 25% actually take action and join my 10 Days to Paid course [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. Think about that. A course that teaches you exactly how to: * Figure out what to offer * Land your first client * Get your first 5-star review * Start building momentum And 75% of interested people still won't take that first step. This is why I focus on beginners, y'all. This is where we lose the most people. Tier 2: Road to Top Rated [20:05] Of those 25 who start 10 Days to Paid, ~10-15 actually complete it and start seeing real results. These are my graduates celebrating wins in the community chat [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]! 🎉 (Side note: I may be stalking your profiles to see your progress. It's not creepy, it's INVESTED. There's a difference.) 😅 These successful students are now ready for the Road to Top Rated [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]—my next course launching in August. This is where we transition from: * ✅ Quick beginner jobs → Niche-specific work * ✅ Building basic skills → Specializing your expertise * ✅ Getting any reviews → Strategic profile building You'll notice each tier has dollar signs next to it ($, ,$, , $). That's because as you move down the funnel: * 💰 You compete with FEWER people * 💰 You charge HIGHER rates * 💰 You put in LESS effort * 💰 You make MORE money But here's the catch—that first tier? It's a GRIND. Most effort, most competition, lowest rates. That's why people quit. Tier 3: First $10K [26:30] This is where we start specializing. No more random jobs—you're becoming the go-to person for specific services. This is also where we aggressively walk up your rates. Spoiler: I'm going to teach you to charge 2-5x what you made at your day job. Yes, really. Tier 4: Retainers & Projects [27:40] Now you can accurately estimate time, you've got proven frameworks, and you're ready for flat-fee projects and retainer agreements. ⚠️ WARNING: Do NOT try to skip ahead to retainers when you're a beginner. I don't care if someone offers you $35/hour for ongoing work when you currently make $30/hour. That's how you lock yourself into undercharging and burn out FAST. Wait until you're charging premium rates (think $75-150/hour) before touching retainers. The clients you attract at premium prices are: * More established * More stable * Better to work with long-term * Actually profitable for YOU Tier 5: Full-Time Freedom [33:50] The promised land. But notice how few people make it here? That's not to discourage you—it's to set realistic expectations. The Math That'll Blow Your Mind [38:30] Here's where it gets REALLY interesting. Let me show you how the same 10 billable hours per week transforms as you walk up your rates: * $10/hour: $400/month extra (feels like a grind) * $25/hour: $1,000/month extra (getting interesting) * $50/hour: $2,000/month extra (life-changing) * $75/hour: $3,000/month extra (holy s**t) * $100/hour: $4,000/month extra (retirement vibes) Same time investment. Same 10 hours. The ONLY difference? Following the system and walking up your rates systematically. Let's do some quick math with a real example: 📊 Current job: $30/hour × 40 hours = $62,400/year = $5,200/month (gross) Freelancing at $75/hour for 10 hours/week: $3,000/month Gap to replace your income: $2,200/month At $75/hour, that's: 29 additional hours per month = 7 hours per week So you'd need 17 total hours per week (instead of 40) to match your current income. And that's just to match it—most people exceed their day job income pretty quickly. The Emergency Fund Reality Check [43:15] Here's where I get REAL with you about going full-time. You need two things that are non-negotiable: * 6 months of expenses in emergency fund * Drastically reduced financial footprint (I did a whole training on this—check it out here [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/building-an-emergency-fund-as-a-freelancer?r=53parx]) COVID gave me the PERFECT example of why this matters. I was completely down for two weeks—couldn't work AT ALL. But because: * ✅ I have that emergency fund * ✅ Most clients are on retainers with monthly deliverables * ✅ I have amazing humans as clients * ✅ My financial footprint is manageable ...it was fine. Annoying, but fine. That's the security you're building toward. The Mindset Shift Nobody Talks About [52:45] Here's something I need to be honest about: I can teach you ALL the tactical stuff. The rates, the proposals, the client management, the emergency fund strategy. But there's something I can't teach you, and it's the difference between people who successfully go full-time and those who don't: Deep, unshakeable trust in yourself. I've developed what I call "Resourceful Confidence"—the bone-deep belief that no matter WHAT happens, I can figure it out. * All three clients give notice on the same day? I'll figure it out. * Unexpected $140K hospital bill? (Yes, that happened.) I'll figure it out. * Two weeks of COVID downtime right before a move? I'll figure it out. That's not something I can give you in a course. It's something you DEVELOP by doing the work, building the foundation, and proving to yourself that you CAN handle whatever comes up. Your Next Steps (And My Gift to You) [1:00:00] Alright, here's where things get EXCITING. 🎉 For everyone who's been with me in this beginner community as I've been building Freelance with Erica from scratch—you're my founding members, and I want to do something special for you. I'm moving our community to a beautiful platform called Skool [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] where we'll have: * 🏫 Actual courses neatly organized (not just email sequences) * 💬 MUCH BETTER chat functionality * 🎮 Gamification (if you're into that) * 📱 Mobile app access * 🔔 Customizable notifications And here's the gift: Everyone who's here NOW—everyone who found me early and believed in this vision—you're getting FREE ACCESS FOR GOOD. [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] WARNING: There’s nothing set up inside yet, so keep those expectations low. You’re bringing the party and over the next few weeks I’ll get us loaded up with great content. Starting in August, I'll be releasing Road to Top Rated [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] trainings inside that community. As I record each training, you'll get immediate access. Then when it's complete, I'll package it up properly in the course section. Eventually (probably after Road to Top Rated is finished), this Skool community is now a $15/mo beginner freelance community. Why? Because you believed in this when it was just me with a crazy idea and a lot of caffeine. You deserve to be grandfathered in. ☕ The Reality Check You Need Look, I could promise you'll quit your job in 90 days. Some people do. But for most people, I think 6-12 months is realistic for this entire journey. And you know what? That's okay. Even if you "only" make it to Tier 2 or 3 and decide to keep freelancing as a side hustle—earning an extra $500-3,000/month while keeping your day job—that's still life-changing for many people. You're learning a skill that will ALWAYS be in your back pocket. You're building an asset (your freelance profile and reputation) that gets stronger over time. And you're proving to yourself that you CAN generate income independently. Some of you will go all the way to full-time freedom. Others will find their sweet spot somewhere in the middle. Both are wins. Coming Up: Schedule Changes Quick heads up—I'll be MIA for the next two weeks: * Next Tuesday: Best friend's 45th birthday in NYC 🎂 * Following Tuesday: Moving week (we are pausing RV life and moving back to Chicago to be near for my Dad’s cancer treatments and these next chapters ahead.) 📦 * Plus still catching up from COVID chaos But I'll be active in our new community, so definitely join us there [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]! When I'm back in August, we'll kick off Road to Top Rated and keep building this thing together. Your Action Items Right Now ✅ * Take the 10 Days to Paid course [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] if you haven't already * Join our new community [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] (open to everyone!) * Start that emergency fund (here's how [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/building-an-emergency-fund-as-a-freelancer?r=53parx]) * Begin working through the funnel systematically—no skipping ahead! The path to freedom isn't always pretty, but it's absolutely possible. And I'm here to help you every step of the way. Thanks for hanging out with my froggy COVID voice, and I'll see you on the inside! 🐸✨ With caffeine and optimism (and probably too much cough syrup),Erica P.S. If this training was helpful, smash that like button, leave a comment, share it with your "I hate my job" friends, and follow our beginner community. The algorithm needs to know this stuff is valuable so I can keep reaching the people who need it most! 🙏 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freelancewitherica.substack.com [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

30. heinä 2025 - 1 h 14 min

The "Why Isn't Anyone Responding?!" to My Upwork Proposals [FREE CHECKLIST]

🧡 Quick heads up! This was created when FWE was brand new. Since then, we've grown into a thriving beginner freelance community on Skool [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica/about] with multiple courses, trainings, q&a calls, coworking, tools/resources and an incredible group of people just getting started. You may hear references to "free" in the video — everything now lives inside the community for just $15/mo or $95/year. Welcome to this week's Tuesday Training, where we tackle the uncomfortable truths about freelancing that nobody wants to talk about at parties. (Not that I go to parties. #IntrovertLife.) Today we need to have a heart-to-heart about something that's happening right now in our community. I'm watching brave souls work through 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica], and I'm seeing a pattern that makes my heart hurt a little: The 15-Proposal Panic Attack™ 😰 You know the one. You've been diligently following 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. You've sent out 10... 15... maybe 20 proposals, and your inbox is giving you the silent treatment. NOTHING. Not even a "thanks but no thanks." Just... 🦗🦗🦗 And that little voice in your head starts whispering: * "Maybe I'm not cut out for this" 😰 * "Everyone else is getting jobs but me" 😭 * "I must be doing something wrong" 🫠 * "I knew this was too good to be true" 💔 * "Time to update my Indeed profile" 🙃 STOP. RIGHT. THERE. Before you rage-quit and go back to scrolling job boards, let me normalize something for you: It might take 40-50 proposals to land your first job. Cue collective gasp and/or laptop being thrown I KNOW. That sounds like a lot. That *IS* a lot. But here's what's happening behind the scenes: As a beginner, you're fighting against: * ❌ No reviews (yet) * ❌ No job history (yet) * ❌ No "Rising Talent" badge (yet) * ❌ The algorithm not knowing you exist (yet) * ❌ Clients filtering by experience level * ❌ 50+ other people applying to the same job Notice all those "yets"? Because this is TEMPORARY. Once you land that first job and get your first 5-star review? The whole game changes. It's like dating apps—you might swipe through 100 profiles before finding someone who doesn't think "u up?" is charming conversation starter. But once you find your person? The swiping stops. (Okay, maybe freelancing is better than dating apps. At least clients PAY you for your time.) 💰 Why Your First 20 Proposals Feel Like Shouting Into the Void 🌌 Remember when River [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/your-free-upwork-freelance-course] ( [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/your-free-upwork-freelance-course]my guinea pig kiddo [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/your-free-upwork-freelance-course]) [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/your-free-upwork-freelance-course] went through this challenge? Even with me literally coaching him through every step, it took 18 DAYS for one client to respond to a proposal he'd sent on Day 1. EIGHTEEN. DAYS. That's not because his proposal sucked. It's because: * Clients are busy (and disorganized) 🏃‍♀️ * They post jobs then forget about them 🤦 * They're comparing 50+ proposals 📚 * They're waiting for budget approval 💰 * They're on vacation 🏖️ * They're just... human 🤷‍♀️ Meanwhile, you're sitting there like: * "Did I say something wrong?" 😰 * "Is my profile photo giving serial killer vibes?" 📸 * "Should I have used a different emoji?" 🤔 * "Maybe I should just apply for a NEW soul-sucking job..." 😭 Look, I could tell you to "just keep going" and "trust the process" (which is true), but that's about as helpful as telling someone with insomnia to "just sleep." So instead, I created something ACTUALLY useful: An interactive proposal checklist [https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/f2f32981-b765-46fe-9f8a-59c0debf1403] that ensures every proposal you send out is optimized for beginner success. Why Your Proposals Might Be Getting Ghosted 👻 Here's the thing: Sending out 5 proposals a day sounds easy. But when you're being intentional—taking time to choose quality jobs, crafting personalized proposals—it's can actually be time-consuming AF. (Another thing that gets easier over time. Eventually you won’t even have to send out proposals anymore.) On the flip side, if you're doing the "spray and pray" method—clicking random jobs, copying/pasting generic AI slop, hitting send while barely looking—you're basically playing freelance roulette with terrible odds. Most people fall somewhere in the middle. They're trying, but they're missing key elements that make proposals actually WORK. That's why I created this checklist—to help you maximize EVERY proposal you send. Introducing: The Proposal Checklist That'll Save Your Sanity 📋 I've built an interactive checklist that covers the 8 CRITICAL elements every proposal needs when you’re following my 10 Days to Paid program. This isn't just some PDF you'll download and ignore—it's a actual tool you can use for EVERY proposal. Access the Interactive Checklist Here [https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/f2f32981-b765-46fe-9f8a-59c0debf1403] (Yes, it has confetti when you complete it. Yes, I'm extra. No, I'm not sorry.) Let me walk you through each element and why it matters: 1. Craft a Compelling Proposal Hook 🎣 This is the hill I will die on. Your opening 1-2 sentences are worth more than the rest of your proposal combined. This is THE MOST IMPORTANT real estate in your entire proposal. Those first sentences determine whether clients keep reading or move on to the next freelancer. The difference between invisible and irresistible: ❌ INVISIBLE (aka Boring): "I'd be happy to provide a comprehensive review of your website and deliver actionable feedback through a structured survey format." I fell asleep just typing that. 😴 ✅ IRRESISTIBLE (aka Attention-Grabbing): "Need this done quickly, clearly, and without a single follow-up? I've got you. 🎯" See the difference? One sounds like every other proposal. The other sounds like a REAL PERSON who gets what the client actually wants. Pro tip: Ask AI to generate 20-30 different hooks for each proposal. Then use your gut to pick the one that makes YOU go "Ooh, that's GOOD!" (I know it sounds woo-woo, but your body knows. When you read the right hook, you'll feel a little spark of "YES!" Trust that feeling. Yes, I'm the same person who creates spreadsheets for fun. We contain multitudes.) You're feeling for: * 😂 Humor that lands * 😰 Pain points that sting * 🎯 Specificity that shows you GET IT * 💫 Outcomes they're dreaming about * 🧐 Curiosity that gets the click-through * 🫨 Disruption that makes them stop scrolling Want to dive deeper into hook writing? Check out my previous training on attention-hijacking headlines [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/get-your-upwork-proposals-opened] and hook writing. 2. Offer Strategic Pricing Discount 💸 As a beginner, your pricing is your SECRET WEAPON. But it has to be strategic, not desperate. If your profile says $25/hour, offer $15/hour and TELL THEM about the discount: "My standard rate is $25/hour, but I'm offering a special introductory rate of $15/hour as I build my Upwork presence. You get premium work at a beginner price—win-win!" Pro tip from River's playbook: His profile headline was literally "0 Upwork Reviews. 100% Committed to WOW You." He LEANED INTO being new. In almost every proposal, he talked about being eager to earn his first 5-star review. Own where you are. Make it work FOR you, not against you. Clients LOVE being someone's first success story—if you position it right. 3. Polish Your Writing with AI 🤖 Look, I'm all about keeping it conversational and real. But typos and grammar mistakes scream "amateur." Run EVERY proposal through: * ChatGPT or Claude (ask it to "please clean this up while using as much of the same word choices and phrases as possible") * Grammarly Keep your personality. Lose the mistakes. 4. Target Recent Job Posts ⏰ Jobs posted 2+ weeks ago? Skip 'em. The client has either: * Already hired someone * Lost interest * Forgotten they even posted it Sweet spot: Jobs posted within the last 3 days Acceptable: Up to 1 week old Pushing it: 1-2 weeks The exception here is when the client has a high “Hire” rate (70%+) or is hiring multiple freelancers for the job and still has openings. Newer = Less competition + Higher response rates 5. Verify Client Quality 🔍 Not all clients are created equal. Before wasting connects, check: ✅ High Quality Client Signs: * 4+ star rating (more than 20 reviews) * Payment verified * 20+ past hires * Clear job descriptions with realistic expectations * Look at their job history to see if they’ve historically left 5 star AND written reviews with previous freelancers they worked with. 6. Confirm Job Availability 👀 Before you spend those precious connects, CHECK: * Has the client already hired someone? * If they have, are they hiring multiple people? * Is the job still marked as open? Nothing worse than crafting the perfect proposal for a job that was filled 3 days ago. 😤 7. Focus on Beginner-Friendly Jobs 🎯 I know you want to dive into your dream niche, but for your first few gigs, prioritize: BEGINNER GOLD: * Surveys & feedback collection * Website/app testing * Simple research tasks * Basic data entry * Quick admin tasks * "Review our [thing] and give feedback" Save for later: * Complex creative projects * Long-term commitments * Anything requiring extensive portfolios * Jobs with 50+ applicants already 8. Choose Small Scope Projects ⏱️ Your first jobs should be measured in HOURS, not days or weeks. Perfect starter jobs: * 1-4 hours of work * Clear, specific deliverables * Due within a few days * Simple requirements Too big for beginners: * "Looking for long-term partnership" * "Need someone 20 hours/week ongoing" * Complex multi-phase projects For bigger projects? Use the 2-hour trial method I teach in 10 Days to Paid. Using the Checklist (And When to Ask for Help) 🚨 Here's how I want you to use this: First 20 proposals: Follow the 10 Days to Paid system exactly. Don't overthink it. Start using the checklist. Experiment with different hook styles. Proposals 21+: If you haven't gotten ANY responses, it's time for a proposal review. Drop them in our community chat [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica], and the community can help you figure out how to tighten up your proposals. Remember: Some clients take a WEEK OR MORE to respond. River got hired for a job he applied to TWO WEEKS earlier. Patience, grasshopper. 🦗 The Reality Check You Need 💊 I'm not going to sugarcoat this: Those first proposals feel like shouting into the void. It's demoralizing. It's frustrating. It makes you question if you’re cut out for this. But here's what I know: * MY first 30+ proposals? Mostly crickets AND a ghosting client. * Fast forward a couple years? I haven’t sent a proposal in AGES and TURN DOWN new client work every month. The breakthrough always comes RIGHT after you want to quit. Your Homework (Yes, There's Homework) 📚 * Download the checklist [https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/f2f32981-b765-46fe-9f8a-59c0debf1403] and bookmark it * Review your last 5 proposals against these criteria * Send 5 NEW proposals using the checklist * Track which hooks get responses in your proposal tracker [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/upwork-proposal-tracker-tool] (data is your friend!) * Share your wins (and struggles) in our community [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] And if you haven't started 10 Days to Paid [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica] yet? What are you waiting for? It's: * ✅ 12+ hours of step-by-step training * ✅ Includes templates, AI prompts, and swipe files * ✅ Documents an actual success story (follow along as a 22 year old Starbucks barista lands their first jobs following this program) * ✅ Will transform you from "what do I even offer?" to "I GOT PAID!" And now it includes this shiny new checklist to make sure every proposal counts. This checklist won't make much sense without the full strategy. It's like having a map without knowing the destination. No paywalls. No "upgrade for the REAL secrets." Just the complete system that actually works. The Bottom Line 🎯 Landing your first freelance job is: * 20% having the right skills * 30% sending quality proposals * 50% not giving up when it gets hard This checklist handles the quality part. Your persistence handles the rest. Every "no" gets you closer to "yes." Every ignored proposal teaches you something. Every ghosted message builds your resilience. And when that first "Hi, I'd love to work with you!" message lands? Chef's kiss It makes every ignored proposal worth it. And your first "You're hired!" message is closer than you think. 💪 Now go forth and GET THOSE GIGS! 🎉 P.S. If you're reading this after sending exactly 7 proposals and wondering why you're not rich yet... bb, no. That's like going to the gym once and wondering why you don't have abs already. Give it time. 😅 P.P.S. Seriously though—if you hit 25+ proposals with ZERO responses, post in the community chat [https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica]. We'll troubleshoot together. 🤝 P.P.P.S. Yes, the checklist [https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/f2f32981-b765-46fe-9f8a-59c0debf1403] really does have confetti. Because if you're going to track your freelance progress, you might as well CELEBRATE it too! 🎉 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freelancewitherica.substack.com [https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

2. heinä 2025 - 48 min