From Veteran Techie to Rookie Freelancer: Bianca Welds

We often interview veteran freelancers for the wisdom they can offer, though recently we’ve talked to a few freelancing rookies to see their fire and energy. This time, we’re getting both. Today we talk with Bianca Welds. A veteran in the tech space, she started using WordPress back in 2005. More recently she started freelancing with L’Attitude Studios, on top of her full-time job. Bianca currently lives in Kingston, Jamaica.

“I’ve been very selective about who I work with, which helps to ensure greater success in the projects I do implement.” -Bianca Welds

We talked about shifting to freelancing, creating the right systems, and making it easy for clients.

How did you get started in freelancing?

I’ve been using WordPress for my personal websites since 2005. As blogging grew in Jamaica, I found myself helping other people with setup and migrations, but I was largely doing it as a “friend service.” In 2014, I decided to properly set up a side business focusing on WordPress and ideally working with creative businesses. I’ve been in and out of the technology field for my whole career so it’s not a shift so much as continuing to remain in a tech space that I find interesting.

What’s been the most important contributor to your early success?

Not sure I’d say early success, given the length of my journey and I’ve not dedicated myself full time to freelancing at this point. But what success I have had has come from the professional approach I have taken, which was largely defined by my participation in Troy Dean’s WP Elevation program two years ago. I continue to use the systems and structures that he outlined in dealing with clients. I’ve also been very selective about who I work with, which helps to ensure greater success in the projects I do implement.

Where do you think you need to improve as a new freelancer?

I need to get much better at marketing my business and attracting new clients. In part, because I’ve been doing it part time, I’ve not put a lot of effort into doing much on that front. The plan was to use content marketing as a pull, but that of course takes time to do it well.

What advice do you have for veteran freelancers? What are veterans overlooking or missing that you notice as a relative newcomer?

Make it easy for your prospective clients. The biggest competition is often DIY website builders because of the ease of getting started. Clients who need more still want the process of working with a freelancer to be easy, so don’t make them have to think too hard to get their project done.