QUESTION & RESPONSE

Retired navy and disabled. I don’t even know where to start but I really want to freelance jobs here and there. I have plenty of work experience but no experience in the freelancing industry. Where can I start? Would love to do remote freelance “pay by the numbers not the hours” type work.

A real question from r/freelance that deserves a real answer. Not generic advice — specific steps.

25 upvotes r/freelance Business

THE QUESTION

I have a BS in computer science and 10 years of project management, 10 years of network, maintenance and troubleshooting and team management.

TL;DR

Retired navy and disabled veteran seeks remote freelance work. Leverage expertise and past experience to attract clients through an effective marketing strategy, rather than relying on cold pitches. Focus on "pay by the numbers, not the hours" type roles.


THE RESPONSE

What’s actually going on here

I can completely relate to the struggle you're going through. Losing projects seemingly out of nowhere is one of the most frustrating and demoralizing experiences for any freelancer, no matter how talented or experienced they are. The root cause is that the traditional "cold pitch" approach to finding clients is fundamentally broken - it puts you at the mercy of fickle prospective clients who hold all the power. The solution lies in flipping the script and becoming a "client magnet" instead. The Client Magnet Protocol teaches you how to position yourself as the obvious choice, rather than just another freelancer begging for scraps. It starts with defining your unique expertise and target market, then using strategic outreach to build genuine relationships with the right people. This primes the pump so when you do pitch, you're coming from a place of value and trust, not desperation. Another key piece is the Referral Activation Protocol. By systematically reaching out to your existing network and converting them into active referral sources, you create a steady stream of high-quality leads who are predisposed to work with you. This frees you from the constant hustle of cold outreach. Putting these frameworks into practice won't happen overnight, but even small steps can make a big difference. I'd suggest starting by documenting your most valuable skills and experience, then brainstorming your ideal client avatar. From there, map out your initial outreach plan. The key is to shift your mindset from a reactive "order taker" to a proactive "trusted advisor." When you get this right, the whole game changes. Instead of competing on price and fighting for scraps, you'll have clients actively seeking you out and fighting to work with you. That means more stability, higher pay, and less stress. It's a complete 180 from the feast-or-famine cycle you're in now.

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