Ultimate Guide to Kickstarting Your Freelance Journey as a Young Creator

n a recent episode of the Education Next podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Hannah Dixon, the founder of Digital Nomad Kit and creator of The Virtual Excellence Academy.

As a seasoned digital nomad who has spent nearly two decades traveling and working globally, Hannah has trained thousands of aspiring freelancers and virtual assistants (VAs) to achieve financial freedom and location independence. Her insights are a beacon for young people navigating today’s challenging job market and seeking meaningful, self-directed careers.

Below, we dive into the key takeaways from our conversation, filled with practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to embark on a freelancing journey.

The Power of Freelancing for Young People

Hannah’s passion for empowering others shines through as she explains how freelancing can transform lives, especially for young people.

With the traditional job market becoming increasingly competitive and college degrees often falling short of guaranteeing employment, freelancing offers a viable alternative. Hannah emphasizes that the internet and Wi-Fi have democratized opportunities, allowing anyone, anywhere, to turn their skills into a sustainable career.

“Wi-Fi provides opportunities wherever you are. It’s a powerful way for people to have agency over their lives.”

For young people, freelancing isn’t just about earning money—it’s about discovering what’s possible. Hannah’s work with Manibu Movement highlighted the impact of exposing young individuals to freelancing early on. By teaching them to think outside the box and leverage even basic life skills, she helps them reframe challenges as opportunities.

“There’s no longer a lack of abundance, but a lack of imagination. Teaching young people to think differently can completely change the trajectory of their lives.”

The Importance of Networking: Building a “Life Network”

Networking can feel intimidating, especially for introverted young people, but Hannah redefines it as building a “life network” of relationships and friendships. In her Virtual Excellence Academy, community is a cornerstone, connecting students globally from day one. This network becomes a source of referrals, support, and collaboration, which are critical for freelance success.

“Your network is your life network. It’s just relationships, friendships. Referrals are the backbone of any successful virtual assistant.”

Hannah stresses that freelancers should position themselves as connectors, not just service providers. For example, if a client needs a service outside your expertise, referring them to someone in your network builds trust and strengthens your professional reputation.

Attending industry-specific events, both virtual and in-person, is another powerful way to make connections and land clients.

“Networking at industry-specific events or showcasing what you can do online is one of the most powerful ways to find clients.”

Discovering Your Strengths Through Freelancing

One of the most exciting aspects of freelancing, according to Hannah, is the freedom to explore and pivot. Unlike traditional jobs, where roles are often rigid, freelancing allows individuals to experiment with different skills and discover what they truly enjoy.

Hannah shared a compelling example of a student who entered her program intending to focus on graphic design and social media management but realized her true talent lay in project and team management.

“Freelancing opens doors you didn’t know existed. You have space to pivot quickly, try things out, and learn on the job with your clients.”

This flexibility is particularly valuable for young people who may not yet know their strengths. Programs like Hannah’s provide a safe space to experiment, helping participants uncover their passions and align their careers with their interests.

Embracing AI as a Freelancer’s Ally

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), many fear that automation will replace entry-level jobs, including freelance opportunities. Hannah, however, sees AI as an unpaid intern that enhances efficiency and opens new possibilities. Clients increasingly seek freelancers with AI skills, with over 60% of those hiring through her platform listing AI proficiency as a desired trait.

“Embrace AI as your unpaid intern. It can make you more efficient and imaginative in providing solutions to clients.”

Rather than fearing AI, freelancers should learn to use it to create tools, automate tasks, or even specialize in AI-related services. Hannah encourages young freelancers to at least gain a basic understanding of AI to stay competitive.

“Even a bare minimum understanding of AI sets you ahead of someone who’s ignoring it. Specializing in AI can future-proof your career.”

Overcoming the Biggest Freelance Challenge: Finding Clients

The most common hurdle for freelancers, especially beginners, is finding clients. Hannah acknowledges this as both a perceived and real challenge but offers practical strategies to overcome it. She compares finding clients to job hunting, noting that freelancing allows for a more personalized approach through targeted outreach and networking.

“The best way to land clients is showcasing that you can do what you say you can do. Your portfolio should reflect your skills.”

Hannah suggests creating a strong portfolio that demonstrates your expertise—whether it’s a well-curated Instagram account for social media managers or a Trello board for project managers. She also shares a creative tactic she used early in her career: creating YouTube tutorials to address common questions in her niche, which led to a flood of client inquiries.

“I made three-minute YouTube videos answering common questions about software I used, and I got tons of clients from that.”

Niching Down vs. Being a Generalist

When it comes to specialization, Hannah advocates for a balanced approach. While niching down to a specific skill (e.g., graphic design) or industry (e.g., working with life coaches) can set you apart, generalists can also thrive by niching based on values or client types.

“You can niche by skill, like being a web designer for restaurants, or by values, like working with organizations that care about the environment.”

This “non-niching, niching” approach allows freelancers to align their work with their passions while maintaining flexibility to offer a broad range of services.

Engaging Young Freelancers: AI, People Skills, and Gamification

Hannah notes that young people are particularly excited about AI and its potential to enhance their freelance offerings. However, they often lack confidence in “people skills,” such as conducting discovery calls or writing professional emails.

She recommends educational content that addresses these gaps, such as guides on client communication or cultural sensitivity when working globally.

To capture the attention of younger audiences, Hannah incorporates gamification into her training, using polls, quizzes, and interactive elements to make learning engaging.

“Young people are excited about AI but nervous about client communication. Gamification, like polls and quizzes, keeps them engaged.”

Hannah’s Legacy and Personal Joy

When asked how she’d like to be remembered, Hannah’s response reflects her grounded, impactful approach to life and work.

“I’d like to be remembered as someone who made a positive impact, lived a good life, and was good to people. Just casually, ‘She was cool. She helped me.’”

For Hannah, the best part of her digital nomad journey is the freedom to design her days and the joy of meeting students whose lives have been transformed through her programs—whether they’ve escaped difficult circumstances or embraced their dreams of travel.

“The time freedom is a pinch-me moment every week. And meeting students in real life, seeing how their lives have changed—that’s huge for me.”

A Call to Action for Young Freelancers

Hannah’s conversation is a powerful reminder that freelancing is more than a career path—it’s a personal development journey that empowers young people to take control of their futures.

By leveraging the internet, embracing AI, building a strong network, and showcasing their skills, aspiring freelancers can carve out a life of freedom and purpose.

Start your career with Freelance Foundations or sponsor a student at MaNaBu Movement.

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