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Plan a Successful Freelancing Business

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Plan a Successful Freelancing Business

This course is part of Building Your Freelancing Career Specialization

Instructor: Tatiana Mulry

27,229 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

307 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

307 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

5 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Building Your Freelancing Career Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

The first course in the Building Your Freelancing Career specialization is focused on freelancers looking to define and solidify their philosophy, values and goals within their future business. Coursework will discuss the importance of understanding their competition and market position in a competitive business landscape, help them define what their unique value is, and how that relates to possible business approaches.

Module details

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.

What's included

1 video6 readings

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.

What's included

8 videos2 assignments1 discussion prompt

8 videosTotal 62 minutes

Getting Started with Freelancing 11 minutes
Get acquainted with our freelancers 1 minute
Introducing Rajib Karmakar 4 minutes
Introducing Nick Rodrigues 15 minutes
Introducing Socks Whitmore 5 minutes
Building a Freelancer Mindset 12 minutes
Freelancer Career Spectrum 9 minutes
Nick on feeling pressure to get a steady job 5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 15 minutes

Are you a freelancer? 5 minutes
Preparing to be a Freelancer 10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

Meet and Greet 5 minutes

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!

What's included

9 videos2 readings1 assignment2 peer reviews2 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 37 minutes

Generalization vs. Specialization 2 minutes
Socks on finding your specific community 2 minutes
So Many Possibilities 7 minutes
Rajib on realizing your strengths 2 minutes
Your Business is Your Legacy 9 minutes
Nick on gaining skills to get into his field 2 minutes
What if I Fail? 8 minutes
Rajib on the benefits of running a business 3 minutes
Nick on working for one's self 2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 15 minutes

Finding freelancing jobs5 minutes
Types of Freelancing Work10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Designing Your Dream Business10 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 30 minutes

Rethinking goals 15 minutes
Rethinking failure 15 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

How did that feel?10 minutes
How did that feel?10 minutes

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's included

6 videos4 readings1 assignment

6 videosTotal 39 minutes

Developing a Freelancing Service1 minute
Find a Problem with a Hungry Audience 12 minutes
Understanding and Sizing Your Market 9 minutes
Spy on the Competition 7 minutes
Design Your Solution 7 minutes
Nick on the vision he has for his business 3 minutes

4 readingsTotal 91 minutes

Research Your Ideal Customer 30 minutes
Build Your Persona30 minutes
Market Sizing30 minutes
A look ahead...1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Developing a Service 10 minutes

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.