Plan a Successful Freelancing Business from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Course & Specialization Overview

This Specialization helps you improve your professional skills as a freelancer, solopreneur, or new business owner. Each course focuses on a new set of skills that build upon previous courses' learnings to strengthen your understanding of the fundamentals of designing and running a freelancing business. Course 1 is all about planning - we will explore your interests, skills, and talents in the context of market conditions and customer needs to design a valuable service offering.

Getting Started with Freelancing

Let's dive into the fundamentals of freelancing as career option, meet some successful entrepreneurs who started freelancing businesses, and examine whether or not freelancing is a fit for your goals.

Designing Your Dream Business

Multi-talented people often want to "boil the ocean" or take on too much when they start freelancing. In this module, you'll consider different freelancing directions and decide which is the best fit for your goals. Let's create a motivating vision of your dream business!

Develop Your Service in Four Steps

Now that you have taken a personal assessment of your interests, and have a vision for your freelancing business, it is time to design the details that will make your service offerings attractive to customers.

What Goes Into a Solid Business Plan

Many businesses fail, partially because they fail to plan. In this module, you'll tackle the challenge of describing your business in a business plan and deepen your learning by critiquing your peers' business plans.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces students to the freelancing business model

Teaches the entrepreneurial skills necessary for planning and running a freelance business

Helps students develop a business plan for their freelance business or start-up

Provides step-by-step guidance on developing a service offering

Focuses on foundational skills and knowledge for starting a freelance business

Taught by an experienced freelance entrepreneur, Tatiana Mulry

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Plan a Successful Freelancing Business with these activities:

Review key concepts from previous coursework

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Refresh your knowledge of basic freelancing and entrepreneurship concepts to prepare for this course

Browse courses on Freelancing

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Read through your notes and textbooks from previous courses
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding

Attend a networking event for freelancers

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Connect with other freelancers and learn from their experiences and insights

Browse courses on Networking

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Research networking events in your area
Prepare an elevator pitch and business cards
Attend the event and engage with other attendees

Create a business plan for your freelance business

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Develop a detailed plan for your freelance business to help you refine your ideas and identify potential challenges

Browse courses on Business Planning

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Research your target market and competition
Define your services and pricing
Create a marketing plan

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Attend a workshop on a specific aspect of freelancing

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Develop new skills or refine existing ones by attending a workshop tailored to freelancers

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Research workshops in your area or online
Choose a workshop that aligns with your interests and needs
Participate actively in the workshop

Write a blog post or article about a topic related to freelancing

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Share your knowledge and expertise in freelancing by writing and publishing a blog post or article

Browse courses on Freelance Writing

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Choose a topic that you're passionate about and that will be valuable to your target audience
Research your topic thoroughly
Write a compelling and informative article

Mentor a new freelancer

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Share your knowledge and experience with a new freelancer to help them succeed

Browse courses on Mentorship

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Offer your services as a mentor to new freelancers
Provide guidance and support to your mentee

Career center

Learners who complete Plan a Successful Freelancing Business will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns to promote products or services. This course may be useful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides insights into developing a business plan and understanding market conditions. Additionally, the course's emphasis on defining a unique value proposition and target audience can be valuable for creating effective marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities. This course may be helpful for those seeking to enter this field as it provides guidance on defining a business's goals, identifying market opportunities, and developing a competitive advantage. The course's focus on building a strong business plan can also be beneficial for those looking to secure funding or partnerships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and managing a team of sales professionals. This course may be helpful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides insights into developing a sales strategy, managing customer relationships, and closing deals. Additionally, the course's emphasis on understanding customer needs and developing a compelling value proposition can be valuable for sales professionals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for managing the development and launch of new products or services. This course may be helpful for those seeking to enter this field as it provides guidance on defining product requirements, conducting market research, and developing a product roadmap. Additionally, the course's focus on understanding customer needs and developing a strong value proposition can be beneficial for product managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course may be helpful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides insights into developing a project plan, managing resources, and tracking progress. Additionally, the course's emphasis on defining project scope, budget, and timeline can be valuable for project managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a business. This course may be helpful for those seeking to enter this field as it provides guidance on developing operational processes, managing inventory, and ensuring quality control. Additionally, the course's focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness can be valuable for operations managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Marketing Consultant

A Marketing Consultant provides advice and guidance to businesses on marketing strategies and campaigns. This course may be useful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides insights into developing marketing plans, conducting market research, and managing marketing budgets. Additionally, the course's emphasis on understanding customer needs and developing a compelling value proposition can be valuable for marketing consultants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Consultant

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement. This course may be useful for those seeking to enter this field as it provides guidance on gathering and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and presenting findings. Additionally, the course's emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking can be valuable for business analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business. This course may be helpful for those seeking to become entrepreneurs as it provides guidance on developing a business plan, identifying target markets, and securing funding. Additionally, the course's emphasis on defining a unique value proposition and building a strong brand can be valuable for entrepreneurs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Freelance Writer

A Freelance Writer provides written content for businesses and individuals. This course may be useful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides guidance on developing a portfolio, finding clients, and setting rates. Additionally, the course's emphasis on developing a strong writing style and understanding different content formats can be valuable for freelance writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Freelance Graphic Designer

A Freelance Graphic Designer creates visual content for businesses and individuals. This course may be useful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides guidance on developing a portfolio, finding clients, and setting rates. Additionally, the course's emphasis on developing a strong design portfolio and understanding different design principles can be valuable for freelance graphic designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Graphic Designer

Freelance Web Developer

A Freelance Web Developer builds and maintains websites for businesses and individuals. This course may be useful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides guidance on developing a portfolio, finding clients, and setting rates. Additionally, the course's emphasis on developing a strong web development portfolio and understanding different web technologies can be valuable for freelance web developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Web Developer

Freelance Photographer

A Freelance Photographer provides photography services for businesses and individuals. This course may be useful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides guidance on developing a portfolio, finding clients, and setting rates. Additionally, the course's emphasis on developing a strong photography portfolio and understanding different photography techniques can be valuable for freelance photographers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Photographer

Freelance Videographer

A Freelance Videographer provides videography services for businesses and individuals. This course may be useful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides guidance on developing a portfolio, finding clients, and setting rates. Additionally, the course's emphasis on developing a strong videography portfolio and understanding different videography techniques can be valuable for freelance videographers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Videographer

Freelance Editor

A Freelance Editor provides editing services for businesses and individuals. This course may be useful for those seeking to work in this field as it provides guidance on developing a portfolio, finding clients, and setting rates. Additionally, the course's emphasis on developing a strong editing portfolio and understanding different editing techniques can be valuable for freelance editors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Editor

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