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Tatiana Mulry

As the final course in the Building Your Freelancing Career specialization, learners will build upon their fundamental skills from courses 1-4 to develop a fully fleshed out business plan, brand and financial model for their real freelancing business, or one they develop just for the purpose of determining whether or not they will be able to launch a new business venture. Once they have developed their plan, they will be able to submit them for peer review and completion of the specialization.

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As the final course in the Building Your Freelancing Career specialization, learners will build upon their fundamental skills from courses 1-4 to develop a fully fleshed out business plan, brand and financial model for their real freelancing business, or one they develop just for the purpose of determining whether or not they will be able to launch a new business venture. Once they have developed their plan, they will be able to submit them for peer review and completion of the specialization.

CalArtians who do not see a "Sponsored by CalArts" notice when enrolling are encouraged to access this course and the specialization by joining through the Coursera for CalArts program linked in the course/specialization FAQ.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
You've arrived at your capstone project! Hopefully, you have taken the time to work through and consider the lessons from all of the previous courses. This is the moment where you'll pull all of those lessons together to produce a comprehensive business plan.
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Course 1 Review - Developing Your Service
Course 2 Review - Finances
Course 3 Review - Style and Presentation
Course 4 Review - Risks
Course 5 - Business Plan Wrap-Up
Finalize and submit your plan
Let's review what goes into a business plan and how you can assemble all of the work you have done in the previous courses into your freelancing business plan.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Builds on skills from earlier courses in the specialization
Guides learners in developing a complete business plan
Provides an opportunity for peer review and feedback
Complements other courses in the Building Your Freelancing Career specialization
Taught by experienced instructors Tatiana Mulry

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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 Building Your Freelancing Career Capstone with these activities:
The Lean Startup
Learn the principles of lean methodology, which can be applied to your freelancing business to optimize your processes and increase efficiency.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book and schedule time for reading.
  • Go through each chapter, focusing on the key principles of lean methodology.
  • Identify how you can incorporate these principles into your freelance business plan to improve your workflow and decision-making.
Join a Freelancing Community
Connect with other freelancers through online forums, social media groups, or local meetups to share knowledge, offer support, and exchange business referrals.
Browse courses on Peer Support
Show steps
  • Identify and join relevant freelancing communities.
  • Introduce yourself and participate in discussions.
  • Seek advice, share experiences, and offer support to other freelancers.
  • Attend community events and networking opportunities.
Develop a Value Proposition Statement
Craft a compelling value proposition that clearly articulates the benefits and differentiators of your freelance services to attract and retain clients.
Browse courses on Value Proposition
Show steps
  • Identify your target customer and their key problems.
  • Highlight the unique benefits of your services and how they solve the customer's problems.
  • Craft a clear and concise value proposition statement.
  • Test and refine your value proposition to ensure it resonates with potential clients.
Two other activities
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Show all five activities
Conduct Market Research
Gain a deep understanding of your target market through surveys, interviews, and industry analysis to inform your business decisions and marketing strategies.
Browse courses on Market Research
Show steps
  • Identify your target audience and create a survey to gather insights.
  • Conduct interviews with potential clients to understand their needs and pain points.
  • Analyze industry reports and trends to stay abreast of market dynamics.
  • Compile your findings and create a market research report.
Create a Professional Portfolio
Build a strong portfolio that showcases your skills and experience to potential clients, demonstrating your value and credibility.
Browse courses on Portfolio Development
Show steps
  • Gather your best work samples and select the most relevant pieces.
  • Create a website or online portfolio to display your work.
  • Optimize your portfolio for search engines and social media visibility.
  • Seek feedback on your portfolio to enhance its effectiveness.

Career center

Learners who complete Building Your Freelancing Career Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Freelance Writer
Freelance Writers create written content for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular type of writing, such as website content, blog posts, or marketing materials. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Writer, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance writing business.
Freelance Photographer
Freelance Photographers capture images for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular type of photography, such as portraiture, event photography, or product photography. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Photographer, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance photography business.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Freelance Graphic Designers create visual designs for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular type of design, such as logo design, website design, or social media graphics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Graphic Designer, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance graphic design business.
Freelance Web Developer
Freelance Web Developers create and maintain websites for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular type of web development, such as front-end development, back-end development, or full-stack development. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Web Developer, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance web development business.
Freelance Social Media Manager
Freelance Social Media Managers create and manage social media accounts for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular social media platform, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Social Media Manager, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance social media management business.
Freelance Consultant
Freelance Consultants provide expert advice and guidance to a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular area of expertise, such as marketing, finance, or human resources. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Consultant, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance consulting business.
Freelance Trainer
Freelance Trainers provide training and development services to a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular area of expertise, such as leadership development, customer service, or sales training. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Trainer, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance training business.
Freelance Event Planner
Freelance Event Planners plan and coordinate events for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular type of event, such as weddings, corporate events, or social events. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Event Planner, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance event planning business.
Freelance Marketer
Freelance Marketers develop and execute marketing campaigns for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular area of marketing, such as digital marketing, social media marketing, or content marketing. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Marketer, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance marketing business.
Freelance Business Analyst
Freelance Business Analysts provide analysis and recommendations to help businesses improve their operations. They may specialize in a particular area of business analysis, such as process improvement, data analysis, or financial analysis. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Business Analyst, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance business analysis business.
Freelance Software Engineer
Freelance Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular area of software engineering, such as web development, mobile development, or data science. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Software Engineer, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance software engineering business.
Freelance UX Designer
Freelance UX Designers design and evaluate user interfaces for a variety of products and services, including websites, mobile apps, and software applications. They may specialize in a particular area of UX design, such as user research, interaction design, or visual design. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance UX Designer, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance UX design business.
Freelance Product Manager
Freelance Product Managers plan and manage the development and launch of new products and services for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular type of product, such as hardware products, software products, or digital products. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Product Manager, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance product management business.
Freelance Data Scientist
Freelance Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. They may specialize in a particular area of data science, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, or big data analysis. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Data Scientist, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance data science business.
Freelance Project Manager
Freelance Project Managers plan and execute projects for a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, and individuals. They may specialize in a particular type of project, such as software development projects, marketing projects, or event planning projects. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Freelance Project Manager, including how to develop your service, set your rates, and market your business. You will also learn how to create a business plan and financial model for your freelance project management business.

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Building Your Freelancing Career Capstone.
Provides a comprehensive overview of freelancing, covering everything from getting started to finding clients and managing your finances. It's a great resource for anyone who is new to freelancing or wants to take their business to the next level.
Classic guide to freelancing and remote work. It provides practical advice on how to automate your business, outsource tasks, and create a lifestyle that you love.
Must-read for anyone who wants to start a successful business. It provides a practical guide to the lean startup methodology, which process for testing and validating ideas quickly and cheaply.
Provides a motivational and practical guide to achieving success. It challenges readers to set audacious goals and to take massive action to achieve them.
Explores the power of mindset. It shows how our beliefs about ourselves and our abilities can affect our success. This book can help freelancers develop a growth mindset, which is essential for success in any field.
Explores the science of peak performance. It shows how anyone can achieve their full potential, and it offers practical advice on how to do so.
Celebration of introversion. It shows how introverts can use their unique strengths to succeed in life and work.
Memoir of one woman's year-long experiment in happiness. It's a funny, heartwarming, and inspiring read that can help freelancers find more joy and fulfillment in their work and life.

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