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My first paying website - 19 and hungry

A detailed account of a Fastlane process...

AndreiR

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Aug 30, 2017
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The moment I saw those couple hundred e-transferred into my account I was ecstatic. Web design was no longer just a hobby. I want to mention the most important thing I've found in getting business when you're starting out in this post. But first, let me mention my backstory. Grew up around Toronto in a boring suburb and always dreamed of making it big (being in the fastlane!). So I figured since I already knew some web design from some self-study when I was in high-school, I'd learn enough to start charging people and learn some valuable business skills. I started selling myself seriously late this past summer, and I'd talk to people and get them asking questions, get them interested, but they wouldn't buy. It would be so frustrating because I'd give people advice on what to do for close to an hour, and then they'd ghost me. What was the issue?

The issue I realized was I simply didn't have a portfolio, and though I knew I could make great looking websites (check out omnius web development), other people needed more proof.

So how'd I get this first job? This DJ I made a site for (jixmusic.ca) is actually a friend of mine that reached out to me. Sure I had to sell him on it, but he knew I was the best choice because he trusted me more than any other web designer out there, and I told him he'd only have to pay me after I made the site (to remove any apprehension due to risk). Trust + Value is the essence of any business deal. And friends have the trust factor already. Friendships and Referrals are PARAMOUNT in taking your first few steps in your business.

I have a lot of work to do before making it big: My next steps are building up my portfolio such that strangers can see the value they'll get, and can trust me to be serious about this.

Thanks for inspiring me and giving me sound advice in the fastlane book!
 
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MattR82

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I'm at a similar stage. Doing sites for fam and friends pretty much for free to hone my skills. Then looking at doing them for free or discounted (I'm doing a free one for a hugely popular photographer in my city) for a business or two that can help with a tonne of referrals. Finding a biz or person that has a rather public profile and is in desperate need of a site that solves a problem and gets them sales.
 

AndreiR

Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Speedway Pass
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Aug 30, 2017
47
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Toronto, ON, CAN
I'm at a similar stage. Doing sites for fam and friends pretty much for free to hone my skills. Then looking at doing them for free or discounted (I'm doing a free one for a hugely popular photographer in my city) for a business or two that can help with a tonne of referrals. Finding a biz or person that has a rather public profile and is in desperate need of a site that solves a problem and gets them sales.

That's great. That's precisely what you gotta do
 

BrooklynHustle

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The moment I saw those couple hundred e-transferred into my account I was ecstatic. Web design was no longer just a hobby. I want to mention the most important thing I've found in getting business when you're starting out in this post. But first, let me mention my backstory. Grew up around Toronto in a boring suburb and always dreamed of making it big (being in the fastlane!). So I figured since I already knew some web design from some self-study when I was in high-school, I'd learn enough to start charging people and learn some valuable business skills. I started selling myself seriously late this past summer, and I'd talk to people and get them asking questions, get them interested, but they wouldn't buy. It would be so frustrating because I'd give people advice on what to do for close to an hour, and then they'd ghost me. What was the issue?

The issue I realized was I simply didn't have a portfolio, and though I knew I could make great looking websites (check out omnius web development), other people needed more proof.

So how'd I get this first job? This DJ I made a site for (jixmusic.ca) is actually a friend of mine that reached out to me. Sure I had to sell him on it, but he knew I was the best choice because he trusted me more than any other web designer out there, and I told him he'd only have to pay me after I made the site (to remove any apprehension due to risk). Trust + Value is the essence of any business deal. And friends have the trust factor already. Friendships and Referrals are PARAMOUNT in taking your first few steps in your business.

I have a lot of work to do before making it big: My next steps are building up my portfolio such that strangers can see the value they'll get, and can trust me to be serious about this.

Thanks for inspiring me and giving me sound advice in the fastlane book!
Congrats on the first sale & beginning your journey!

@Fox' thread on this topic will be a great education for you if you haven't gone through it in detail yet

GOLD - How to Learn Code, Start a Web Company, $15k+ per month within 9 months

Best of luck!
 
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Fox

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Great post and welcome to web design.

Web design is such a great skill that can lead (and branch into) so much potential.

It is a bit of a cliche but "check out the Gold posts" as there is tons of info you can add into your web design skills to separate you from the pack.
 

AndreiR

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Aug 30, 2017
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Toronto, ON, CAN
Great post and welcome to web design.

Web design is such a great skill that can lead (and branch into) so much potential.

It is a bit of a cliche but "check out the Gold posts" as there is tons of info you can add into your web design skills to separate you from the pack.

Re-reading your thread in the summer is actually what made me get off my a$$ and take action! I've been in the Facebook group since early this year I think- I know I was definitely around since before you had your own site and courses. You've also replied to one or two of my posts on the group so I've been around for a while. And if I hadn't found the thread or joined the Facebook group I'd probably still be "learning" how to do web design haha!

The great part is right now I'm working on my second paying site (my first client referred him and I gave him 25% commission of course) and I'm talking with a third that may be interested! So it's been slow for a long time but now things are really getting better.

Thanks Rob!
 

Caramel

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Aug 19, 2017
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So omniuswebdevelopment.ca is your website?

That little thing on the homepage saying "We create permium websites for.." ending in "you" is killer, man! Leaves a really strong impact.

Props to you!
 
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AndreiR

Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Speedway Pass
User Power
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136%
Aug 30, 2017
47
64
Toronto, ON, CAN
So omniuswebdevelopment.ca is your website?

That little thing on the homepage saying "We create permium websites for.." ending in "you" is killer, man! Leaves a really strong impact.

Props to you!

Yup it's mine. And thanks I appreciate that.
 

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