How to Get Started in Freelancing (When You Don’t Have a Network)

There’s a particular kind of panic that comes with deciding to freelance when you don’t have a ready-made network. No editors on speed dial. No former clients quietly waiting for you to go solo. No comforting sense that someone, somewhere, is about to send you work. Just you, your skills, and the slightly terrifying question: Now what?

How to Get Started in Freelancing

At a recent panel hosted by the Canadian Freelancers Guild, a group of seasoned freelancers—spanning journalism, design, sound, and content strategy—talked candidly about how they actually got started. Not the polished origin stories, but the real ones: layoffs, rural isolation, career pivots, slow starts, and learning things the hard way. What emerged was a reassuring truth: most freelancers don’t begin with a network. They build one—piece by piece, conversation by conversation.

And yes, it’s awkward at first. But it’s also doable.

Nobody Starts With a Network (Even If It Looks That Way)

If freelancing had a single entry point, it wouldn’t be a triumphant leap—it would be a shove. Many freelancers don’t choose self-employment so much as arrive there through circumstance: layoffs, contract endings, or a lack of viable staff jobs. That was the case for Suzanne Bowness, now a long-time freelance writer and content strategist, who began freelancing after being laid off from her first editorial role. “It started sad,” she said plainly, “and turned into something good.” Freelancing offered independence, variety, and control—but it didn’t come with a built-in client list. For others, the challenge wasn’t just job loss, but geography. Working in rural and northern Canada meant fewer staff roles and fewer obvious paths forward. When those roles disappeared, freelancing became a way to keep doing meaningful work—without uprooting an entire life. Becky Zimmer, a journalist who has worked across Saskatchewan and the North, described repeatedly rebuilding her career by calling editors she’d never met and introducing herself one by one. The idea that “successful freelancers already know everyone” is mostly hindsight talking. What they actually know is how to reach out, follow up, and keep showing up—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Networking Isn’t a Personality Trait—It’s a Practice

One of the most persistent myths about freelancing is that networking rewards only the naturally outgoing. In reality, the panelists agreed it has far more to do with being reliable, human, and easy to work with than with being charming or strategic. Being “good enough” and pleasant can take you surprisingly far. Nadene Rehnby, a graphic designer with decades of experience, was refreshingly blunt about this. She doesn’t believe she’s the best designer out there—but she is easy to work with. She communicates clearly, says yes when she can, and delivers what she promises. That reputation alone has sustained her business almost entirely through referrals. Over time, that consistency compounds. Skill matters, of course, but reputation often matters more. Being dependable and professional keeps you on people’s lists. Being difficult—even if you’re brilliant—gets you quietly dropped. That mindset shift is key. Julie Barlow, a writer with more than 30 years of freelance experience, described freelancing not as being your own employee, but as running a business. Clients don’t want messes left behind. They want problems solved, deadlines met, and projects wrapped cleanly. That’s what brings them back—and what prompts them to recommend you to others. If you’re starting without a network, this is good news. You don’t need to know everyone. You just need to be someone people remember positively.

You Can Build a Network From Zero (Yes, Really)

One of the biggest misconceptions about freelancing is that networking is passive—that work will arrive once you’ve “put yourself out there.” In practice, every panelist described networking as active, ongoing, and sometimes downright unglamorous. Cold outreach, for example, doesn’t stop being useful just because you’ve been freelancing for a long time. Suzanne still does it intentionally, knowing that most messages won’t get a response—but the few that do often turn into long-term clients. For newcomers, that small response rate can feel discouraging, but it’s normal. Waiting for work to appear is rarely a strategy; reaching out is. That outreach doesn’t have to be aggressive. It can be as simple as introducing yourself, expressing interest, and asking questions. Becky described building what she called a “digital Rolodex”—keeping track of editors, clients, and contacts, even before pitching them directly. And while social media can help, the panel was refreshingly honest about its limits. Some freelancers rely heavily on LinkedIn. Others barely use social platforms at all. What mattered wasn’t the channel, but the intention: staying visible to the people you actually want to work with.

Rates, Boundaries, and the Power of “No”

Sooner or later, every freelancer hits the same moment: a potential client asks, “How much?” And suddenly, all your confidence evaporates. The panel didn’t pretend this gets easy—but they did agree on a few fundamentals. Pricing isn’t just about time; it’s about problem-solving. The more complex the problem, the more valuable your work becomes. That realization often comes with experience. Julie shared that she once increased a project fee by 30 percent after recognizing that the scope was far larger than it first appeared. The client agreed—because the value was clear. Transparency and communication mattered more than sticking to an arbitrary rate. Others described finding flexibility not by lowering prices, but by adjusting scope. Nadene explained how she uses project fees rather than hourly rates, scaling deliverables to match different budgets. The work changes. The value doesn’t. Sometimes, though, flexibility means walking away. Richard Nault, a sound recordist in film and television, emphasized something freelancers often learn late: the power of saying no. Even after decades in the industry, he recently turned down a large project because the rate didn’t reflect the demands. “Sometimes,” he said, “your only power is to say no.” That power is easier to use when you have options—and options come from relationships.

Think Like a Business (Even If You Hate That Phrase)

Several panelists stressed that freelancing isn’t just about doing the work—it’s about growing the business. That means being organized, responsive, and intentional. One small habit can make a big difference. Nadene shared advice from an early mentor: respond to every inquiry within an hour, even if it’s just to say you’ll follow up later. It sounds extreme, but it builds trust. Clients relax when they know you’re paying attention. Others talked about mentorship—both having mentors and becoming one. Learning doesn’t stop when you freelance; if anything, it becomes more important. Skills need updating. Tools change. AI, social platforms, and workflows evolve whether you like it or not. The goal isn’t to chase every trend. It’s to stay relevant enough that your skills remain valuable.

You Don’t Have to Freelance Alone

When asked what they would do first if they were starting over today, more than one panelist gave the same answer: join a professional community. Associations, guilds, and peer groups provide something freelancers often lack—context. You learn what’s normal, what’s negotiable, and what’s possible. You get advice, referrals, and reassurance that you’re not the only one figuring this out as you go. As Becky put it, being part of professional groups helped her challenge herself, take on new kinds of work, and build confidence. Freelancing doesn’t have to be a solo endurance test.

Start Where You Are

If there’s one takeaway from this conversation, it’s this: there’s no perfect moment to start freelancing, and no ideal way to begin. Some people jump in early. Others arrive after decades in their field. Some start in big cities. Others work remotely, rurally, or somewhere in between. What they share isn’t a network handed to them at the beginning—it’s the willingness to build one over time. Be reliable. Be kind. Be curious. Reach out even when it’s uncomfortable. And remember that every freelancer you admire once started exactly where you are now: with no network, a lot of questions, and the decision to try anyway.