how to freelance: what we learned from Ciara Deegan’s AMA

26 May

Ever wish you could ask a fellow freelancer all those burning questions about client management, pricing, imposter syndrome, and how they actually make it work day-to-day? Well, that's exactly what we did!

We recently had the absolute pleasure of hosting freelance marketing expert Ciara Deegan for an exclusive AMA session in our membership Slack. The conversation was packed with actionable insights, candid advice, and fresh perspectives on everything from landing your first clients to scaling without burnout.

For those of you who aren't inside yet, I've compiled the best moments from our incredible session. Grab a coffee, fetch your notebook and enjoy!

TLDR key insights

Niching isn't everything: staying open allows creativity to flow and avoids competing clients in the same space
Imposter syndrome is normal: it shows up because you care, not because you're unqualified - focus on proof, not doubt
Boundaries are business-critical: know your worth, set clear availability hours, and don't be afraid to say no
First clients come from being visible: word of mouth, referrals, and showing up consistently (even when it feels awkward)
Systems save sanity: proper onboarding processes, contracts, and project management tools prevent burnout
Growth requires strategy: always assess your capacity before taking on new work - outsource when needed

Why staying generalist might be your secret weapon:

Amy asked the question we've all wrestled with - whether to narrow down focus or embrace being a multi-skilled marketer. Ciara's take was refreshingly different from the typical "niche down" advice we hear everywhere.

"I don't have a super specific niche myself, and that's very intentional. I've found that staying a bit more open allows my creativity to flow better," Ciara shared. She explained how variety keeps her inspired and avoids the awkwardness of having competing clients in the same space. Her practical advice? "Start with what you enjoy and if you find down the line that one industry you really thrive in then nice down to that."

The key is being clear on what you bring to the table - whether that's a certain style, approach, or personality-led method. For Ciara, it's about nurturing her clients, and that approach has served her well.

Turning imposter syndrome into proof of caring:

Georgia's question about overcoming imposter syndrome as a young agency owner hit home for so many of us. Running a marketing agency for 4 years but still battling self-doubt? Ciara's response was both honest and empowering.

"Imposter syndrome shows up not because we are unqualified but because we care about what we do and with that we want to do the best for others," she explained. Her solution cuts through the noise: focus on proof, not doubt. Look back at how far you've come and remember that no great success happens without some failure and doubt.

Ciara's practical strategy: "The more you show up, speak with confidence (fake it till you make it), and own your wins - the quieter that imposter voice gets over time." Sometimes we need to picture ourselves one year ago looking at us now to realise just how capable we actually are.

The surprisingly simple way to land your first client:

Andreia, a brand new freelancer (literally one week in!), asked how to get those crucial first clients. Ciara's approach was brilliantly straightforward and completely doable for anyone starting out.

"It was a mix of word of mouth, referrals and just being visible," she explained. The key was posting on her personal Instagram and LinkedIn - even when it felt awkward - which led to landing her biggest current client. She still works with her very first client to this day, which speaks volumes about the power of building genuine relationships from the start.

Her practical tip for new freelancers: work with people you already know in some way and help others out - they'll help you in return. "You never know where work may pop up and by showing up yourself the inbounds will start to roll in."

Pricing without undervaluing yourself:

Lauren asked about determining services and pricing - something everyone struggles with, especially when costs keep rising. Ciara emphasised having structured packages in place for each service, with clear tiers that clients can choose from before onboarding.

"Think about how much time and effort will go into the service. I think we sometimes forget that our time is money when it comes to our business," she noted. Her biggest piece of advice: make sure you're offering something you actually enjoy, because it shows in your work and helps prevent burnout.

One of her biggest early mistakes? "Undercharging - I priced too low because I wanted the 'yes,' but it only led to overwork and undervaluing myself."sures influencers receive products they genuinely like in the correct sizes.

Managing growth without losing your sanity:

Serena from Dakar asked about scaling her digital marketing agency whilst maintaining some semblance of work-life balance - something we can all relate to! Ciara's strategy is refreshingly practical.

"Anytime I get a new enquiry I always take a few minutes to look at my workload as a whole. And make sure that I actually have the facilities, time and energy to be able to work on the proposed project," she shared. It's so easy to jump at every opportunity, but sometimes it's okay to say no.

Her game-changer tool? Notion. "It honestly changed my work life. I would have been an unorganised mess, and since Notion my game has really unlevelled!" She keeps all her client content calendars, meeting notes, and project tasks organised in one place.

Setting boundaries that actually stick:

Ellie's question about clients not responding and constant scope creep struck a nerve with everyone. Ciara's approach was refreshingly direct about protecting your time and energy.

"Is this worth my time and energy? Because as much as we care, we can't pour from an empty cup, especially when there's no communication coming from their side," she explained. Sometimes you have to pause and say 'until I hear back, we can't move forward' - and yes, sometimes that means letting their time run out.

Her boundary-setting strategies include using the onboarding call to assess client engagement, setting clear availability hours, and confidently addressing additional requests outside the original scope. "People won't push your boundaries if they know you know your worth."

The biggest mistakes Ciara wishes she'd avoided? Undercharging, saying yes to everything, having no boundaries, and lacking proper structures. Her advice for new freelancers: "Put some time into contracts, forms, strategy templates, onboarding processes. Makes everything easier in the long run."

The biggest thank you to Ciara for her time, generosity sharing her experiences and brilliant freelance wisdom.

I hope these insights give you some fresh perspective on your freelance journey! This is just a taste of the conversations we have in our membership community. The full AMA had so many more golden nuggets that I couldn't fit them all here.

Want more of this kind of access to experts? You know where to find us!