Ask How do you decide between working on a platform and building your own client base?

[Brendan]

Freelancing platforms give you access to clients quickly, but they also take a cut of your earnings and come with their own rules. Building your own client base takes more time and effort at first, but it gives you more control over your work, your rates, and your relationships. Some freelancers start on platforms to build experience and then slowly move toward direct clients as they grow. Others stay on platforms for years and do very well there without ever building a personal brand. How did you decide which path to take, or are you still figuring it out?