226: How this Freelance Fashion Designer Landed 140 Style Project on UpWork

With the right foundation and strategies, you can find massive projects on Upwork!

No, really.  Upwork may have its cons (just like any freelancing platform), but today I’m talking with Katrina Martin who made the transition from corporate to freelancing and landed an amazing gig from Upwork.  We’re talking a massive 140-style project!  Not only did she land the gig, she also negotiated a price that was higher than the set budget!

Knowing the right strategies to stand out in a saturated market, network effectively, negotiate pay, and step out of your comfort zone can help you regain creative freedom.  Whether you’re new to fashion freelancing or a seasoned freelancer, this episode is full of golden nuggets to help you utilize the right strategies in your toolbox.

Episode Highlights

From NYC to Freelance Freedom

• Katrina Martin shares her journey from a corporate design role in New York to freelancing in Portland. She opens up about the mindset shift and hesitation she faced in making the leap.

Getting Started with FAST + Upwork

• After joining FAST, Katrina dove into trainings and landed her first small projects on Upwork—gaining confidence and learning valuable new skills along the way.

Landing a 140-Style Upwork Project

• Katrina breaks down how she scored a massive freelance gig designing 140 styles. Her key takeaway? Timeliness and thoughtful applications make all the difference.

Agency Life & Remote Workload

• Katrina shares insights from her time at a freelance agency, and her return to freelancing after a demanding remote contract designing 100 styles per month.

LinkedIn Networking & Support from FAST

• A connection with Rachel on LinkedIn led Katrina to FAST, where she finally found the support and guidance she was looking for.

Big Clients Over Small Gigs

• Katrina talks about her preference for larger clients and explains why she initially passed on small Upwork jobs to focus on higher-value opportunities.

Portfolio Critique That Paid Off

• Winning a portfolio critique from Heidi proved pivotal—it gave Katrina the clarity and edge she needed to land her largest project to date.

Project Spotlight: Wantable

• Katrina shares details about her freelance work with the clothing subscription company Wantable, and what she learned through that experience.

First Big Invoice

• Her first freelance invoice? $2,550 for one week of work—an exciting milestone that validated her decision to go freelance.

Looking Ahead

• Katrina reflects on the importance of networking, her strategy for finding new projects, and how she’s educating others about the freelance lifestyle.

Wrap-Up & Contact Info

• Katrina leaves her contact details for listeners who want to connect, and Heidi celebrates her journey with appreciation and enthusiasm.

Key Questions and Responses

1. How did you transition from corporate work to freelancing?

• Katrina shared her journey from working in a corporate environment in New York to moving back to Portland and eventually transitioning to freelance work. She highlighted how she leveraged her previous experience and network, including seeing a tagged LinkedIn post about freelancing that led her to join Fast and undergo specific trainings on the platform.

2. What was your experience securing your first major project on Upwork?

• Katrina explained that after completing Fast’s training, she started with small projects on Upwork. Her big break came when she secured a 140-style project after quick and timely application to a job posting. Katrina emphasized the importance of keeping Upwork refreshed and applying immediately to job postings.

3. Can you discuss the significance of the guidance and training received from Fast in your freelancing career?

• Katrina credited Fast’s guidance and training for giving her the confidence to pursue larger projects on freelancing platforms like Upwork. The training helped her navigate the intricacies of freelancing, from pitching to clients to negotiating rates and structuring contracts.

4. How did you approach negotiating pay and establishing contracts for your projects?

• Katrina underscored the importance of negotiating pay based on hours and deadlines. She shared that she put together detailed contracts outlining deliverables and deadlines, ensuring both parties had clear expectations. She is also considering implementing rush fees for projects with tight deadlines to better manage her time and workload.

5. What strategies helped you stand out in your pitch for the Wantable project?

• Katrina’s successful pitch for the Wantable project involved highlighting her unique sketching technique using an iPad and Adobe Illustrator, which caught the company’s interest. Despite HR constraints on rate negotiation, her distinct approach and portfolio helped her secure the job.

6. Can you describe your current working conditions and team dynamics on your project?

• Katrina shared that she is collaborating with other freelancers in various roles, such as senior designer and creative director, to complete her current work projects. They work together to deliver high-quality results, and she values the learning experiences from working in diverse categories, from denim to sweaters.

7. What are your future plans and how important is networking in freelancing?

• Katrina is focused on finding her next project and building a network with other designers for potential collaborations. She shared her intention to start cold emailing to seek more opportunities and stressed the importance of educating others about the viability and benefits of freelance work. She also expressed her desire to regain creative freedom and work on diverse design projects.

About Katrina:

Connect with Katrina:

Visit her website
Email at: katrinamartin127@gmail.com
Connect on Linkedin

Resources:
Katrina’s Flat Sketches