JOIN THE FREE COMMUNITY 👉 Get beginner-friendly, step-by-step guidance from a top 1% Upwork freelancer on how to build freedom and financial stability through freelancing even if you think you have no freelance-friendly skills. <br/><br/><a href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">freelancewitherica.substack.com</a>

FREELANCE with ERICA Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Erica Nall | Top 1% Upwork Freelancer
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JOIN THE FREE COMMUNITY 👉 Get beginner-friendly, step-by-step guidance from a top 1% Upwork freelancer on how to build freedom and financial stability through freelancing even if you think you have no freelance-friendly skills. <br/><br/><a href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">freelancewitherica.substack.com</a>
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Recent Episodes

August 26, 2025
25 Freelance-Friendly Skills You Don’t Need to “Master” to Start Getting PAID
<p>If you're sitting there thinking <strong>"I'd love to try freelancing, but I have ZERO skills that anyone would pay for"</strong> then this training is about to completely flip that script for you.</p><p>Whether you're a teacher, healthcare worker, retail employee, or stuck in ANY job you hate, I'm about to walk you through <strong>20+ freelance-ready skills</strong> that you can start learning <strong>TODAY.</strong> </p><p>No degrees required. No certifications needed. No years of experience necessary.</p><p>Just you, a computer, internet access, and the willingness to be resourceful. 💻</p><p>(Quick note: If you want to fast-track this entire process, I have a completely FREE course called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica"><strong>10 Days to Paid</strong></a> inside my Skool community at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica">skool.com/freelancewitherica</a>. Students are landing clients, earning Rising Talent badges, and getting 100% job success scores. But more on that later...) 🎯</p><p>Who Am I And Why Should You Listen? </p><p>I'm Erica, a top 1% freelancer on Upwork out of more than 18 MILLION freelancers. I've retired my husband, and we've spent the last few years traveling the US as digital nomads.</p><p>But here's the thing — <strong>I started EXACTLY where you are right now.</strong></p><p>I worked in healthcare compliance (one of the most boring areas of the medical field though I LOVED it cuz I’m a NERD 🤓). I was a Director of Compliance, Privacy, Quality, and Health Information Management.</p><p><strong>Translation:</strong> I had approximately <strong>ZERO</strong> current job-to-freelancing skills to offer. None. Nada. Zilch. 🤷♀️</p><p>When my chronic illness got worse and my employer's brilliant accommodation was to "close my door on bad days," I knew I had to make a change. </p><p>That's when <a target="_blank" href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/welcome-to-freelance-with-erica">freelancing literally saved my life</a> — giving me the flexibility to be with my family as we navigate my dad's stage four cancer journey.</p><p><strong>The point?</strong> If I can go from healthcare compliance to a six-figure+ copywriter, you can absolutely figure this out too.</p><p>The Framework That Changes EVERYTHING </p><p>Here's where most people get freelancing completely wrong. They try to jump straight into specialized, high-paying work without any foundation. It's like trying to perform brain surgery when you haven't even taken Biology 101.</p><p>Instead, I teach a <strong>four-step framework</strong> that lets you build skills WHILE getting paid:</p><p>Step 1: Start WIDE ($ - Lowest rates, highest learning)</p><p>* Focus on generalist gigs that don't require specialized skills</p><p>* These aren't related to your eventual niche</p><p>* Goal: Get those first 5-star reviews and build momentum</p><p>* Think: surveys, app testing, basic research tasks</p><p>Step 2: Go SHALLOW ($$ - Building confidence)</p><p>* Dip your toe into your chosen field</p><p>* Short, low-risk projects in your area of interest</p><p>* Still beginner-friendly but more targeted</p><p>* Goal: Learn what you actually enjoy doing</p><p>Step 3: SPECIALIZE ($$$ - Money starts stacking here)</p><p>* Become known for ONE thing you do really well</p><p>* Longer-term contracts with better clients</p><p>* You've found your groove and proven your skills</p><p>* Goal: Charge premium rates for specialized expertise</p><p>Step 4: STACK SKILLS ( - The big leagues)</p><p>* Add complementary services around your specialization</p><p>* Become the ONE-STOP solution for your ideal clients</p><p>* Premium pricing because you solve multiple problems</p><p>* Goal: Stand out even among other experts</p><p><strong>The beautiful part?</strong> Your rates go UP with each step, but your effort goes <strong>DOWN.</strong> It will NEVER be harder than when you're a beginner. 💪</p><p>My Personal Journey Through The Framework </p><p>Let me show you exactly how this played out for me:</p><p><strong>Step 1 - Starting Wide:</strong> ~$15/hour</p><p>* Random tasks: website testing, surveys, research</p><p>* Focused on rebuilding my terrible job success score</p><p>* Just trying to get ANYONE to give me a chance</p><p>* Learning copywriting skills on YouTube and with AI</p><p><strong>Step 2 - Going Shallow:</strong> ~$40/hour</p><p>* Exploring ALL writing jobs: blogs, websites, editing, ghostwriting</p><p>* Discovering what I actually enjoyed vs. what I thought I'd like</p><p>* Building confidence with small copywriting projects</p><p><strong>Step 3 - Specializing:</strong> ~$75/hour</p><p>* Focused specifically on sales copywriting</p><p>* Still learning on the job, but clients were happy</p><p>* Used AI to fill knowledge gaps as they came up</p><p><strong>Step 4 - Stacking Skills:</strong> $150+ per hour</p><p>* One of my amazing coaching clients challenged me to begin offering operations work WITH my copywriting work</p><p>* Combined copywriting with systems building and funnel creation</p><p>* Became an "Online Business Architect" (yes, I made that term up)</p><p>* Now I don't just write the sales copy, I build the entire backend of people’s coaching businesses</p><p><strong>Timeline to get to Step 3?</strong> About 3 months. (Though I had the luxury of working on this 20-30 hours per week. For most people with jobs/kids/life, expect more like 6 months — which is still INSANELY fast!)</p><p>Why RIGHT NOW Is The Perfect Time</p><p>There has <strong>NEVER</strong> been a better time to learn freelance skills than right now. Here's why:</p><p>1. The Internet Is Your University</p><p>* Unlimited access to free, high-quality education</p><p>* YouTube, blogs, podcasts — everything you need is out there</p><p>* Content creators are literally giving away million-dollar knowledge for FREE</p><p>2. AI Is Your Personal Coach</p><p>* It's like having a $2,000/month business coach sitting in your pocket</p><p>* Can teach you any skill step-by-step</p><p>* Helps troubleshoot real problems as they come up</p><p>* Available 24/7/365 with the world's knowledge base</p><p><strong>Pro tip:</strong> Tell AI: "I need you to act as a business coach. I'm learning [skill] from ground zero. Create a curriculum for me and start with lesson 1." Then just follow along and ask questions as you go! 🤖</p><p>The Skills That DON'T Require Years of Training </p><p>Here are <strong>25 in-demand skills</strong> you can start learning immediately, organized by category:</p><p>Marketing & Advertising 📊</p><p>* <strong>Ads Manager</strong> (Meta, Google, etc.)</p><p>* <strong>SEO Specialist</strong></p><p>* <strong>Email Marketer</strong></p><p>* <strong>Social Media Management</strong></p><p>* <strong>Public Relations</strong></p><p>* <strong>Lead Generation/List Building</strong></p><p>Content Creation & Design 🎨</p><p>* <strong>Designer</strong> (logos, websites, collateral, Canva-style graphics)</p><p>* <strong>Writer</strong> (blogs, technical, grant writing, sales copy, editing)</p><p>* <strong>Video Editor</strong></p><p>* <strong>Podcast Manager</strong></p><p>* <strong>Live Streaming Specialist</strong></p><p>* <strong>Community Management</strong></p><p>* <strong>Course Developer</strong></p><p>Business Operations & Management 💼</p><p>* <strong>Online Business Manager/Architect</strong></p><p>* <strong>Project Management & Coordination</strong></p><p>* <strong>Bookkeeping</strong></p><p>* <strong>Analytics & Data Specialist</strong></p><p>* <strong>Appointment Setting/Sales Development</strong></p><p>* <strong>Affiliate Program Management</strong></p><p>* <strong>Online Reputation Management</strong></p><p>Tech & Automation ⚙️</p><p>* <strong>Funnel & Checkout Builder</strong></p><p>* <strong>Automation Specialist</strong></p><p>* <strong>Software Expert</strong> (become THE person for specific tools like Notion, Asana, Google Sheets)</p><p>* <strong>AI Specialist</strong> (this field is EXPLODING and pays ridiculous money)</p><p>* <strong>E-commerce Specialist</strong></p><p>(Not sure which service might be right for YOU? I created a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica/"><strong>free diagnostic quiz</strong></a> that analyzes your personality, preferences, and past experience to suggest your two best-fit niches, PLUS gives you ideas for potential specializations as you grow. It takes about 5 minutes and might just reveal skills you didn't even know you had!)</p><p>Real-World Examples: How The Framework Looks In Action</p><p>Let me show you how three different skills would progress through my framework:</p><p>Ads Manager Journey </p><p><strong>Step 1 - Starting Wide:</strong></p><p>* Competitor research, app reviews, market research surveys</p><p><strong>Step 2 - Going Shallow:</strong></p><p>* Ad copy feedback, basic Facebook ad account setup, ad analysis reports</p><p><strong>Step 3 - Specializing:</strong></p><p>* Facebook ads manager for digital product businesses</p><p><strong>Step 4 - Stacking Skills:</strong></p><p>* Facebook ads + conversion rate optimization + Google Analytics + custom reporting dashboards</p><p>SEO Specialist Journey </p><p><strong>Step 1 - Starting Wide:</strong></p><p>* Website feedback, competitor research, content proofreading</p><p><strong>Step 2 - Going Shallow:</strong></p><p>* Keyword research reports, basic SEO audits, meta-description writing</p><p><strong>Step 3 - Specializing:</strong></p><p>* Local SEO services specifically for restaurants</p><p><strong>Step 4 - Stacking Skills:</strong></p><p>* Local SEO + Google My Business setup + review management + local content strategy</p><p>Video Editor Journey </p><p><strong>Step 1 - Starting Wide:</strong></p><p>* Video feedback, product reviews, transcription</p><p><strong>Step 2 - Going Shallow:</strong></p><p>* Basic YouTube cuts, transitions, thumbnail creation</p><p><strong>Step 3 - Specializing:</strong></p><p>* YouTube video editor for fitness influencers</p><p><strong>Step 4 - Stacking Skills:</strong></p><p>* Video editing + thumbnail design + YouTube strategy + channel analytics</p><p>The Mindset Shifts You NEED To Make </p><p>Here's what you need to embrace to succeed at freelancing:</p><p>1. Be RESOURCEFUL</p><p>This isn't a traditional job where someone holds your hand through training. You'll need to find your own resources, solve your own problems, and have a willingness to figure things out as you go. (The good news? There are more free resources available now than ever before!)</p><p>2. Embrace Being a STUDENT</p><p>You'll constantly be learning new things, even when you become successful. I'm STILL learning new skills regularly. The difference is now I get paid to learn them! 🎓</p><p>3. Challenge Your LIMITING BELIEFS</p><p>If your brain is saying "I'm not resourceful" or "I can't learn new things" — that's just programming. These are SKILLS you can develop, not traits you're born with. Start proving yourself wrong in small ways and watch your confidence grow.</p><p>You DON'T Need To Have It All Figured Out </p><p>Here's the secret that most people miss:</p><p><strong>You don't need to know what you want to specialize in before you start.</strong></p><p>In fact, it's BETTER if you don't! Why? Because what you think you'll enjoy and what you actually enjoy are often completely different things.</p><p>I thought I wanted to do blog writing. Turns out I found it boring. But I LOVED the variety and creativity of sales copywriting, which led me to business systems, which led me to where I am now.</p><p><p><strong>Let the process show you the path, instead of trying to force the path.</strong></p></p><p>Your Next Step (If You're Ready) </p><p>If this resonates with you and you're thinking "okay, maybe I COULD do this," your next step is simple:</p><p>Join my <strong>FREE</strong> (for now) Skool community at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica"><strong>skool.com/freelancewitherica</strong></a> where you'll get:</p><p>🎯 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelancewitherica"><strong>10 Days to Paid</strong></a> — my complete course taking you from zero to first client + 5-star review</p><p>📊 <strong>Diagnostic tool</strong> — helps you find your best-fit niches</p><p>🛠️ <strong>Templates, swipe files, and resources</strong></p><p>👥 <strong>Community of beginners</strong> supporting each other</p><p>📈 <strong>Students currently crushing it</strong> and sharing their wins</p><p>(As of right now, everything is completely FREE. That won't last forever, so if you're interested, now's the time to join!)</p><p>The Bottom Line</p><p>If you have:</p><p>✅ A computer✅ Internet access✅ The ability to type✅ A willingness to learn</p><p><strong>You can freelance.</strong> PERIOD. 🎯</p><p>Your current job, education level, or past experience doesn't disqualify you. The only thing that can stop you is not starting.</p><p>The question isn't whether you're qualified. The question is: Are you ready to bet on yourself?</p><p>Because there has never been a better time to take control of your income, your schedule, and your life than RIGHT NOW.</p><p>Let's do this thing! 💪</p><p>P.S. Remember, I went from healthcare compliance (literally the most boring job ever) to top 1% sales copywriter and later online business architect. If I can make THAT transition, you can transition from wherever you are to wherever you want to be. The skills are learnable. The path is proven. You just need to start walking. 👣</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">freelancewitherica.substack.com</a>

July 30, 2025
How to Go from Side Hustle to Full-Time Freelance in 2025
<p>Hey there, freelance friends! 👋</p><p>If you've ever fantasized about quitting your job (and let's be honest, who hasn't?), today's training is going to give you the <strong>REAL</strong> tea about what it actually takes to go from "maybe I should try freelancing" all the way to "see ya later, corporate overlords!"</p><p>But first, a quick heads up: I'm still recovering from COVID that absolutely <strong>DECIMATED</strong> me for two weeks (hence the lovely froggy voice you're about to hear in the video). So if I cough in your ear or sound like I gargled gravel, my apologies! This is day two of being upright, so we're working with what we've got. 😅</p><p>Quick housekeeping note: If you're new here, I'm Erica—top 1% Upwork freelancer who walked away from her six-figure healthcare job when my employer suggested I "close my office door" as an accommodation for chronic illness. Now I help beginners get started in freelancing for FREE through my<a target="_blank" href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/"> beginner community</a>. These Tuesday trainings include both video and written tutorials that land directly in your inbox once you subscribe!</p><p>And if you stick around until the end, I have a <strong>very special gift</strong> for my founding community members. 🎁</p><p>Also, when I record these trainings, I do them all in one shot because I'm not a content creator—I'm just trying to get what's in my brain into yours. So you'll see me glancing at notes, using filler words, and being generally human because I'm not spending hours editing. This is a <strong>side passion project</strong>, not my full-time gig.</p><p>Yet. 😉</p><p>Why I'm NOT Selling You the Dream (Even Though I Could) [3:00]</p><p>Here's the thing—I could totally lead with the sexy stuff. The "quit your job in 90 days!" promises. The "make six figures while sipping piña coladas!" fantasy.</p><p><strong>But I'm not going to.</strong></p><p>You know why? Because I've been in the online business world long enough to know that leading with the <strong>biggest, boldest dream</strong> is how you end up with a bunch of disappointed people who bought into unrealistic expectations.</p><p>It's like weight loss ads, right? They don't show you the person who lost 10 pounds. They show you the <strong>extreme transformation</strong>—the person who lost 100 pounds and now runs marathons. Because that's what gets people to buy.</p><p>But we all know statistically, most people won't get that extreme result.</p><p>So when I was planning <a target="_blank" href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/welcome-to-freelance-with-erica">Freelance with Erica</a>, I made a conscious choice to focus on the <strong>hardest part</strong>—getting beginners through that initial hump where most people quit. Because <strong>THAT'S</strong> where I can actually help the most people succeed.</p><p>But here's what I've discovered since launching: <strong>literally everyone wants to know about going full-time</strong>. 🙋♀️🙋🙋♂️</p><p>The DMs. The emails. The community questions. It's all:</p><p>* "How realistic is it that I could quit my job in 3 months?"</p><p>* "I got laid off—can I make freelancing work instead of job hunting?"</p><p>* "What does the timeline actually look like?"</p><p>So today, I'm giving you the <strong>FULL</strong> roadmap. From "hmm, maybe I should try freelancing" all the way to "I'm my own boss now, b*****s!" ✨</p><p>The Freelancing Funnel: Why Most People Quit Before the Magic Happens [11:45]</p><p>Alright, let me show you exactly what this journey looks like. And fair warning—this might be the most important thing you'll ever see about freelancing timelines.</p><p>What we're looking at here is what I call <strong>The Freelancing Funnel</strong>.</p><p>Let me walk you through each level:</p><p>The Top: "I Hate My Job" Land [17:16]</p><p>At the very top, we've got HUNDREDS (let’s be honest - HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS) of people. These are folks sitting there thinking:</p><p>* "I hate my job"</p><p>* "I wish I could work for myself"</p><p>* "Maybe I should try freelancing?"</p><p>* "But I have no idea what I'd even offer..."</p><p>Sound familiar? This is <strong>problem awareness</strong> without <strong>solution clarity</strong>.</p><p>Tier 1: 10 Days to Paid [18:00]</p><p>From that massive crowd at the top, only a small fraction will take action to solve their problem. We see this play out even here in my free community. Despite having 100 people pass through, only about <strong>25%</strong> actually take action and join my free <a target="_blank" href="https://fwe.myflodesk.com/ipgc2t4mxn"><strong>10 Days to Paid course</strong></a>.</p><p>Think about that. A completely FREE course that teaches you exactly how to:</p><p>* Figure out what to offer</p><p>* Land your first client</p><p>* Get your first 5-star review</p><p>* Start building momentum</p><p>And 75% of interested people still won't take that first step.</p><p>This is why I focus on beginners, y'all. This is where we lose the most people.</p><p>Tier 2: Road to Top Rated [20:05]</p><p>Of those 25 who start 10 Days to Paid, ~<strong>10-15</strong> actually complete it and start seeing real results. These are my graduates celebrating wins in the <a target="_blank" href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/chat">community chat</a>! 🎉</p><p>(Side note: I may be stalking your profiles to see your progress. It's not creepy, it's <strong>INVESTED.</strong> There's a difference.) 😅</p><p>These successful students are now ready for the <strong>Road to Top Rated</strong>—my next course launching in August. This is where we transition from:</p><p>* ✅ Quick beginner jobs → Niche-specific work</p><p>* ✅ Building basic skills → Specializing your expertise</p><p>* ✅ Getting any reviews → Strategic profile building</p><p>You'll notice each tier has dollar signs next to it ($, ,$, , $). That's because as you move down the funnel:</p><p>* 💰 You compete with FEWER people</p><p>* 💰 You charge HIGHER rates</p><p>* 💰 You put in LESS effort</p><p>* 💰 You make MORE money</p><p>But here's the catch—that first tier? It's a <strong>GRIND</strong>. Most effort, most competition, lowest rates. That's why people quit.</p><p>Tier 3: First $10K [26:30]</p><p>This is where we start <strong>specializing</strong>. No more random jobs—you're becoming the go-to person for specific services. This is also where we aggressively walk up your rates.</p><p>Spoiler: I'm going to teach you to charge 2-5x what you made at your day job. Yes, really.</p><p>Tier 4: Retainers & Projects [27:40]</p><p>Now you can accurately estimate time, you've got proven frameworks, and you're ready for <strong>flat-fee projects</strong> and <strong>retainer agreements</strong>.</p><p>⚠️ <strong>WARNING:</strong> Do NOT try to skip ahead to retainers when you're a beginner. I don't care if someone offers you $35/hour for ongoing work when you currently make $30/hour. That's how you lock yourself into undercharging and burn out FAST.</p><p>Wait until you're charging <strong>premium rates</strong> (think $75-150/hour) before touching retainers. The clients you attract at premium prices are:</p><p>* More established</p><p>* More stable</p><p>* Better to work with long-term</p><p>* Actually profitable for YOU</p><p>Tier 5: Full-Time Freedom [33:50]</p><p>The promised land. But notice how few people make it here? That's not to discourage you—it's to set realistic expectations.</p><p>The Math That'll Blow Your Mind [38:30]</p><p>Here's where it gets REALLY interesting. Let me show you how the same 10 billable hours per week transforms as you walk up your rates:</p><p>* <strong>$10/hour:</strong> $400/month extra (feels like a grind)</p><p>* <strong>$25/hour:</strong> $1,000/month extra (getting interesting)</p><p>* <strong>$50/hour:</strong> $2,000/month extra (life-changing)</p><p>* <strong>$75/hour:</strong> $3,000/month extra (holy s**t)</p><p>* <strong>$100/hour:</strong> $4,000/month extra (retirement vibes)</p><p>Same time investment. Same 10 hours. The ONLY difference? Following the system and walking up your rates systematically.</p><p>Let's do some quick math with a real example: 📊</p><p><strong>Current job:</strong> $30/hour × 40 hours = $62,400/year = $5,200/month (gross)</p><p><strong>Freelancing at $75/hour for 10 hours/week:</strong> $3,000/month</p><p><strong>Gap to replace your income:</strong> $2,200/month</p><p><strong>At $75/hour, that's:</strong> 29 additional hours per month = <strong>7 hours per week</strong></p><p>So you'd need <strong>17 total hours per week</strong> (instead of 40) to match your current income. And that's just to <strong>match</strong> it—most people exceed their day job income pretty quickly.</p><p>The Emergency Fund Reality Check [43:15]</p><p>Here's where I get REAL with you about going full-time. You need two things that are non-negotiable:</p><p>* <strong>6 months of expenses in emergency fund</strong></p><p>* <strong>Drastically reduced financial footprint</strong></p><p>(I did a whole training on this—<a target="_blank" href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/building-an-emergency-fund-as-a-freelancer?r=53parx">check it out here</a>)</p><p>COVID gave me the PERFECT example of why this matters. I was completely down for two weeks—couldn't work AT ALL. But because:</p><p>* ✅ I have that emergency fund</p><p>* ✅ Most clients are on retainers with monthly deliverables</p><p>* ✅ I have amazing humans as clients</p><p>* ✅ My financial footprint is manageable</p><p>...it was fine. Annoying, but fine. That's the security you're building toward.</p><p>The Mindset Shift Nobody Talks About [52:45]</p><p>Here's something I need to be honest about: I can teach you ALL the tactical stuff. The rates, the proposals, the client management, the emergency fund strategy.</p><p>But there's something <strong>I can't teach you</strong>, and it's the difference between people who successfully go full-time and those who don't:</p><p><strong>Deep, unshakeable trust in yourself.</strong></p><p>I've developed what I call "Resourceful Confidence"—the bone-deep belief that no matter WHAT happens, I can figure it out.</p><p>* All three clients give notice on the same day? I'll figure it out.</p><p>* Unexpected $140K hospital bill? (Yes, that happened.) I'll figure it out.</p><p>* Two weeks of COVID downtime right before a move? I'll figure it out.</p><p>That's not something I can give you in a course. It's something you DEVELOP by doing the work, building the foundation, and proving to yourself that you CAN handle whatever comes up.</p><p>Your Next Steps (And My Gift to You) [1:00:00]</p><p>Alright, here's where things get <strong>EXCITING.</strong> 🎉</p><p>For everyone who's been with me in this free beginner community as I've been building Freelance with Erica from scratch—<strong>you're my founding members</strong>, and I want to do something special for you.</p><p>I'm moving our community to a beautiful platform called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelance-with-erica-5426/about">Skool</a> where we'll have:</p><p>* 🏫 Actual courses neatly organized (not just email sequences)</p><p>* 💬 MUCH BETTER chat functionality</p><p>* 🎮 Gamification (if you're into that)</p><p>* 📱 Mobile app access</p><p>* 🔔 Customizable notifications</p><p><strong>And here's the gift:</strong> Everyone who's here NOW—everyone who found me early and believed in this vision—<strong>you're getting </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelance-with-erica-5426/about"><strong>FREE ACCESS FOR GOOD.</strong></a></p><p><strong>WARNING:</strong> There’s nothing set up inside yet, so keep those expectations low. You’re bringing the party and over the next few weeks I’ll get us loaded up with great content.</p><p>Starting in August, I'll be releasing <strong>Road to Top Rated</strong> trainings inside that community. As I record each training, you'll get immediate access. Then when it's complete, I'll package it up properly in the course section.</p><p>Eventually (probably after Road to Top Rated is finished), this Skool community will become a <strong>$9/month</strong> beginner community. New people will get a 7-day free trial, but <strong>you founding members get it forever free</strong>.</p><p>Why? Because you believed in this when it was just me with a crazy idea and a lot of caffeine. You deserve to be grandfathered in. ☕</p><p>The Reality Check You Need</p><p>Look, I could promise you'll quit your job in 90 days. Some people do. But for most people, I think <strong>6-12 months</strong> is realistic for this entire journey.</p><p>And you know what? <strong>That's okay.</strong></p><p>Even if you "only" make it to Tier 2 or 3 and decide to keep freelancing as a side hustle—earning an extra $500-3,000/month while keeping your day job—<strong>that's still life-changing for many people.</strong></p><p>You're learning a skill that will ALWAYS be in your back pocket. You're building an asset (your freelance profile and reputation) that gets stronger over time. And you're proving to yourself that you CAN generate income independently.</p><p>Some of you will go all the way to full-time freedom. Others will find their sweet spot somewhere in the middle. <strong>Both are wins.</strong></p><p>Coming Up: Schedule Changes</p><p>Quick heads up—I'll be MIA for the next two weeks:</p><p>* Next Tuesday: Best friend's 45th birthday in NYC 🎂</p><p>* Following Tuesday: Moving week (we are pausing RV life and moving back to Chicago to be near for my Dad’s cancer treatments and these next chapters ahead.) 📦</p><p>* Plus still catching up from COVID chaos</p><p>But I'll be active in our new community, so definitely <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelance-with-erica-5426/about">join us there</a>!</p><p>When I'm back in August, we'll kick off <strong>Road to Top Rated</strong> and keep building this thing together.</p><p>Your Action Items Right Now ✅</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://fwe.myflodesk.com/ipgc2t4mxn"><strong>Take the 10 Days to Paid course</strong></a> if you haven't already</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skool.com/freelance-with-erica-5426/about"><strong>Join our new community</strong></a> (free for founding members!)</p><p>* <strong>Start that emergency fund</strong> (<a target="_blank" href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com/p/building-an-emergency-fund-as-a-freelancer?r=53parx">here's how</a>)</p><p>* <strong>Begin working through the funnel</strong> systematically—no skipping ahead!</p><p>The path to freedom isn't always pretty, but it's <strong>absolutely possible</strong>. And I'm here to help you every step of the way.</p><p>Thanks for hanging out with my froggy COVID voice, and I'll see you on the inside! 🐸✨</p><p>With caffeine and optimism (and probably too much cough syrup),Erica</p><p>P.S. If this training was helpful, smash that like button, leave a comment, share it with your "I hate my job" friends, and follow our beginner community. The algorithm needs to know this stuff is valuable so I can keep reaching the people who need it most! 🙏</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://freelancewitherica.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">freelancewitherica.substack.com</a>
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July 2, 2025
The "Why Isn't Anyone Responding?!" to My Upwork Proposals [FREE CHECKLIST]
Erica Reitman shares an interactive checklist to optimize Upwork proposals, emphasizing strategic pricing, AI-powered writing, and beginner-friendly jobs to help freelancers land their first gigs.
9 total episodes available
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