Freelancing Takes 6–9 Months to Pay Off—Are You Patient Enough?
Freelancing Isn’t a Shortcut—It’s a Strategy
Everyone wants to try freelancing—until they realize it’s not an instant success formula.
You don’t start freelancing today and land high-paying clients tomorrow.
You don’t post one Canva graphic and get flooded with offers.
You don’t set up a LinkedIn profile and suddenly get noticed.
Freelancing takes time.
And if you’re not patient, you’ll quit before you ever get results.
The Reality: It Takes 6–9 Months (Sometimes More)
If you’re serious about freelancing, here’s what you need to be ready for in the first 6 to 9 months:
- Mastering a skill – Whether it’s design, writing, video editing, or virtual assistance, you need time to improve.
- Building a portfolio – Clients need to see what you’ve done. That means real projects, even if they’re unpaid at first.
- Proving your value – No one pays top rates until you’ve shown you can deliver.
- Attracting serious clients – It takes time to market yourself, get noticed, and build trust.
- Learning how to package, price, and pitch your services – These are skills of their own, and you only get better with practice.
What I Tell Every Freelancer I Coach
If you’re just getting started, here are three key things you must accept:
1. Be Willing to Work for Free (at First)
Not forever—but enough to build proof of work. Do that logo. Write that blog. Design that landing page. Those first few pieces matter more than money in the beginning.
2. Practice Relentlessly
Don’t just watch tutorials—apply what you learn. Real growth happens when you start doing.
3. Stay Consistent (Even When No One Notices)
In the beginning, no one claps for you. No one comments. No one shares your posts.
Keep going anyway.
My Story? It Wasn’t Overnight
I didn’t start freelancing with fancy clients or big retainers.
- My first job paid KES 150
- I did entire websites for free
- I took small gigs just to learn and build confidence
It took me almost a year to start earning consistently.
But when it clicked, it changed my life.
Final Thought
❌ If you’re looking for fast money, freelancing will disappoint you.
✅ But if you’re willing to stay patient, keep learning, and show up even when it’s slow—freelancing can completely transform your life.
The question is: Are you patient enough to wait for the payoff
